Prevalence, incidence, and risk factors associated with cytomegalovirus infection in healthcare and childcare worker: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is transmitted by direct contact with body fluids from infected individuals. Transmission of CMV in households, particularly those with young children, contributes significantly to CMV infection in the general population. However, little is known about the contribution of occupational healthcare or childcare exposure to risk of CMV infection. OBJECTIVES: To determine CMV seroprevalence, incidence of primary infection, and associated risk factors in healthcare and childcare workers. METHODS: Six electronic databases were searched systematically for publications on CMV infection in healthcare and childcare workers until March 7, 2022. Two authors independently evaluated the literature for quality and inclusion in our analyses. The pooled results for seroprevalence, incidence, and relative risk (RR) were determined using a random effects model. Heterogeneity among studies was quantified and further investigated in subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot. Statistical analyses were preformed using R version 4.05. RESULTS: Forty-eight articles were included in this meta-analysis (quality assessment: 18 good, 14 fair, and 16 poor). Pooled CMV seroprevalence was 59.3% (95% CI: 49.8-68.6) among childcare workers and 49.5% (95% CI: 40.3-58.7) among healthcare workers, and pooled incidences of primary CMV infection per 100 person-years were respectively 7.4 (95% CI: 3.9-11.8) and 3.1 (95% CI: 1.3-5.6). RR for primary infection compared to controls were 3.4 (95% CI: 1.3-8.8) and 1.3 (95% CI: 0.6-2.7) for healthcare and childcare workers, respectively. The odds of CMV seropositivity were 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2-2.3) times higher for childcare workers compared to controls, but not significantly different between healthcare workers and controls (0.9; 95% CI: 0.6-1.2). CMV seropositivity in both groups was significantly associated with having one or more children residing at home, marital status, ethnicity, and age. CONCLUSIONS: Childcare workers, but not healthcare workers, have an increased risk of prevalent and incident CMV infection, a risk that is further increased with the presence of at least one child living at home. These findings suggest that enforcing simple, conventional hygienic measures in childcare settings could help reduce transmission of CMV, and that special precautionary measures for preventing CMV infection may not be required for pregnant healthcare workers. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020139756.

Frequency, timing and risk factors for primary maternal cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy in Quebec.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in the first trimester (T1) of pregnancy is a public health concern, as it increases the risk of severe neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with congenital infection compared to infections occurring later during pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: To determine CMV seroprevalence in T1 of pregnancy, its trend, risk factors and the incidence rate of primary infection during pregnancy. METHODS: Using the biobank of the prospective cohort "Grossesse en Santé de Québec" collected between April 2005 and March 2010 at the Québec-Laval Hospital, Québec, Canada, maternal CMV serology was determined using Abbott Architect Chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassays for immunoglobulin G(IgG), immunoglobulin M(IgM) titration and IgG avidity testing. Changepoint detection analysis was used to assess temporal trends. Risk factors associated with seropositivity were determined by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: CMV seroprevalence in T1 of pregnancy was 23.4% (965/4111, 95% CI, 22.1-24.7%). The incidence rate for CMV primary infection during pregnancy was 1.8 (95% CI, 1.2-2.6) per 100 person-years. No changepoint was identified in the maternal CMV-seroprevalence trend. Multivariable analyses showed that T1 maternal CMV seropositivity was associated with having one child OR 1.3 (95% CI, 1.10-1.73) or two or more children OR 1.5 (95%CI, 1.1-2.1), ethnicity other than Caucasian OR 2.1 (95% CI, 1.1-3.8) and country of birth other than Canada and the USA OR 2.8 (95% CI, 1.5-4.9). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, maternal seroprevalence in T1 of pregnancy and seroconversion rate were low. This information and identified risk factors could help guide the development and implementation of preventive actions and evidence-based health policies to prevent CMV infection during pregnancy.

[Mutual health insurance in Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: factors favouring the utilization of health services by adherents]. / Mutuelles de santé à Bukavu en République Démocratique du Congo: facteurs favorables à l'utilisation des services de santé par des adhérents.

INTRODUCTION: This study highlights the determinants of the use of health services by adherents to the three mutual health insurances in the town of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study, based on a perception survey among users of healthcare services affiliated to the mutual health insurances in the Bukavu health zones. The encoding and statistical analysis were carried out using the Epi INFO version 2010 software. RESULTS: The main determinants of the use of healthcare services by adherents to the mutual health insurances are: the member's place of residence, the level of education of the head of household, the previous experience of care in the healthcare structure partner of the mutual health insurances, the reputation of the structure partner of the mutual health insurances and the ability of households to pay the user fee. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that, beyond the financial barrier, the implementation of a mutual health organisation should promote a better regulation of the user fee and a good quality of care to meet the care needs of members. The factors emerging from the study as a major determinant of the use of health services by adherents to a mutual health insurance are often not taken into account in the implementation of mutual health insurance in contexts similar to those of Bukavu.

Prevention against malaria before the first antenatal visit and absence of anaemia at the first visit were protective from low birth weight: results from a South Kivu cohort, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Background: There is little information on the causes of low birth weight (LBW, <2500 g) in South Kivu. The authors determined the prevalence of LBW among full-term newborns, and its relationship with malaria and anaemia at the first antenatal visit (ANV1) in the rural health zone of Miti-Murhesa, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Methods: Four-hundred-and-seventy-eight pregnant women in the second trimester attending their first antenatal clinic were recruited between November 2010 and July 2011, and followed-up until delivery. Besides information on use of preventive measures and malaria morbidity, anthropometric measures and a blood sample were collected. Results: Women's mean age (SD) at enrolment, was 26 (6.5) years (n=434); prevalence of malaria was 9.5% (43/453) and that of anaemia 32.2% (141/439). The latter was significantly more frequent in malaria-infected women and in those who had not been dewormed. At delivery, prevalence of LBW was 6.5% (23/355) and was independently associated with not sleeping under insecticide-treated bed net (p=0.030), mother's height <150 cm (p=0.001) and anaemia at the ANV1 (p=0.006). Conclusion: In South Kivu, malaria and anaemia are important risk factors for LBW, and should be prevented among all women of reproductive age.

Factors Associated With Visual Impairment and Eye Care Utilization: The International Mobility in Aging Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with visual impairment (VI) and eye care in the International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS). METHOD: IMIAS data were analyzed ( N = 1,995 with ages 65-74). Outcomes were VI defined as presenting visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the better eye and eye care utilization assessed by annual visits to eye care professionals. The Hurt-Insult-Threaten-Scream (HITS) questionnaire requested information on domestic violence. RESULTS: Among men, VI varied from 24% in Manizales (Colombia) to 0.5% in Kingston (Canada); among women, VI ranged from 20% in Manizales to 1% in Kingston; lifetime exposure to domestic violence was associated with VI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.17, 3.00]). Eye care utilization varied from 72% in Kingston's men to 25% in Tirana's men; it was associated with domestic violence (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.3; 95% CI = [1.1, 1.6]). DISCUSSION: VI is more frequent where eye care utilization is low. Domestic violence may be a risk factor for VI.