Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission has resulted in a significant burden among nursing home facilities globally. This prospective observational cohort study aims to define the potential sources of introduction and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission of the first nursing home facility in Singapore. An epidemiological serial point-prevalence survey of SARS-CoV-2 was conducted among 108 residents and 56…
Category: Publications
Risk Factors of Septic Metastatic Infection among Patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscess in Singapore: A Case-Control Study
Abstract Metastatic infection resulting from Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess (KPLA) results in high mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with metastatic infection among patients with KPLA in Singapore. A retrospective case-control analysis among adult patients admitted to the National University Hospital with KPLA between 2013 and 2017 was conducted. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis…
Weather Factors Associated with Reduced Risk of Dengue Transmission in an Urbanized Tropical City
Abstract This study assessed the impact of weather factors, including novel predictors-pollutant standards index (PSI) and wind speed-on dengue incidence in Singapore between 2012 and 2019. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was fitted to explore the autocorrelation in time series and quasi-Poisson model with a distributed lag non-linear term (DLNM) was set up to assess any non-linear association between…
Association between pet ownership and physical activity and mental health during the COVID-19 “circuit breaker” in Singapore
Abstract Introduction: The negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on mental health and physical activity is well reported. While prior studies showed a positive influence of pet ownership on physical activity and mental health, the interactions between the pandemic and pet ownership are not well studied. Objective: To determine the association between pet ownership, physical activity levels and mental…
Global dengue importation: a systematic review
Abstract Background: Importation of dengue following globalization presents an emerging threat to global health. However, evidence on global geographical sources and the potential of dengue importation globally are lacking. This study aims to systematically review the sources of dengue importation globally and the risk of dengue outbreaks globally. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance to Cochrane’s PRISMA guidelines.…
Wastewater surveillance to infer COVID-19 transmission: A systematic review
Abstract Successful detection of SARS-COV-2 in wastewater suggests the potential utility of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for COVID-19 community surveillance. This systematic review aims to assess the performance of wastewater surveillance as early warning system of COVID-19 community transmission. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Medline, Embase and the WBE Consortium Registry according to PRISMA guidelines for relevant articles published until 31st…
Factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 transmission and outbreak control measures in densely populated settings
Abstract Starting with a handful of SARS-CoV-2 infections in dormitory residents in late March 2020, rapid transmission in their dense living environments ensued and by October 2020, more than 50,000 acute infections were identified across various dormitories in Singapore. The aim of the study is to identify combination of factors facilitating SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the impact of control measures in…
Impact of travel ban implementation on COVID-19 spread in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea during the early phase of the pandemic: a comparative study
Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has elicited imposition of some form of travel restrictions by almost all countries in the world. Most restrictions currently persist, although some have been gradually eased. It remains unclear if the trade-off from the unprecedented disruption to air travel was well worth for pandemic containment. Method: A comparative analysis was conducted on Singapore, Taiwan, Hong…
Relationship between local weather, air pollution and hospital attendances for urticaria in children: Time stratified analysis of 12,002 cases
Citation: Choo KJL, Ho AFW, Gui H, Tay PJM, Lee HY, Koh MS, Earnest A, Pek PP, Liu N, Chong SL, Pang J, Ong MEH. Relationship between local weather, air pollution and hospital attendances for urticaria in children: Time stratified analysis of 12,002 cases. Clin Exp Allergy. 2021 Sep 22. doi: 10.1111/cea.14015. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34549849. Full Text…
Factors associated with high compliance behaviour against COVID-19 in the early phase of pandemic: a cross-sectional study in 12 Asian countries
Abstract Introduction: Regardless of having effective vaccines against COVID-19, containment measures such as enhanced physical distancing and good practice of personal hygiene remain the mainstay of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries across Asia have imposed these containment measures to varying extents. However, residents in different countries would have a differing degree of compliance to these containment measures potentially due to differences…
