Tropical Medicine and Health最新文献

{"title":"Epidemiological trends of diarrheal viruses in central and western Kenya before and after Rotavirus vaccine introduction.","authors":"Maurine Mumo Mutua, Cyrus Kathiiko, Mary N Wachira, Betty Muriithi, James Nyangao, Samoel A Khamadi, Satoshi Komoto, Kouichi Morita, Yoshio Ichinose, Ernest A Wandera","doi":"10.1186/s41182-025-00716-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-025-00716-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus (type 40/41) and astrovirus are the most significant viral etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis in young children globally. Kenya introduced the rotavirus vaccine into her National Immunization Program in July 2014, which has led to a significant decline in the prevalence of rotavirus. We sought to assess the impact of rotavirus vaccination on the epidemiological trends of other diarrhea-associated enteric viruses across different regions in Kenya.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Using conventional and multiplex RT-PCR, we analyzed a total of 716 fecal samples for adenovirus, astrovirus and norovirus from children aged below 5 years presenting with acute gastroenteritis but tested negative for rotavirus at Mbita Sub-County Referral Hospital in Western Kenya and Kiambu County Referral Hospital in Central Kenya before (2011-2013) and after (2019-2020) rotavirus vaccine introduction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Following the rotavirus vaccine introduction, there was no significant difference in norovirus and astrovirus prevalence post-vaccine introduction in both Central (norovirus- 5.4% vs 5.9%; astrovirus- 2% vs 2.4%) and Western Kenya (norovirus- 2% vs 3%; astrovirus 3.3% vs 5.9%). Although the prevalence of adenovirus increased substantially in Western Kenya (9% vs 12.4%), there was a significant decrease in adenovirus in Central Kenya (17%, vs 6%, p = 0.007). Before the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine, a large proportion of adenovirus cases occurred at 6-8 months in Central Kenya and 12-23 months in Western Kenya, while norovirus prevalence was highest at 12-23 months in Central and 3-5 months in Western Kenya. Astrovirus infections in Central Kenya were predominantly among children aged 12-23 months, both before and after the vaccine. Following vaccine introduction, a large proportion of adenovirus cases occurred among children aged 12-23 months in both regions. Norovirus peaked at 12-23 months in Central Kenya and showed dual peaks at 3-5 and 9-11 months in Western Kenya. Astrovirus infections in Western Kenya shifted from peaks at 6-8 and 24-59 months pre-vaccine to 9-11 months post-vaccine.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our data demonstrate the burden and changing epidemiology of enteric viruses in Western and Central Kenya and underscores the need for continued monitoring to guide the design and implementation of appropriate public health interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"53 1","pages":"60"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12034208/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144020337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Attention to COVID 19 pandemic resulted in increased measles cases and deaths in Zambia.","authors":"Kelvin Mwangilwa, Cephas Sialubanje, Musole Chipoya, Chilufya Mulenga, Moses Mwale, Charles Chileshe, Danny Sinyange, Moses Banda, Priscilla Nkonde Gardner, Lilian Lamba, Precious Kalubula, John Simwanza, Davie Simwaba, Nathan Kapata, Jonathan Mwanza, Peter J Chipimo, Nyuma Mbewe, Nyambe Sinyange, Isaac Fwemba, Muzala Kapin'a, Roma Chilengi","doi":"10.1186/s41182-025-00736-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-025-00736-2","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on childhood routine immunization programs, resulting in increased measles mortalities and complications. In Zambia, the likelihood of measles-related deaths and complications in children was possibly increased because of high rates of unvaccinated children, late diagnosis, and poor case management, which could have been a consequence of exclusive focus on COVID-19 interventions. This study aimed at examining the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on measles mortality and its predictors among patients seen at health facilities in Zambia.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;We used longitudinal data (January 2020 to August 2023) from outbreak investigations and time series data from 2017 to 2023 to understand the impact of COVID-19 on measles immunization and know the predictors of measles mortalities. The period running from January 2017 to February 2020, just before the first reported COVID-19 case, was defined as pre-COVID-19, and March 2020 to December 2023 as post-COVID-19. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of mortality. A segmented Poisson regression model was used to determine the correlation between the underlying patterns of measles mortality and the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;A total of 3429 measles cases were reported during the study period. Of these, 1261 had complete metadata and were included in the analysis. The median age was 3 years (IQR, 1-7). Out of the 1261 enrolled, 54 (4.3%) were reported died. A total of 205 (21.0%) were IgM positive, and 207 (16.9%) were vaccinated. Monthly measles mortality increased by 220%, from 0.06 per 100,000 before COVID-19 to 0.23 during the pandemic. Predictors of mortality were younger age category (0-4) (AOR = 2.78; 95% CI 1.16-7.14), testing positive for measles IgM (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI 1.07-4.39), rush (AOR = 3.66; 95% CI 1.31, 6.21), and female sex (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.04-3.50), which increased the odds of dying. However, being vaccinated (AOR = 0.06; 95% CI 0.01-0.42) reduced the odds of dying. Evidence for the COVID-19 effect was strongly associated with increased measles mortality (RR, 1.02; 95% CI 1.00, 1.04; 0.017) with a trend step change of 81% (RR, 1.81; 95% CI 1.14-2.87). There was also an increased trend of measles cases (RR, 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.06) during the pandemic. Measles dose 2 vaccination trends increased by about 0.3% during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA) (RR, 1.003; 95% CI 1.000-1.010). However, there was a dramatic drop of about 42% (RR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.46-0.72).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;Measles caused a significant increase in child mortality during the pandemic period. A mix of systemic, clinical, and individual factors affected measles mortality. Prioritizing vaccine coverage, especially for younger children and marginalized populations; enhancing diagnostic a","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"53 1","pages":"59"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12023654/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143996944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mortality predictors and diagnostic challenges in adult tuberculous meningitis: a retrospective cohort of 100 patients.","authors":"Mahboubeh Maleki Rad, Mahboubeh Haddad, Fereshte Sheybani, Matin Shirazinia, Maliheh Dadgarmoghaddam","doi":"10.1186/s41182-025-00738-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-025-00738-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics, diagnostic certainty, outcomes, and predictors of mortality in patients diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis (TBM), using the Lancet scoring system for diagnostic certainty.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort was conducted on 100 patients diagnosed with TBM. Patients were classified based on the Lancet scoring system into definite, probable, and possible TBM categories. Clinical features, neuroimaging findings, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and outcomes were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median age of patients was 36.5 years, with 57.0% male. The most common symptoms were fever (64.7%), headache (63.6%), and altered consciousness (60.0%). Hydrocephalus was present in 40.0% of cases. Diagnosis certainty was classified as possible (63.0%), probable (22.0%), and definite (15.0%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 18.0%, with 12-month survival rates of 69.7%. There was no significant difference between the level of diagnostic certainty and the survival of patients. Significant predictors of mortality included hydrocephalus (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.65, 95% CI 1.67 to 7.97), hemoglobin levels (HR: 0.75, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.89), age (HR: 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.06), CSF pleocytosis (HR: 0.34, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.84), and altered consciousness at admission (HR: 19.23, 95% CI 2.57 to 143.85).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TBM remains a critical concern with significant mortality and morbidity. Key predictors of mortality, including altered consciousness, hydrocephalus, and older age, highlight the need for early detection and tailored interventions. In most cases, the diagnosis cannot be definitively confirmed and is instead categorized as probable or possible. Our study demonstrates that survival rates were comparable across definite, probable, and possible TBM categories, supporting the value of empirical treatment when definitive confirmation is not feasible.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"53 1","pages":"58"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12020108/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144039684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethnobotanical study of plants used for traditional control of mosquitoes and other arthropod pests in the Ghibe valley, southwest Ethiopia.","authors":"Zeyede Teshome, Alemtshay Teka, Abebe Animut, Mahlet Arage, Esayas Aklilu, Mirutse Giday","doi":"10.1186/s41182-025-00740-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-025-00740-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Medicinal plants have been used in the traditional healthcare system of Ethiopia, including controlling human biting mosquitoes. However, documented knowledge on such aspects remains scarce. In this study, plants used in the traditional control of mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors with the local knowledge and method of applications in the Ghibe valley of southwest Ethiopia were documented.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semi-structured interviews were used to collect ethnobotanical data between March and October 2024. A total of 361 informants consisting of 77 key informants and 284 general informants were selected using purposive and systematic random sampling methods, respectively, in Enor, Deri Saja Zuria, Misha and Sekoru districts of southwest Ethiopia. Frequency of citation and simple preference ranking were employed to determine the most used insecticidal and insect repellent plants. Relative importance of multipurpose plants was assessed using direct matrix ranking exercises. Independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA tests were conducted to compare knowledge of informants on insecticidal and insect repellent plants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 53 plant species were used to control human biting insects. The most cited plant was Allium sativum L., (cited by 89%) followed by Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile (81%), Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall.G.Don) Cif. (77%), Coleus abyssinicus (Fresen.) A.J.Paton (69%; n = 361), Calpurnia aurea (Aiton) Benth. (63%), Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl. (63%), Echinops kebericho Mesfin (58%), Eucalyptus globulus Labill (56%), Melia azedarach L. (52%) and Phytolacca dodecandra L'Hér. (36%). The results of the current study showed that different informant groups had considerably different level of knowledge on traditional usage of insecticidal and insect repellent plants.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Plant species Eucalyptus globulus, Calpurnia aurea, Phytolacca dodecandra, Echinops kebericho, Croton macrostachyus and Juniperus procera were more frequently cited to be insecticides against human biting arthropods while Melia azedarach L., Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Coleus abyssinicus, Croton macrostachyus, Eucalyptus globulus, Lippia abyssinica (Otto & A. Dietr.) Cufod., and Juniperus procera were more frequently reported to be repellents. Some of these plants (Coleus abyssinicus, Croton macrostachyus and Echinops kebericho) have not yet been investigated in depth and thus require scientific evaluation for their efficacy as insecticides and or repellents against malaria-transmitting mosquitoes in Ethiopia.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"53 1","pages":"56"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12016314/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144001269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Potential of coconut oil as a mosquito repellent.","authors":"Shiho Hara, Micheal Teron Pillay, Toshihiko Sunahara, Masaru Nagashima, Lucy Atieno Okech, Chiaki Tsurukawa, Yasuhiko Kamiya","doi":"10.1186/s41182-025-00714-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-025-00714-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Naturally derived products have become popular as a mosquito repellent in addition to mosquito nets and chemical repellents. Coconut-derived fatty acids have demonstrated repellent properties against various blood-feeding arthropods, including mosquitoes. Daily use moisturizers and body soaps containing coconut have displayed some repellent effect against mosquitoes. However, no studies have been conducted on coconut oil specifically, and the effects of pure coconut oil still remain unknown in the western Kenya region.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we investigated the effect of coconut oil on decreasing mosquito bites in a laboratory and field setting. Using Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes, the laboratory experiment compared coconut oil treated and non-treated membranes on a Hemotek blood feeding device. In the cross-sectional study in western Kenya, we investigated bite counts among 490 children, 5 years and under. Descriptive analysis, simple, multiple and mixed regression models were employed. The outcome was the number of mosquito bite marks, the primary explanatory variable was skin cream types, in addition to demographic, environmental, behavioral and socio-economic variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Coconut oil significantly reduced mosquito blood feeding, with a pooled Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio of 0.06, a Mantel-Haenszel chi-square statistic of 79.82 (p = 0.01), and an average blood-feeding rate of 1% compared to 31% in the control group. The mixed model identified significant factors influencing mosquito bite counts while accounting for village-level random effects. Coconut oil users experienced 15% reduction in bites (p = 0.01) compared to synthetic creams users. High and medium cream application frequencies reduced bites by 57% (p < 0.001) and 17% (p = 0.007), respectively. Late cream application and late net entry significantly increased bite counts by 41% (p < 0.001) and 53% (p < 0.001), respectively. In addition, higher temperatures from the preceding 2 weeks in the region was associated with a 26% (p = 0.003) increase in bite counts.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings underscore the protective impact of cream application and timing and net use timing, as well as environmental temperature influences on bite outcomes. Particularly, the effect of coconut oil in decreasing mosquito bites and its potential as an alternative repellent has been observed in both laboratory and field settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"53 1","pages":"57"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12016410/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144051628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of chikungunya virus infection in Sabah, Malaysia during 2017-2020.","authors":"Mya Myat Ngwe Tun, Jecelyn Leaslie John, Thanh Vu Nguyen, Maurine Mumo Mutua, Abdul Marsudi Manah, Yuki Takamatsu, Takeshi Urano, Kouichi Morita, Kamruddin Ahmed","doi":"10.1186/s41182-025-00735-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-025-00735-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus and an emerging global health threat. Most research on CHIKV in Malaysia has primarily focused on Peninsular Malaysia, with limited data on its distribution in the endemic regions of Borneo, particularly Sabah. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CHIKV infection in Sabah, Malaysia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 130 serum samples, comprising 74 from febrile patients and 56 healthy individuals were collected between 2017 and 2018. Subsequently, 188 serum samples were obtained from febrile patients in Sabah, Malaysia during 2019-2020. All samples underwent quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for the detection of the CHIKV genome. Additionally, serological tests were conducted to identify anti-CHIKV IgM and IgG antibodies. Serologically positive samples were further validated using neutralization assays to confirm the presence of CHIKV-specific antibodies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2017-2018, 16 out of 130 samples (12.3%) tested positive for recent CHIKV infections based on CHIKV RT-qPCR or anti-CHIKV IgM results, while in 2019-2020, 7 out of 188 samples (3.7%) showed recent infections. Among the 16 recent CHIKV-positive cases in 2017-2018, four were asymptomatic individuals. In 2017-2018, 24 (18.4%) individuals tested positive for anti-CHIKV IgG, with 15 (11.5%) showing positive neutralization test results. In 2019-2020, 20 (10.6%) febrile patients were seropositive for anti-CHIKV IgG, with 17 (9.0%) showing CHIKV neutralization positivity. The CHIKV infection rate in Sabah was higher during 2017-2018 compared to 2019-2020.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report confirming the presence of CHIKV in both patients and healthy individuals in Sabah using RT-qPCR and neutralization tests. Although the likelihood of transmission from asymptomatic individuals is low, they still present a considerable public health risk. Our results indicate that both basic scientists and clinicians should consider CHIKV when diagnosing febrile patients, and policymakers should put in place effective surveillance and control measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"53 1","pages":"55"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12010572/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144053129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Serious psychological distress among slum dwellers and unhoused people in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: a pilot study.","authors":"Hitoshi Murakami, Nguyen Thuy Linh, Masami Fujita, Lam Ngoc Thuy, Nguyen Hong Phuc, Kieu Thi Mai Huong, Le Tuan Anh, Pham Thi Ngoc Mai, Khuat Thi Hai Oanh","doi":"10.1186/s41182-025-00729-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-025-00729-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mental health is reported to be a significant issue among slum dwellers and unhoused (homeless) individuals worldwide, particularly those facing housing instability. Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city and industrial hub of Vietnam, has a substantial population experiencing housing instability, although its exact scale has rarely been accurately measured. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of serious psychological distress among slum dwellers and unhoused individuals in Ho Chi Minh City and to identify factors associated with serious psychological distress.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey involving 415 individuals experiencing housing instability, including 383 slum dwellers and 32 unhoused individuals, was conducted between November 2023 and April 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the 6-item version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence of serious psychological distress was 19.8%, with 18.5% among slum dwellers and 34.4% among unhoused people. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between serious psychological distress and female gender (adjusted odds ratio = 3.086, p < 0.001), labour exploitation (adjusted odds ratio = 1.914, p = 0.046), and debt (adjusted odds ratio = 3.109, p < 0.001). Notably, 68.7% of the participants reported experiencing some form of labour exploitation, which commonly included contract rejections, forced overwork, wage theft, and physical or verbal abuse. Furthermore, 43.7% of the participants were in debt, with 38.6% borrowing from moneylenders.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The prevalence of serious psychological distress among individuals with unstable housing in Ho Chi Minh City was significantly higher than that of the general population, highlighting the urgent need for mental health interventions targeted at this population. Those with serious psychological distress frequently faced both labour and economic exploitation, without sufficient social protection. In terms of labour exploitation, policy interventions, particularly from an occupational health perspective, are necessary. To address economic exploitation through debt, given the prevalence of loan sharks, efforts to crack down on predatory lending and promote financial inclusion are essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"53 1","pages":"53"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11995648/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144016431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding local determinants of dengue: a geographically weighted panel regression approach in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.","authors":"Marko Ferdian Salim, Tri Baskoro Tunggul Satoto, Danardono","doi":"10.1186/s41182-025-00734-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-025-00734-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dengue remains a major public health concern in tropical regions, including Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Understanding its spatiotemporal patterns and determinants is crucial for effective prevention strategies. This study explores the spatiotemporal determinants of dengue incidence and evaluates the spatial variability of predictors using a geographically weighted panel regression (GWPR) approach.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This ecological study applied a spatiotemporal approach, analyzing dengue incidence across 78 sub-districts in Yogyakarta from 2017 to 2022. The dataset included meteorological variables (rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure), sociodemographic data (population density), and land-use characteristics (built-up areas, crops, trees, water bodies, and flooded vegetation). A GWPR model with a Fixed Exponential kernel was used to assess local variations in predictor influence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Fixed Exponential Kernel GWPR model showed strong explanatory power (Adjusted R² = 0.516, RSS = 43,097.96, AIC = 28,447.38). Local R-Square values ranged from 0.25 (low-performing sub-districts) to 0.75 (high-performing sub-districts), indicating significant spatial heterogeneity. Sub-districts such as Pakem, Cangkringan, and Girimulyo exhibited high local R² values (>0.75), indicating robust model performance, whereas Kalibawang showed lower values (<0.25), suggesting weaker predictive power. High-dengue-burden sub-districts, including Kasihan (0.743), Banguntapan (0.731), Sewon (0.716), Wonosari (0.623), and Wates (0.540), demonstrated stronger associations between dengue incidence and key predictors. In Wonosari, the most influential predictors were Rainfall Lag 1, Rainfall Lag 3, temperature, humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and land-use variables, while in Wates, significant predictors included Rainfall Lag 1, Rainfall Lag 3, atmospheric pressure, and land-use factors. Lower model performance in Sedayu and Kalibawang suggests the necessity of incorporating additional predictors such as sanitation conditions and vector control activities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The GWPR model provides valuable insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of dengue incidence, emphasizing the role of localized predictors. Spatially adaptive prevention strategies focusing on high-risk areas are essential for effective dengue control in Yogyakarta and similar tropical regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"53 1","pages":"54"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11995575/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144051207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Community-based pathogen-specific incidence of influenza-like illness due to respiratory viruses in South-central Vietnam in 2009-2012: after a pandemic of influenza A viruses.","authors":"Kensuke Takahashi, Shinya Tsuzuki, Minh Nhat Le, Nguyen Hien Anh, Dang Duc Anh, Koya Ariyoshi, Lay-Myint Yoshida","doi":"10.1186/s41182-025-00711-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-025-00711-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Influenza-like illness (ILI) is one of the most common illnesses caused by various respiratory viruses and directly or indirectly incurs high expenses to households. However, the pathogen-specific incidence and health-seeking behaviour in communities have not been well described.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A longitudinal cohort study using a self-recorded health calendar among 1000 households was performed in South-central Vietnam from October 2009 to September 2012. Endemic respiratory viruses in the community were monitored using random sampling in public health clinics (polyclinics). The monthly incidence of specific pathogens was calculated using the Bayesian method.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Among 5,016 household members, 3,687 ILI episodes were reported during the study period. The incidence rate of ILI was 21.7 (95% confidence interval 21.0-22.4) per 1,000 person-months for all ages and highest in children under 2 years with 71.6 (64.7-81.8) followed by 2-4 years with 71.3 (65.8-78.2). Rhinovirus had the highest incidence with 22.5 among the age under 2 years, followed by adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with 12.5 and 9.9, respectively. Most young children sought treatment from clinics and hospitals, whereas most schoolchildren and adults sought treatment from drugstores. RSV outbreaks significantly increase the number of healthcare visits among children under 2 years, but not in older age groups.</p><p><strong>Interpretation: </strong>Several surges of ILI were attributed by multiple respiratory viruses. Healthcare seeking patterns were varied among pathogens. Highly transmissible viruses, such as rhinovirus and adenovirus, pose the potential risk of the next pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"53 1","pages":"51"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11984152/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144040030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of diarrheal diseases among patients attending public health centers in Addis Ababa and Hossana, Ethiopia: a matched case-control study.","authors":"Deneke Wolde, Girmay Medhin, Haile Alemayehu, Genet Asfaw Tilahun, Kehabtimer Shiferaw Kotiso, Woinshet Hailu, Adane Mihret, Feyissa Regassa Senbato, Aklilu Feleke Haile, Tadesse Eguale","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00675-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-024-00675-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The incidence of diarrheal diseases varies widely between and within countries due to different socioeconomic, environmental and behavioural factors. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of diarrheal diseases among patients attending public health facilities in Addis Ababa and Hossana, Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An age-matched case-control study was conducted in health facilities to recruit study participants and collect data from December 2021 to September 2022. Socio-demographic data and other risk factors were collected from study participants using a structured questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictor variables. The strength of the associations was measured using the adjusted odds ratio with the corresponding 95%CI. Statistical significance is indicated whenever the p value is less than 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Being partially vaccinated (AOR: 2.70; 95% CI 1.2, 5.9), use of tap water for drinking (AOR: 2.20; 95% CI 1.1, 4.4) and use of protected well/spring water for drinking (AOR: 13.90; 95% CI 3.7, 51.5), overcrowded sleeping places (AOR: 1.50; 95% CI 1.2, 1.8), contact with animal feces/food (AOR: 15.10; 95% CI 4.2, 53.6), the cleaning frequency of water-fetching materials (i.e., cleaned sometimes (AOR: 2.40; 95% CI 1.2, 4.5) and rarely (AOR: 3.03; 95% CI 1.2, 7.4)), and using an open latrine (AOR: 5.61; 95% CI 1.5, 21.0) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of diarrhea. A higher BMI (AOR: 0.75; 95% CI 0.7, 0.8) was significantly associated with not having diarrhea.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The incidence of diarrheal diseases was influenced by several factors, including children's immunization status and unhygienic living conditions. Therefore, timely immunization, access to safe drinking water, proper hygiene practices and improved sanitation facilities are essential for the control of diarrheal diseases and safeguarding public health.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"53 1","pages":"50"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11983963/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144051626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}