ABSTRACT
This post-occupancy study aims to assess the indoor air quality (IAQ) and ventilation performance in workshops and laboratories of a UK university during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supply airflow rates and CO2 were monitored as a proxy for evaluating ventilation performance. Additionally, particulate matter (PM10) was monitored to address the occupant's concerns about dust. Monitoring showed that maximum CO2 values recorded are mostly below 1000 ppm, with weekly averages below 520 ppm. This was expected as the supply airflow rates were significantly larger than recommended 10 l/s per occupant. Despite the large flow rates, PM10 levels in some laboratories were above the threshold value of 50 [μg/m3] supporting the poor IAQ claims of the occupants. The study indicated the room air re-circulation and indoor activities as the likely reasons for the elevated PM10 levels and some practical operational solutions were suggested for IAQ concerns. © 2022 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive virtual carbohydrate counting course on glycaemic indicators in people with type 1 diabetes. Methods: An observational study of glycaemic management following a virtual carbohydrate counting course, comprising of a weekly two hour session over three weeks on Microsoft Teams. Key metrics monitored from flash glucose monitoring (FGM) at baseline, three and six months: time in range (TIR), time below range (TBR) estimated glycated haemoglobin (eHbA1c) and glucose variability (GV). A paired two sample for means T-test was used to determine statistical significance. Results: 26 participants completed the course (14 male, 12 female). Baseline and three month data was available for 17 participants (11 male, 6 female). Six month data was available for 14 participants, (9 male, 5 female). Significant improvements were observed at six months for GV (p = 0.05). No significant differences were observed at three months. Conclusions: One metric (GV) showed significant improvement at six months. The lack of significant improvements in other parameters and at three months could be related to many factors. There is a paucity of research on virtual carbohydrate counting courses for comparison purposes. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends offering structured education to all people with type 1 diabetes. The option of a virtual course has allowed for continuation of education during the covid-19 pandemic, which otherwise would have been absent. Further research is required to inform clinical practice and service development and provide further insight into lack of improvement in some parameters.
ABSTRACT
Public transportation plays a vital role in bringing people together. International trade and tourism is reliant on commercial aviation, and the most successful cities have buses, trams, or subways connecting workers to their workplaces. However, the efficiency and connectivity of modern transportation networks leaves us vulnerable to the spread of diseases. In this paper, we introduce a general agent-based framework for modeling disease propagation on networks and use it to build models of major transportation networks. Using our models, we take a look at how disease spreads throughout a city. We pay particular attention to predicting the regions of a city which are likely to become disease hot-spots. This is of particular interest to city planners who want to allocate resources appropriately to combat an outbreak. Using information about subway routes, ridership, and city-wide countermeasures, we were able to predict areas with high caseloads during the onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Our findings suggest a correlation between these factors and the spread of COVID-19, Influenza-Like Illnesses, and other contagious diseases. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
ABSTRACT
Background: Challenges to retain patients with HIV in Haiti were worsened by civil unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. To support patient retention, GHESKIO, one of the largest HIV care centers in the Caribbean, set up 11 community distribution points (CDPs) for antiretroviral therapy (ART) pickup and viral load testing at satellite sites in Port-au-Prince neighborhoods, and offered home delivery to patients. Methods: The choice to pick up ART at CDPs was offered to all patients by 5/2019. Nurses at CDPs referred patients to GHESKIO clinics if they were symptomatic or due for physician visit. Data on all ART pickups in 5/1/2019- 10/23/2020 from GHESKIO's electronic health records were described. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify patient characteristics associated with having ≥1 non-clinic visit (i.e. at CDP or home). Results: 16,234 patients completed ≥1 drug pickup visits during the study period (41.2% male;mean±SD age 41.8±13.3 years;14% newly initiated ART since 5/2019;6.0±4.1 years since ART enrollment as of 5/2019 among previously enrolled patients). 39.3% of patients had ≥1 non-clinic pickup (31.8% had ≥1 CDP visit, 12.7% had ≥1 home visit). Patients attended 77,514 visits (4.8±2.2 per patient), 16.2% and 3.3% of which were CDP and home visits, respectively. Since 9/2019, when nationwide lockdown due to political unrest began, 21.9% of visits were at CDPs and 3.9% at home. After 3/2020, when the first COVID-19 case was detected in Haiti, 15,183 patients completed 35,564 visits (2.3±1.2 visits per patient);proportions of visits at CDPs and home increased to 27.5% and 4.7%, respectively. Of patients with visits since 3/2020, 2,824 (18.6%) patients relied solely on non-clinic ART pickups (13.7% only at CDPs;3.3% only at home). Regression suggests male sex, higher education, higher income, age <18 years, longer time since ART initiation, and non-single civil status were associated with having ≥1 non-clinic visit. Patients living in Carrefour, a neighborhood blocked from GHESKIO clinics during civil unrest, were more likely to have ≥1 non-clinic visit than patients from other neighborhoods. Conclusion:Community distribution of ART builds resilience in health systems and supports continuity of care when access to clinics is limited. These services may be especially preferred by younger patients with longer time since ART initiation, higher income and education, and living in areas with limited access to medical clinics.