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Prevalence of nosocomial infections in France: results of the nationwide survey in 1996. The French Prevalence Survey Study Group.

To estimate the prevalence of nosocomial infections (NI) and to increase healthcare professionals' awareness of hygiene, all French hospitals were requested to participate to a national point-prevalence survey on a voluntary basis between May and June, 1996. Of the 236 334 inpatients in 830 participating hospitals, 6.7% presented with at least one nosocomial infection and 1.3% with an NI imported from another hospital. Nosocomial infection prevalence was particularly high in rehabilitation and long-term care facilities, especially for urinary tract and skin/soft tissue infections. Postoperative patients accounted for 18% of the overall population and had twice the frequency of NI as other patients. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was 0.6% and accounted for 57% of all S. aureus isolated from NI. The results of this first national prevalence survey reflect the sustained efforts at combating NI over the past decade in France and provided an incentive for better definition of infection control priorities in high-risk healthcare settings.

Cross Infection↗

The prevalence of asthma appears to be inversely related to the incidence of typhoid and tuberculosis: hypothesis to explain the variation in asthma prevalence around the world.

The prevalence of asthma varies widely throughout the world. We now believe that asthma is due to airway inflammation caused by an imbalance of the T-lymphocytes in the airway. The atopy that drives asthma is due to a predominance of Th2 lymphocytes in the airway. This paper links the prevalence of asthma inversely to the prevalence of tuberculosis and enteric infection. We will argue that the reason we observe such marked variations in the prevalence of asthma around the world is the fact that in the developing world there is a survival advantage in the fetal immune response to mature from Th2 to Th1 lymphocyte predominant. A Th1 response is required to combat infectious diseases such as typhoid and tuberculosis. Data from the World Health Organization confirms that these two infectious diseases occur very rarely in those communities where the asthma is high. It may be that the clean and infection-free environment of Australia and New Zealand is responsible for the region of Oceania having the dubious honor of having the highest prevalence of asthma in the world.

Asthma↗

Low prevalence of chronic hepatitis C, but high prevalence of elevated aminotransferases in a cohort of 2026 patients referred for orthopaedic surgery in the eastern part of Germany.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis C in Germany is about 0.2 - 0.4 %. However, there seems to be regional differences between western and eastern states of the country. Thus, the present study analysed the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C in a cohort of orthopaedic patients in Thuringia. METHODS: Tests for antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) were performed on serum samples of 2026 patients (1183 females, 843 males) admitted for orthopaedic surgery to a university hospital in Thuringia. If anti-HCV was positive, serum was tested for HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For the sake of anonymity only age and gender were reported in all patients. In 1465 cases, values of alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferases were additionally available. The low HCV prevalence was confirmed in a second cohort of orthopaedic patients (n = 929, 599 females, 330 males) investigated at a university hospital in Saxonia. RESULTS: In the Thuringian cohort, anti-HCV was detectable in 12/2026 (0.6 %) individuals (10 females (0.85 %) and 2 males (0.24 %: p = 0.14 %). HCV-RNA was positive in 3/10 of anti-HCV positive females (0.15 % of the study cohort). HCV infection was already known in two cases. Anti-HCV positive patients seemed to be older than anti-HCV negative individuals (64.25 vs. 59.48 years; p = 0.17), as well as HCV-RNA positive cases compared to non-viraemic patients (66.3 vs. 63.6 years; p = 0.32). All HCV-RNA positive females had elevated ALT values. However, ALT and AST were also elevated in 18.2 % and 11.7 % of anti-HCV negative individuals. There was no significant difference between males and females (p = 0.32). In the Saxonian cohort none of 929 individuals were HCV positive. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis C is low in the investigated cohorts of orthopaedic patients in Thuringia and Saxonia. However, elevation of aminotransferases occurs surprisingly often. The reasons for elevated aminotransferases and a reliable analysis of the HCV prevalence in different subgroups of the Eastern German population require further evaluation.

Cohort Studies↗

Prevalence of dracunculiasis among Nigerian school children as an index of prevalence in their communities of origin.

A survey of dracunculiasis was carried out among pupils in their schools and among adults in the communities from which the pupils came, to determine whether the prevalence of infection in the pupils was a good index of the prevalence in their village. No significant difference was observed between the prevalence of current infection in pupils and that in their village of origin, although in some instances there were significant differences between the prevalence of previous infection in pupils and that in the corresponding village communities. The relevance and possible benefits of the rapid assessment of the prevalence of dracunculiasis obtained by a survey of school children are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence and risk factors of nutritional anaemia among adolescents in India: a systematic review with meta-analysis of prevalence.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional anaemia is a major public health concern among adolescents in India, threatening physical growth, cognitive development, and future maternal health. This systematic review with meta-analysis of prevalence aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of nutritional anaemia among Indian adolescents aged 10-19 years and identify key associated risk factors. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus up to February 2025. Data were extracted on study design, setting, diagnostic methods, prevalence, and risk factors. Quality was assessed with a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects meta-analysis estimated pooled prevalence, with subgroup analyses by state and gender, and pooled odds ratios for risk factors. RESULTS: Forty-five studies encompassing diverse Indian regions and 159,979 adolescents were included. The pooled prevalence of nutritional anaemia was 56% (95% CI: 49%-63%), with higher rates among girls (62%) than boys (39%). Iron deficiency (OR 2.38-4.68), other micronutrient deficiencies, low socioeconomic status, poor dietary diversity, female gender, and inadequate supplementation were consistently associated with higher anaemia risk. CONCLUSION: Nutritional anaemia impacts more than half of Indian adolescents, with notable regional and gender differences. Its complex nutritional, socioeconomic, and behavioural causes demand targeted, context-specific interventions to enhance adolescent health nationwide.

Humans↗

Nosocomial infections in Spain: results of five nationwide serial prevalence surveys (EPINE Project, 1990 to 1994). Nosocomial Infections Prevalence Study in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine trends in rates of nosocomial infections in Spanish hospitals. DESIGN: Prospective prevalence studies, performed yearly from 1990 through 1994. SETTING: A convenience sample of acute-care Spanish hospitals. PARTICIPANTS AND PATIENTS: The number of hospitals and patients included were as follows: 1990, 125 hospitals and 38,489 patients; 1991, 136 and 42,185; 1992, 163 and 44,343; 1993, 171 and 46,983; 1994, 186 and 49,689. A core sample of 74 hospitals, which participated in all five surveys and included a mean of 23,871 patients per year, was analyzed separately. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of patients with nosocomial infections in the five studies was as follows: 1990, 8.5%; 1991, 7.8%; 1992, 7.3%; 1993, 7.1%; and 1994, 7.2%. The prevalence rate of patients with nosocomial infection in the core sample of 74 hospitals was 8.9%, 8.0%, 7.4%, 7.6%, and 7.6%, respectively (test for trend, P = .0001). Patients admitted to intensive-care units had a 22.8% prevalence rate of nosocomial infection in 1994. The most common nosocomial infections by primary site were urinary tract infection and surgical site infections, followed by respiratory tract infections and bacteremia. More than 60% of all infections were supported by a microbiological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The EPINE project provides a uniform tool for performing limited surveillance of nosocomial infections in most Spanish acute-care hospitals. Its use helps to spread an accepted set of definitions and methods for nosocomial infection control in the Spanish healthcare system. The surveys indicated that the prevalence of nosocomial infections has been reduced over the last 5 years in a core sample of Spanish hospitals.

Acute Disease↗

Prevalence of hepatitis A among drug users in north-eastern Italy. Is vaccination necessary in low prevalence areas?

BACKGROUND: The authors report on the prevalence of, and risk factors for, hepatitis A virus (HAV) in a group of drug users in Italy. METHODS: 404 heroin users were recruited and compared with a control group of 107 subjects in the general population. RESULTS: Drug users born in north-eastern Italy have a prevalence of anti-HAV similar to the control group. A much higher prevalence was found in drug users born in southern Italy. CONCLUSION: The similar prevalence of anti-HAV in drug users born in north-eastern Italy and in the general population, suggests that their lifestyle does not involve a substantial additional risk of HAV. The much higher prevalence found in drug users born in southern Italy is more likely to be related to infection during infancy.

Adult↗

The prevalence of coronary heart disease in the multi-ethnic and high diabetes prevalence population of Mauritius.

The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) was determined in a population survey in Mauritius where the prevalence of non-insulin dependent diabetes and mortality from CHD are amongst the highest in the world. Men and women aged 35-74 years of all major ethnic groups were included: Asian Indians (Hindus and Muslims), Creoles and Chinese. ECG abnormalities suggesting either 'probable CHD' or 'possible CHD' were defined using standard criteria. The overall prevalence of probable CHD was 2.7% in men and 0.9% in women, and that of probable or possible CHD together 17.8% in men and 33.3% in women. The prevalence of CHD did not vary significantly between the four ethnic groups. In the multivariate analyses, age and high blood pressure were the most important independent predictors of ECG abnormalities. Neither diabetes nor serum insulin seemed to contribute independently to the prevalence of CHD. This survey confirmed the high ranking of Mauritius in international mortality statistics. The high rates of CHD seen in Asian Indians, African-origin Creoles and Chinese in the rapidly developing country of Mauritius may be a pointer to future problems in their regions of origin.

Adult↗

[Epidemiological study of the prevalence of influenza in Japan--regional differences in terms of three indices (development of epidemic outbreak, viral isolation, peak of prevalence)].

The prevalence of influenza in Japan was studied, dividing the whole country into six sections such as Tohoku, Hokkaido and Kanto, to determine regional differences from the nationwide viewpoint. This study was based on data obtained from a total of 720 prefectures where three of the first index (the time the epidemic outbreak developed), second index (the time the virus was isolated) and third index (the time the prevalence reached its peak) were determined for the 16 prevalence periods of influenza between 1976 and 1993. The mean value (standard deviation) of each index was obtained for each year of prevalence and for each area. The differences obtained were analyzed statistically, and the following results were obtained: 1. There was a marked regional difference in the development of epidemic outbreak of cold; it was earliest in the Kanto and Kinki areas (late November to early December) and latest in the Kyushu area (mid January). 2. Isolation of the virus was earliest in the Kanto and Kinki area (mid January) and latest in the Chugoku and Shikoku areas (late January to early February), showing a regional difference. 3. The peak of prevalence was earliest in the Kanto area (early February) and latest in the Tohoku, Hokkaido, Chugoku and Shinkoku areas (mid February), showing a regional difference. 4. The difference between the earliest and latest areas was 4.2 weeks regarding the first index, while it was decreased to 1.8 weeks for the second index and to 0.8 weeks for the third index.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Disease Outbreaks↗

Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in an Italian town: low prevalence confirmed with two different interviews.

BACKGROUND: In Italy, few studies on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders have considered all of the most common disorders and very few have adopted the most common tools, that is, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and the Present State Examination (PSE). The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and its correlates in the town of Jesi, Italy, using the PSE and CIDI, administered 7 years apart. METHODS: The two surveys were conducted among adults in Jesi (central Italy), using the PSE in 1993 and the CIDI in 2000. Participants were randomly chosen from the patient lists of general practitioners. RESULTS: The one-month prevalence of persons with a psychiatric disorder was 7.3% (95% CI: 4.4-11.6) in 1993 and 6.0% (95% CI: 3.5-9.5) in 2000. The lifetime and 1-year prevalence rates were 21.0 and 8.2%, respectively. The most common disorders were depressive and anxiety disorders. Mood and anxiety disorders were more common among women and unmarried persons. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence is lower than that in most other areas of the world yet consistent with estimates for Italian populations reported by studies using the same (or similar) tools.

Adult↗

Age-specific prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A in children and adolescents from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1978 and 1995. Relationship of prevalence to environmental factors.

The age-specific prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) was determined in two different population groups with low socio-economic status from Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil, whose serum samples were collected 17 years apart (Population 1, 1978; Population 2, 1995). In Population 2, analysis of the anti-HAV prevalence was also carried out with respect to environmental factors. Population 1 was composed of 520 stored sera collected from the umbilical cord of term neonates and children aged 1 month to 6 years. In population 2, 720 serum samples were collected from children and adolescents with ages ranging from 1 to 23 years. The overall prevalence rate of anti-HAV in Population 1 and Population 2 was 65.6% and 32.1%, respectively. In Population 1, the anti-HAV prevalence reached 88% at the age of 3, while in Population 2, it increased from 4.5% in children under the age of 3 to 66% in the group of adolescents over the age of 14. The low exposure to HAV infection in younger children from Population 2 could be a result of improved environmental hygiene and sanitation, as demonstrated by the presence of piped water, waste and sewage disposal systems in most houses from this population group. These findings indicate a possible change in the prevalence of hepatitis A in Rio de Janeiro.

Adolescent↗

Age-related prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite antibody in an hyperendemic area of Madagascar, and its relationship with parasite prevalence.

An epidemiologic survey on malaria endemicity levels, including entomologic, parasitologic, and immunologic indicators, was carried out in a village of the Madagascar highlands (Analaroa) at the end of the 1990-1991 rainy season. The results indicate that malaria is hyperendemic and Anopheles funestus is the main vector in the area. The prevalence of parasitemia decreased with age from a maximum level of about 60% in children less than five years of age to a minimum of about 16% among those more than 29 years of age. The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite antibodies (Ab-Cs) increased with age from a minimum level of about 10% in children less than five years of age to a maximum of 71.7% among those more than 29 years of age. An inverse correlation was observed between P. falciparum prevalence and levels of Ab-Cs and parasite prevalence. The study confirmed that prevalence and Ab-Cs levels are reliable indicators of malaria endemicity in hyperendemic areas. Schoolchildren between five and 14 years of age are considered the most practical and susceptible group for this kind of epidemiologic study.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus nodules in the Sankuru River Valley, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and reliability of verbal assessment as a method for determining prevalence.

The epidemiology of onchocerciasis in much of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) is not well established. We report the results of an onchocerciasis rapid assessment survey carried out in 18 villages of the Sankuru River Valley in the central part of this country in preparation for mass distribution of ivermectin. Thirty men from each village were randomly selected and examined for subcutaneous nodules. The prevalence of nodules among these men in each village ranged from 82.5% to 100% with a mean prevalence of 95.0%. This study also assessed the validity of using verbal assessment instead of physical examination to determine prevalence of nodules. This verbal method had a sensitivity of 93.5% and a specificity of 83.3%. High sensitivity and specificity for this method suggest that it might be a cost-effective approach to determine the prevalence of onchocerciasis over large areas without using physical examinations requiring medical personal. This approach could be particularly useful where the coverage of health services is poor. The use of the Global Positioning System made it possible to send coordinates and survey data electronically to World Health Organization personnel in Geneva for computer generation of prevalence maps. The use of river boats to conduct surveys and support ivermectin distribution in the Congo is discussed.

Adult↗

Anti-HIV 1 antibodies prevalence in parturients through newborn testing: results of the Italian anonymous serosurvey. The Italian Collaborative Study Group of HIV Prevalence in Newborns.

A prevalence assessment of HIV infection among parturients was performed in order to estimate the future incidence of pediatric AIDS cases and obtain data on the trend of the infection in Italy. Consecutive whole blood samples from newborns collected on filter paper from all regions of Italy (October-December 1990) for routine metabolic screenings, were anonymously examined for HIV-1 antibodies by an ELISA technique. Positive results were confirmed by Western blot. Among 97,658 blood samples tested, 121 (0.124%, 95% confidence interval Poisson distribution 0.103-0.148) were positive. A high prevalence of HIV infection (> 0.2%) was observed in four regions from North and Central Italy while, in some regions in the South, the seroprevalence was ten times lower. In the Lazio Region, namely in Rome, 5 inner-city hospitals with a particularly high prevalence of HIV infection were identified. Assuming that the prevalence of HIV infection observed in the population in this study may reflect the infection rate in the total population of childbearing women, we estimate that approximately 700 newborn babies were delivered from HIV-positive mothers in Italy during 1990. The identification of high prevalence areas could allow for the development of "targeted" testing programs to plan and provide adequate counselling and care of HIV-infected women and their infants.

Female↗

The prevalence and correlates of Rose Questionnaire angina among women and men in the Lipid Research Clinics Program Prevalence Study population.

The prevalence and correlates of Rose Questionnaire angina were investigated in a sample of 4,661 white woman and men aged 30 years and above who participated in the Lipid Research Clinics Program Prevalence Study 1972-1976. Among men, the prevalence of Rose angina increased with age from about 1% to 12%, while the prevalence among women ranged from about 3% to 6%. Young women compared with men also had a relatively high prevalence of dyspnea, which was strongly correlated with Rose angina in both sexes. For women and men younger than 50 years, the dyspnea-Rose angina odds ratio was about 6 (p less than 0.001), while older women and men had somewhat lower sand higher odds ratios, respectively. Major and minor resting electrocardiographic abnormalities and self-reported history of a heart attack were not significantly associated with Rose angina among young participants of either sex, but they did show positive associations among older participants with the exception of minor electrocardiographic abnormalities in men. A logistic regression analysis revealed a strong inverse association between high density lipoprotein cholesterol and Rose angina in both sexes. Because mortality studies consistently show an excess of coronary heart disease death among young men compared with women, the female excess of Rose angina at young ages suggests that the grouping of angina and myocardial infarction into a single endpoint in cardiovascular disease studies may be more appropriate for young men than for young women.

Adult↗

Prevalence of anemia among school-children from Rio Acima (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil): use of the standardized prevalence method and evaluation of iron deficiency.

The prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency was investigated in 332 children aged 7 to 15 years, 156 (47%) boys and 176 (53%) girls enrolled in the schools of the municipality of Rio Acima, MG. Seventy-four children were white (22.3%), 218 were mulatto (65.7%), and 40 were black (12%). Mean hemoglobin level was 12.75 +/- 0.75 g/dl. Lower values were determined for black children (12.32 +/- 0.87g/dl) compared to white (12.76 +/- 0.99 g/dl) and mulatto (12.81 +/- 0.94 g/dl) children. The prevalence of anemia was 16.6% when determined on the basis of the percentage of children with hemoglobin values lower than the 3rd percentile for age and sex (standard method), and 36.2% when determined by the standardized prevalence method for the evaluation of the prevalence of malnutrition in populations. Depletion of iron reserves was 8.13% for the population in general and 20% for the anemic children. This low prevalence of iron deficiency may have been the result of the value adopted as the lower normal limit (10 ng/ml) for serum ferritin values. The small percentage of anemic children with iron depletion may also be justified by the standard of normality adopted for hemoglobin values which was originally elaborated for the white population of North America and Finland and therefore may be inadequate for the population studied here, of diverse racial composition.

Adolescent↗

The prevalence of vascular dementia in Europe: facts and fragments from 1980-1990 studies. EURODEM-Prevalence Research Group.

We selected, reanalyzed, and compared data from current prevalence studies of vascular dementia in Europe. Inclusion criteria were: dementia defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, edition 3, or equivalent criteria; case finding through direct individual examination; appropriate sample size; and inclusion of institutionalized persons. Mixed dementia was combined with vascular dementia. Of the 23 surveys of dementia considered, five fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Age-specific prevalence varied more widely for men than for women; differences were greater in older ages. The prevalence increased steeply with advancing age in all countries, and was generally higher in men; it declined over 15 years in the age class of 80 to 89 years in one Swedish population. Within populations, Alzheimer's disease was generally more common than vascular dementia. Unfortunately, prevalence studies of vascular dementia are limited in Europe and worldwide, and their comparison is impeded by the lack of common diagnostic criteria.

Aged↗

Low prevalence of (pre) malignant lesions in the breast and high prevalence in the ovary and Fallopian tube in women at hereditary high risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

To analyse the prevalence of (pre) malignant lesions occurring in breast and adnexal tissue at prophylactic surgery in women at hereditary high risk of breast and/or ovarian cancers. Tissue was obtained from 85 women who underwent prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (pBSO) and from 59 women who underwent prophylactic mastectomy (pM). Control tissue samples were obtained from women undergoing breast reduction surgery (N = 99) or adnexal surgery for benign reasons (N = 72). In women with a BRCA1/2 mutation, the prevalence of a (pre) malignant adnexal lesion was 50% (95% CI 26-74) if older than 40 years and 14% (95% CI 0-58) if younger. The prevalences of (pre) malignant breast lesions in women older than 40 years, with and without a BRCA1/2 mutation, were 0% (95% CI 0-16) and 47% (95% CI 21-73), respectively. No association was found between (pre) malignant lesions in breast and adnexal tissue occurring in 28 women who underwent surgery on both organs (R = 0.155, p = 0.432), but the prevalence of lesions was significantly higher in adnexal tissue than in the breast (p = 0.023). Compared to controls, women at hereditary high risk had a higher chance of (pre) malignant lesions in the breast and an even higher chance of such lesions in the adnexal tissue. There was no indication for concomitant presence of such lesions in both organs at the time of prophylactic surgery. The high frequency of (pre) malignant lesions in the adnexal tissue stresses further the importance of pBSO from the age of 40 onwards in women at hereditary high risk.

Adult↗