Health behaviors and quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors.

Purpose: To examine, at the population level, health behaviors, comorbidities, and health-related quality of life among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors compared with other cancer survivors and persons without cancer.

Methods: We used data from the 2009 and 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System cancer survivor modules. We calculated descriptive statistics, conducted chi-square tests for comparisons, and used multivariable logistic regression analysis to compare CRC survivors with other cancer survivors and persons without cancer.

2014 MERS-CoV outbreak in Jeddah--a link to health care facilities.

Background: A marked increase in the number of cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection occurred in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in early 2014. We evaluated patients with MERS-CoV infection in Jeddah to explore reasons for this increase and to assess the epidemiologic and clinical features of this disease.

Methods: We identified all cases of laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV infection in Jeddah that were reported to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health from January 1 through May 16, 2014.

Community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization among U.S. children.

Background: Incidence estimates of hospitalizations for community-acquired pneumonia among children in the United States that are based on prospective data collection are limited. Updated estimates of pneumonia that has been confirmed radiographically and with the use of current laboratory diagnostic tests are needed.

Methods: We conducted active population-based surveillance for community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization among children younger than 18 years of age in three hospitals in Memphis, Nashville, and Salt Lake City.

Associations between psychosocial factors and incidence of sexually transmitted disease among South African adolescents.

Background: Adolescents living in South Africa are at high risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The present study sought to identify correlates of curable STD incidence among a cohort of adolescents in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Methods: Data were collected in conjunction with an HIV/STD prevention intervention randomized controlled trial.

Are safety net sexually transmitted disease clinical and preventive services still needed in a changing health care system?

Aprimary goal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is to increase access to health care, particularly among the uninsured. Reforms under the ACA will therefore likely impact access to sexually transmitted disease (STD) services, including services for the underinsured or uninsured (safety net services). We raise considerations related to the provision of safety net STD services that have resulted from the US Supreme Court’s 2012 decision that upheld much of the ACA while striking down portions of the law that resulted in states deciding whether to expand Medicaid.

Chlamydia screening for sexually active young women under the Affordable Care Act: new opportunities and lingering barriers.

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) contains a provision requiring private insurers issuing or renewing plans on or after September 23, 2010, to provide, without cost sharing, preventive services recommended by US Preventive Services Task Force (grades A and B), among other recommending bodies. As a grade A recommendation, chlamydia screening for sexually active young women 24 years and younger and older women at risk for chlamydia falls under this requirement. This article examines the potential effect on chlamydia screening among this population across private and public health plans and identifies lingering barriers not addressed by this legislation.

Evaluation of QuantiFERON-TB gold in-tube and tuberculin skin tests among immigrant children being screened for latent tuberculosis infection.

Background: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requirements for pre-immigration tuberculosis (TB) screening of children 2- to 14-years old permit a tuberculin skin test (TST) or an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). Few data are available on the performance of IGRAs versus TSTs in foreign-born children.

Methods: We compared the performance of TST and QuantiFERON-TB (QFT) Gold In-Tube in children 2- to 14-years old applying to immigrate to the United States from Mexico, the Philippines and Vietnam, using diagnosis of TB in immigrating family members as a measure of potential exposure.

Global polio perspective.

The results of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative that began in 1988 when there was transmission of 350,000 polio cases in 125 countries and has culminated in endemic transmission of only 223 polio cases in 3 countries in 2012 are reviewed.

Multistate point-prevalence survey of health care-associated infections.

Background: Currently, no single U.S. surveillance system can provide estimates of the burden of all types of health care-associated infections across acute care patient populations.

The burden of influenza hospitalizations in infants from 2003 to 2012, United States.

Background: Little information is available describing the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of those <12 months hospitalized with influenza, particularly at a population level.

Methods: We used population-based, laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalization surveillance data from 2003 to 2012 seasons to describe the impact of influenza by age category (<3, 3 to <6 and 6 to <12 months). Logistic regression was used to explore risk factors for intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Factors associated with heat strain among workers at an aluminum smelter in Texas.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of heat strain and factors associated with heat strain among workers at an aluminum smelter in Texas.

Methods: Continuous core body temperature (T(c)), heart rate, and pre- and postshift serum electrolytes, and urine specific gravity were measured, and symptom questionnaires were administered.

Results: Most participants (54%) had 1 or more signs of heat strain.

Risk of intussusception after monovalent rotavirus vaccination.

Background: Although current rotavirus vaccines were not associated with an increased risk of intussusception in large trials before licensure, recent postlicensure data from international settings suggest the possibility of a small increase in risk of intussusception after monovalent rotavirus vaccination. We examined this risk in a population in the United States.

Methods: Participants were infants between the ages of 4 and 34 weeks who were enrolled in six integrated health care organizations in the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) project.

Would young women attending sexually transmitted disease clinics benefit from human papillomavirus vaccination? An assessment of human papillomavirus DNA and seropositivity from human papillomavirus sentinel surveillance, 2003-2005.

Background: There are limited data on the proportion who have been exposed to vaccine-type human papillomavirus (HPV) among women attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics; this information could inform the potential benefits of HPV vaccination for women attending this venue.

Methods: Human papillomavirus surveillance was conducted in STD clinics in Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Denver, CO; Los Angeles, CA; and Seattle, WA, among women receiving cervical cancer screening from January 2003 to December 2005. The women had specimens collected for cervical cytology HPV testing by L1 consensus polymerase chain reaction testing and serologic assessment for HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 using the competitive Luminex immunoassay.

Integration of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis testing and treatment in antenatal care services in the Northern Cape and Gauteng provinces, South Africa.

Background: South Africa recommends universal syphilis and HIV testing in pregnancy, with prompt antiretroviral therapy or penicillin treatment for women testing positive.

Methods: We used a multistage, purposeful sampling strategy to retrospectively identify clinical records from a sample (7.3%) of 32,518 women delivering from January 2005 to June 2006 at 6 public clinics in the Northern Cape and Gauteng.

Qualitative assessment of pertussis diagnostics in United States laboratories.

Background: United States national surveillance data show that the use of culture for pertussis diagnostics has sharply declined, whereas polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is now the most common testing method. PCR testing for pertussis is rapid and sensitive, but the lack of standardization and variable specificity is concerning.

Methods: A web-based survey containing 12 questions was sent to public health, commercial and hospital-based US laboratories performing clinical diagnostics to determine the pertussis diagnostics used.

Attitudes and practices of obstetrician-gynecologists regarding influenza vaccination in pregnancy.

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) regarding vaccination of pregnant women during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

Methods: From February to July 2010, a self-administered mail survey was conducted among a random sample of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (the College) members involved in obstetric care. To assess predictors of routinely offering influenza vaccination, adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated from survey data.

Use of home-obtained vaginal swabs to facilitate rescreening for Chlamydia trachomatis infections: two randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To determine whether the use of home-based, self-obtained vaginal swabs among women who were treated for Chlamydia infection can increase rescreening rates in comparison with clinic-based rescreening, and to identify subgroups in which rescreening could be enhanced using self-obtained vaginal swabs.

Methods: Two randomized trials were conducted: one with enrollment in sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics and the other in family planning clinics. Study participants were recruited from STD (n = 880) and family planning clinics (n = 412) in three cities.

The need for public-health veterinarians as seen by future employers.

Future employers of veterinarians working in public health see a fast-growing demand. Emerging zoonotic diseases, bio-security threats, and food-safety problems all require the expertise of veterinarians with a focus on complex, global problems that span both human and animal health. The Public Health Task Force of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges convened a group of stakeholders representing various branches of the US federal government, state and local governments, and professional societies to discuss their needs for public-health veterinarians.