Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives

Original Articles

Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in different high-risk facility types during a period of Delta variant dominance in the Republic of Korea: a cross-sectional study: Min Jei Lee, Myung-Jae Hwang, Dong Seob Kim, Seon Kyeong Park, Jihyun Choi, Ji Joo Lee, Jong Mu Kim, Young-Man Kim, Young-Joon Park, Jin Gwack, Sang-Eun Lee; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2023;14(5):418-426. Published online October 19, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0188

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: Objectives
We evaluated the effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination in high-risk facilities in the Republic of Korea during the period when the highly transmissible Delta variant was prevalent. Additionally, we aimed to explore any disparities in vaccine effectiveness (VE) across various types of institutions, specifically distinguishing between non-medical and medical establishments. Methods: We examined 8 outbreak clusters covering 243 cases and 895 contacts from 8 high-risk facilities divided into 2 groups: group A (4 non-medical institutions) and group B (4 medical institutions). These clusters were observed from July 27, 2021 to October 16, 2021 for the attack rate (AR) and VE with respect to disease severity. A generalized linear model with a binomial distribution was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) for disease severity and death. Results: AR was notably lower in group B (medical institutions). Furthermore, VE analysis revealed that group A exhibited higher effectivity for disease severity and death than group B. The OR for disease severity was 0.24 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–2.16) for group A and 0.27 (95% CI, 0.12–0.64) for group B, with the OR for death at 0.12 (95% CI, 0.01–1.32) in group A and 0.34 (95% CI, 0.14–0.87) in group B. Conclusion: Although VE may vary across institutions, our findings underscore the importance of implementing vaccinations in high-risk facilities. Customized vaccination programs, tailored response plans, and competent management personnel are essential for effectively addressing and mitigating public health challenges.

The risk associated with psychiatric disturbances in patients with diabetes in Indonesia (2018): a cross-sectional observational study: Siti Isfandari, Betty Roosihermiatie, Sulistyowati Tuminah, Laurentia Konadi Mihardja; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2023;14(5):368-378. Published online October 18, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0144; Correction in: Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2023;14(6):530

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Objectives
The global prevalence of psychiatric disturbances is rising, detrimentally affecting the quality of care and treatment outcomes for individuals, particularly those with diabetes.This study investigated the association of risk factors for psychiatric disturbances among productive-age patients with diabetes (ages 30−59 years), considering sociodemographic characteristics and co-existing diseases. The risk factors considered included sociodemographic factors (e.g., residence, age, sex, marital status, education, and occupation) and co-existing diseases (e.g., hypertension, heart disease, stroke, renal failure, rheumatism, asthma, and cancer). Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2018 Indonesian National Health Survey (Riskesdas). The study population comprised respondents aged between 30 and 59 years who had diabetes and had completed the 20-question self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20). After the exclusion of incomplete SRQ-20 data, the sample included 8,917 respondents. Data were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Approximately 18.29% of individuals with diabetes displayed symptoms indicative of psychiatric disturbances. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, education level, occupation, marital status, and place of residence, patients with diabetes who had co-existing conditions such as hypertension, heart diseases, rheumatic disorders, asthma, or cancer had a higher risk for developing psychiatric disturbances than those with diabetes alone (adjusted odds ratio, 6.67; 95% confidence interval, 4.481−9.928; p<0.001). Conclusion: The elevated risk of psychiatric disturbances among patients with diabetes who had comorbidities underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues in the management of diabetes, especially in patients with concurrent disease conditions.

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Correction to “The risk associated with psychiatric disturbances in patients with diabetes in Indonesia (2018): a cross-sectional observational study” [Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2023;14(5):368–78]
Siti Isfandari, Betty Roosihermiatie, Sulistyowati Tuminah, Laurentia Konadi Mihardja
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2023; 14(6): 530. CrossRef

Review Article

Public health agencies’ use of social media for communication during pandemics: a scoping review of the literature: Babatunde Abiodun Balogun, Anne Hogden, Nenagh Kemp, Lin Yang, Maria Agaliotis; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2023;14(4):235-251. Published online August 9, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0095

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Graphical Abstract Abstract PDF: 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.

Original Articles

Characteristics of COVID-19 outbreaks and risk factors for transmission at an army training center in South Korea from June to August 2021: U Jin Cho, Seongjin Wang, Seonju Yi, Yeon Hwa Choi, Eun-Young Kim, Jin A Kim, Sanghwan Bae, Jungyeon Yu, Jangkyu Choi, Young-Joon Park; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2022;13(4):263-272. Published online July 27, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2022.0149

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Abstract PDF

Objectives
It is crucial to establish the characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks at army training centers to develop preventive measures. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the COVID-19 transmission patterns and risk factors in a sequence of outbreaks at an army training center from June to August 2021.
Methods
This study included 1,324 trainees at an army training center where outbreaks occurred from June to August 2021. The outbreak was qualitatively analyzed according to the period, attack rate, demographic characteristics, vaccination history, and living areas. An aerodynamic experiment was performed to evaluate aerosol transmission in living areas.
Results
Three outbreaks occurred at the army training center from June to August 2021. The first, second, and third outbreaks lasted for 32, 17, and 24 days, and the attack rates were 12.8%, 18.1%, and 8.9%, respectively. Confirmed cases were distributed in all age groups. Recruits and the unvaccinated were at higher risk for COVID-19. The aerodynamic experiment verified the possibility of aerosol transmission within the same living area.
Conclusion
COVID-19 transmission at army training centers should be minimized through quarantine and post-admission testing during the latency period as part of integrated measures that include facility ventilation, vaccination, indoor mask-wearing, and social distancing.

Citations

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Socioecological Model-based Factors Influencing Respiratory Infection Prevention Behaviors among Soldiers in an Army Training Center
Eunbin Jeong, Sookyung Hyun
Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2024; 38(2): 176. CrossRef
COVID-19 outbreak in a religious village community in Republic of Korea and risk factors for transmission
Jiae Shim, Eunju Lee, Eunyoung Kim, Yeonhwa Choi, Giseok Kang, Bryan Inho Kim
Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2023; 14(2): 110. CrossRef
Epidemiological Characteristics of a COVID-19 Outbreak in a Psychiatric Hospital in Chung-buk
Se-Hyuk Jang, Young-Joon Park, Ji-Joo Lee, Woo-Jin Jung
Healthcare.2023; 11(16): 2332. CrossRef

Seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and predictors of seropositivity among employees of a teaching hospital in New Delhi, India: Pragya Sharma, Rohit Chawla, Ritika Bakshi, Sonal Saxena, Saurav Basu, Pradeep Kumar Bharti, Meera Dhuria, S. K. Singh, Panna Lal; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2021;12(2):88-95. Published online April 29, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2021.12.2.06

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Objectives
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to the increased likelihood of clinical exposure during patient management. The study objective was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and its predictors among hospital employees.
Methods
The cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital from August 2020 to September 2020 among 1,401 employees, including 1,217 HCWs, in New Delhi, India. The serum samples were examined for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using the COVID Kavach-Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were collected electronically using the EpiCollect mobile platform. A p<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
Results
A total of 169 participants (12.1%) had detectable IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The highest seropositivity rate was observed in the administrative staff (20.1%), while it was lowest among medical doctors (5.5%, p<0.001). Male sex and ever having lived in a containment zone were independently associated with past infection with SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusion
The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers may be lower than in the general population in New Delhi. However, non-pharmaceutical interventions were not associated with a reduction in the risk of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Serosurveillance of COVID-19 amongst health care workers in a teaching institution – A prospective cohort study in Puducherry district
Muhamed Kamaludeen, Pajanivel Ranganadin, Agieshkumar Balakrishna Pillai, Arun Sugumaran
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.2024; 13(5): 1917. CrossRef
Assessment of potential risk factors for COVID-19 among health care workers in a health care setting in Delhi, India -a cohort study
Mridu Dudeja, Aqsa Shaikh, Farzana Islam, Yasir Alvi, Mohammad Ahmad, Varun Kashyap, Vishal Singh, Anisur Rahman, Meely Panda, Neetu Shree, Shyamasree Nandy, Vineet Jain, Amitava Mukherjee
PLOS ONE.2023; 18(1): e0265290. CrossRef
Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in India, March 2020 to August 2021: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Nuzrath Jahan, Adarsha Brahma, Muthusamy Santhosh Kumar, Bhavani Shankara Bagepally, Manickam Ponnaiah, Tarun Bhatnagar, Manoj V Murhekar
International Journal of Infectious Diseases.2022; 116: 59. CrossRef
Risk Factors for COVID-19 Infection Among Healthcare Workers. A First Report From a Living Systematic Review and meta-Analysis
Tafadzwa Dzinamarira, Sphamandla Josias Nkambule, Mbuzeleni Hlongwa, Malizgani Mhango, Patrick Gad Iradukunda, Itai Chitungo, Mathias Dzobo, Munyaradzi Paul Mapingure, Innocent Chingombe, Moreblessing Mashora, Roda Madziva, Helena Herrera, Pelagia Makanda
Safety and Health at Work.2022; 13(3): 263. CrossRef
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and Risk Assessment Among Healthcare Workers at a Dedicated Tertiary Care COVID-19 Hospital in Delhi, India: A Cohort Study
Pragya Sharma, Rohit Chawla, Saurav Basu, Sonal Saxena, Warisha Mariam, Pradeep Kumar Bharti, Shivani Rao, Neha Tanwar, Anisur Rahman, Mohammad Ahmad
Cureus.2021;[Epub] CrossRef

Risk of Water and Food-Borne Communicable Diseases in Travelers Entering Korea: Kyung Sook Jung, Yu Mi Jang, Ji Hye Hwang, Gi Jun Park, Tae Jong Son; Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2019;10(4):215-220. Published online August 31, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2019.10.4.03

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Abstract PDF: Objectives
It was supposed to analyze status and affecting factors in water and food-borne communicable disease by screening entrants with diarrhea symptom at the point of entry in Korea
Methods
Symptomatic travelers with water and food-borne communicable diseases who entered Korea were diagnosed by a health declaration and detection of causative agents in water and food using laboratory tests. Among those entered in 2017, the affecting factors in the incidence of communicable diseases among those who had diarrhea at the entry into Korea, were analyzed, with frequency and chi-square test.
Results
The number of travel entrants with gastrointestinal communicable diseases increased by 40.19% from 2013 to 2017. The percentage of causative agents of water and food-borne communicable diseases was the highest at 69.2% from July to September. The rate of detection of causative agents of communicable disease pathogens in travelers from Southeast Asia entering Korea was 70.2%, which was higher than people arriving from East Asia and Central Asia (57.5%; p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The positive ratio of causative agents of water and food-borne communicable diseases was high among travelers that had entered Korea from July to September, with a high number among entrants from Southeast Asia. Based on the positive detection of causative agents, the entry period and countries visited were statistically significant affecting factors (p < 0.001).

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