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  1. Article ; Online: Key risk factors associated with fractal dimension based geographical clustering of COVID-19 data in the Flemish and Brussels region, Belgium

    Yessika Adelwin Natalia / Christel Faes / Thomas Neyens / Naïma Hammami / Geert Molenberghs

    Frontiers in Public Health, Vol

    2023  Volume 11

    Abstract: IntroductionCOVID-19 remains a major concern globally. Therefore, it is important to evaluate COVID-19's rapidly changing trends. The fractal dimension has been proposed as a viable method to characterize COVID-19 curves since epidemic data is often ... ...

    Abstract IntroductionCOVID-19 remains a major concern globally. Therefore, it is important to evaluate COVID-19's rapidly changing trends. The fractal dimension has been proposed as a viable method to characterize COVID-19 curves since epidemic data is often subject to considerable heterogeneity. In this study, we aim to investigate the association between various socio-demographic factors and the complexity of the COVID-19 curve as quantified through its fractal dimension.MethodsWe collected population indicators data (ethnic composition, socioeconomic status, number of inhabitants, population density, the older adult population proportion, vaccination rate, satisfaction, and trust in the government) at the level of the statistical sector in Belgium. We compared these data with fractal dimension indicators of COVID-19 incidence between 1 January – 31 December 2021 using canonical correlation analysis.ResultsOur results showed that these population indicators have a significant association with COVID-19 incidences, with the highest explanatory and predictive power coming from the number of inhabitants, population density, and ethnic composition.ConclusionIt is important to monitor these population indicators during a pandemic, especially when dealing with targeted interventions for a specific population.
    Keywords Belgium ; canonical correlation analysis ; COVID-19 ; fractal dimension ; socio-demographic indicators ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Gram-negative central line-associated bloodstream infection incidence peak during the summer

    Koen Blot / Naïma Hammami / Stijn Blot / Dirk Vogelaers / Marie-Laurence Lambert

    Scientific Reports, Vol 12, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    a national seasonality cohort study

    2022  Volume 7

    Abstract: Abstract Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) cause increased morbidity, mortality, and hospital costs that are partially preventable. The phenomenon of seasonality among CLABSI rates has not been fully elucidated, but has implications ...

    Abstract Abstract Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) cause increased morbidity, mortality, and hospital costs that are partially preventable. The phenomenon of seasonality among CLABSI rates has not been fully elucidated, but has implications for accurate surveillance and infection prevention trials. Longitudinal dynamic cohort of hospitals participating in hospital-wide and intensive care unit bloodstream infection surveillance for at least one full year over 2000 to 2014. Mixed-effects negative binomial regression analysis calculated the peak-to-low ratio between months as an adjusted CLABSI incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Multivariate regression models examined the associations between CLABSI pathogens and ambient temperature and relative humidity. The study population included 104 hospital sites comprising 11,239 CLABSI. Regression analysis identified a hospital-wide increase in total CLABSI during July–August, with a higher gram-negative peak-to-low incidence rate ratio (IRR 2.52 [95% CI 1.92–3.30], p < 0.001) compared to gram-positive bacteria (IRR 1.29 [95% CI 1.11–1.48], p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis replicated this trend for CLABSI diagnosed in the intensive care unit. Only gram-negative CLABSI rates were associated with increased temperature (IRR + 30.3% per 5 °C increase [95% CI 17.3–43.6], p < 0.001) and humidity (IRR + 22.9% per 10% increase [95% CI 7.7–38.3), p < 0.001). The incidence and proportion of gram-negative CLABSI approximately doubled during the summer periods. Ambient temperature and humidity were associated with increases of hospital-acquired gram-negative infections. CLABSI surveillance, preventive intervention trials and epidemiological studies should consider seasonal variation and climatological factors when preparing study designs or interpreting their results.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 360
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-03-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Nature Portfolio
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  3. Article ; Online: Key performance indicators of COVID-19 contact tracing in Belgium from September 2020 to December 2021.

    Cécile Kremer / Lander Willem / Jorden Boone / Wouter Arrazola de Oñate / Naïma Hammami / Christel Faes / Niel Hens

    PLoS ONE, Vol 18, Iss 10, p e

    2023  Volume 0292346

    Abstract: The goal of tracing, testing, and quarantining contacts of infected individuals is to contain the spread of infectious diseases, a strategy widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, limited research exists on the effectiveness of contact tracing, ...

    Abstract The goal of tracing, testing, and quarantining contacts of infected individuals is to contain the spread of infectious diseases, a strategy widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, limited research exists on the effectiveness of contact tracing, especially with regard to key performance indicators (KPIs), such as the proportion of cases arising from previously identified contacts. In our study, we analyzed contact tracing data from Belgium collected between September 2020 and December 2021 to assess the impact of contact tracing on SARS-CoV-2 transmission and understand its characteristics. Among confirmed cases involved in contact tracing in the Flemish and Brussels-Capital regions, 19.1% were previously identified as close contacts and were aware of prior exposure. These cases, referred to as 'known' to contact tracing operators, reported on average fewer close contacts compared to newly identified individuals (0.80 versus 1.05), resulting in fewer secondary cases (0.23 versus 0.28). Additionally, we calculated the secondary attack rate, representing infections per contact, which was on average lower for the 'known' cases (0.22 versus 0.25) between December 2020 and August 2021. These findings indicate the effectiveness of contact tracing in Belgium in reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Although we were unable to quantify the exact number of prevented cases, our findings emphasize the importance of contact tracing as a public health measure. In addition, contact tracing data provide indications of potential shifts in transmission patterns among different age groups associated with emerging variants of concern and increasing vaccination rates.
    Keywords Medicine ; R ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 306
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: COVID-19 contact tracing in Belgium

    Kristiaan Proesmans / Sharon Hancart / Toon Braeye / Sofieke Klamer / Emmanuel Robesyn / Achille Djiena / Frances De Leeuw / Romain Mahieu / Alex Dreuw / Naima Hammami / Dirk Wildemeersch / Laura Cornelissen / Dieter Van Cauteren

    Archives of Public Health, Vol 80, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    main indicators and performance, January – September 2021

    2022  Volume 10

    Abstract: Abstract Background Contact tracing is one of the main public health tools in the control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A centralized contact tracing system was developed in Belgium in 2020. We aim to evaluate the performance and describe the ... ...

    Abstract Abstract Background Contact tracing is one of the main public health tools in the control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A centralized contact tracing system was developed in Belgium in 2020. We aim to evaluate the performance and describe the results, between January 01, 2021, and September 30, 2021. The characteristics of COVID-19 cases and the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on testing and tracing are also described. Methods We combined laboratory diagnostic test data (molecular and antigen test), vaccination data, and contact tracing data. A descriptive analysis was done to evaluate the performance of contact tracing and describe insights into the epidemiology of COVID-19 by contact tracing. Results Between January and September 2021, 555.181 COVID-19 cases were reported to the central contact center and 91% were contacted. The average delay between symptom onset and contact tracing initiation was around 5 days, of which 4 days corresponded to pre-testing delay. High-Risk Contacts (HRC) were reported by 49% of the contacted index cases. The mean number of reported HRC was 2.7. In total, 666.869 HRC were reported of which 91% were successfully contacted and 89% of these were tested at least once following the interview. The estimated average secondary attack rate (SAR) among the contacts of the COVID-19 cases who reported at least one contact, was 27% and was significantly higher among household HRC. The proportion of COVID-19 cases who were previously identified as HRC within the central system was 24%. Conclusions The contact-tracing system contacted more than 90% of the reported COVID-19 cases and their HRC. This proportion remained stable between January 1 2021 and September 30 2021 despite an increase in cases in March–April 2021. We report high SAR, indicating that through contact tracing a large number of infections were prospectively detected. The system can be further improved by (1) reducing the delay between onset of illness and medical consultation (2) having more exhaustive reporting of ...
    Keywords COVID-19 ; Belgium ; Contact tracing ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 600
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article ; Online: COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Belgian nursing homes

    Eline Vandael / Katrien Latour / Esma Islamaj / Laura Int Panis / Milena Callies / Freek Haarhuis / Kristiaan Proesmans / Brecht Devleesschauwer / Javiera Rebolledo Gonzalez / Alice Hannecart / Romain Mahieu / Louise de Viron / Etienne De Clercq / Anne Kongs / Naïma Hammami / Jean-Marc François / Dominique Dubourg / Sarah Henz / Boudewijn Catry /
    Sara Dequeker

    Archives of Public Health, Vol 80, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    results of a surveillance conducted between April and December 2020

    2022  Volume 12

    Abstract: Abstract Background In Belgium, the first COVID-19 death was reported on 10 March 2020. Nursing home (NH) residents are particularly vulnerable for COVID-19, making it essential to follow-up the spread of COVID-19 in this setting. This manuscript ... ...

    Abstract Abstract Background In Belgium, the first COVID-19 death was reported on 10 March 2020. Nursing home (NH) residents are particularly vulnerable for COVID-19, making it essential to follow-up the spread of COVID-19 in this setting. This manuscript describes the methodology of surveillance and epidemiology of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Belgian NHs. Methods A COVID-19 surveillance in all Belgian NHs (n = 1542) was set up by the regional health authorities and Sciensano. Aggregated data on possible/confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and case-based data on deaths were reported by NHs at least once a week. The study period covered April–December 2020. Weekly incidence/prevalence data were calculated per 1000 residents or staff members. Results This surveillance has been launched within 14 days after the first COVID-19 death in Belgium. Automatic data cleaning was installed using different validation rules. More than 99% of NHs participated at least once, with a median weekly participation rate of 95%. The cumulative incidence of possible/confirmed COVID-19 cases among residents was 206/1000 in the first wave and 367/1000 in the second wave. Most NHs (82%) reported cases in both waves and 74% registered ≥10 possible/confirmed cases among residents at one point in time. In 51% of NHs, at least 10% of staff was absent due to COVID-19 at one point. Between 11 March 2020 and 3 January 2021, 11,329 COVID-19 deaths among NH residents were reported, comprising 57% of all COVID-19 deaths in Belgium in that period. Conclusions This surveillance was crucial in mapping COVID-19 in this vulnerable setting and guiding public health interventions, despite limitations of aggregated data and necessary changes in protocol over time. Belgian NHs were severely hit by COVID-19 with many fatal cases. The measure of not allowing visitors, implemented in the beginning of the pandemic, could not avoid the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the NHs during the first wave. The virus was probably often introduced by staff. ...
    Keywords COVID-19 ; Nursing homes ; Surveillance ; Epidemiology ; Belgium ; Public aspects of medicine ; RA1-1270
    Subject code 360
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher BMC
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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