One thousand, five hundred and thirty-seven health staff, presenting for hepatitis B vaccination in Jamaica, were surveyed in 1990/91 for hepatitis B markers and/or exposure to blood or hepatitis. Antibodies to either hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis B core (HBc) were found in 19.8% of 817 persons tested. Males were more likely to have antibodies to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) than females (29% compared with 18%, Odds Ratio 1.6; 95% CI 0.98-2.9). HBsAg was found in 5.3% of 562 persons tested compared with 1% of blood donors. One or more needlestick accidents were reported by 60% of the sample, and blood or liquor splashing on the face was reported by 48%. Jaundice and hepatitis were reported by 1.2% and 3.5% of health staff, respectively. HBsAg carrier status was associated with years of service (p = 0.039). Prevalence of antibodies to HBV increased with age (p = 0.004) and years of service (p = 0.028). The effect of age and years of service appears to be largely independent (r = 0.44). This survey reaffirms the importance of health workers being immunized with hepatitis B vaccine, and adhering rigorously to universal precautions in patient care and laboratory practice.
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Adv Ther
January 2025
Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, C/de la Feixa Llarga S/N, 08907, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
Introduction: Obesity and its complications are associated with high morbidity/mortality and a significant healthcare cost burden in Spain. It is therefore essential to know the potential clinical and economic benefits of reducing obesity. The objective of this study is to predict the decrease in rates of onset of potential complications associated with obesity and the cost savings after a weight loss of 15% over 10 years in Spain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Previous studies have shown that subtrochanteric femoral fractures treated with intramedullary nails might lead to varus-procurvatum malalignment. Similar results have been reported when using antegrade intramedullary lengthening nails (ILNs). The purpose of our study is to examine if antegrade telescoping intramedullary lengthening nails lead to varus-procurvatum malalignment of the proximal femur and what are possible predictors of that shift.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Soc Psychiatry
January 2025
Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased psychological distress and psychiatric service usage in Australia. Previous research into the first few months of the pandemic found severe inequality in telehealth psychiatry but no change in inequality for psychiatry service usage overall. However, it is unknown how inequality evolved over the remainder of the pandemic, as extended lockdowns continued in major Australian cities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Paediatr Child Health
January 2025
WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, VIDRL, Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Aims: Primary aim was to review severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) hospitalisations caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children aged < 2 years in paediatric hospitals in Australia. Secondary aims included RSV subtyping, assessing RSV seasonality and contributing to the World Health Organisation's RSV surveillance programme.
Methods: We prospectively reviewed the medical records of children (< 2 years of age) with a confirmed SARI who were admitted to one of four major Australian paediatric hospitals and had a respiratory sample analysed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Ann Neurol
January 2025
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
The long-term clinical outcomes and associated prognostic factors in contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2)-antibody diseases are unknown. A total of 75 participants with CASPR2 antibodies were longitudinally assessed for disability, quality-of-life, and chronic pain. Although most symptoms improved within 6 months of treatment, neuropathic pain and fatigue were the most immunotherapy refractory, and persisted for up to 6 years.
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