Supplemental nutrition assistance program participation and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption,overall and by source

IntroductionThis paper examined patterns in adults' sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and caloric intake by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation status and by source of purchases in the United States (US).MethodCross-sectional analysis of consumption of SSBs by source of purchases using 24-hour dietary recall data obtained from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2010 (N = 17,891). Bivariate analysis and multivariable regressions were used to examine the association between SNAP participation and SSB calories consumed overall and by source.ResultsSSBs account for approximately 12% of total daily caloric intake (258 kcal) among SNAP participants, higher than that of SNAP-eligible nonparticipants (9% total daily intake, 205 kcal) and SNAP-ineligible nonparticipants (6% total daily intake, 153 kcal). Among income-eligible adults, participating in SNAP is associated with 28.9 additional SSB calories, of which most were obtained from a store. From 2003–04 to 2009–10, SSB prevalence and caloric intake were flat among SNAP participants while it declined among both SNAP-eligible and SNAP-ineligible nonparticipants; this pattern held for all sources of SSBs except for those purchased from fast-food restaurants, which were not statistically reduced among nonparticipants.ConclusionSNAP participants consumed more SSB calories compared to SNAP-eligible nonparticipants; and their SSB prevalence and caloric intake trend was flat over the 2003–04 to 2009–10 period. SNAP-Education interventions that focus on improving access to healthy food in poor neighborhoods may benefit SNAP participants.     

钢铁工人血常规指标及尿酸水平与代谢综合征发病风险的相关性

目的研究钢铁工人血常规指标和尿酸水平与代谢综合征(MS)的关联。方法采用病例对照研究方法,选取内蒙古某钢铁企业接触噪声和高温危害因素的男性作业人员607人作为接害组,该企业不接触噪声与高温的行政和管理岗位的男性作业人员312人作为对照组。采集两组血标本,检测血常规和尿酸水平,分析接害组与对照组血常规指标[白细胞计数(WBC)、红细胞计数(RBC)、血小板计数(PLT)、红细胞分布宽度(RDW)及血红蛋白含量(Hb)]和尿酸水平(UA)与MS的相关性。结果接害组和对照组间吸烟、饮酒、腰围(WC)、收缩压(SBP)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、空腹血糖(FPG)、WBC、RBC、PLT、Hb、RDW、体质量指数(BMI)及UA方面比较差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。接害组MS总体患病率为39.04%,高于对照组的23.08%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组MS患者和非MS患者WBC、RBC、PLT、RDW及UA比较差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)0多因素logistic回归分析发现WBC、RBC、RDW、PLT及UA是接害组MS的危险因素(均P<0.05)。结论钢铁工人MS患病率较高,红细胞计数增高、红细胞分布宽度增大及血小板计数升高是MS发生的危险因素。     

Lower immunity to poliomyelitis viruses in Australian young adults not eligible for inactivated polio vaccine

There are limited long-term data on seroprevalence of neutralising antibody (nAb) to the three poliovirus serotypes following the switch from oral polio vaccine (OPV) to inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). In Australia, combination vaccines containing IPV replaced OPV in late 2005. Using serum and plasma specimens collected during 2012 and 2013, we compared prevalence of nAb to poliovirus type 1 (PV1), type 2 (PV2) and type 3 (PV3) in birth cohorts with differing IPV and OPV eligibility from an Australian population-based sample. In the total sample of 1673 persons aged 12 months to 99 years, 85% had nAb against PV1, 83% PV2 and 67% PV3. In the cohort 12 to <18 years (eligible for 4 OPV doses, last dose 8–14 years prior), a significantly lower proportion had nAb than in the 7 to <12 year cohort (eligible for 3 OPV doses and an IPV booster, last dose 3–8 years prior) for all poliovirus types: [PV1: 87.1% vs. 95.9% (P = 0.01), PV2: 80.4% vs. 92.9% (P = 0.003) and PV3: 38.1% vs. 84.0% (P < 0.0001)]. These data suggest individual-level immunity may be better maintained when an OPV primary schedule is boosted by IPV, and support inclusion of an IPV booster in travel recommendations for young adults who previously received only OPV.     

Are refugees arriving in Denmark an under-immunised group for measles? A cross-sectional serology study

BackgroundIn 2018, Europe faced the highest number of Measles cases in a decade. In Denmark, the childhood vaccination programme has a coverage of approximately 90%. To eliminate the disease, vaccine coverage needs to be above the herd immunity threshold of 95%. This can be even more difficult to obtain, when vaccination programmes break down due to war, natural disasters etc. and concern has been raised, that unvaccinated refugees could facilitate spread of measles when migrating.MethodsIn order to address this concern, we tested 513 newly arrived refugees and family reunified refugees aged between 0 and 70 years for measles IgG antibodies. The participants were tested as part of a general health assessment between May 2016 and October 2018. In the cohort, 50% were males and the majority came from Syria (55%).ResultsWe found that 85% of the total group of refugees had immunity against measles. The 15% lacking antibodies were evenly distributed between the various countries of origin. Moreover, we found immunity to increase with age, leaving young children most vulnerable to infection, 79.9% (<19 years) vs 89.1% (≥19 years). Interview questions on previous vaccinations did not correlate to serology.ConclusionRefugees have measles immunity slightly lower than the host population.     

Systematic review and meta-analysis of immune response of double dose of hepatitis B vaccination in HIV-infected patients

IntroductionThe prevalence of co-infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is high and increases risk of hepatitis B chronicity and mortality. Despite guidelines for HIV-infected patients to be immunized against HBV, the immunogenicity of the HBV vaccination in HIV-infected patients is lower than that in the HIV-seronegative population.MethodIn this study, we performed a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials to investigate the response rate to an increased dose of HBV vaccination in HIV-infected patients. A fixed-effects model, with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses, was used. We identified nine studies involving 970 HIV-positive vaccine recipients.ResultsThe study results were divided into two groups, depending on the time when antibody against hepatitis surface antigen was measured. Results showed a significant increase in response rates among patients who received a double dose of the vaccine versus the standard dose in both subgroups; the pooled odds ratio (OR) was 1.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36–2.29) and 2.28 (95% CI: 1.73–3.01) for the rate that was measured 4–6 weeks and >12 months after completion of vaccination, respectively. The total OR was 1.99 (95% CI: 1.64–2.41). No heterogeneity was found.DiscussionOur meta-analysis shows that a double dose of the HBV vaccine may significantly improve the immune response in HIV-infected patients. Higher immunogenicity was observed, when it was measured 4–6 weeks and >12 months after completion of the vaccination.     

Parent,provider and vaccinee preferences for HPV vaccination: A systematic review of discrete choice experiments

ObjectivesTo systematically review, appraise and evaluate available evidence regarding discrete-choice experiments (DCEs) for the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination in order to support policymakers in making reasonable and effective vaccination program implementation decisions.MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted using the databases PubMed and Embase for DCEs in HPV up to May 2019. Extracted data was tabulated and two checklists were used for the quality appraisal of the included studies. All attributes were categorized in outcome, process or costs attributes and the relative importance of attributes was calculated using the range method.ResultsOut of 164 identified studies, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Eight were from high income countries (HICs) and four from low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Five studies each examined vaccinee and parent preferences, while only two assessed the providers’ preferences. The studies were rather heterogenous in terms of the populations investigated, the attributes included and the methodologic approach. Overall, outcome measures were the most prominent attributes and effectiveness consistently yielded high relative importance scores. But also process factors, such as the age at vaccination, played an important role for decision making. Discrepancies between HICs and LMICs were most prominent for cost attributes.ConclusionThe heterogenous preferences this review elicited highlight the importance of context when making decisions grounded on consumer preferences. Especially the lack of evidence from LMICs, where the burden of cervical cancer is highest, is worrisome. In order to increase uptake, close vaccination gaps and reduce current inequities in (reproductive) healthcare, policy makers need to understand the features that drive individual vaccination decisions and adapt national and clinical guidelines accordingly. Future research therefore needs to focus on LMICs in order to elicit preferences of those most vulnerable populations.     

Social and behavioral determinants of attitudes towards and practices of hepatitis B vaccine birth dose in Vietnam

BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant public health issue in Vietnam. Our goal was to understand the determinants of attitudes towards and practices of hepatitis B vaccine birth dose (HepB-BD) in certain regions of Vietnam.MethodA rapid qualitative assessment was conducted in three geographically diverse provinces that reported low coverage (<50%) of HepB-BD. Using purposive sampling of participants, 29 focus group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews were held with caregivers (n = 96), healthcare providers (n = 75), and healthcare administrators (n = 16). Summary notes from these were translated, and inductive coding was used to derive themes. The SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants Matrix was used as a theoretical framework to organize barriers and facilitators associated with the themes into three levels of influence.ResultsAt the individual and group level, caregivers who had higher levels of knowledge about HepB-BD sought the vaccine proactively, while others with lower knowledge faced barriers to the vaccine. Some caregivers reported a negative attitude toward health services because of a language barrier or had generalized concerns about HepB-BD due to media reporting of the past adverse events. Distress arising from potential adverse events was equally common among healthcare providers. At the contextual level, the physical environment made it difficult for caregivers to access healthcare facilities and for providers to conduct outreach. Home births posed a challenge for timely administration of HepB-BD, while health facility births facilitated it. Vaccination-specific barriers included misinterpretation of pre-vaccination screening criteria and asking for the consent of caregivers. Inadequate resources for service delivery negatively influenced HepB-BD attitudes and practices.ConclusionGiven the diversity of barriers associated with attitudes towards and practices of HepB-BD in the three provinces, tailored interventions will be necessary for both demand- and supply-side factors. Rural areas, often with more home births and geographic barriers, may require focused attention.     

Divergence of VP7 genes of G1 rotaviruses isolated from infants vaccinated with reassortant rhesus rotaviruses

Summary A large placebo-controlled efficacy trial of the rhesus tetravalent (RRV-TV) and serotype G1 monovalent (RRV-S1) rotavirus vaccines was conducted in 1991–1992 at 24 sites across the United States. Protection was 49% and 54% against all diarrhea but 80% and 69% against very severe gastroenteritis for the two vaccines, respectively. Post-vaccination neutralizing antibody titers to the G1 Wa strain, whose VP7 protein is nearly identical to that of the D strain of rotavirus contained in both vaccines, did not correlate with protection against subsequent illness with G1 strains. This result raised the possibility that in infants who developed post-vaccination neutralizing antibody to Wa, breakthrough (i.e., vaccine failure—the occurrence of rotavirus diarrhea after immunization) may have been due to infection by G1 strains that were sufficiently antigenically distinct from the vaccine strain to evade the neutralizing antibodies elicited by vaccination. To test this hypothesis, we initially compared post-vaccination neutralizing antibody titers of vaccinees against Wa and G1 breakthrough strains using sera from subjects who experienced breakthrough. Post-immunization neutralizing antibody titers to Wa elicited by vaccination were significantly (P<0.001) greater than to the breakthrough strains subsequently obtained from these subjects. This difference did not, however, correlate with lack of protection since similar differences in titer to Wa and breakthrough strains were found using post-vaccination sera from vaccinees who either experienced asymptomatic rotavirus infections or no infections. To determine the genetic basis for these differences, we compared the VP7 gene sequences of Wa with vaccine strain D, 12 G1 breakthrough strains, and 3 G1 control strains isolated during the same trial from placebo recipients. All breakthrough strains were distinct from Wa and D in antigenically important regions throughout the VP7 protein, but these differences were conserved between breakthrough and placebo strains. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the deduced amino sequences from VP7 genes of G1 rotaviruses from 12 countries indicated that four distinct lineages have evolved. All breakthrough and control strains from the U.S. vaccine trial were in a lineage different from strain D, the serotype G1 vaccine strain. Although the overall results do not support our original hypothesis that immune selection of antigenically distinct escape mutants led to vaccine breakthrough in subjects with a neutralization response to Wa, it cannot be excluded that breakthrough could be partially due to antigenic differences in the VP7 proteins of currently circulating G1 strains.     

Pneumonia prevention: Cost-effectiveness analyses of two vaccines among refugee children aged under two years,Haemophilus influenzae type b-containing and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines,during a humanitarian emergency,Yida camp,South Sudan

By September 2013, war between Sudan and South Sudan resulted in >70,000 Sudanese refugees and high pneumonia incidence among the 20,000 refugees in Yida camp, South Sudan. Using Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)-provided data and modifying our decision-tree models, we estimated if administering Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)-containing (pentavalent vaccine, also with diphtheria pertussis and tetanus [DPT] and hepatitis B) and pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) vaccines were cost-effective against hospitalized pneumonia. Among children <2 years old, compared with no vaccination, one- and two-doses of combined Hib-containing and PCV would avert an estimated 118 and 125 pneumonia cases, and 8.5 and 9.1 deaths, respectively. The cost per Disability-Adjusted-Life-Year averted for administering combined one- and two-doses was US$125 and US$209, respectively. MSF demonstrated that it was possible to administer these vaccines during an emergency and our analysis found it was highly cost-effective, even with just one-dose of either vaccine. Despite unknown etiology, there is strong field and now economic rationale for administering Hib and PCV during at least one humanitarian emergency.     

Increasing seasonal influenza vaccination among high risk groups in China: Do community healthcare workers have a role to play?

BackgroundSeasonal influenza vaccine uptake in China is low. This study aims to assess the role of community healthcare workers (HCWs) in increasing vaccination among high risk groups in China.MethodsWe analyzed data from four knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) studies on seasonal influenza vaccination in China targeting guardians of young children, pregnant women, adults aged ≥60 years, and HCWs from 2012 to 2014.ResultsThirty-one percent of pregnant women and 78% adults aged ≥60 years reported willingness to follow HCWs’ recommendations for influenza vaccination. Guardians were more likely to vaccinate their children if they received HCWs’ recommendations (35% vs. 17%, p < 0.001). Community HCWs were more likely to recommend seasonal influenza vaccination than hospital HCWs (58% vs. 28%, p < 0.001).ConclusionStudy results suggest the value of incorporating community HCWs’ recommendation for seasonal influenza vaccination into existing primary public health programs to increase vaccination coverage among high risk groups in China.