@Article{info:doi/10.2196/68355, author="Faccin, Mauro and Geenen, Caspar and Happaerts, Michiel and Ombelet, Sien and Migambi, Patrick and Andr{\'e}, Emmanuel", title="Analyzing Satellite Imagery to Target Tuberculosis Control Interventions in Densely Urbanized Areas of Kigali, Rwanda: Cross-Sectional Pilot Study", journal="JMIR Public Health Surveill", year="2025", month="Apr", day="24", volume="11", pages="e68355", keywords="tuberculosis", keywords="Rwanda", keywords="satellite image", keywords="TB", keywords="PCR testing", keywords="PCR", keywords="questionnaire", keywords="satellite", keywords="active case-finding", keywords="diagnostic", keywords="urban", keywords="Africa", keywords="TB screening", keywords="ACF", keywords="polymerase chain reaction", abstract="Background: Early diagnosis and treatment initiation for tuberculosis (TB) not only improve individual patient outcomes but also reduce circulation within communities. Active case-finding (ACF), a cornerstone of TB control programs, aims to achieve this by targeting symptom screening and laboratory testing for individuals at high risk of infection. However, its efficiency is dependent on the ability to accurately identify such high-risk individuals and communities. The socioeconomic determinants of TB include difficulties in accessing health care and high within-household contact rates. These two determinants are common in the poorest neighborhoods of many sub-Saharan cities, where household crowding and lack of health-care access often coincide with malnutrition and HIV infection, further contributing to the TB burden. Objective: In this study, we propose a new approach to enhance the efficacy of ACF with focused interventions that target subpopulations at high risk. In particular, we focus on densely inhabited urban areas, where the proximity of individuals represents a proxy for poorer neighborhoods with enhanced contact rates. Methods: To this end, we used satellite imagery of the city of Kigali, Rwanda, and computer-vision algorithms to identify areas with a high density of small residential buildings. We subsequently screened 10,423 people living in these areas for TB exposure and symptoms and referred patients with a higher risk score for polymerase chain reaction testing. Results: We found autocorrelation in questionnaire scores for adjacent areas up to 782 meters. We removed the effects of this autocorrelation by aggregating the results based on H3 hexagons with a long diagonal of 1062 meters. Out of 324 people with high questionnaire scores, 202 underwent polymerase chain reaction testing, and 9 people had positive test results. We observed a weak but statistically significant correlation (r=0.28; P=.04) between the mean questionnaire score and the mean urban density of each hexagonal area. Conclusions: Nine previously undiagnosed individuals had positive test results through this screening program. This limited number may be due to low TB incidence in Kigali, Rwanda, during the study period. However, our results suggest that analyzing satellite imagery may allow the identification of urban areas where inhabitants are at higher risk of TB. These findings could be used to efficiently guide targeted ACF interventions. ", doi="10.2196/68355", url="https://publichealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e68355" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/69113, author="M, Premikha and Goh, Khong Jit and Ng, Qiang Jing and Mutalib, Adeliza and Lim, Yang Huai", title="Impact of Acute Respiratory Infections on Medical Absenteeism Among Military Personnel: Retrospective Cohort Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Apr", day="18", volume="9", pages="e69113", keywords="respiratory infections", keywords="military", keywords="epidemiology", keywords="public health", keywords="surveillance", abstract="Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a significant challenge in military settings due to close communal living, which facilitates the rapid transmission of pathogens. A variety of respiratory pathogens contribute to ARI, each varying in prevalence, severity, and impact on organizational productivity. Understanding and mitigating the impact of ARI is critical for optimizing the health of military personnel and maintaining organizational productivity. Objective: This retrospective study of surveillance data aims to identify pathogens causing ARI among servicemen and determine which pathogens contribute most to medical absenteeism, defined as the combined duration of the issued medical certificate and light duty. Methods: From September 2023 to August 2024, anonymous nasopharyngeal swabs (BioFire FilmArray Respiratory Panel) were collected from Singapore Armed Forces servicemen presenting with ARI symptoms after a doctor's consultation at a local military camp's medical centre. The presence of fever and duration of medical certificate and light duty were self-reported by Singapore Armed Forces servicemen. Results: A total of 1095 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected, of which 608 (55.5\%) tested positive. The most common respiratory pathogen was human rhinovirus/enterovirus (HRV/HEV) in 303 (27.7\%) individuals. The highest proportions of fever were observed in servicemen with influenza (62.8\%, 27/43), SARS-CoV-2 (34.3\%, 12/35), and parainfluenza (31.6\%, 12/38). The odds of patients with influenza that have fever was 5.8 times higher than those of patients infected with HRV/HEV (95\% CI 2.95?11.40, P<.001). The median duration of medical certificate, light duty, and medical absenteeism were 0 (IQR 0), 2 (IQR 2) and 2 (IQR 0) days, respectively. The odds of patients with influenza having a medical certificate with duration ?1 day was 5.34 times higher than those in patients with HRV/HEV (95\% CI 2.63?10.88, P<.001). No significant differences in the duration of medical absenteeism were found between HRV/HEV and other pathogens. Conclusions: Compared to HRV/HEV, influenza infections were significantly associated with longer medical certificate duration. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences in the overall duration of medical absenteeism across pathogens, as servicemen infected with other pathogens were given light duty instead. These findings emphasize the need for pathogen-agnostic ARI measures. While influenza vaccinations are already mandatory for servicemen in local military camps, encouraging additional public health measures (eg, mask-wearing among symptomatic servicemen, COVID-19 vaccinations, therapeutics) can further reduce ARI incidence, minimize the duration of medical absenteeism, and mitigate the impact on organizational productivity. ", doi="10.2196/69113", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e69113" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58436, author="Glover, Audrey Nicole and Sathar, Farzana and Mokome, Pride and Mathabela, Nkululeko and Taleni, Sipokazi and van Blydenstein, Alexandra Sarah and Mekota, Anna-Maria and Charalambous, Salome and Rachow, Andrea and Ivanova, Olena", title="Improving Health and Well-Being of People With Post--COVID-19 Consequences in South Africa: Situation Analysis and Pilot Intervention Design", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Apr", day="10", volume="9", pages="e58436", keywords="post--COVID-19", keywords="rehabilitation", keywords="support", keywords="quality of life", keywords="group care", keywords="well-being", keywords="South Africa", keywords="COVID-19", keywords="situation analysis", keywords="pilot", keywords="intervention", keywords="context-adapted", keywords="physical health", keywords="mental health", keywords="cross-sectional", keywords="mixed method", keywords="questionnaire", keywords="in-depth", keywords="interviews", keywords="survey", keywords="focus group", keywords="quantitative", keywords="qualitative", keywords="support group", keywords="hospital", keywords="patients", keywords="health care workers", keywords="health worker", abstract="Background: Multisystemic complications post--COVID-19 infection are increasingly described in the literature, yet guidance on the management remains limited. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the needs, preferences, challenges, and existing interventions for individuals with post--COVID-19 symptoms. Based on this, we aimed to develop a context-adapted intervention to improve the overall health and well-being of individuals with post--COVID-19 complications. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional mixed-methods situation analysis assessing the needs, preferences, challenges, and existing interventions for patients with post--COVID-19 symptoms. We collected data through questionnaires, semistructured in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) from individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 within the previous 18-month period and health care providers who managed patients with COVID-19 in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics, qualitative data were transcribed, and deductive analysis focused on suggestions for future interventions. Findings guided the development of a group intervention. Results: We conducted 60 questionnaires, 13 interviews, and 3 FGDs. Questionnaires showed limited knowledge of post--COVID-19 complications at 26.7\% (16/60). Of those who received any rehabilitation for COVID-19 (19/60, 31.7\%), 94.7\% (18/19) found it helpful for their recovery. Just over half (23/41, 56\%) of those who did not receive rehabilitation reported that they would have liked to. The majority viewed rehabilitation as an important adjunct to post--COVID-19 care (56/60, 93.3\%) and that support groups would be helpful (53/60, 88.3\%). Qualitative results highlighted the need for mental health support, structured post--COVID-19 follow-up, and financial aid in post--COVID-19 care. Based on the insights from the situation analysis, the theory of change framework, and existing post--COVID-19 evidence, we designed and conducted a pilot support group and rehabilitation intervention for individuals with post--COVID-19 complications. Our main objective was to assess the change in physical and psychological well-being pre- and postintervention. The intervention included 8 weekly themed group sessions supplemented by home tasks. Effectiveness of the intervention was evaluated by questionnaires pre- and postintervention on post--COVID-19 symptoms, quality of life with the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level, short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, and physical function by spirometry and 1-minute sit-to-stand test. We also assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention by questionnaires and semistructured in-depth interviews. The intervention outcome analysis is yet to be conducted. Conclusions: Insights from patients and health care providers on the characteristics of post--COVID-19 complications helped guide the development of a context-adapted intervention program with potential to improve health and well-being post--COVID-19. ", doi="10.2196/58436", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e58436" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/66970, author="Berm{\'u}dez-Mill{\'a}n, Angela and P{\'e}rez-Escamilla, Rafael and Segura-P{\'e}rez, Sofia and Grady, James and Feinn VI, S. Richard and Agresta, Hanako and Kim, Dean and Wagner, Ann Julie", title="The Monthly Cycling of Food Insecurity in Latinas at Risk for Diabetes: Methods, Retention, and Sample Characteristics for a Microlongitudinal Design", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="28", volume="9", pages="e66970", keywords="food insecurity", keywords="monthly cycling", keywords="type 2 diabetes risk", keywords="quantitative methods", keywords="Latinas", keywords="endocrinology", keywords="nutrition", keywords="nutrition assistance", keywords="micro-longitudinal design", abstract="Background: Food insecurity (FI) is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D) that disproportionately affects Latinas. We conducted a microlongitudinal study to examine the relationship of monthly cycling of FI and diabetes risk factors. Objective: This study aimed to determine the quantitative methodology, recruitment and retention strategies, predictors of retention across time, and baseline sample demographics. Methods: Participants were adult Latinas living in Hartford, Connecticut who were recruited through a community agency, invited to participate if they were receiving Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, screened positive for FI using the 2-item Hunger Vital Sign Screener, and had elevated risk factors for T2D using the American Diabetes Association risk factor test. Using a microlongitudinal design, we collected data twice per month for 3 months (week 2, which is a period of food budget adequacy; and week 4, which is a period of food budget inadequacy) to determine if the monthly cycling of FI was associated with near-term diabetes risk (fasting glucose, fructosamine, and glycosylated albumin) and long-term risk (BMI, waist circumference, and glycated hemoglobin) markers. We determined whether household food inventory, psychological distress, and binge eating mediated associations. We examined Health Action Process Approach model constructs. To assess the relationship between monthly cycling of FI with diabetes risk markers, we used repeated measures general linear mixed models. To assess the role of mediators, we performed a causal pathway analysis. Results: Participant enrollment was from April 1, 2021 to February 21, 2023. A total of 87 participants completed 420 assessments or a mean of 4.83 (SD 2.02) assessments. About half (47/87, 54\%) of the sample self-identified as Puerto Rican, mean age was 35.1 (SD 5.8) years, with 17.1 (SD 11.6) years in the mainland United States. Just under half (41/87, 47.1\%) spoke Spanish only, 69\% (60/87) had no formal schooling, and 31\% (27/87) had less than eighth grade education. Modal household size was 4 including 2 children; 44.8\% (39/87) were not living with a partner. About half (47/87, 54\%) were unemployed, 63.2\% (55/87) reported a monthly income