Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives最新文献

{"title":"Effects of an arteriovenous fistula stenosis prevention program in patients receiving hemodialysis.","authors":"Haegyeong Lee,&nbsp;Gyuli Baek,&nbsp;Eunju Lee","doi":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0101","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To increase the efficiency of hemodialysis, an appropriate vascular pathway must be created, and its function must be maintained. This study aimed to identify the effects of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis prevention program on upper muscular strength, blood flow, physiological indexes, and self-efficacy among patients receiving hemodialysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The participants were patients receiving hemodialysis at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center in Daegu, Republic of Korea. They were divided into experimental and control groups based on the day of the week they received hemodialysis at the outpatient department and included 25 participants each. The study was conducted for 8 weeks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The AVF stenosis prevention program was effective in improving upper extremity muscle strength (F=15.23, p<0.001) and blood flow rate (F=36.00, p<0.001). As a result of the program, the phosphorus index level, which is a physiological indicator in hemodialysis patients, decreased (F=8.64, p<0.001). Encouragement and support through text messages and practice lists also resulted in an increase in self-efficacy (F=18.62, p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The AVF stenosis prevention program in this study resulted in an increase in upper extremity muscle strength through grip strength exercises and was effective in preventing AVF stenosis by increasing the blood flow rate.</p>","PeriodicalId":38949,"journal":{"name":"Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives","volume":"14 4","pages":"279-290"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/af/99/j-phrp-2023-0101.PMC10493700.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10217595","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":"How we can prevent a resurgence this year.","authors":"Jong-Koo Lee","doi":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0235","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0235","url":null,"abstract":"Signs of a resurgence in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases this autumn are being observed globally, with a notable increase in the Asia-Pacific region. The Republic of Korea, in particular, continues to report the highest number of patients worldwide, indicating a widespread prevalence of the disease. However, due to challenges in data collection, it is difficult to determine the exact statistics, so it cannot be conclusively stated that this increase is unique to the Republic of Korea. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the currently reported cases may not accurately reflect the actual infection rates, given the global reduction in testing and reporting [1]. On June 1, the government reduced the alert level from “serious” (level 4) to “caution” (level 3) in the established alert system, which had been in place for 3 years and 4 months. Moreover, as of August 31, COVID-19 will be reclassified as a Class 4 infectious disease. This change will prompt a shift in testing protocols from mandatory to optional, with costs borne by the individual. This is akin to the approach taken with influenza, where only sentinel surveillance is conducted. The disease prevention system has now largely transitioned to a model based on recommendations and voluntary actions, with the exception of mandatory mask-wearing within medical facilities. These relaxed measures are a response to the reduced fatality rate of the disease, which has now reached the level of an endemic disease. To elaborate, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s press release on August 23, the fatality rate of COVID-19 in July was between 0.02% and 0.04%, a figure comparable to that of seasonal influenza (0.03% to 0.07% according to the WHO). Furthermore, the number of new confirmed cases, severe cases, and deaths have all shown a declining trend compared to the previous week, with the infection reproduction number (Rt) decreasing to 0.91. This marks the first time it has fallen below 1.0 in 8 weeks, since the third week of June. When compared to the 2 waves of the Omicron variant's prevalence in 2022, the recent fatality rate is lower: 0.10% during the predominance of the BA.1/2 variant and 0.07% during the predominance of the BA.5 variant [2]. Given the epidemiological characteristics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus, we anticipate an increase in cases this coming fall, making it challenging to predict how COVID-19 will progress. However, the potential for a resurgence due to the waning of humoral antibodies from vaccination is a cause for concern. It is essential to implement strategies that boost vaccination rates and prioritize protection for high-risk groups. Moreover, we need to make more proactive efforts to persuade the general population to increase their vaccination uptake rates. The goal of preventing hospitalizations and deaths among high-risk groups, such as those aged 65 and above and immunocompromised indivi","PeriodicalId":38949,"journal":{"name":"Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives","volume":"14 4","pages":"233-234"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/47/c0/j-phrp-2023-0235.PMC10493701.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10211085","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":"Mental health and its determinants among adolescents living in families with separated or divorced parents in an urban area of Vietnam.","authors":"Binh Thang Tran,&nbsp;Minh Tu Nguyen,&nbsp;Minh Tam Nguyen,&nbsp;Thanh Gia Nguyen,&nbsp;Vo Nu Hong Duc,&nbsp;Thi Tra My Tran","doi":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We assessed the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among adolescents living in families with separated or divorced parents in Hue City, Vietnam and identified factors associated with these conditions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study enrolled 309 adolescents, aged 12 to 17 years, living in families with separated or divorced parents in Hue City, Vietnam. The depression anxiety stress scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to measure stress, anxiety, and depression. Predictors of overall and individual mental health problems were identified using ordered and binary logistic regression, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The DASS-21 scale revealed a 49.2% prevalence of stress, while anxiety and depression had s prevalence rates of 61.5%. Among participants, 42.4% experienced all 3 mental health issues. Several factors were identified as significant predictors of mental health problems, including poor to average economic status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-3.31; p=0.007); being in high school (aOR, 5.02; 95% CI, 2.93-8.60; p<0.001); maternal occupation of teacher, healthcare professional, or official (aOR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.13-5.03; p=0.022); longer duration of family separation or divorce (aOR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05-1.45; p=0.009); living with one's mother (aOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.03-2.76; p=0.04); alcohol consumption (aOR, 1.70; 95% CI, 0.99-2.92; p=0.050); and being bullied (aOR, 5.33; 95% CI, 1.10-25.69; p=0.037). Most of these factors were associated with stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, smoking was associated with stress.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Adolescents with separated or divorced parents were at increased risk of stress, anxiety, and depression. The findings of this study provide important implications for prevention programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":38949,"journal":{"name":"Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives","volume":"14 4","pages":"300-311"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/d9/48/j-phrp-2023-0110.PMC10493697.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10217598","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":"Public health agencies' use of social media for communication during pandemics: a scoping review of the literature.","authors":"Babatunde Abiodun Balogun, Anne Hogden, Nenagh Kemp, Lin Yang, Maria Agaliotis","doi":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0095","DOIUrl":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Public health agencies (PHAs) have increasingly incorporated social media into their communication mix during successive pandemics in the 21st century. However, the quality, timing, and accuracy of their health messages have varied significantly, resulting in mixed outcomes for communication, audience engagement, and pandemic management. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the effectiveness of pandemic-related health messages shared by PHAs on social media and to report their impact on public engagement as documented in the literature. A scoping literature review was conducted following a predefined protocol. An electronic search of 7 relevant databases and 5 grey literature repositories yielded 9,714 papers published between January 2003 and November 2022. Seventy-three papers were deemed eligible and selected for review. The results underscored the insufficiency of social media guidance policies for PHAs. Six themes were identified: message source, message topic, message style, message timing, content credibility and reliability, and message recipient profile. These themes encompassed 20 variables that could inform PHAs' social media public health communication during pandemics. Additionally, the findings revealed potential interconnectedness among the variables, and this study concluded by proposing a conceptual model that expands upon existing theoretical foundations for developing and evaluating pandemic-related health messaging.</p>","PeriodicalId":38949,"journal":{"name":"Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives","volume":"14 4","pages":"235-251"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/1a/e5/j-phrp-2023-0095.PMC10493704.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10211084","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":"Risk factors for transmission in a COVID-19 cluster infection in a high school in the Republic of Korea.","authors":"Jin-Hwan Jeon,&nbsp;Su Jin Kang,&nbsp;Se-Jin Jeong,&nbsp;Hyeon-Cheol Jang,&nbsp;Young-Joon Park,&nbsp;Sang-Eun Lee","doi":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0125","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to examine the scale, characteristics, risk factors, and modes of transmission in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak at a high school in Seoul, Republic of Korea.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An epidemiological survey was conducted of 1,118 confirmed cases and close contacts from a COVID-19 outbreak at an educational facility starting on May 31, 2021. In-depth interviews, online questionnaires, flow evaluations, and CCTV analyses were used to devise infection prevention measures. Behavioral and spatial risk factors were identified, and statistical significance was tested.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 3rd-year students, there were 33 confirmed COVID-19 cases (9.6%). Students who used a study room in the annex building showed a statistically significant 4.3-fold elevation in their relative risk for infection compared to those who did not use the study room. Moreover, CCTV facial recognition analysis confirmed that 17.8% of 3rd-year students did not wear masks and had the lowest percentage of mask-wearers by grade. The air epidemiological survey conducted in the study room in the annex, which met the 3 criteria for a closed space, confirmed that there was only 10% natural ventilation due to the poor ventilation system.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To prevent and manage the spread of COVID-19 in educational facilities, advance measures that consider the size, operation, and resources of each school are crucial. In addition, various survey methodologies should be used in future studies to quickly analyze a wider range of data that can inform an evidence-based quarantine response.</p>","PeriodicalId":38949,"journal":{"name":"Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives","volume":"14 4","pages":"252-262"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/b1/ec/j-phrp-2023-0125.PMC10493705.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10217596","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":"Epidemiological characteristics of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae outbreaks in the Republic of Korea between 2017 and 2022.","authors":"Hyoseon Jeong,&nbsp;Junghee Hyun,&nbsp;Yeon-Kyeng Lee","doi":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0069","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) outbreaks in healthcare settings in the Republic of Korea between 2017 and 2022.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Under the national notifiable disease surveillance system, we obtained annual descriptive statistics regarding the isolated species, carbapenemase genotype, healthcare facility type, outbreak location and duration, and number of patients affected and recommended interventions. We used epidemiological investigation reports on CPE outbreaks reported to Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency from June 2017 to September 2022.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 168 reports analyzed, Klebsiella pneumoniae (85.1%) was the most frequently reported species, while K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC, 82.7%) was the most common carbapenemase genotype. Both categories increased from 2017 to 2022 (p<0.01). General hospitals had the highest proportion (54.8%), while tertiary general hospitals demonstrated a decreasing trend (p<0.01). The largest proportion of outbreaks occurred exclusively in intensive care units (ICUs, 44.0%), and the frequency of concurrent outbreaks in ICUs and general wards increased over time (p<0.01). The median outbreak duration rose from 43.5 days before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (2017-2019) to 79.5 days during the pandemic (2020-2022) (p=0.01), and the median number of patients associated with each outbreak increased from 5.0 to 6.0 (p=0.03). Frequently recommended interventions included employee education (38.1%), and 3 or more measures were proposed for 45.2% of outbreaks.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the Republic of Korea, CPE outbreaks have been consistently dominated by K. pneumoniae and KPC. The size of these outbreaks increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight the need for continuing efforts to control CPE outbreaks using a multimodal approach, while considering their epidemiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":38949,"journal":{"name":"Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives","volume":"14 4","pages":"312-320"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/10/82/j-phrp-2023-0069.PMC10493699.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10217597","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":"Household secondary attack rates and risk factors during periods of SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variant predominance in the Republic of Korea.","authors":"Jin Lee,&nbsp;Mijeong Ko,&nbsp;Seontae Kim,&nbsp;Dosang Lim,&nbsp;Gemma Park,&nbsp;Sang-Eun Lee","doi":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0133","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0133","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The household secondary attack rate (SAR) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an important indicator for community transmission. This study aimed to characterize transmission by comparing household SARs and identifying risk factors during the periods of Delta and Omicron variant predominance in Republic of Korea.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We defined the period of Delta variant predominance (Delta period) as July 25, 2021 to January 15, 2022, and the period of Omicron variant predominance (Omicron period) as February 7 to September 3, 2022. The number of index cases included was 214,229 for the Delta period and 5,521,393 for the Omicron period. To identify the household SARs and risk factors for each period, logistic regression was performed to determine the adjusted odds ratio (aOR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The SAR was 35.2% for the Delta period and 43.1% for the Omicron period. The aOR of infection was higher in 2 groups, those aged 0 to 18 years and ≥75 years, compared to those aged 19 to 49 years. Unvaccinated individuals (vs. vaccinated individuals) and individuals experiencing initial infection (vs. individuals experiencing a second or third infection) had an increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study analyzed the household SARs and risk factors. We hope that the results can help develop age-specific immunization plans and responses to reduce the SAR in preparation for emerging infectious diseases or potential new variants of SARS-CoV-2.</p>","PeriodicalId":38949,"journal":{"name":"Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives","volume":"14 4","pages":"263-271"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/38/b6/j-phrp-2023-0133.PMC10493696.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10219473","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":"Increased viral load in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variant in the Republic of Korea.","authors":"Jeong-Min Kim,&nbsp;Dongju Kim,&nbsp;Nam-Joo Lee,&nbsp;Sang Hee Woo,&nbsp;Jaehee Lee,&nbsp;Hyeokjin Lee,&nbsp;Ae Kyung Park,&nbsp;Jeong-Ah Kim,&nbsp;Chae Young Lee,&nbsp;Il-Hwan Kim,&nbsp;Cheon Kwon Yoo,&nbsp;Eun-Jin Kim","doi":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a global pandemic owing to the rapid spread of the causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Its Delta and Omicron variants are more transmissible and pathogenic than other variants. Some debates have emerged on the mechanism of variants of concern. In the COVID-19 wave that began in December 2021, the Omicron variant, first reported in South Africa, became identifiable in most cases globally. The aim of this study was to provide data to inform effective responses to the transmission of the Omicron variant.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Delta variant and the spike protein D614G mutant were compared with the Omicron variant. Viral loads from 5 days after symptom onset were compared using epidemiological data collected at the time of diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Omicron variant exhibited a higher viral load than other variants, resulting in greater transmissibility within 5 days of symptom onset.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Future research should focus on vaccine efficacy against the Omicron variant and compare trends in disease severity associated with its high viral load.</p>","PeriodicalId":38949,"journal":{"name":"Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives","volume":"14 4","pages":"272-278"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/de/fc/j-phrp-2023-0024.PMC10493702.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10211081","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":"Temporal association between the age-specific incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Republic of Korea: a nationwide time-series correlation study.","authors":"Hyunju Lee,&nbsp;Donghyok Kwon,&nbsp;Seoncheol Park,&nbsp;Seung Ri Park,&nbsp;Darda Chung,&nbsp;Jongmok Ha","doi":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0050","DOIUrl":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0050","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) changed significantly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Emerging reports suggest that viral vector-based vaccines may be associated with an elevated risk of GBS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this nationwide time-series correlation study, we examined the age-specific incidence of GBS from January 2011 to August 2022, as well as data on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccinations and infections from February 2021 to August 2022. We compared the forecasted estimates of age-specific GBS incidence, using the pre-SARS-CoV-2 period as a benchmark, with the actual incidence observed during the post-vaccination period of the pandemic. Furthermore, we assessed the temporal association between GBS, SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations, and COVID-19 for different age groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the age group of 60 and older, the rate ratio was significantly elevated during June-August and November 2021. A significant, strong positive association was observed between viral vector-based vaccines and GBS incidence trends in this age group (r=0.52, p=0.022). For the 30 to 59 years age group, the rate ratio was notably high in September 2021. A statistically significant, strong positive association was found between mRNA-based vaccines and GBS incidence in this age group (r=0.61, p=0.006).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Viral vector-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were found to be temporally associated with an increased risk of GBS, particularly in older adults. To minimize age-specific and biological mechanism-specific adverse events, future vaccination campaigns should adopt a more personalized approach, such as recommending homologous mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for older adults to reduce the heightened risk of GBS.</p>","PeriodicalId":38949,"journal":{"name":"Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives","volume":"14 3","pages":"224-231"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/be/72/j-phrp-2023-0050.PMC10522829.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9805255","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":"Neglected issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Jong-Koo Lee","doi":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.14.3.01","DOIUrl":"10.24171/j.phrp.2023.14.3.01","url":null,"abstract":"Since June 1, our country has reduced the disaster alert level from “serious” to “caution,” after maintaining it for 3 years and 4 months. We have transitioned to a quarantine system that primarily relies on recommendations and voluntary compliance, except for the requirement to wear masks in medical institutions. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the Public Health Emergency International Concern (PHEIC) on May 5, prior to its 75th General Assembly. The United States also terminated its public Health Emergency declaration as of May 11. Japan has announced that it will manage the crisis level at the level of seasonal influenza. The easing of measures is attributed to the significant reduction in the fatality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has reached an endemic level. The WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts released a COVID-19 vaccination roadmap in March. Based on analyses of the effectiveness of vaccine administration, guidelines recommended prioritizing the elderly [1]. In accordance with this, recent discussions among Western Pacific countries took place in Manila, Philippines (June 19−23, 2023) to address their respective responses to these guideline changes and prepare alternatives for a potential resurgence in the coming autumn, along with the public health emergency caused by wild poliomyelitis virus and circulating vaccinederived poliovirus (cVDPV). However, we are overlooking the fact that the PHEIC caused by poliomyelitis remains unresolved. China, which shares borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, has already experienced an imported polio outbreak. Although we have been preparing effective measures to deal with imported cases of polio, we need to doublecheck our efforts. Countries that have switched to injectable vaccines from oral vaccines, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, and United States, have reported positive environmental samples of cVDPV2 and acute flaccid paralysis patient sample in cVDPV3. Therefore, careful attention should be given to procedures such as rapid confirmation tests, the diagnosis of acute flaccid paralysis, and environmental surveillance. The discussion at hand primarily concerns the repercussions of vaccination and the compensation for vaccine-related injuries. The proposal for a special law in the National Assembly arises from the fact that the existing compensation program for vaccine injuries, which mainly focuses on children, differs in its logic and compensation approach when it comes to COVID-19, especially for adults. This issue relates to the government's responsibility for adverse events not present during the emergency use authorization, due to the indemnification granted to pharmaceutical companies for vaccine development in crisis management situations. The government actively promoted vaccination to achieve herd immunity. Booster doses were administered to prevent hospitalization, severe complications,","PeriodicalId":38949,"journal":{"name":"Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives","volume":"14 3","pages":"149-150"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/86/04/j-phrp-2023-14-3-01.PMC10522822.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9805248","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}