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BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 15;19(1):202. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in Sweden. This study aims to assess the impact of a CVD intervention implemented in 1993 in northern Sweden on the reduction of premature ischemic heart disease (IHD) morbidity and mortality in women and men during the period 1987-2013.

Methods: An ecological controlled interrupted time series design, with pre-intervention period defined as 1987-1993 and post-intervention period 1994-2013 was carried out. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 15;19(1):201. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Healthcare Administration, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.

Background: Mongolia was one of the four countries that received a measles-elimination certificate from the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific in 2014. Following the outbreaks in many countries including China, a large measles outbreak occurred in Mongolia in 2015. This study reports 2015-2016 measles outbreak incidence, mortality, and complications, according to time, geographical distribution, and host characteristics. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 15;19(1):199. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, Panama City, Panama.

Background: The aims of this study were to determine the geographic and time variation of social determinants of health (SDH) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in Panama from 2012 to 2016, and to identify which of the SDH has the strongest correlation with a socioeconomic index (SEI).

Methods: We conducted an ecological study obtaining mortality from the National Mortality Register and socioeconomic variables derived from the National Household Survey (NHS). The International Classification of Diseases 10th revision codes I20-I25 and I60-I69 were used for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, respectively. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 15;19(1):200. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Oregon, Portland, USA.

Background: The health impacts of community design have been studied extensively over the past two decades. In particular, public transportation use is associated with more walking between transit stops and shops, work, home and other destinations. Change in transit access has been linked with physical activity and obesity but seldom to health outcomes and associated costs, especially within a causal framework. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 15;19(1):197. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Shanghai Research Center for Physical Fitness and Health of Children and Adolescents, Shanghai University of Sport, 399 Chang Hai Road, Shanghai, 200438, China.

Background: With increases in inactive lifestyles and mounting pressure for academic excellence in Chinese younger populations, lack of physical activity and increased prevalence of obesity have become a major public health concern in China. The purpose of this study is to provide updated estimates on the prevalence of meeting moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and screen viewing time guidelines, and overweight and obesity among Chinese school-aged children and adolescents, with a secondary aim examining variations in prevalence by sex, grade groupings, and residential location.

Methods: The study sample came from the 2017 Physical Activity and Fitness in China-The Youth Study, a cross-sectional and national survey of 131,859 students (aged 7 to 19 years) from 986 public schools in China. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 15;19(1):198. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

School of Public Health, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.

Background: The aim of the study was to explore the implementation of school based diet and physical activity interventions with respect to the barriers and facilitators to adoption, implementation and sustainability; supportive actions required for implementation and recommendations to overcome identified barriers. Two interventions rolled out nationally in Ireland were chosen; Food Dudes, a programme to encourage primary school children to consume more fruit and vegetables and Green Schools Travel (GST), an active travel to school programme in primary and secondary schools. Trained school coordinators (teachers) cascade the programmes to other teaching staff. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 14;19(1):195. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Background: In low-income countries such as Nepal, indoor air pollution (IAP), generated by the indoor burning of biomass fuels, is the top-fourth risk factor driving overall morbidity and mortality. We present the first assessment of geographic and socio-economic determinants of the markers of IAP (specifically fuel types, cooking practices, and indoor smoking) in a nationally-representative sample of Nepalese households.

Methods: Household level data on 11,040 households, obtained from the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, were analyzed. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 14;19(1):192. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 13 Hangkong Road, Wuhan, 430030, China.

Background: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is related with cardiovascular disease. However, its relationship with diabetes mellitus (DM) has not been examined in Chinese population with a larger sample. We aimed to assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components, and DM, and to determine the best one from the available definitions of Mets when assessing the risk of DM. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 14;19(1):193. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Background: Social cohesion, defined as a glue holding society together, has been found to influence several aspects of human behavior. Social cohesion, being composed of social trust and social participation, is a social factor that may influence sexual behaviors. Unfortunately, studies investigating the influence of social cohesion on sexual behaviors among young people are scarce. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 14;19(1):190. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Public Health Surveillance and Research, Department of Veterans Affairs, 3801 Miranda Avenue (132), Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.

Background: Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO), the odorless, colorless gas resulting from incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, is preventable. Despite the significant risk of morbidity and mortality associated with CO poisoning, there currently exists no active national CO surveillance system in the United States (U.S. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 14;19(1):191. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97343, Waco, TX, 76798-7343, USA.

Background: Shared genetic and environmental factors suggest that family relationships are important predictors of obesity-related behaviors, yet little is known about how siblings influence physical activity and sedentary behaviors. This study examined physical activity and sedentary behavior between sibling dyads across summer and fall time points and determined if birth order and gender modify the relationship between sibling behaviors.

Methods: Mexican-heritage families residing in colonias along the United States-Mexico border were recruited using promotoras de salud to participate in summer and school year surveys. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 14;19(1):194. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

TNO (The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research), Leiden, Netherlands.

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a stepwise, bottom-up participatory program with a tailor-made intervention process addressing the level of mental retirement in a sample of Dutch employees. Mental retirement refers to feelings of being disconnected from your work and your organization. Prevention of mental retirement is important since sustainable employability is becoming more important in today's society due to the ageing of the working population and the changes in skills demands. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 14;19(1):196. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: Despite increased antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage, the incidence of HIV infection among women in rural South Africa remains high. While many socio-demographic and behavioral factors have been identified, the effect of female migration intensity on the risk of HIV acquisition before and after ART scale-up has not been evaluated in the country.

Methods: We followed 13,315 female participants aged 15-49 who were HIV-uninfected at baseline and recorded their migration events between 2004 and 2015. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 13;19(1):189. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Highland Campus, Centre for Health Science, Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3JH, UK.

Background: A range of barriers influence women's uptake to a first breast screening invitation. Few studies however, have examined factors associated with second screening uptake. This study follows Maltese women to explore predictors and behaviours to re-attendance, and to determine if uptake of first invitation to the Maltese Breast Screening Programme (MBSP) is a significant predictor of second screening uptake. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 13;19(1):187. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Service d'Information Promotion Éducation Santé (SIPES), Research Center in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, School of Public Health, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Postal address: ULB CP598, Route de Lennik 808, B-1070, Brussels, Belgium.

Background: In Belgium, as in many other countries, the juvenile practice of physical activity is insufficient. A growing attention has been paid to environmental factors that may influence physical activity but with inconsistent findings. This study aims to estimate the association between daily life environment characteristics and physical activity among children 10 to 13 years old in Wallonia (Belgium). Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 13;19(1):185. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta City, 55281, Indonesia.

Background: The Philippines has a high burden of TB and HIV, yet the WHO estimates that only 13% of Filipino TB patients know their HIV status. This is partly attributable to the lack of trained HIV counselors and medical technologists (or laboratory technicians) at the primary healthcare level. In Africa where resources and manpower are also scarce, TB/HIV care is already delegated to community health workers. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 13;19(1):186. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.

Background: Physical inactivity and unhealthy diet are modifiable behaviors that lead to several cancers. Biologically, these behaviors are linked to cancer through obesity-related insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Individual strategies to change physical activity and diet are often short lived with limited effects. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 11;19(1):170. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Area Health Service, Newcastle, Australia.

Background: In an attempt to improve children's physical activity levels governments have introduced policies specifying the minimum time schools are to schedule physical activity each week. Despite this, the majority of schools in many jurisdictions fail to implement these policies. This study will assess the effectiveness of a multi-component implementation strategy on increasing the minutes of planned physical activity scheduled by primary school teachers each week. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 13;19(1):184. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência da Nutrição, Viçosa, Brasil.

Background: Lack of regular physical activity, high sedentary behavior and presence of unbalanced alimentary practices are attitudes associated with an inadequate lifestyle among female adolescents.

Objective: to assess the lifestyle of female adolescents based on measurements of behavioral variables.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 405 female adolescents between 14 and 19 years old, resident and attending public schools in Viçosa (state of Minas Gerais). Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 13;19(1):183. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Prevention Research Collaboration, The Charles Perkins Centre, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.

Background: Workplace health programs (WHPs) may improve adult health but very little evidence exists on multi-level WHPs implemented at-scale and so the relationship between program implementation factors and outcomes of WHPs are poorly understood. This study evaluated Get Healthy at Work (GHaW), a state-wide government-funded WHP in Australia.

Methods: A mixed-method design included a longitudinal quasi-experimental survey of businesses registered with GHaW and a comparison group of businesses surveyed over a 12-month period. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 13;19(1):188. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: Large volumes of sitting time have been associated with multiple health risks. To reduce sitting time of office workers working for a Dutch insurance company, the Dynamic Work intervention was developed. The primary objective of this paper is to describe the study protocol of the Dynamic Work study, which aims to evaluate if this multicomponent intervention is (cost-)effective in reducing total sitting time on the short-term (≈3 months) and longer-term (≈12 months) compared to usual practice. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 12;19(1):182. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Department of General Practice, Medical Clinic III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.

Background: Medical students are at risk of contracting and transmitting infectious diseases such as pertussis. Complete vaccination status is important to protect own, patient and public health. Knowing own vaccination status is elementary for following current vaccination recommendations, including boosters. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 12;19(1):180. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences - East Africa, Aga, Khan University Nairobi, 3rd Parklands Avenue, P.O. Box 30270-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: Data on breast healthcare knowledge, perceptions and practice among women in rural Kenya is limited. Furthermore, the role of the male head of household in influencing a woman's breast health seeking behavior is also not known. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, perceptions and practice of breast cancer among women, male heads of households, opinion leaders and healthcare providers within a rural community in Kenya. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 12;19(1):181. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Department of Epidemiology and International Public Health, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.

Background: The "Latina paradox" describes the unexpected association between immigrant status, which is often correlated to low socioeconomic status, and low prevalence of unfavourable birth outcomes. Social (e.g. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 11;19(1):178. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Laboratory of gene amplification, Kingmed Diagnostics, Nanjing, 210043, China.

Background: The infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major cause of genital disease. This study assessed the prevalence and genotype of HPV among outpatient women and healthy women in Jiangsu, East China.

Methods: A total of 65,613 women aged 16-85 years were recruited from Nanjing Kingmed Diagnostics, including 45,736 outpatients and 19,877 healthy women. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 11;19(1):173. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Cancer Research Institute of Yunnan Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Cancer Hospital), Kunming, Yunnan, China.

Background: In Xuan Wei, China, the lung cancer mortality rate is rising significantly more than that of the nation overall. However, it remains unclear 1) if improved diagnosis can just partially explain this observation and how other local risk factors may be correlated with the lung cancer mortality rate and 2) how the lung cancer mortality rates differ within Xuan Wei and how these spatiotemporal patterns are linked with local risk factors. To increase etiological knowledge, this study evaluated the spatial and temporal distributions of the health effects (the lung cancer mortality rates) from 2011 to 2015. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 11;19(1):174. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, STR 6.131, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Background: We assessed the effect of equivalent weight loss with or without exercise on (intra-) abdominal fat in postmenopausal women in the SHAPE-2 study.

Methods: The SHAPE-2 study is a three-armed randomised controlled trial conducted in 2012-2013 in the Netherlands. Postmenopausal overweight women were randomized to a diet (n = 97), exercise plus diet (n = 98) or control group (n = 48). Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 11;19(1):175. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Partners In Health / Inshuti Mu Buzima, Kigali, Rwanda.

Background: Child growth stunting remains a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, where 34% of children under 5 years are stunted, and causing detrimental impact at individual and societal levels. Identifying risk factors to stunting is key to developing proper interventions. This study aimed at identifying risk factors of stunting in Rwanda. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 11;19(1):177. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Kentucky, 333 Waller Ave., Suite 242, Lexington, KY, 40504, USA.

Background: Substance use disorders (SUD) have steadily increased over the last two decades. Seeking SUD treatment involves searching SUD treatment facility types (inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient, residential and family residential, and detoxification facilities) that offer specialized SUD treatment depending on individual needs and preferences. Referrals to SUD treatment require innovative strategies that rapidly link individuals to SUD treatment when they are at the critical stage of readiness. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 11;19(1):171. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, Institute of Sport, Physical Education, and Health Sciences, Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Background: The percentages of children in Scotland and England meeting the aerobic physical activity (PA) recommendation differ greatly according to estimates derived from the respective national health surveys. The Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) usually estimates over 70% meeting the recommendation; Health Survey for England (HSE) estimates are usually below 25%. It is plausible that these differences originate from different analysis methods. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 11;19(1):179. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Research Department, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.

Background: This study was conducted to assess the lifestyle behaviours of a national sample of hospital doctors working in Ireland. We also sought to compare the prevalence of these behaviours in doctors to the general Irish population.

Methods: This was a national cross-sectional study of a randomised sample of hospital doctors working in Irish publicly funded hospitals and residential institutions. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 11;19(1):172. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.

Background: Maternal family history of diabetes was significantly and positively associated with birth weight in grandchildren, we aim to assess the effect of grandparental diabetes on the grandchild' body mass index (BMI) at infancy peak (IP) and obesity status at age 2.

Methods: In our study, family diabetes mellitus (DM) information from Ma'anshan Birth Cohort Study (MABC) were gathered. For children, height and weight were retrieved from medical records. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 11;19(1):176. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Health and Community, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, Canada.

Background: Social determinants of Indigenous health are known to include structural determinants such as history, political climate, and social contexts. Relationships, interconnectivity, and community are fundamental to these determinants. Understanding these determinants from the perspective of Indigenous youth is vital to identifying means of alleviating future inequities. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 8;19(1):168. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Chronic Diseases and Ageing, Division for Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Pb 4404 Nydalen, 0403, Oslo, Norway.

Background: Hearing loss is a global public health problem putting millions of people at risk of experiencing impediments in communication and potentially impaired mental health. Many studies in this field are based on small, cross sectional samples using self-report measures. The present study aims to investigate the association between childhood sensorineural hearing loss and mental health in adult men and women longitudinally in a large cohort with a matched control group, and hearing is measured by pure-tone audiometry. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 8;19(1):166. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

National Institute for Health Innovation, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Background: Healthy lifestyle programs that are designed specifically to appeal to and support men to improve lifestyle behaviors and lose weight are needed. The Rugby Fans in Training-New Zealand (RUFIT-NZ) program is delivered by professional rugby clubs and inspired by the successful Football Fans In Training program (FFIT), a gender sensitized weight loss program for obese middle-aged men delivered by professional football clubs in Scotland. RUFIT-NZ required development and evaluation for feasibility. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 8;19(1):169. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, 17 Liverpool Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia.

Background: It remains unclear how life course socioeconomic position (SEP) variations impact later smoking status. We aimed to investigate the associations using a novel methodology - a structured regression framework and to explore the potential underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Data were from an Australian national cohort (n = 1489). Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 8;19(1):167. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Background: Very few studies have been conducted on the seroprevalence of syphilis in Gabon. According to the World Health Organization, the average seroprevalence of syphilis has declined from 5.5 to 1. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 7;19(1):164. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Program in Health Services & Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.

Background: Front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition warning labels to identify potentially harmful foods/beverages have recently been considered in Singapore. The objective of this study was to pilot test two promising FOP warning labels intended to reduce purchases of products high in sugar to determine whether a full scale trial testing one or both these labels using actual purchases is warranted.

Methods: Five hundred twelve participants ≥21 years old and residing in Singapore completed all study elements online via the NUSMart Online Grocery Store study website. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 7;19(1):165. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Statistics Department, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is caused by bacteria that are resistant to the most effective anti-tuberculosis drug. The MDR-TB is an increasing global problem and the spread of MDR-TB has different recovery time for different patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the recovery time of MDR-TB patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 7;19(1):163. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109-5406, USA.

Background: The ger ("tent city") areas in Mongolia are a product of rapid urbanization and transitional economic development combine with lack of institutional, administrative and financial capacity of governments to cope with the pace. These areas have become traps for inequities in social and environmental services and the associated effects on human health. Disparities in childhood lead exposure in such communities are largely unexplored. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):160. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, Canada.

Background: Vaccination has a huge public health impact. Maintaining vaccine coverage is key to avoid the devastating consequences of resurgence. In the Province of Québec, vaccine coverage in young children are sub-optimal, mostly due to ambivalence toward vaccine safety and efficacy. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):161. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Brownsville Regional Campus, 1 W University Blvd, Brownsville, TX, 78520, USA.

Background: Physical activity and sedentary behavior are considered independent risk factors for chronic disease. However, we do not fully understand their interrelation with key health outcomes such as subclinical atherosclerosis. This study examines the combined effects of sedentary behavior and physical activity on carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and presence of carotid plaque in a Mexican American population on the Texas-Mexico border. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):157. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35 (L335), 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland.

Background: Given the documented decline in levels of physical activity in early adolescence, promoting physical activity in young people is a priority for health promotion. School physical education (PE) is an important existing network in which participation in physical activity beyond school can be promoted to the captive young people. The objective of current article is to present the protocol for a PE teacher-delivered theory-based trial to promote secondary school students' participation in physical activity out-of-school contexts. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):155. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Department of Biostatistics, Botucatu, 18618-000, Brazil.

Background: The development of a safe and effective vaccine is considered crucial for dengue transmission control since vetor control has been failed; some potential candidates are currently in test, and in this context theoretical studies are necessary to evaluate vaccination strategies such as the age groups that should be vaccinated, the percentage of the population at risk, and the target geographic regions to make dengue control feasible and optimal.

Methods: A partial differential model is used to mimics dengue transmission in human population in order to estimate the optimal vaccination age, using data collected from dengue reported cases in ten cities of Brazil from 2001 to 2014. For this purpose, the basic reproduction number of the disease was minimized assuming a single-dose vaccination strategy, equal vaccine efficacy for all circulating serotypes, and no vaccine failure. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):162. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Health Research Center, Life Style Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: The overweight and obesity among military personnel, as an occupational group, beside the health issues, might affect their military performance. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the pool prevalence of overweight and obesity among Iranian military personnel.

Methods: The national databases including Science Information Database, MagIran, and the following international databases; Web of Science, Medline via PubMed, and Scopus were searched, up to December 2017, for relevant published studies without time limitation. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):159. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Eritrean Pharmacovigilance Centre, National Medicine and Food Administration, Ministry of Health, Asmara, Eritrea.

Background: Although over the counter (OTC) drugs are believed to be relatively safe, their inappropriate use could have serious implications. The aim of the study was to assess the practice of self-medication, prevalence of risky practice and its associated factors in pharmacy outlets of Asmara, Eritrea.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 609 customers in 20 pharmacy outlets in Asmara between August and September, 2017. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):156. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakae-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 178-0015, Japan.

Background: Over the last several decades, social isolation and loneliness among older adults have posed an increasingly urgent challenge due to the rapidly aging population in Japan. To remedy the situation, many communities have introduced intergenerational programs. However, few studies have investigated the benefits of social capital across generations as a result of intergenerational interaction between children and older generations. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):154. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada.

Background: Women who are seeking services for problematic substance use are often also balancing responsibilities of motherhood. Integrated treatment programs were developed to address the diverse needs of women, by offering a holistic and comprehensive mix of services that are trauma- and violence-informed, and focus on maternal and child health promotion and the development of healthy relationships.

Methods: Using system-level administrative data from a suite of outpatient integrated programs in Ontario, Canada, we described the clients and rates and predictors of treatment participation over a 7-year period (2008-2014; N = 5162). Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 6;19(1):158. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.

Background: The significance of sanitation to safeguard human health is irrefutable and has important public health dimensions. Access to sanitation has been essential for human dignity, health and well-being. Despite 15 years of conjunctive efforts under the global action plans like Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), 2. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Feb 4;19(1):145. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

School of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Ontario, 1201 Western Road, Elborn College Rm 2547, London, ON, N6G 1H1, Canada.

Background: Physical activity (PA) offers numerous health benefits for young children; however, many children enrolled in childcare engage in low levels of PA and high levels of sedentary time. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and content of written PA and screen-viewing (SV) policies in Canadian childcare centers.

Methods: Using a modified version of the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation Self-Report (EPAO-SR) tool, an online survey was distributed to all directors/administrators of center-based childcare facilities across Canada. Read More