Articles

Infant mortality in the Flemish Region of Belgium 1999-2008: a time-to-event analysis

When calculating life expectancy, it is usually assumed that deaths are uniformly distributed within each of the age intervals. As most of the infant deaths are neonatal deaths, this calls for a better assessm...

Authors: Edwin Pelfrene, Heidi Cloots and Erik Hendrickx

Knowledge and practices of people in Bia District, Ghana, with regard to iodine deficiency disorders and intake of iodized salt

Despite numerous educational programmes to create awareness about iodized salt and iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), a survey conducted in the Western Region of Ghana in 2007 revealed that the goitre rate sto...

Authors: Christiana Buxton and Benjamin Baguune

Prevalence and predictors of urinary tract infection and severe malaria among febrile children attending Makongoro health centre in Mwanza city, North-Western Tanzania

In malaria endemic areas, fever has been used as an entry point for presumptive treatment of malaria. At present, the decrease in malaria transmission in Africa implies an increase in febrile illnesses related...

Authors: Bahati P Msaki, Stephen E Mshana, Adolfina Hokororo, Humphrey D Mazigo and Domenica Morona

Fee exemption for caesarean section in Morocco

Financial barriers are an important obstacle for access to emergency obstetric care and a contributing factor to too slow a reduction in the level of maternal mortality. In Morocco, in 2009, a fee exemption po...

Authors: Issam Bennis and Vincent De Brouwere

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (I-ADL) trigger an urgent request for nursing home admission

Although disabled elderly people mostly prefer to receive care at home or in other community settings, many of them reside in nursing homes. That is why several researchers have tried to identify predictors of...

Authors: Gilberte Van Rensbergen and Jozef Pacolet

Fear of falling and associated activity restriction in older people. results of a cross-sectional study conducted in a Belgian town

This article aims at describing, in a Belgian town, the frequency of the fear of falling and of subsequent activity restriction among non-institutionalised people aged 65 years and over, and at identifying per...

Authors: Elise Mendes da Costa, Thierry Pepersack, Isabelle Godin, Martine Bantuelle, Bernard Petit and Alain Levêque

Human biomonitoring on heavy metals in Ath: methodological aspects

The municipality of Ath is characterised by the presence, in its center, of two non-ferrous metal industries whose emissions make local residents concerned for their health. Therefore, authorities of the Wallo...

Authors: Javiera Rebolledo, Sebastien Fierens, Ann Versporten, Ethel Brits, Pierre De Plaen and An Van Nieuwenhuyse

How can the results of a qualitative process evaluation be applied in management, improvement and modification of a preventive community trial? The IHHP Study

This study reports the results of the qualitative process evaluation (PE) of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP), an integrated community-based trial for prevention and control of non-communicable disease...

Authors: Nizal Sarrafzadegan, Katayoun Rabiei, Mousa Alavi, Heidarali Abedi and Sonia Zarfeshani

Public health in the genomic era: will Public Health Genomics contribute to major changes in the prevention of common diseases?

The completion of the Human Genome Project triggered a whole new field of genomic research which is likely to lead to new opportunities for the promotion of population health. As a result, the distinction betw...

Authors: Evy Cleeren, Johan Van der Heyden, Angela Brand and Herman Van Oyen

Trends of violence among 7th, 8th and 9th grade students in the state of Lara, Venezuela: The Global School Health Survey 2004 and 2008

Violence by young people is one of the most visible forms of violence and contributes greatly to the global burden of premature death, injury and disability.

Authors: Ricardo Granero, Esteban S Poni, Bertha C Escobar-Poni and Judith Escobar

Belgian health-related data in three international databases

This study wants to examine the availability of Belgian healthcare data in the three main international health databases: the World Health Organization European Health for All Database (WHO-HFA), the Organisat...

Authors: K Vanthomme, D Walckiers and H Van Oyen

Dietary sources of energy and macronutrient intakes among Flemish preschoolers

This study aims to identify major food sources of energy and macronutrients among Flemish preschoolers as a basis for evaluating dietary guidelines. Three-day estimated diet records were collected from a repre...

Authors: Willem De Keyzer, Yi Lin, Carine Vereecken, Lea Maes, Herman Van Oyen, Erika Vanhauwaert, Guy De Backer, Stefaan De Henauw and Inge Huybrechts

Dietary exposure assessments for children in europe (the EXPOCHI project): rationale, methods and design

The number of dietary exposure assessment studies focussing on children is very limited. Children are however a vulnerable group due to their higher food consumption level per kg body weight. Therefore, the EX...

Authors: Inge Huybrechts, Isabelle Sioen, Polly E Boon, Jiri Ruprich, Lionel Lafay, Aida Turrini, Pilar Amiano, Tero Hirvonen, Melissa De Neve, Davide Arcella, Joanna Moschandreas, Anna Westerlund, Lourdes Ribas-Barba, Annett Hilbig, Stalo Papoutsou, Tue Christensen…

The association between residential area characteristics and mental health outcomes among men and women in Belgium

Recently, interest has grown in the association between contextual factors and health outcomes. This study questions whether mental health complaints vary according to the socio-economic characteristics of the...

Authors: Elise Pattyn, Lore Van Praag, Mieke Verhaeghe, Katia Levecque and Piet Bracke

High burden of breast cancer in Belgium: recent trends in incidence (1999-2006) and historical trends in mortality (1954-2006)

In Belgium, breast cancer mortality has been monitored since 1954, whereas cancer incidence data have only been made available for a few years. In this article we update historical trends of breast cancer mort...

Authors: Françoise Renard, Liesbet Van Eycken and Marc Arbyn

Words, words, words

Authors: H Van Oyen and O Bruyère

Using neural network as a screening and educational tool for abnormal glucose tolerance in the community

Accurate, simple and non-invasive tools are needed for efficient screening of abnormal glu-cose tolerance (AGT) and educating the general public.

Authors: W Gao, F Dong, S Nie and L Shi

Alcohol during pregnancy and lactation: recommendations versus real intake

Even though total abstinence of alcohol for pregnant and lactating women is recommended, consumption prevalences ranging from 12% up to 30% have been reported. No Belgian data on alcohol consumption in pregnan...

Authors: I Guelinckx, R Devlieger and G Vansant

Nutritional intake of various groups of Flemish vegetarians

The most recent national nutritional survey (2004) indicates that 1.2% of the Flemish population follows a vegetarian diet. Information on nutritional intake in vegetarians in this population is scarce.

Authors: P Deriemaeker, K Alewaeters, M Hebbelinck and P Clarys

Timeliness of syndromic influenza surveillance through work and school absenteeism

In this paper, we investigate the usefulness of work and school absenteeism surveillance as an early warning system for influenza. In particular, time trends in daily absenteeism rates collected during the A(H...

Authors: K Bollaerts, J Antoine, E Robesyn, L Van Proeyen, J Vomberg, E Feys, E De Decker and B Catry

Influenza vaccination recording system in Belgium

Authors: J Antoine, Y Dupont, D Reynders, Y Van Laethem, M Van Ranst, P Neels, T Roisin, J Hamdani and F Wuillaume

Surveillance of influenza-like illness in Belgian nursing homes

Authors: B Jans, K Latour, E Broex and B Catry

Influenza surveillance in children: first experiences with the Belgian Paediatric Surveillance system 'PediSurv'

Authors: M Sabbe, D Hue, J Antoine, Y Dupont, J Van Eldere, M Van Ranst and I Thomas

Severe acute respiratory infections during the influenza A(H1N1)2009 pandemic in Belgium: first experience of hospital-based flu surveillance

In September 2009, as part of the surveillance during the Influenza A(2009) pandemic, Bel-gium introduced a web-based surveillance system aimed at recording hospitalisations and deaths attributable to Influenz...

Authors: S Hammadi, I Gutiérrez, A Litzroth, K Mertens and F Wuillaume

Lessons learned from the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic at EU level

Authors: R Snacken

Surveillance of influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus by the Belgian Sentinel Laboratory Network

Authors: G Ducoffre, S Quoilin and F Wuillaume

Confirmation diagnosis of influenza A(H1N1)2009 by Belgian sentinel laboratories during the epidemic phase

Authors: G Muyldermans, G Ducoffre, I Thomas, F Clement, E De Laere, Y Glupczynski, N Hougardy, K Lagrou, PE Léonard, C Meex, D Pierard, M Raymaekers, M Reynders, M Stalpaert, W Verstrepen and S Quoilin

Virological surveillance of the influenza A(H1N1)2009 pandemic: the role of the belgian national influenza centre

Authors: C Gérard, B Brochier, S Quoilin, F Wuillaume, V Van Casteren and I Thomas

Clinical surveillance of the influenza A(H1N1)2009 pandemic through the network of sentinel general practitioners

Authors: V Van Casteren, K Mertens, J Antoine, S Wanyama, I Thomas and N Bossuyt

Case finding of Influenza A(H1N1)2009 in Belgium in the early pandemic

Authors: S Quoilin, I Thomas, C Gérard, B Brochier, J Bots, S Lokietek, E Robesyn, F Wuillaume and G Muyldermans

Influenza A(H1N1)2009 pandemic chronology of the events in Belgium

Authors: A Litzroth, I Gutiérrez and S Hammadi

Surveillance of the 2009 flu pandemic in Belgium

Authors: F Wuillaume

Blood lead levels in the Kinshasa population: a pilot study

Leaded gasoline and lead paints are still in use in the Democratic Republic of Congo but data on blood lead levels in the general population are not available. We evaluated the Pb impregnation in children and ...

Authors: J Tuakuila, F Mbuyi, M Kabamba, AC Lantin, D Lison and P Hoet

The socio-economic distribution of health-related occupational stressors among wage-earners in a Post-Fordist labour market

Unequal exposure to occupational stressors is a central pathway towards socio-economic health inequalities in working populations. This paper assesses the differential exposure of such stressors within the pop...

Authors: C Vanroelen, K Levecque and F Louckx

Melanoma incidence trends in Limburg after screening and prevention campaigns

Malignant melanoma is a skin cancer of which the incidence is said to be raising in recent years. Prevention may result in decrease of the incidence. Early detection may result in the detection of earlier stag...

Authors: D Vanstraelen, H Deleu, J Van Robays, D Dhollander, E Cloes, D Lousberg, G Kuipers, B Adriaens, J Mebis, C Mathei and F Buntinx

Determinants of relapse and re-admission among alcohol abusers after intensive residential treatment

Little information is available in Belgium on the number and characteristics of alcohol abusers who contact treatment agencies and on the effectiveness of these services. International research has identified ...

Authors: WOI Vanderplasschen, KAG Colpaert and EKM Broekaert

Cannabis-Related treatment demands in Belgium: a socio-demographic and treatment seeking profile

Most people appear to stop using cannabis when getting older, but a certain subgroup becomes cannabis dependent, has problems in various life areas and needs treatment. Our aim is to compare a number of sociod...

Authors: K Colpaert, W Vanderplasschen, G Van Hal, G Schuyten and E Broekaert

Stimulant medication use among Flemish students: results from an exploring secondary data analysis1965-2005

Recent media coverage in the Flemish media in Belgium reinforced the general public opinion on medication use among students, suggesting an alarming magnitude and a rising trend, with the use of stimulants as ...

Authors: J Rosiers and G Van Hal

Differences in the perception of a mass media information campaign on drug and alcohol consumption

The two-month mass media campaign in Belgium on drug and alcohol consumption "Alcohol and other drugs. The facts and fictions" initiated in January 2008 has been evaluated shortly after by a phone survey. This...

Authors: I Godin, S Dujardin, J Fraeyman and G Van Hal

Evidence-based prevention of cannabis use in flanders is there a role for health economic evaluation?

Cannabis is a popular drug in Flanders, in spite of the fact that the prevention of its use lists high on the Flemish political agenda. The Flemish Government aims to prevent cannabis use efficiently and in ac...

Authors: N Matthys, G Van Hal and P Beutels

Substance use disorders in Belgium: the need to study rarely investigated high impact disorders

Authors: R Bruffaerts

A randomized clinical trial using an educational intervention demonstrated no effect on interobserver agreement on assessments of functional status

To evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on interobserver agreement of assess-ments of functional status performed by registered nurses and care assistants in a nursing home and to compare interob...

Authors: L Paquay, J De Lepeleire, K Milisen, M Ylieff and F Buntinx

A longitudinal study on the Ghislenghien disaster in Belgium: strengths and weaknesses of the study design and influence on response rate

A longitudinal study was conducted in order to assess the impact of the Ghislenghien disaster (Belgium) on physical, mental and social health, and to evaluate the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (...

Authors: APR Versporten, E De Soir, E Zech and H Van Oyen

Description of cervical cancer mortality in Belgium using Bayesian age-period-cohort models

To correct cervical cancer mortality rates for death cause certification problems in Belgium and to describe the corrected trends (1954-1997) using Bayesian models.

Authors: AO Raifu and M Arbyn

Economic crisis on public health

Authors: J Buziarsist

The increase in physical performance and gain in lean and fat mass occur in prepubertal children independent of mode of school transportation. One year data from the prospective controlled Pediatric Osteoporosis Prevention (POP) Study

The aim of this 12-month study in pre-pubertal children was to evaluate the effect of school transportation on gain in lean and fat mass, muscle strength and physical performance.

Authors: S Stenevi-Lundgren, R M Daly, P Gärdsell, M Dencker and M Karlsson

Type 2 diabetes in Belgians of Turkish and Moroccan origin

To compare the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in adults aged 35 to 74 years of the Turkish and Moroccan communities in Belgium with the prevalence in native Belgians. To examine the determinants and specific me...

Authors: H Vandenheede and P Deboosere

Noise nuisance and health inequalities in Belgium: a population study

Lower socioeconomic groups are more likely to live in contaminated environments. This may partly explain socioeconomic health inequalities.

Authors: C Schmit and V Lorant

The Belgian Association of Public Health (BAPH) A closer acquaintance

Authors: G Van Hal, V Tellier, W Aelvoet, J Buziarsist, J Macq and J Van der Heyden

Establishing a Belgian Nutrition Society (BNS): Filling the Void

Authors: Patrice Cani, Peter Clarys, Antoine Clinquart, Stefaan De Henauw, Nathalie Delzenne, Peter Deriemaeker, Caroline Douny, Isabelle Guelinckx, Inge Huybrechts, Lieven Huybregts, Patrick Kolsteren, Carl Lachat, Isabelle Laquiere, Yvan Larondelle, Jef Leroy, Guy Manghuin-Rogister…