BMC Public Health

Ullmann, Gerhild; Kedia, Satish K.; Homayouni, Ramin; Akkus, Cem; Schmidt, Michael; Klesges, Lisa M.; Ward, Kenneth D.

doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5968-6pmid: 30157819

BackgroundChild obesity is a major public health challenge, increasing the risk of chronic medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension. Among U.S. states, Tennessee has one of the highest rates of child obesity. Emerging communication technologies can help to deliver highly disseminable population-level interventions to improve health behavior. The aim of this paper is to report the implementation and the evaluation of the reach of Memphis FitKids, a web-based application, intended to promote healthy behaviors for families and children.MethodsA community-level demonstration project, Memphis FitKids, was developed and implemented in Tennessee’s Greater Memphis Area. This application (www.memphisfitkids.org) was designed for parents to assess their children’s obesity risk through determinants such as weight, diet, physical activity, screen time, and sleep adequacy. A built-in “FitCheck” tool used this collected information to create a report with tailored recommendations on how to make healthy changes. A Geographic Information Systems component was implemented to suggest low-cost neighborhood resources that support a healthy lifestyle. A social marketing framework was used to develop and implement FitKids, and a Community Advisory Board with representatives from community partners (e.g., the YMCA of Memphis, the Pink Palace Family of Museums, and the Memphis Public Library) supported the implementation of the project. Five kiosks distributed in the community served as public access points to provide a broad reach across socioeconomic strata. Presentations at community events and the use of Facebook facilitated the promotion of FitKids. Website traffic and Facebook usage were evaluated with Google Analytics and Facebook Insights, respectively.ResultsIn Tennessee, 33,505 users completed 38,429 FitCheck sessions between July 2014 and December 2016. Among these, 6763 sessions were completed at the five kiosks in the community. FitKids was presented at 112 community events and the social media posts reached 23,767 unique Facebook users.ConclusionsThe Memphis FitKids demonstration project showed that web-based health tools may be a viable strategy to increase access to information about healthy weight and lifestyle options for families. Mobile-friendly web-based applications like Memphis FitKids may also serve health professionals in their efforts to support their clients in adopting healthy behaviors.

Eldigail, Mawahib H.; Adam, Gamal K.; Babiker, Rabie A.; Khalid, Fatima; Adam, Ibrahim A.; Omer, Osama H.; Ahmed, Mohamed E.; Brair, Sara L.; Haroun, Eltahir M.; AbuAisha, Hassan; Karrar, Abdelrahim E.; Abdalla, Hamid S.; Aradaib, Imadeldin E.

doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5853-3pmid: 30053811

BackgroundDengue fever, caused by dengue virus (DENV), has become one of the most important mosquito-borne viral diseases with a steady rise in global incidence, including the Sudan. Sporadic cases and frequent acute febrile illness outbreaks, compatible with Dengue fever, have been reported in El-Gadarif State, Sudan. However, diagnosis was based almost exclusively on clinical signs without confirmatory laboratory investigations. Despite the magnitude of the problem in El-Gadarif State, no information is currently available with regard to the epidemiology of the disease in this State. El-Gadarif State is one of the largest commercial centers in the Sudan. The objective of the present investigation is to estimate the prevalence of DENV antibodies, and determine the potential risk factors associated with seropositivity among residents of El-Gadarif State.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted in a total of 701residents randomly selected from all 10 localities in El-Gadarif State. The sera from the 701 residents were tested for the presence of DENV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using a commercially available Anti-dengue IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsAmong the 701 residents, 334 residents (47.6%) were seropositive for DENV. Mosquito control (OR = 2.73, CI = 1.37–5.87, p-value = 0.001); low income (OR = 2.31, CI: 1.71–6.36, p value = 0.032); sleeping out-doors (OR = 3.73, CI = 2.63–6.23, p-value = 0.013), and localities were determined as potential risk factors for contracting DENV infection.ConclusionsThe prevalence rate of DENV antibodies among residents of El-Gadarif State is significantly high (47.6%). Further epidemiologic studies including, distribution of mosquito vectors and implementation of improved surveillance are urgently warranted for better prediction and prevention of a possible DENV outbreak in El-Gadarif State, Sudan.

Kleppang, Annette; Hartz, Ingeborg; Thurston, Miranda; Hagquist, Curt

doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-6257-0pmid: 30541522

Dougherty, Anne; Kayongo, Alex; Deans, Samantha; Mundaka, John; Nassali, Faith; Sewanyana, James; Migadde, Eric; Kiyemba, Ronald; Katali, Estherloy; Holcombe, Sarah; Heil, Sarah; Kalyesubula, Robert

doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-6173-3pmid: 30477477

Visscher, Boudewijn; Steunenberg, Bas; Heijmans, Monique; Hofstede, Jolien; Devillé, Walter; Heide, Iris; Rademakers, Jany

doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-6331-7pmid: 30594180

Kusnoor, Sheila; Koonce, Taneya; Hurley, Suzanne; McClellan, Kalonji; Blasingame, Mallory; Frakes, Elizabeth; Huang, Li-Ching; Epelbaum, Marcia; Giuse, Nunzia

doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5453-2pmid: 29699539

Zabaleta-del-Olmo, Edurne; Pombo, Haizea; Pons-Vigués, Mariona; Casajuana-Closas, Marc; Pujol-Ribera, Enriqueta; López-Jiménez, Tomás; Cabezas-Peña, Carmen; Martín-Borràs, Carme; Serrano-Blanco, Antoni; Rubio-Valera, Maria; Llobera, Joan; Leiva, Alfonso; Vidal, Clara; Campiñez, Manuel; Martín-Álvarez, Remedios; Maderuelo, José-Ángel; Recio, José-Ignacio;

Cusick, Sarah E.; Jaramillo, Ericka G.; Moody, Emily C.; Ssemata, Andrew S.; Bitwayi, Doreen; Lund, Troy C.; Mupere, Ezekiel

doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5589-0pmid: 29884149

Abstract Background Exposure to environmental heavy metals is common among African children. Although many of these metals are known neurotoxicants, to date, monitoring of this exposure is limited, even in countries such as Uganda that are undergoing rapid industrialization. An assessment of the burden and potential causes of metal exposure is a critical first step in gauging the public health burden of metal exposure and in guiding its elimination. Methods In May 2016, we enrolled 100 children between the ages of 6 and 59 months living in the Katanga urban settlement of Kampala, Uganda. We measured whole blood concentrations of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, cesium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, selenium, and zinc. Applying reference cutoffs, we identified metals whose prevalence of elevated blood concentrations was > 10%. We also administered an environmental questionnaire to each child’s caregiver to assess potential exposures, including source of drinking water, cooking location and fuel, materials used for roof, walls, and floor, and proximity to potential pollution sources such as main roads, garbage landfills, and fuel stations. We compared log-transformed blood metal concentrations by exposure category, using t-test for dichotomous comparisons and ANOVA for comparisons of three categories, using Tukeys test to adjust for multiple comparisons. Results The prevalence of high blood levels was elevated for six of the metals: antimony (99%), copper (12%), cadmium (17%), cobalt (19.2%), lead (97%), and manganese (36.4%). Higher blood manganese was significantly associated with having cement walls (p = 0.04) or floors (p = 0.04). Cadmium was greater among children who attended school (< 0.01), and cobalt was higher among children who lived near a garbage landfill (p = 0.01). Conclusions Heavy metal exposure is prevalent in the Katanga settlement and may limit neurodevelopment of children living there. Future studies are needed to definitively identify the sources of exposure and to correct potential nutritional deficiencies that may worsen metal absorption.

Lesinskiene, Sigita; Girdzijauskiene, Sigita; Gintiliene, Grazina; Butkiene, Dovile; Puras, Dainius; Goodman, Robert; Heiervang, Einar

doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5436-3pmid: 29699524

Fournet, N.; Mollema, L.; Ruijs, W. L.; Harmsen, I. A.; Keck, F.; Durand, J. Y.; Cunha, M. P.; Wamsiedel, M.; Reis, R.; French, J.; Smit, E. G.; Kitching, A.; van Steenbergen, J. E.

doi: 10.1186/s12889-018-5103-8pmid: 29378545

Abstract Background Despite effective national immunisation programmes in Europe, some groups remain incompletely or un-vaccinated (‘under-vaccinated’), with underserved minorities and certain religious/ideological groups repeatedly being involved in outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD). Gaining insight into factors regarding acceptance of vaccination of ‘under-vaccinated groups’ (UVGs) might give opportunities to communicate with them in a trusty and reliable manner that respects their belief system and that, maybe, increase vaccination uptake. We aimed to identify and describe UVGs in Europe and to describe beliefs, attitudes and reasons for non-vaccination in the identified UVGs. Methods We defined a UVG as a group of persons who share the same beliefs and/or live in socially close-knit communities in Europe and who have/had historically low vaccination coverage and/or experienced outbreaks of VPDs since 1950. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases using specific search term combinations. For the first systematic review, studies that described a group in Europe with an outbreak or low vaccination coverage for a VPD were selected and for the second systematic review, studies that described possible factors that are associated with non-vaccination in these groups were selected. Results We selected 48 articles out of 606 and 13 articles out of 406 from the first and second search, respectively. Five UVGs were identified in the literature: Orthodox Protestant communities, Anthroposophists, Roma, Irish Travellers, and Orthodox Jewish communities. The main reported factors regarding vaccination were perceived non-severity of traditional “childhood” diseases, fear of vaccine side-effects, and need for more information about for example risk of vaccination. Conclusions Within each UVG identified, there are a variety of health beliefs and objections to vaccination. In addition, similar factors are shared by several of these groups. Communication strategies regarding these similar factors such as educating people about the risks associated with being vaccinated versus not being vaccinated, addressing their concerns, and countering vaccination myths present among members of a specific UVG through a trusted source, can establish a reliable relationship with these groups and increase their vaccination uptake. Furthermore, other interventions such as improving access to health care could certainly increase vaccination uptake in Roma and Irish travellers.