Articles

Selecting the embryo with the highest implantation potential using developmental and morphometric scoring.

Authors: Fang Chen, Sophie Debrock, Karen Peeraer, Thomas D'hooghe and Carl Spiessens

Counting asbestos bodies in bronchoalveolar lavage: trend analysis and a systematic review

Authors: Valerie Nuyts, Hadewijch Vanhooren, Kristiaan Nackaerts and Ben Nemery

Low free testosterone is associated with hypogonadal signs and symptoms in men with normal total testosterone levels: results from the European Male Ageing Study

Authors: Leen Antonio, Frederick Wu, Terrence O'Neill, Stephen Pye, Emma Carter, Joseph Finn, Michaël Laurent, Ilpo Huhtaniemi, Martin Rutter, Giulia Rastrelli, Gianni Forti, Gyorgy Bartfai, Felipe Casanueva, Krzysztof Kula, Margus Punab, Aleksander Giwercman…

Phase III randomised chemoprevention study of Selenium on the recurrence of non-invasive bladder cancer. The SELEnium and BLAdder cancer Trial (SELEBLAT)

Authors: Maria (Mieke) Goossens, Maurice Zeegers, Hendrik Van Poppel, Steven Joniau, Koen Ackaert, Filip Ameye, Ignace Billiet, Kurt Dillen, Lieven Goeman, Siska Van Bruwaene, Frank Van der Aa, Kris Vekemans and Frank Buntinx

Predictors of breast self - examination among female teachers in Ethiopia using health belief model

Breast cancer is by far the most frequent cancer of women. It is the second leading cause of death in women worldwide. Approximately one out of eight women develops breast cancer all over the world. Majority o...

Authors: Negussie Birhane, Abebe Mamo, Eshetu Girma and Shifera Asfaw

Effects of introducing routinely ultrasound scanning during Ante Natal Care (ANC) clinics on number of visits of ANC and facility delivery: a cohort study

Many countries have integrated antenatal care as an essential part of routine maternal health services. The importance of this service cannot be overemphasized as many women’s lives are usually saved particula...

Authors: Selemani Mbuyita, Robert Tillya, Ritha Godfrey, Iddajovana Kinyonge, Josephine Shaban and Godfrey Mbaruku

Disparities in healthy food zoning, farmers’ market availability, and fruit and vegetable consumption among North Carolina residents

Context and purpose of the study. To examine (1) associations between county-level zoning to support farmers’ market placement and county-level farmers’ market availability, rural/urban designation, percent Af...

Authors: Stephanie Bell Jilcott Pitts, Mariel Leah Mayo Acheson, Rachel K Ward, Qiang Wu, Jared T McGuirt, Sally L Bullock, Mandee F Lancaster, Justin Raines and Alice S Ammerman

Prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition and anaemia among school children in Durbete Town, northwest Ethiopia

Information about risk factors of undernutrition and anaemia is useful to design appropriate strategies to control the health problems. In this study, the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition ...

Authors: Tilahun Alelign, Abraham Degarege and Berhanu Erko

Contribution of chronic diseases to the mild and severe disability burden in Belgium

Population aging accompanied by an increased longevity with disability has raised international concern, especially due to its costs to the health care systems. Chronic diseases are the main causes of physical...

Authors: Renata T. C. Yokota, Johan Van der Heyden, Stefaan Demarest, Jean Tafforeau, Willma J. Nusselder, Patrick Deboosere and Herman Van Oyen

The relationship between distorted body image and lifestyle among Japanese adolescents: a population-based study

Distorted body image plays a significant role in the development of obesity, eating problems, and eating disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between distorted body image and li...

Authors: Takako Shirasawa, Hirotaka Ochiai, Hinako Nanri, Rimei Nishimura, Tadahiro Ohtsu, Hiromi Hoshino, Naoko Tajima and Akatsuki Kokaze

Dietary quality and its structural relationships among equivalent income, emotional well-being, and a five-year subjective health in Japanese middle-aged urban dwellers

Although dietary quality in middle-age and the prime age of a person’s work career might be determined by positive emotional well-being based on socioeconomic status (SES), causation among determinants of diet...

Authors: Sayuri Kodama, Nobuya Fujii, Tadashi Furuhata, Naoko Sakurai, Yoshinori Fujiwara and Tanji Hoshi

Does the Belgian diabetes type 2 care trajectory improve quality of care for diabetes patients?

The Belgian care trajectory (CT) for diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), implemented in September 2009, aims at providing integrated, evidence-based, multidisciplinary patient- centred care, based on the chronic ...

Authors: Viviane F. A. Van Casteren, Nathalie H. E. Bossuyt, Sarah J. S. Moreels, Geert Goderis, Katrien Vanthomme, Johan Wens and Etienne W De Clercq

Epidemiological situation of Lyme borreliosis in Belgium, 2003 to 2012

Some studies show that the incidence of Lyme borreliosis is increasing in different European countries. In order to evaluate if this is also the case in Belgium, different data sources were consulted to descri...

Authors: Corinne Bleyenheuft, Tinne Lernout, Nicolas Berger, Javiera Rebolledo, Mathias Leroy, Annie Robert and Sophie Quoilin

“Boring” family routines reduce non-communicable diseases: a commentary and call for action

As global donors shift their efforts from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCD), it is critical to capitalize on our prior mistakes and successes. Policy makers and public health administrator...

Authors: Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus, Mark Tomlinson and Emily Davis

Does the consumption of fruits and vegetables differ between Eastern and Western European populations? Systematic review of cross-national studies

Difference in fruit and vegetable consumption has been suggested as a possible reason for the large gap in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates between Eastern and Western European populations. However...

Authors: Denes Stefler and Martin Bobak

Knowledge gaps on paediatric respiratory infections in Morocco, Northern Africa

The burden of acute respiratory infections (ARI) among Moroccan children remains significant. However, scarce information is available regarding trends in its epidemiology and etiology, or regarding its associ...

Authors: Imane Jroundi, Chafiq Mahraoui, Rachid Benmessaoud, Cinta Moraleda, BadrSououd Benjelloun and Quique Bassat

Mothers Understand And Can do it (MUAC): a comparison of mothers and community health workers determining mid-upper arm circumference in 103 children aged from 6 months to 5 years

Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) was recently endorsed and recommended for screening for acute malnutrition in the community. The objective of this study was to determine whether a colour-banded MUAC strap w...

Authors: Nikki Blackwell, Mark Myatt, Thierry Allafort-Duverger, Amour Balogoun, Almou Ibrahim and André Briend

The global activity limitation indicator and self-rated health: two complementary predictors of mortality

The purpose of this study is to compare the ability of the Global Activity Limitation Indicator (GALI) and self-rated health (SRH) to predict all-cause mortality in the general adult population.

Authors: Nicolas Berger, Johan Van der Heyden and Herman Van Oyen

Characteristics of patients co-infected with HIV at the time of inpatient tuberculosis treatment initiation in Yaoundé, Cameroon: a tertiary care hospital-based cross-sectional study

Knowledge of the characteristics of patients co-infected with tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) when TB treatment is initiated would allow clinicians to improve care and help policy-make...

Authors: Ako A Agbor, Jean Joel R Bigna, Claudia S Plottel, Serges Clotaire Billong, Mathurin Cyrille Tejiokem, Gabriel L Ekali, Jean Jacques N Noubiap, Roselyne Toby, Hermine Abessolo and Sinata Koulla-Shiro

Mortality and morbidity patterns in under-five children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Zambia: a five-year retrospective review of hospital-based records (2009–2013)

Severe acute malnutrition has continued to be growing problem in Sub Saharan Africa. We investigated the factors associated with morbidity and mortality of under-five children admitted and managed in hospital ...

Authors: Tendai Munthali, Choolwe Jacobs, Lungowe Sitali, Rosalia Dambe and Charles Michelo

Built environment and active play among Washington DC metropolitan children: A protocol for a cross-sectional study

Research has demonstrated that children who participate in active play are more likely to be physically active, thereby improving long-term health outcomes. Many adult studies have also shown that neighborhood...

Authors: Jennifer D Roberts, Rashawn Ray, Amber D Biles, Brandon Knight and Brian E Saelens

Degree of exposure and peritraumatic dissociation as determinants of PTSD symptoms in the aftermath of the Ghislenghien gas explosion

This paper investigates risk factors for the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms in the different survivor groups involved in a technological disaster in Ghislenghien (Belgium). A gas explosion instan...

Authors: Erik De Soir, Emmanuelle Zech, Ann Versporten, Herman Van Oyen, Rolf Kleber, Jacques Mylle and Onno van der Hart

Does exposure type impact differentially over time on the development of mental health disturbances after a technological disaster?

A longitudinal study was conducted in order to assess the impact of the Ghislenghien disaster (July 30th, 2004) on physical, mental and social health in the affected population. The present study explored the ...

Authors: Erik De Soir, Ann Versporten, Emmanuelle Zech, Herman Van Oyen, Jacques Mylle, Rolf Kleber and Onno van der Hart

Burden of frailty in the elderly population: perspectives for a public health challenge

Frailty is a major health condition associated with ageing. Although the concept is almost universally accepted, its operational definition remains controversial. Anyway, this geriatric condition represents a ...

Authors: Fanny Buckinx, Yves Rolland, Jean-Yves Reginster, Céline Ricour, Jean Petermans and Olivier Bruyère

Surveillance of Clostridium difficile infections in a long-term care psychogeriatric facility: outbreak analysis and policy improvement

Following an exceptionally high Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) incidence (Spring 2011) in a psychogeriatric long-term care facility, a bidirectional study (2009–2012) was initiated to identify determinant...

Authors: Gretel Van Esch, Johan Van Broeck, Michel Delmée and Boudewijn Catry

Life expectancy ranking of Canadians among the populations in selected OECD countries and its disparities among British Columbians

Canada is among the world’s leading nations with the longest life expectancy at birth (LE₀), and British Columbia (BC) ranks top among Canadian provinces and territories for LE₀ in both men and women. This paper ...

Authors: Li Rita Zhang and Drona Rasali

Annual acknowledgement of manuscript reviewers

The editors of Archives of Public Health would like to thank all our reviewers who have contributed to the journal in Volume 72 (2014).

Authors: Herman Van Oyen and Olivier Bruyère

A qualitative investigation of non-response in NHS health checks

Improving uptake of NHS Health Checks has become a priority in England, but there is a lack of data on the perceptions of programme non-attenders. This study aimed to explore how non-attenders of NHS Health Ch...

Authors: Naomi Ellis, Christopher Gidlow, Lisa Cowap, Jason Randall, Zafar Iqbal and Jagdish Kumar

Assessment of knowledge and practice of health workers towards tuberculosis infection control and associated factors in public health facilities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Tuberculosis is the leading causes of mortality among infectious diseases worldwide. The risk of transmission from patients to health workers is doubles that of the general population. The close contact to the...

Authors: Girma Demissie Gizaw, Zewdie Aderaw Alemu and Kelemu Tilahun Kibret

Mapping the cause-specific premature mortality reveals large between-districts disparity in Belgium, 2003–2009

Reducing premature mortality is a crucial public health objective. The goal of this paper, beside updating previous mortality atlases with recent data, is to explore the relative between-districts disparity us...

Authors: Françoise Renard, Jean Tafforeau and Patrick Deboosere

Educational inequalities in young-adult mortality between the 1990s and the 2000s: regional differences in Belgium

This study addresses educational inequalities in young-adult mortality between the 1990s and the 2000s by comparing trends in the three different regions in Belgium stratified by sex. Social inequalities in mo...

Authors: Hannelore De Grande, Hadewijch Vandenheede and Patrick Deboosere

Presenting prevalence and management of psychosocial problems in primary care in Flanders

Psychosocial problems are widespread but reliable data about management are sparse. An overall view is missing and there is a need for a wider framework to include the data available in health care and welfare...

Authors: Lena Vannieuwenborg, Frank Buntinx and Jan De Lepeleire

Implementing the European Core Health Indicators (ECHI) in the Netherlands: an overview of data availability

The European Commission, together with the European Union (EU) Member States, developed a core set of indicators for monitoring public health in the EU, the European Core Health Indicators (ECHI) shortlist. Fr...

Authors: Maartje Marloes Harbers, Marieke Verschuuren and Agnes de Bruin

Drainage systems, an occluded source of sanitation related outbreaks

Drainage systems and its role in sanitation related outbreaks are evident but still occluded once it has been installed. This current review evaluates if drainage systems can cause infections and thus be of cl...

Authors: Kristina Blom

Effect of providing risk information on undergoing cervical cancer screening: a randomized controlled trial

In Japan, the cervical cancer screening rate is extremely low. Towards improving the cervical cancer screening rate, encouraging eligible people to make an informed choice, which is a decision-making process t...

Authors: Hiroyuki Fujiwara, Akihiro Shimoda, Yoshiki Ishikawa, Akiyo Taneichi, Mai Ohashi, Yoshifumi Takahashi, Takahiro Koyanagi, Hiroyuki Morisawa, Suzuyo Takahashi, Naoto Sato, Shizuo Machida, Yuji Takei, Yasushi Saga and Mitsuaki Suzuki

The nutrition transition in Colombia over a decade: a novel household classification system of anthropometric measures

Overweight and underweight increase the risk of metabolic impairments and chronic disease. Interventions at the household level require the diagnosis of nutritional status among family members. The aim of this...

Authors: Diana C Parra, Lora Iannotti, Luis F Gomez, Helena Pachón, Debra Haire-Joshu, Olga L Sarmiento, Anne Sebert Kuhlmann and Ross C Brownson

Dietary intake and phthalates body burden in boys and girls

Phthalates are a group of environmental endocrine disruptors and have been ubiquitously applied in industrial field. Few studies had investigated how dietary intake was related with phthalate body burden in ch...

Authors: Qing Shen, Huijing Shi, Yunhui Zhang and Yang Cao

Understanding and defining bullying – adolescents’ own views

The negative consequences of peer-victimization on children and adolescents are major public health concerns which have been subjected to extensive research. Given all efforts made to analyze and estimate the ...

Authors: Lisa Hellström, Louise Persson and Curt Hagquist

Biological, psychological and social processes that explain celebrities’ influence on patients’ health-related behaviors

Celebrities can have substantial influence as medical advisors. However, their impact on public health is equivocal: depending on the advice’s validity and applicability, celebrity engagements can benefit or h...

Authors: Steven J Hoffman and Charlie Tan

Legionnaires’ disease: overview of the situation concerning notification in Wallonia (Belgium) in 2012, a retrospective descriptive study based on a capture-recapture method

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, and although public health medical inspectors must be notified, it is often under-reported. The objectives of this study were to determine the completeness ...

Authors: Stéphanie Jacquinet, Olivier Denis, Filomena Valente Soares and Carole Schirvel

Public, environmental, and occupational health research activity in Arab countries: bibliometric, citation, and collaboration analysis

The objective of this study was to analyze quantity, assess quality, and investigate international collaboration in research from Arab countries in the field of public, environmental and occupational health.

Authors: Waleed M Sweileh, Sa’ed H Zyoud, Samah W Al-Jabi and Ansam F Sawalha

Modeling time-to-cure from severe acute malnutrition: application of various parametric frailty models

In developing countries about 3.5% of children aged 0–5 years are victims of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Once the morbidity has developed the cure process takes variable period depending on various factor...

Authors: Akalu Banbeta, Dinberu Seyoum, Tefera Belachew, Belay Birlie and Yehenew Getachew

Why children are not vaccinated against measles: a cross-sectional study in two Nigerian States

Childhood vaccination rates in Nigeria are among the lowest in the world and this affects morbidity and mortality rates. A 2011 mixed methods study in two states in Nigeria examined coverage of measles vaccina...

Authors: Anne Cockcroft, Muhammad U Usman, Obrian F Nyamucherera, Henry Emori, Bong Duke, Nisser Ali Umar and Neil Andersson

Reliability and Validity of the Dutch Physical Activity Questionnaires for Children (PAQ-C) and Adolescents (PAQ-A)

This study was designed to validate the Dutch Physical Activity Questionnaires for Children (PAQ-C) and Adolescents (PAQ-A).

Authors: Liene Bervoets, Caroline Van Noten, Sofie Van Roosbroeck, Dominique Hansen, Kim Van Hoorenbeeck, Els Verheyen, Guido Van Hal and Vanessa Vankerckhoven

Mode differences in a mixed-mode health interview survey among adults

Health interview surveys are important data sources for empirical research in public health. However, the diversity of methods applied, such as in the mode of data collection, make it difficult to compare resu...

Authors: Jens Hoebel, Elena von der Lippe, Cornelia Lange and Thomas Ziese

Sarcopenia: burden and challenges for public health

Sarcopenia, operationally defined as the loss of muscle mass and muscle function, is a major health condition associated with ageing, and contributes to many components of public health at both the patient and...

Authors: Charlotte Beaudart, René Rizzoli, Olivier Bruyère, Jean-Yves Reginster and Emmanuel Biver

Lessons learned from a textbook outbreak: EHEC-O157:H7 infections associated with the consumption of raw meat products, June 2012, Limburg, Belgium

On 5 June 2012 several enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, EHEC, O157:H7 infections were reported to the public health authorities of Limburg.

Authors: Toon Braeye, Sarah Denayer, Klara De Rauw, Anmarie Forier, Jurgen Verluyten, Ludo Fourie, Katelijne Dierick, Nadine Botteldoorn, Sophie Quoilin, Pascale Cosse, Jeannine Noyen and Denis Pierard

Study protocol: effects of school gardens on children’s physical activity

Childhood obesity is an epidemic. Strategies are needed to promote children’s healthy habits related to diet and physical activity. School gardens have the potential to bolster children’s physical activity and...

Authors: Nancy M Wells, Beth M Myers and Charles R Henderson Jr

Determinant of factors associated with child health outcomes and service utilization in Ghana: multiple indicator cluster survey conducted in 2011

The effects of National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana and its impact on child health outcome and service utilization cannot be underestimated. Despite the tremendous improvement in child health care in Ghan...

Authors: Duah Dwumoh, Edward Eyipe Essuman and Seth Kwaku Afagbedzi

A frame-critical policy analysis of Canada’s response to the World Food Summit 1998–2008

The 2012 visit to Canada of Olivier De Schutter, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, led to a public rebuff by Canadian governmental officials. This paper adapts the frame-critical poli...

Authors: Catherine L Mah, Catherine Hamill, Krista Rondeau and Lynn McIntyre