PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.14 No.26, June 24, 2021 Article TypeEpidemiology and SurveillanceNoncommunicable Disease Statistics

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-06-24

  0 345 308

  Results of the Tuberculosis Epidemiological Investigation Congregated Settings, 2020

  Park Yong-joon, Kim Jaetae, Kwon Yunhyung, Shim Eunhye, Kim Jieun

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(26): 1824-1836

  

  

  Abstract

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  A tuberculosis (TB) epidemiological investigation was conducted on contact occupying the same space in group facilities. The aim of this study was to conduct TB and latent TB infection (LTBI) tests to quickly diagnose and treat TB patients or LTBI. Among the 25,350 TB patients (19,933 new patients) in 2020, 7,324 patients were living in group facilities. This study found that the number of TB patients in group facilities decreased every year as the number of TB patients in Korea decreased. It was further found that the proportion of epidemiological investigations to the number of TB patients in group facilities increased every year, but in 2020, the number of epidemiological investigations decreased by 7.5 percent compared to 2019 (4,526 cases). This decrease was assumed to be due to the prevalence of mask-wearing and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  According to the epidemiological investigations conducted by group facilities in 2020, there were 2,090 workplaces (49.9 percent), 821 social welfare facilities (19.6 percent), 651 medical institutions (15.5 percent), and 325 educational facilities (7.8 percent).
  In 2020, a group facility TB epidemiological investigation found 102 additional TB patients out of 109,723 contacts early, and 11,494 out of the 53,033 contacts tested for LTBI were identified as LTBI. Treatment for LTBI was 49.7 percent and treatment completion was 79.5 percent.
  To achieve the goal of eradicating TB in 2030, it is important to detect and treat TB patients and LTBI early thorough epidemiological investigations to prevent the spread of TB and to prevent TB. This is also an important task to strengthen the capacity of cities, provinces, and health centers to investigate TB epidemiology.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-06-24

  0 203 151

  Epidemiological characteristics of cases and deaths of Vibrio vulnificus infection, 2020

  Noh Yoomi, Kim Hyungjun, Seo Soonryu, Lee Donghan

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(26): 1837-1849

  

  

  Abstract

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  Vibrio vulnificus infection is a fatal disease that can cause death in about 50% of patients with septicemia. In 2020, there has been a 50% increase in the number of cases of V. vulnificus infection compared to the average of the previous 5 years. An increasing trend in cases was observed nationally but was more significant in certain regions, including Jeonnam and Chungnam. This study aimed to provide evidence for policy making regarding prevention and control of V. vulnificus infection through the analysis of epidemiological characteristics of cases and deaths reported in 2020. Based on the epidemiological analysis of surveillance data, it was found that over 60% of patients had an epidemiological link before illness onset, such as consuming or handling seafood, and coming into direct contact with contaminated seawater. Other than these links, most of the epidemiological characteristics of patients were similar to those reported in previous studies. Since V. vulnificus survives in marine environments and can proliferate when optimal conditions are met, it is almost impossible to avoid cases. However, as it is more likely reported among those with underlying diseases, including chronic liver diseases and diabetes, with a high case fatality rate, it is important to prevent cases by providing health education to the public. Furthermore, early detection and early treatment are essential to reduce mortality due to V. vulnificus infection, through expanding surveillance for marine environments as well as strengthening case-based surveillance systems.

• Epidemiology and Surveillance 2021-06-24

  0 209 178

  Difference of control rate of hypertension between urban/rural elderly in Korea

  Kim Kwang Joon, Kim Chang Oh, Lee Joung-Won, Lee Seung Hee, Kim Won-Ho

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(26): 1850-1864

  Abstract

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  In Korea, 15.7% of the total population is aged 65 or older, and the aging rate is rapidly increasing, so Korea is predicted to become a super-aged society by 2025. Chronic diseases such as hypertension are on the rise with the increase in the elderly population. The prevalence of hypertension increases with age, and the prevalence of hypertension in the elderly over 65 years of age exceeds 60%. Furthermore, it is known that elderly patients have a high risk of cardio-cerebrovascular complications due to common comorbidities such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease, but the control rate of hypertension treatment is rather low. Therefore, efforts should be made to reduce the incidence of cardio-cerebrovascular complications through more aggressive blood pressure control and management of associated risk factors. Cardio-cerebrovascular disease is the most frequent disease among the elderly, and is also considered a major cause of death. Considering the prevalence of cardio-cerebrovascular disease in Korea and its socioeconomic costs, it is necessary to actively care and manage chronic diseases in the elderly population, especially hypertension. However, there are still many cases where the increase in blood pressure in the elderly is recognized as a natural aging phenomenon and is not actively managed. According to the results of a cohort study of elderly people in urban and rural areas in Korea, which began in 2012, the rate of control of blood pressure among hypertensive patients is 64%, and that of rural areas is only 59%. This means that more attention is needed in the treatment of hypertension in elderly patients. High blood pressure in the elderly is very common, but it is not a normal phenomenon with age. In the future, the number of elderly hypertensive patients will increase further, and as the risk of complications and death increases due to poor control of hypertension, the burden of personal unhappiness and medical expenses will also increase. Therefore, this manuscript introduces epidemiologic data related to hypertension in the elderly population in urban and rural areas in Korea identified through a cohort study and considers its implications.

• Noncommunicable Disease Statistics 2021-06-24

  0 200 99

  Exposure rates to secondhand smoke among Korean adults aged 19 and over, 2007-2019

  Public Health Weekly Report 2021; 14(26): 1865-1866

  

  

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