• Title/Summary/Keyword: Preventive strategies

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Epidemiological Model for Conventional Tobacco Control Measures and Tobacco Endgame Policies

  • Heewon Kang;Sung-il Cho
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.56 no.5
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    • pp.481-484
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    • 2023
  • Epidemiological models, also known as host-agent-vector-environment models, are utilized in public health to gain insights into disease occurrence and to formulate intervention strategies. In this paper, we propose an epidemiological model that incorporates both conventional measures and tobacco endgame policies. Our model suggests that conventional measures focus on relationships among agent-vector-host-environment components, whereas endgame policies inherently aim to change or eliminate those components at a fundamental level. We also found that the vector (tobacco industry) and environment (physical and social surroundings) components were insufficiently researched or controlled by both conventional measures and tobacco endgame policies. The use of an epidemiological model for tobacco control and the tobacco endgame is recommended to identify areas that require greater effort and to develop effective intervention measures.

PREVENTION STRATEGIES TO CONTROL AN EPIDEMIC USING A SEIQHRV MODEL

  • Mohit Soni;Rajesh Kumar Sharma;Shivram Sharma
    • The Pure and Applied Mathematics
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    • v.31 no.2
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    • pp.131-158
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    • 2024
  • This study investigates the impact of precautionary measures, such as isolating exposed individuals, wearing masks, and maintaining physical distance, on preventing infectious disease. A deterministic SEIQHRV epidemic model is employed for this purpose. The model's positivity, boundedness, disease-free, and endemic equilibrium points are identified. A sensitivity test assesses the impact of preventive measures on infected classes. Results show that a basic reproduction number less than unity drives disease eradiction, while a higher unity value encourages the adoption of preventive measures.

The Relationship between Role Conflict, Job Satisfaction, and Organizational Commitment among Community Healthcare Workers of the Seoul Preventive Project for Metabolic Syndrome (보건소 대사증후군관리사업 참여인력의 역할갈등, 조직몰입, 직무만족 간의 관계)

  • Ryu, Hosihn;Cho, Jeonghyun
    • Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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    • v.27 no.1
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    • pp.16-26
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    • 2013
  • Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify a conceptual link between role conflict, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment, with a specific examination on how job satisfaction mediated the relationship between role conflict and organizational commitment, among community healthcare workers. Methods: Participants were 119 community healthcare workers of the Seoul Preventive Project for Metabolic Syndrome at 15 community health centers. Descriptive analysis, correlations analysis, and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical analysis of our data. Additionally, Sobel's test was used to verify the significance of the mediating effect. Results: An inverse association between role conflict and organizational commitment was found (beta=-0.53, p<.001). This relationship was fully mediated by job satisfaction (z=-6.43, p<.001). Conclusion: Job satisfaction mediates the effects of role conflict on the organizational commitment of healthcare workers in community health centers. Strategies for improving the components of job satisfaction are needed to achieve better outcomes in organizational commitment in the Seoul Preventive Project for Metabolic Syndrome and possibly other work settings.

Primary Care Physicians' Action Plans for Responding to Results of Screening Tests Based on the Concept of Quaternary Prevention

  • Bae, Jong-Myon;Jamoulle, Marc
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.49 no.6
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    • pp.343-348
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    • 2016
  • Since noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are generally controllable rather than curable, more emphasis is placed on prevention than on treatment. For the early detection of diseases, primary care physicians (PCPs), as well as general practitioners and family physicians, should interpret screening results accurately and provide screenees with appropriate information about prevention and treatment, including potential harms. The concept of quaternary prevention (QP), which was introduced by Jamoulle and Roland in 1995, has been applied to screening results. This article summarizes situations that PCPs encounter during screening tests according to the concept of QP, and suggests measures to face such situations. It is suggested that screening tests be customized to fit individual characteristics instead of being performed based on general guidelines. Since screening tests should not be carried out in some circumstances, further studies based on the concept of prevention levels proposed by Jamoulle and Roland are required for the development of strategies to prevent NCDs, including cancers. Thus, applying the concept of QP helps PCPs gain better insights into screening tests aimed at preventing NCDs and also helps improve the doctor-patient relationship by helping screenees understand medical uncertainties.

Molecular Typing in Public Health Laboratories: From an Academic Indulgence to an Infection Control Imperative

  • Allerberger, Franz
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.45 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2012
  • Using three Austrian case studies, the variegated applications of molecular typing in today's public health laboratories are discussed to help illustrate preventive management strategies relying on DNA subtyping. DNA macrorestriction analysis by pulsed field gel electrophoresis has become the gold standard for subtyping of food borne pathogens like listeria, salmonella, campylobacter and Bacillus cereus. Using a Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak from the year 2010 as example, it is shown how the comparison of patterns from human isolates, food isolates, animal isolates and feed isolates can allow to identify and confirm a source of disease. An epidemiological connection between the simultaneous occurrence of tuberculosis in cattle and deer with cases of human tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium caprae in 2010 was excluded using mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units variable-number tandem repeats subtyping. Also in 2010, multilocus sequence typing with nonselective housekeeping genes, the so-called sequence based typing protocol, was used to elucidate connections between an environmental source (a hospital drinking water system) and a case of legionellosis. During the last decades, molecular typing has evolved to become a routine tool in the daily work of public health laboratories. The challenge is now no longer to simply type microorganisms, but to type them in a way that allows for data exchange between public health laboratories all over the world.

Risk Assessment and Pharmacogenetics in Molecular and Genomic Epidemiology

  • Park, Sue-K.;Choi, Ji-Yeob
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.42 no.6
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    • pp.371-376
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    • 2009
  • In this article, we reviewed the literature on risk assessment (RA) models with and without molecular genomic markers and the current utility of the markers in the pharmacogenetic field. Epidemiological risk assessment is applied using statistical models and equations established from current scientific knowledge of risk and disease. Several papers have reported that traditional RA tools have significant limitations in decision-making in management strategies for individuals as predictions of diseases and disease progression are inaccurate. Recently, the model added information on the genetic susceptibility factors that are expected to be most responsible for differences in individual risk. On the continuum of health care, from diagnosis to treatment, pharmacogenetics has been developed based on the accumulated knowledge of human genomic variation involving drug distribution and metabolism and the target of action, which has the potential to facilitate personalized medicine that can avoid therapeutic failure and serious side effects. There are many challenges for the applicability of genomic information in a clinical setting. Current uses of genetic markers for managing drug therapy and issues in the development of a valid biomarker in pharmacogenetics are discussed.

Burden of Noncommunicable Diseases and National Strategies to Control Them in Korea

  • Khang, Young-Ho
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.46 no.4
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    • pp.155-164
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    • 2013
  • Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the most important causes of premature mortality and disability-adjusted life years in Korea. NCDs are also the main contributor to socioeconomic inequalities in mortality and life expectancy. Reduction of NCDs and NCD inequalities would result in significant improvement in healthy life expectancy and health equity in Korea. Major NCD risk factors such as dietary risks (including salt intake), alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and high blood pressure were found to be the leading modifiable risk factors of disability-adjusted life years in Korea, based on the 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study. Several Korean studies have shown that these risk factors play an important role in creating socioeconomic inequalities in NCD mortality and total mortality. Current international discussions on NCD policies in the United Nations and the World Health Organization would provide better opportunities for developing aggressive population-wide policy measures in Korea. Considering the paucity of population-wide policies to control major NCD risk factors in Korea, rigorous population approaches such as taxation and regulation of unhealthy commodities as well as public education and mass campaigns should be further developed in Korea.

The Socioeconomic Burden of Coronary Heart Disease in Korea

  • Chang, Hoo-Sun;Kim, Han-Joong;Nam, Chung-Mo;Lim, Seung-Ji;Jang, Young-Hwa;Kim, Se-Ra;Kang, Hye-Young
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.45 no.5
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    • pp.291-300
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    • 2012
  • Objectives: We aimed to estimate the annual socioeconomic burden of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Korea in 2005, using the National Health Insurance (NHI) claims data. Methods: A prevalence-based, top-down, cost-of-treatment method was used to assess the direct and indirect costs of CHD (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision codes of I20-I25), angina pectoris (I20), and myocardial infarction (MI, I21-I23) from a societal perspective. Results: Estimated national spending on CHD in 2005 was $2.52 billion. The majority of the spending was attributable to medical costs (53.3%), followed by productivity loss due to morbidity and premature death (33.6%), transportation (8.1%), and informal caregiver costs (4.9%). While medical cost was the predominant cost attribute in treating angina (74.3% of the total cost), premature death was the largest cost attribute for patients with MI (66.9%). Annual per-capita cost of treating MI, excluding premature death cost, was $3183, which is about 2 times higher than the cost for angina ($1556). Conclusions: The total insurance-covered medical cost ($1.13 billion) of CHD accounted for approximately 6.02% of the total annual NHI expenditure. These findings suggest that the current burden of CHD on society is tremendous and that more effective prevention strategies are required in Korea.

Healthcare Workers' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the World Health Organization's "My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene": Evidence From a Vietnamese Central General Hospital

  • Van Nguyen, Huy;Tran, Hieu Trung;Khuong, Long Quynh;Van Nguyen, Thanh;Ho, Na Thi Nhi;Dao, An Thi Minh;Van Hoang, Minh
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.53 no.4
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    • pp.236-244
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    • 2020
  • Objectives: Although the World Health Organization (WHO) initiative "My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene" has been lauded as effective in preventing hospital-associated infections, little is known about healthcare workers (HCWs)' hand hygiene behavior. In this study, we sought to assess knowledge and attitudes towards the concepts in this initiative, as well as associated factors, among Vietnamese HCWs at a general hospital. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to HCWs at a central Vietnamese general hospital in 2015. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with HCWs' knowledge and attitudes towards hand hygiene. Results: Of 120 respondents, 65.8% and 67.5% demonstrated appropriate knowledge and a positive attitude, respectively, regarding all 5 hand hygiene moments. Logistic regression indicated better knowledge of hand hygiene in workers who were over 30 years old, who were direct HCWs (rather than managers), who had frequent access to clinical information, and who received their clinical information from training. Those who worked in infectious and tropical disease wards, who had frequent access to clinical information, and who received information from training were more likely to have a positive attitude towards hand hygiene than their counterparts. Conclusions: Although many Vietnamese HCWs displayed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes towards the WHO hand hygiene guidelines, a key gap remained. Regular education and training programs are needed to increase knowledge and to improve attitudes and practices towards hand hygiene. Furthermore, a combination of multimodal strategies and locally-adapted interventions is needed for sustainable hand hygiene adherence.

Comparing Endoscopy and Upper Gastrointestinal X-ray for Gastric Cancer Screening in South Korea: A Cost-utility Analysis

  • Chang, Hoo-Sun;Park, Eun-Cheol;Chung, Woo-Jin;Nam, Chung-Mo;Choi, Kui-Son;Cho, Eun;Cho, Woo-Hyun
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.13 no.6
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    • pp.2721-2728
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    • 2012
  • Background: There are limited data evaluating the cost-effectiveness of gastric cancer screening using endoscopy or upper gastrointestinal x-ray in the general population. Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of population-based screening for gastric cancer in South Korea by decision analysis. Methods: A time-dependent Markov model for gastric cancer was constructed for healthy adults 30 years of age and older, and a deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed. Cost-utility analysis with multiple strategies was conducted to compare the costs and effects of 13 different screening alternatives with respect to the following eligibility criteria: age at the beginning of screening, screening interval, and screening method. The main outcome measurement was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Results: The results revealed that annual endoscopic screening from ages 50-80 was the most cost-effective for the male population. In the females, biennial endoscopy screening from ages 50-80 was calculated as the most cost-effective strategy among the 12 screening alternatives. The most cost-effective screening strategy may be adjustable according to the screening costs and the distribution of cancer stage at screening. The limitation was that effectiveness data were obtained from published sources. Conclusions: Using the threshold of $19,162 per quality-adjusted life year on the basis of the Korean gross domestic product (2008), as suggested by the World Health Organization, endoscopic gastric cancer screening starting at the age of 50 years was highly cost-effective in the Korean population. The national recommendation for gastric cancer screening should consider the starting age of screening, the screening interval, and the screening modality.