Background: Public awareness/knowledge on oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC), potentially malignant disorders (PMODs) and their risk factors is crucial for prevention and early detection of OPC and PMODs. Yet, there are no published data available on the awareness and knowledge of OPC and PMODs among people living in Far North Queensland, Australia. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a cross sectional survey. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and consisted of relevant questions to ascertain socio-demographic information, awareness and knowledge of OPC, PMODs and risk factors and questions on participant's exposure to risk factors and dietary history were also included. Survey was carried out at the Dental Clinic of the James Cook University School of Dentistry (JCU Dental), Cairns, Australia. Subjects above the age of 20 years (n=366) were randomly selected during the period from 31st July to 6th September 2013 and questionnaire was distributed to complete while they are waiting for treatment. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21 and the chi -squared test was employed to compare groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study revealed that 52.3% of the respondents were aware of the existence of OPC but only 19.0% were aware of PMODs. Of those who were aware of oral cancer, 92% agreed or strongly agreed that smoking is a strong risk factor for OPC. Similarly a relatively high proportion of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that tobacco chewing (84%), tobacco chewing with areca nut (68%), chewing areca nut alone (51%) and exposure to actinic radiation (71%) as risk factors. However, the results for alcohol intake, age, and HPV infection were found to be relatively poor with proportions 33%, 34%, and 23% respectively. Conclusions: This study revealed an alarming lack of awareness and knowledge of OPC and PMODs.
Introduction
This cross-sectional study looked at the impact of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric emergency department (PED) attendances and admissions (as a proxy for severity of illness) in the United States and United Kingdom.
Methods
Data were extracted for children and adolescents, younger than 16 years, attending Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH, United Kingdom), and Yale New Haven Children's Hospital (YNHCH, United States). Attendances for weeks 1 to 20 of 2020 and 2019 were compared, and likelihood of admission was assessed via calculation of odds ratios, using week 13 (lockdown) as a cutoff.
Results
Attendance numbers for each PED decreased in 2020 compared with 2019 (RMCH, 29.2%; YNHCH, 24.8%). Odds of admission were significantly higher after lockdown than in 2019—RMCH (odds ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.46) and YNHCH (odds ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–1.98).
Conclusions
Although the absolute numbers of children and adolescents attending the PED and being admitted decreased after lockdown, the acuity of illness of those attending appears to be higher.
Forewordantimicrobial prescribing guidelines for poultry Antimicrobials are essential to modern medicine for treating a range of infections in humans and animals. Importantly, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global threat that presents a serious risk to human and animal health. Inappropriate and/or unrestrained use of antimicrobials in humans and animals exerts a strong selection pressure on microbial populations to evolve resistant traits. As a result, antimicrobials have become less effective over time leading to treatment complications and failures, and increased healthcare costs for people and animals. Resistant organisms spread between people, animals and the environment. Globalisation and international travel facilitates this spread between countries.Here in Australia, the veterinary profession and food-producing animal industries have a long history of addressing AMR. Their previous and ongoing worka result of partnerships across the animal sectorhas resulted in demonstrated low levels of AMR in our food-producing animals. Over the past 5 years, the veterinary profession has consolidated its partnership with industry and government by helping to successfully implement Australia's First National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2015-19. With the recent release of Australia's National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy -2020 and Beyond (2020 AMR Strategy), the veterinary profession will continue to play a critical role in how we minimise AMR.One of the seven key objectives of the 2020 AMR Strategy relates to appropriate antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial stewardship practices. Resistance to antimicrobials occurs naturally in microorganisms, but it is significantly amplified by antimicrobial overuse, growth promotion use, and poor husbandry and management.The antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for poultry directly addresses the fourth objective of the 2020 AMR Strategy, and in particular, Priority Area for Action 4.1, that seeks to 'ensure that coordinated, evidence-based antimicrobial prescribing guidelines and best-practice supports are developed and made easily available, and encourage their use by prescribers'. These guidelines for Australian poultry veterinarians are sure to be a ready resource. They have been developed specifically for the Australian poultry industry and contain best-practice prescribing information to help clinical veterinarians in their day-to-day use of antimicrobials. The guidelines encourage veterinarians to first pause and consider the need to use antimicrobials in that circumstance: Are there effective non-antimicrobial alternatives? Prevention and control of infections through strict on-farm biosecurity is a recognised approach to minimising disease entry and the need to use antimicrobials. Vaccination may also be available to control several important poultry diseases. If antimicrobial use is indicated, have you considered the five rights: right drug, right time, right dose, right duration and right route? Using a lower rating or narrow-spectrum antimicrobial i...
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