Juhl Dillard (shellsponge86)

Ethnicity can influence susceptibility to infection, as COVID-19 has shown. Few countries have systematically investigated ethnic variations in infection. We linked the Scotland 2001 Census, including ethnic group, to national databases of hospitalizations/deaths and serological diagnoses of bloodborne viruses for 2001-2013. We calculated age-adjusted rate ratios (RRs) in 12 ethnic groups for all infections combined, 15 infection categories, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses. We analysed over 1.65 million infection-related hospitalisations/deaths. Compared with White Scottish, RRs for all infections combined were 0.8 or lower for Other White British, Other White and Chinese males and females, and 1.2-1.4 for Pakistani and African males and females. Adjustment for socioeconomic status or birthplace had little effect. RRs for specific infection categories followed similar patterns with striking exceptions. For HIV, RRs were 136 in African females and 14 in males; for HBV, 125 in Chinese females and 59 in males, 55 in African females and 24 in males; and for HCV, 2.3-3.1 in Pakistanis and Africans. Ethnic differences were found in overall rates and many infection categories, suggesting multiple causative pathways. We recommend census linkage as a powerful method for studying the disproportionate impact of COVID-19. Ethnic differences were found in overall rates and many infection categories, suggesting multiple causative pathways. We recommend census linkage as a powerful method for studying the disproportionate impact of COVID-19. Helminth infections, caused by parasitic worms including nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms), and trematodes (flukes), can cause chronic symptoms and serious clinical outcomes if left untreated. The U.S. military frequently conducts activities in helminth-endemic regions, particularly Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. However, the military does not currently screen for these infections and to date no comprehensive surveillance studies have been completed to assess frequency of helminth diagnoses in military personnel and their families. To determine the burden of helminth infections in the U.S. Military Health System, we conducted a retrospective analysis of ICD-9/10 diagnosis codes from all medical encounters in the Military Health System Data Repository (MDR) from Fiscal Years 2012-2018. Chart reviews were conducted to assign ICD diagnoses as incorrect, suspected, probable, or confirmed based on laboratory results and symptoms. Abstraction of MHS data revealed over 50 000 helminth e indicated to determine if post-deployment screening and/or empirical treatment are warranted. The results of this study demonstrate that helminth infections capable of causing severe morbidity are often diagnosed in the U.S. military. As helminth infections are often asymptomatic or go undiagnosed, the true burden of helminth infections in U.S. military personnel and dependents may be higher than observed here. Prospective studies of U.S. military personnel deployed to helminth-endemic areas may be indicated to determine if post-deployment screening and/or empirical treatment are warranted. To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and anxiety toward COVID-19 among Chinese college students studying in China and abroad. A structured questionnaire, comprised of demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes toward COVID-19 and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), was used to collect data for 566 domestic students and 126 students studying abroad. Domestic students were better than students abroad in knowledge of epidemiology and manifestations. Domestic students showed a significant higher enthusiasm for voluntary services than students abroad, including medical science popularization, community services, traffic dispersion, logistics t