Last data update: Apr 22, 2024. (Total: 46599 publications since 2009)
Records 1-2 (of 2 Records) |
Query Trace: Vander Kelen P[original query] |
---|
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on legionella water management program performance across a United States lodging organization
Kunz JM , Hannapel E , Vander Kelen P , Hils J , Hoover ER , Edens C . Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023 20 (19) Legionella, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease, can grow and spread in building water systems and devices. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted building water systems through reductions in water usage. Legionella growth risk factors can be mitigated through control measures, such as flushing, to address stagnation, as part of a water management program (WMP). A national lodging organization (NLO) provided WMP data, including Legionella environmental testing results for periods before and during the pandemic. The statistical analysis revealed an increased risk of water samples testing positive for Legionella during the pandemic, with the greatest increase in risk observed at the building's cold-water entry test point. Sample positivity did not vary by season, highlighting the importance of year-round Legionella control activities. The NLO's flushing requirements may have prevented an increased risk of Legionella growth during the pandemic. However, additional control measures may be needed for some facilities that experience Legionella detections. This analysis provides needed evidence for the use of flushing to mitigate the impacts of building water stagnation, as well as the value of routine Legionella testing for WMP validation. Furthermore, this report reinforces the idea that WMPs remain the optimal tool to reduce the risk of Legionella growth and spread in building water systems. |
COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability Among Clients and Staff of Homeless Shelters in Detroit, Michigan, February 2021.
Meehan AA , Yeh M , Gardner A , DeFoe TL , Garcia A , Vander Kelen P , Montgomery MP , Tippins AE , Carmichael AE , Gibbs Chw R , Caidi H , Mosites E , Rehman N . Health Promot Pract 2021 23 (1) 15248399211049202 Understanding COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among clients and staff of homeless shelters can inform public health efforts focused on communicating with and educating this population about COVID-19 vaccines and thus improve vaccine uptake. The objective of this study was to assess COVID-19 vaccine acceptability and uptake among people in homeless shelters in Detroit, Michigan. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 9 to 23, 2021. Seventeen homeless shelters were surveyed: seven male-only, three male/female, and seven women and family shelters. All clients and staff aged ≥18 years and able to complete a verbal survey in English or with a translator were eligible to participate; of the 168 individuals approached, 26 declined, leaving a total sample of 106 clients and 36 staff participating in the study. The median client and staff ages were 44 and 54 years, respectively. Most participants (>80%) identified as non-Hispanic Black or African American. Sixty-one (57.5%) clients and 27 (75.5%) staff had already received or planned to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Twelve (11.3%) clients and four (11.1%) staff were unsure, and 33 (31.1%) clients and five (13.9%) staff did not plan to get vaccinated. Reasons for hesitancy were concerns over side effects (29 clients [64.4%] and seven staff [77.8%]) and unknown long-term health impacts (26 clients [57.8%] and six staff [66.7%]). More than half of the clients had already received or planned to receive the vaccine. Continuing efforts such as vaccine education for hesitant clients and staff and having accessible vaccine events for this population may improve acceptability and uptake. |
- Page last reviewed:Feb 1, 2024
- Page last updated:Apr 22, 2024
- Content source:
- Powered by CDC PHGKB Infrastructure