Publications by authors named "P R Houck"

Article Synopsis
  • Trachoma is still a significant health issue in parts of Cameroon, particularly in the northern regions, where surveys from 2016-2022 revealed ongoing cases of active trachoma and trichiasis, despite previous interventions.
  • A total of 151,800 individuals were examined in these surveys, and findings indicated that two evaluation units exceeded the 5% threshold for active trachoma, while ten units exceeded the 0.2% threshold for trichiasis.
  • Continued intervention efforts, including mass antibiotic distribution and improved surgical access, are needed to address these health challenges, with future assessments required to gauge progress towards eliminating trachoma as a public health concern.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: To investigate COVID-19 disparities between Hispanic/Latino persons (H/L) and non-H/L persons in an agricultural community by examining behavioral and demographic differences.

Methods: In September 2020, we conducted Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee, Washington, to evaluate differences between H/L and non-H/L populations in COVID-19 risk beliefs, prevention practices, household needs, and vaccine acceptability. We produced weighted sample frequencies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Baseline mapping showed that schistosomiasis was highly/moderately endemic in nine districts in Sierra Leone. Mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel started in 2009, and after multiple rounds of treatment, an impact assessment was conducted in 2016 followed by a second re-assessment in 2022 using cluster sampling to provide more granular data for refining chiefdom (sub-district) treatment strategies.

Methods: On average, 20 rural villages were systematically selected per district by probability proportional to population size across the nine districts.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF