Research Publications (Food Safety)

Background We examined whether the greater severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) amongst men and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) individuals is explained by cardiometabolic, socio-economic or behavioural factors. Methods We studied 4510 UK Biobank participants tested for COVID-19 (positive, n = 1326).

Background Preventing transmission of COVID-19 within prisons is both important and challenging. The confined conditions in prisons can encourage person-to-person spread with the potential for outbreaks occurring. Contact tracing is an important contributor to the longer-term management strategy for COVID-19 in prisons as well as in the community but is highly resource-intensive. This paper describes the approach to contact tracing taken by the Irish Prison Service (IPS).

The COVID-19 pandemic has already caused more than a 100 000 deceased worldwide, causing funeral directors to become overburdened. Consequently, some funeral homes are obliged to keep the deceased in refrigerated trucks until it is possible to bury or cremate them, or bodies are refused because of a shortage of capacity. Yet, to our knowledge, there are no studies currently being conducted on how this affects funeral directors.

Background Coronavirus infection Disease 19 impacted every part of the world and routine life. Recent report from the Office of national statistics in UK reported disproportionate death among Black Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) population. NHS is heavily relied on the BAME work force both in front line and in the community. We attempted to explore the beliefs and perception about reported worrying issue among BAME health work force in a Diverse city of Leicester.

ABSTRACT Background The potential risks of increased alcohol use and of the development of alcohol dependence during COVID-19 pandemic were identified. So far there have been no studies concerning pandemic influence on alcohol consumption in medical professionals in quarantine or isolation.

An ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread in the world, whereas asymptomatic carriers may also play a critical role in the pandemic. We report a familial cluster of COVID-19 caused by one family member before his onset of illness, indicating that it seems to be potentially infectious during the incubation period, even earlier than we expected. Close contact, especially in a small enclosed space, might be the cause of familial transmission.

To the editor:

We make no apology for the amount devoted to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in this issue. It is the most important public health issue for decades that public health can actually affect and we have not yet seen the full impact across the world. In mid-July, the world has surpassed past 250 000 daily cases.

Background Children incur lead toxicity even at low blood-lead concentrations (BLCs), and testing in England is opportunistic. We described epidemiology of cases notified to a passive laboratory-based surveillance system (SS), the Lead Poisoning in Children (LPIC) SS to inform opportunities to prevent lead exposure in children in England. Methods Surveillance population: children <16 years of age and resident in England during the reporting period September 2014–17.

Background Medication errors made by nurses are common in general practice and can lead to harm in patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led educational implementations in reducing medication errors made by nurses in an emergency hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Methods A prospective pre–post-interventional study was conducted in an emergency hospital using direct observation for the detection of errors.

ABSTRACT Background Well-tolerated, highly effective HCV treatment, known as direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), is now recommended for all people living with HCV, providing the tools for HCV elimination. We sought to understand treatment barriers among low-income HIV/HCV coinfected patients and providers with the goal of increasing uptake.

Background Armed conflict in Nigeria resulted in more than 2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). IDPs live in poor conditions lacking basic resources with variable provision across different locations. This audit aimed to determine the health-related resources available to IDPs in camp-like settings in Nigeria and whether these met international standards.