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A Call for epidemic assessment questionnaire.

ABSTRACT: Epidemic outbreaks are a part of population and public health. The epidemiological triad of host, agent and environment are changing in their interaction with each other in the recent years. As health care professionals lack training and time to assess risk factors of epidemic, important information about epidemic source identification may be missed. Newer biological and chemical agents are continually being added in our environment with potential to cause acute or subacute epidemic of diseases. These factors should motivate us to draft and implement an accessible universal epidemic outbreak questionnaire with a good online database for early epidemic source identification. We have tried to formulate a universal questionnaire that, if needed may be used by providers if they suspect unusual occurrence of cluster of cases.

SUBMITTER: Pratiti R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7462929 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A Call for epidemic assessment questionnaire.

Pratiti Rebecca R Sud Parul P

Environmental research 20200902

Epidemic outbreaks are a part of population and public health. The epidemiological triad of host, agent and environment are changing in their interaction with each other in the recent years. As health care professionals lack training and time to assess risk factors of epidemic, important information about epidemic source identification may be missed. Newer biological and chemical agents are continually being added in our environment with potential to cause acute or subacute epidemic of diseases. ...[more]

PMID: 32888952

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Project description:BackgroundIn 2007, a previously unrecorded disease, fur animal epidemic necrotic pyoderma (FENP), was detected in farmed mink (Neovision vision), foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and Finnraccoons (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Finland. Symptoms included severe pyoderma with increased mortality, causing both animal welfare problems and economic losses. In 2011, an epidemiologic questionnaire was mailed to all members of the Finnish Fur Breeders' Association to assess the occurrence of FENP from 2009 through the first 6 months of 2011. The aim was to describe the geographical distribution and detailed clinical signs of FENP, as well as sources of infection and potential risk factors for the disease.ResultsA total of 239 farmers (25%) returned the questionnaire. Clinical signs of FENP were observed in 40% (95% CI 34-46%) of the study farms. In addition, the survey clarified the specific clinical signs for different animal species. The presence of disease was associated with the importation of mink, especially from Denmark (OR 9.3, 95% CI 2.6-33.0). The transmission route between Finnish farms was associated with fur animal purchases. Some risk factors such as the farm type were also indicated. As such, FENP was detected more commonly on farms with more than one species of fur animal in comparison to farms with, for example, only foxes (OR 4.6, 95% CI 2.4-8.6), and the incidence was higher on farms with over 750 breeder mink compared to smaller farms (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6-9.0). Contact between fur animals and birds and other wildlife increased the risk of FENP on farms. Responses also indicated that blocking the entry of wildlife to the animal premises protected against FENP.ConclusionsFENP was most likely introduced to Finland by imported mink and spread further within the country via domestically purchased fur animals. Some potential risk factors, such as the type and size of the farm and contact with wildlife, contributed to the spread of FENP. Escape-proof shelter buildings block the entry of wildlife, thus protecting fur animals against FENP.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments provide robust and effective means of evaluating patients' treatment experience; however, none adequately cover experience using self-injection devices with enhanced features, such as an electromechanical autoinjector (e-Device). The aim of this study was to develop a PRO instrument that accurately assesses patient experience of using an e-Device and to evaluate its psychometric properties. METHODS:A mixed-methods approach was taken; two parallel, targeted literature reviews were conducted to identify relevant concepts and existing self-injection PRO instruments that could be adapted. Patient feedback obtained from two focus groups was used to inform initial instrument development. The pilot instrument was then administered in a multicenter, open-label, phase 3 clinical study in which patients self-injected certolizumab pegol using an e-Device, to gather evidence of its psychometric qualities. Exit interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of patients enrolled in the study to confirm the appropriateness and clarity of the items included and cognitively debrief the instrument. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on all items, and each domain's internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's ?. RESULTS:The literature searches identified several e-Device-specific concepts related to device features, device function, side effects/reactions/pain, confidence, and interference/convenience in daily life. Seven existing PRO instruments were identified. The Self-Injection Assessment Questionnaire (SIAQ), containing pre- and post-injection questionnaire modules, was selected as most suitable and adapted using feedback from 19 patients in the two focus groups to form the pilot Assessment of Self-Injection (ASI) questionnaire. CFA resulted in some changes to the grouping of items in the post-injection module domains following psychometric evaluation of the ASI. Internal consistency was satisfactory for all pre- and post-injection domains (??>?0.8). Cognitive debriefing results from 12 patient exit interviews confirmed the ASI's appropriateness and clarity. CONCLUSIONS:The ASI was developed iteratively with patient input and was evaluated in its intended clinical context of use. Psychometric analyses indicated promising cross-sectional results; the ASI was well understood and considered relevant by patients self-injecting using the e-Device, suggesting that it could be used in real-world settings to aid with clinical decision making. TRIAL REGISTRATION:NCT03357471.

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A Call for epidemic assessment questionnaire.

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A Call for epidemic assessment questionnaire.

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