International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health最新文献

{"title":"Validation of a Novel Method to Evaluate Community-Based Interventions That Improve Access to Fruits and Vegetables.","authors":"Louisa Ewald, Kate E LeGrand, Claire-Lorentz Ugo-Ike, Sally Honeycutt, Jennifer L Hall, Emmanuela Gakidou, Ali H Mokdad, Gregory A Roth","doi":"10.3390/ijerph22020312","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020312","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Current evaluation tools are inadequate for assessing the impact of small-scale interventions, such as farmer's markets or community meal programs, on fruit and vegetable consumption. This study analyzes the pilot data of a novel tool designed to evaluate community-based programs' impact on fruit and vegetable consumption. Our research addresses the gap in effective evaluation methods for dietary behaviors within underserved populations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The survey tool was developed through a participatory research approach involving interest holders and community members. We conducted a pilot survey across four community-based programs, validated the findings, and compared them against the data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This pilot survey demonstrated a high completion rate of 98.2%. Notably, 62.5% of respondents reported an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables since participating in the programs and cited cost, time, and accessibility as primary barriers to healthy eating. There is a strong, though not significant, correlation of 0.876 (<i>p</i> = 0.12) between the pilot data of prevalence of daily fruit and vegetable consumption and the national average.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings suggest the survey tool effectively captures dietary behaviors and the influence of community-based programs. Further research is required to enhance its applicability in diverse settings and extend robust impact evaluation methods for these programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":49056,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Lead Pollution from Vehicular Traffic on Highway-Side Grazing Areas: Challenges and Mitigation Policies.","authors":"Tareq A Al-Sabbagh, Sheikh Shreaz","doi":"10.3390/ijerph22020311","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020311","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>One major environmental concern is the lead (Pb) pollution from automobile traffic, especially in highway-side grazing areas. Sheep grazing in Pb-contaminated areas are particularly vulnerable because Pb exposure from soil, water, and feed can have harmful effects that impair their general health, reproductive capability, and immune systems. Long-term hazards to cattle from persistent Pb exposure include neurotoxicity, hematological abnormalities, reproductive health problems, and immunosuppression. These can have serious consequences, such as reduced productivity and even mortality. Additionally, through the food chain, Pb bioaccumulation in lamb tissues directly endangers human health. Pb poisoning is caused by a variety of intricate mechanisms, including disturbances in calcium-dependent processes, oxidative stress, and enzyme inhibition. To mitigate these risks, an interdisciplinary approach is essential, combining expertise in environmental science, toxicology, animal husbandry, and public health. Effective strategies include rotational grazing, alternative foraging options, mineral supplementation, and soil remediation techniques like phytoremediation. Additionally, the implementation of stringent regulatory measures, continuous monitoring, and community-based initiatives are vital. This review emphasizes the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary methodologies to address the ecological, agricultural, and public health impacts of Pb pollution. By integrating scientific expertise and policy measures, it is possible to ensure the long-term sustainability of grazing systems, protect livestock and human health, and maintain ecosystem integrity.</p>","PeriodicalId":49056,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143504857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Role of Individual, Social and Health Factors as Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Results from the Second Phase of the Italian EPICOVID19 Web-Based Survey.","authors":"Fulvio Adorni, Chiara Cavigli, Nithiya Jesuthasan, Liliana Cori, Aleksandra Sojic, Fabrizio Bianchi, Olivia Curzio, Federica Prinelli","doi":"10.3390/ijerph22020314","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020314","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite scientific breakthroughs in vaccine development, some people remain reluctant to accept the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. This study evaluates attitudes and behaviours towards the vaccine and factors associated with refusal/hesitancy at the start of Italy's vaccination campaign.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>EPICOVID19 is a two-phase observational web-based study where adult volunteers completed questionnaires in April-June 2020 and January-February 2021. Refusal/hesitancy towards the vaccine was assessed among those not yet vaccinated. We analysed factors associated with refusal/hesitancy by applying multivariate multinomial logistic regression models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 36,820 survey participants (mean age of 51 years, 59.7% women, 63.6% highly educated), 2449 (6.7%) were against or hesitant, 4468 (12.1%) were inclined but unsure, and 29,903 (81.2%) were willing to be vaccinated. Factors positively associated with refusal/hesitancy included female sex, middle age, at-risk occupations, medium and low education, deprived status, being underweight, previous SARS-CoV-2 positivity, poor perceived health, no fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2, the fear of contaminated food and natural disasters, and low trust in science, media, government, or institutions. Low hesitancy was associated with student and retired status, overweight and obesity, moderate and high alcohol consumption, no concern about economic and working conditions, and sensitivity to climate change/environmental pollution and epidemics.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This survey showed that, during the first month of Italy's vaccination campaign, some individuals were reluctant to receive the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. This study highlights potential target groups for tailored communication and prevention campaigns.</p>","PeriodicalId":49056,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Burden of Informal Caregivers from an HHC Military Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Daniela Patrícia Santos Costa, Husam I Ardah, Amjad Searya","doi":"10.3390/ijerph22020313","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020313","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>(1) Background: Home health care (HHC) services guarantee good patient care and family support. Understanding how we can better help our informal caregivers (ICs) by understanding their needs and the burden they experience is crucial. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2024 at an HHC facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 22-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-22) was used to assess the caregiver burden (CB). ICs of patients with specific diseases (palliative, cancer, chronic, and dementia patients) and other factors were studied to identify any association with informal caregiver burden (ICB). (3) Results: Significant CB was defined as ZBI ≥ 21. The IC (384) participants comprised 119 caregivers of dementia patients, 104 caregivers of chronic patients, 83 caregivers of palliative patients, and 78 caregivers of cancer patients. The total mean of the ZBI-22 score among ICs was 31.66, representing a significant CB. The means by groups were as follows: chronic patients, 38.28; dementia patients, 34.97; cancer patients, 25.21; and palliative patients, 22.94. Other variables, such as the duration of care, education level, relationship with the patient, and unemployment, were associated with CB (<i>p</i>-value < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The caregivers' characteristics and the patients' disease were associated with significant CB. More interventions from healthcare workers to support ICs are essential to release their burden.</p>","PeriodicalId":49056,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Active Visual Art Therapy in the General Hospital: Facts and Challenges from an Ethical Perspective.","authors":"Valentina Martinelli, Estella Linda Luisa Lumer, Laura Fusar Poli, Matteo Chiappedi, Pierluigi Politi","doi":"10.3390/ijerph22020316","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020316","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>For decades, art in its many forms has been used to improve patients' quality of life and mental health. A growing amount of literature has shown the effectiveness of active visual art therapy (AVAT) on different patient outcomes and highlighted the need for international collaboration and harmonization of research methods. Evidence regarding AVAT inside the general hospital is still limited. This context poses unique challenges in terms of feasibility, heterogeneity, settings, and type of participants, together with significant ethical implications in terms of humanization of care. This narrative review aimed to report the available data on the effectiveness of visual art therapy in the general hospital and discuss them through the lens of the key bioethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice introduced by Childress and Beauchamp. Current evidence supports the effectiveness of AVAT on children and adult inpatients' outcomes, particularly in the areas of pain control, anxiety, and depression, therefore supporting the individual's autonomy and beneficence. With regard to justice and equity, AVAT proved to be a safe and cost-effective adjunct intervention to medical management inside the hospital. A more in-depth understanding of the ethical aspects implied in using AVAT in the general hospital may add a further contribution to the implementation of art interventions in patient-centered care.</p>","PeriodicalId":49056,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Food Security in Brazil: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Community Restaurants in the North and Northeast Regions.","authors":"Mateus Santana Sousa, Rita de Cássia Akutsu, Calliandra Maria de Souza Silva, Camila Silveira Silva Teixeira, Izabel Cristina Rodrigues da Silva","doi":"10.3390/ijerph22020315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020315","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Community Restaurants (CRs), part of the Brazilian government's Popular Restaurant Program (PRP), provide free and/or affordable nutritionally balanced meals as an essential strategy to meet the most vulnerable population's basic needs and rights. This cross-sectional study evaluated the effectiveness of these CRs' proposed objectives in cities with ≥100,000 inhabitants in Brazil's northern and northeastern regions-Brazil's most vulnerable and historically unequal regions. Effectiveness was assessed using a CR evaluation matrix-based indicator system to classify CRs as \"not very effective\", \"effective\", or \"very effective\". Among the 94 CRs assessed (north: n = 23, 24.5%; northeast: n = 71, 75.5%), most were classified as \"effective\" or \"very effective\", except for the northern states of Amapá and Tocantins, whose only CR was rated as \"not very effective\" and the northeastern state of Sergipe, which had a PR considered \"not very effective\". State-operated CRs predominated (north: 82.6%; northeast: 76.1%) and primarily operated Monday to Friday (north: 87.0%; northeast: 59.2%), with 35.2% of the northeast CRs operating daily, serving lunch as the main meal (100%). Average daily meal counts were 486.5 (north) and 926.9 (northeast), and the average meal offering time was from 10:55 am to 1:21 pm in the north and from 10:35 am to 2:00 pm in the northeast region, with costs averaging USD 0.27 and USD 0.20, respectively. All CRs employed a nutritionist as a technical manager responsible for menu planning and demonstrated compliance with essential infrastructure criteria, including regular waste collection, water supply, and proximity to public transport. Most were in areas with sanitary sewage coverage (north: 91.3%; northeast: 98.6%) and had monitoring mechanisms (91.3% north; 94.4% northeast) and prioritization systems for vulnerable populations (north: 73.9%; northeast: 80.0%). These findings indicate that CRs in these regions effectively strive to address food security goals, demonstrating tangible outcomes that benefit society.</p>","PeriodicalId":49056,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Parents Regarding Childhood Obesity in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Sojoud Alsheraifi, Fatima Almeleh, Hiba Rabie, Amnah Alkaabi, Sumayya AlHamrooni, Aisha Abdullah","doi":"10.3390/ijerph22020309","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020309","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Obesity is a global issue whose prevalence continues to rise at a concerning rate. Over the past 30 years, many countries have witnessed the doubling or tripling of obesity rates. The growing prevalence of obesity in children is particularly worrying given that it indicates a future burden on healthcare systems. Herein, we aim to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to childhood obesity among parents of school children in Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK) and Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2024 and involved parents/guardians of children from grades 1 to 12 in governmental schools in RAK and Fujairah. A standardized questionnaire adapted from the \"We Can Program\" was used after modification to make it suitable for the study participants. The appropriate sample size was calculated and found to be 471. A total of 510 questionnaires were included in the analysis. The study participants comprised 89.6% females, 77.6% middle-aged individuals, and 61.8% RAK residents. The results show that 96.3% of parents have good knowledge; 88.4% have a positive attitude; and 97.8% have good practices. Younger and less educated parents have a less positive attitude {odds ratio (OR) = 0.052 (0.28-0.98), <i>p</i> = 0.03 and OR = 0.057 (0.33-1.009), <i>p</i> = 0.03, respectively}. In contrast, having good knowledge increases the chances of having a positive attitude {OR = 3.81 (1.39-10.45), <i>p</i> = 0.015}. Males were found to have a lower probability of having good practices {OR = 0.29 (0.07-0.15), <i>p</i> = 0.09}. However, having good knowledge and a positive attitude increases the chances of having good practices {OR = 6.30 (1.26-31.41), <i>p</i> = 0.05 and OR = 23.42 (6.02-91.09, <i>p</i> = 0.00), respectively}. In conclusion, overall, parents/guardians from RAK and Fujairah have good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices with regard to childhood obesity. Young parents with lower educational levels tend to have a negative attitude. In general, living in RAK or Fujairah is not a contributing factor affecting the levels of overall knowledge, attitudes, and practices. However, parents in Fujairah have worse practices according to the majority of the individual practice questions related to physical activity and healthy food compared to parents in RAK. Particular emphasis should be placed on walking, biking, and using the stairs, when possible, among parents in Fujairah. National programs should be developed, targeting young parents with lower educational levels to improve their attitudes and hence their practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":49056,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Climate and Air Pollution Mitigating Benefits of Urban Parks in Sao Paulo Through a Pollution Sensor Network.","authors":"Patrick Connerton, Thiago Nogueira, Prashant Kumar, Maria de Fatima Andrade, Helena Ribeiro","doi":"10.3390/ijerph22020306","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020306","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ambient air pollution is the most important environmental factor impacting human health. Urban landscapes present unique air quality challenges, which are compounded by climate change adaptation challenges, as air pollutants can also be affected by the urban heat island effect, amplifying the deleterious effects on health. Nature-based solutions have shown potential for alleviating environmental stressors, including air pollution and heat wave abatement. However, such solutions must be designed in order to maximize mitigation and not inadvertently increase pollutant exposure. This study aims to demonstrate potential applications of nature-based solutions in urban environments for climate stressors and air pollution mitigation by analyzing two distinct scenarios with and without green infrastructure. Utilizing low-cost sensors, we examine the relationship between green infrastructure and a series of environmental parameters. While previous studies have investigated green infrastructure and air quality mitigation, our study employs low-cost sensors in tropical urban environments. Through this novel approach, we are able to obtain highly localized data that demonstrates this mitigating relationship. In this study, as a part of the NERC-FAPESP-funded GreenCities project, four low-cost sensors were validated through laboratory testing and then deployed in two locations in São Paulo, Brazil: one large, heavily forested park (CIENTEC) and one small park surrounded by densely built areas (FSP). At each site, one sensor was located in a vegetated area (Park sensor) and one near the roadside (Road sensor). The locations selected allow for a comparison of built versus green and blue areas. Lidar data were used to characterize the profile of each site based on surrounding vegetation and building area. Distance and class of the closest roadways were also measured for each sensor location. These profiles are analyzed against the data obtained through the low-cost sensors, considering both meteorological (temperature, humidity and pressure) and particulate matter (PM₁, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) parameters. Particulate matter concentrations were lower for the sensors located within the forest site. At both sites, the road sensors showed higher concentrations during the daytime period. These results further reinforce the capabilities of green-blue-gray infrastructure (GBGI) tools to reduce exposure to air pollution and climate stressors, while also showing the importance of their design to ensure maximum benefits. The findings can inform decision-makers in designing more resilient cities, especially in low-and middle-income settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":49056,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental Challenges in Southern Brazil: Impacts of Pollution and Extreme Weather Events on Biodiversity and Human Health.","authors":"Joel Henrique Ellwanger, Marina Ziliotto, Bruna Kulmann-Leal, José Artur Bogo Chies","doi":"10.3390/ijerph22020305","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020305","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Amazon rainforest plays a fundamental role in regulating the global climate and therefore receives special attention when Brazilian environmental issues gain prominence on the global stage. However, other Brazilian biomes, such as the Pampa and the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil, have been facing significant environmental challenges, either independently or under the influence of ecological changes observed in the Amazon region. The state of Rio Grande do Sul is located in the extreme south of Brazil and in 2024 was hit by major rainfalls that caused devastating floods. The Pampa is a non-forest biome found in Brazil only in Rio Grande do Sul. This biome is seriously threatened by loss of vegetation cover and many classes of pollutants, including pesticides and plastics. Mining ventures are also important sources of soil, water and air pollution by potentially toxic elements in Rio Grande do Sul, threatening both the Pampa and the Atlantic Forest. Furthermore, southern Brazil is often affected by pollution caused by smoke coming from fires observed in distant biomes such as the Pantanal and the Amazon. Considering the significant environmental challenges observed in southern Brazil, this article revisits the historical participation of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazilian environmentalism and highlights the main environmental challenges currently observed in the state, followed by an in-depth analysis of the effects of pollution and extreme weather events on biodiversity and human health in the region. This review encompassed specifically the following categories of pollutants: potentially toxic elements (e.g., arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, titanium), air pollutants, plastics, and pesticides. Pathogen-related pollution in the context of extreme weather events is also addressed. This article emphasizes the critical importance of often-overlooked biomes in Brazilian conservation efforts, such as the Pampa biome, while also underscoring the interconnectedness of climate change, pollution, their shared influence on human well-being and ecological balance, using Rio Grande do Sul as a case study.</p>","PeriodicalId":49056,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SPECT/CT Scan Images to Evaluate COVID-19 Pulmonary Complications: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Ana Carolina Coelho-Oliveira, Redha Taiar, Luelia Teles Jaques-Albuquerque, Ana Gabriellie Valério-Penha, Aline Reis-Silva, Luiz Felipe Ferreira-Souza, Danúbia da Cunha de Sá-Caputo, Mario Bernardo-Filho","doi":"10.3390/ijerph22020308","DOIUrl":"10.3390/ijerph22020308","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The highly contagious 2019 novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 increased the scientific community's interest in diagnosing and monitoring COVID-19. Due to the findings about the association between COVID-19 infection and pulmonary disturbances, the need for the use of complementary tests that can be carried out, preserving the health of patients, has grown. In this context, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic to assess and try to diagnose lung lesions. The aim of this current review was to investigate the types of SPECT images most commonly used and the main pulmonary parenchymal lesions and different lung perfusion abnormalities observed in these images in individuals with COVID-19 in different countries in the world.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Electronic searches in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases were conducted in December 2022. Studies that used SPECT/CT scans to evaluate pulmonary involvements due to COVID-19, with no language restriction, were included. Two reviewers, who independently examined titles and abstracts, identified records through the database search and reference screening, and irrelevant studies were excluded based on the eligibility criteria. Relevant complete texts were analyzed for eligibility, and all relevant studies were included in a systematic review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eight studies with regular methodological quality were included. The types of SPECT examinations used in the included articles were SPECT/CT, Q SPECT/CT, and V/Q SPECT. The possible pulmonary complication most observed was pulmonary embolism.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This systematic review demonstrated that SPECT/CT scans, mainly with perfusion methods, allow the maximum extraction of benefits from pulmonary images, in safety, suggesting efficiency in the differential diagnosis, including of respiratory diseases of different etiology, and with diagnostics and additional analyses, can possibly aid the development of suitable therapeutic strategies for each patient. Randomized clinical trials and studies of good methodological quality are necessary to confirm the findings of this review and help better understand the types of SPECT images most commonly used and the main pulmonary parenchymal lesions observed in the images in individuals with COVID-19.</p>","PeriodicalId":49056,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health","volume":"22 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143505410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}