von Anna Teresa Hoffmann ; Robin Kobbe ; Robin Denz ; Christoph Maier ; Nicole Toepfner ; Nina Timmesfeld ; Astrid Petersmann ; Axel Hamprecht ; Yadwinder Kaur
Veröffentlicht: 05. Dezember 2024 ; Gesehen am 10.06.2025
Global Health; Health status; Infectious diseases; Intrafamilial spread; Maternal and Child Health; Migration and Health; Minor refugees; Public Health; Risk Factors; Social Work and Migration; Ukraine; Vaccination status
In 2022, over 1,000,000 people from Ukraine fled to Germany, mostly women and children. The aim of this study was to determine health status and socio-demographic background of Ukrainian refugee minors in Germany and to compare that to German minors. In this study, Ukrainian refugees of all ages, who voluntarily made contact with the study centres via flyers or refugee shelters, were interviewed with the help of trained interpreters from 09–12/2022. We assessed data from minors and their families on socio-economic status, general health perception, current and pre-existing infectious and non-contagious diseases, and vaccination status. The data for the minors were collected by interviewing the accompanying adults. In addition, a physical examination and serological screening for infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases were performed. Overall, 392 minors and accompanying adults (358) were included. Minors’ general and mental health were reported as “at least good" in 83% (316) and 80% (304), respectively. In 16% (63), infectious or other underlying diseases were recorded. Tuberculosis infections (7, 1.8%) and hepatitis C (2, 0.5%) were found through the serological tests. HIV could only be detected in one previously known case. Self-reported vaccinations against measles and varicella, for example, did not match serological findings (protection against measles 304; 84%; varicella 230; 64%). Conclusion: Accompanying adults often rate the general health and well-being of Ukrainian refugee minors as rather poor. Frequently, self-reported vaccinations and preexisting diseases did not match serology results; therefore, Ukrainian refugee minors without formal vaccination certificate should be offered all recommended vaccinations and be generously screened for hepatitis B, C and HIV in addition to tuberculosis.
European journal of pediatrics Berlin : Springer Science & Business Media B.V., 1975 184(2025), 1, Artikel-ID 64, Seite 1-15 Online-Ressource
von Friedrich Tobias Ingo Rothoeft ; Anna Teresa Hoffmann ; Christoph Maier ; Robin Denz ; Robin Kobbe ; Anette Friedrichs ; Georg Martin Norbert Behrens ; Pia Behrens ; Reinhard Berner ; Amke Caliebe ; Claudia M. Denkinger ; Katharina Giesbrecht ; Leonhard Hojenski ; Olga Hovardovska ; Alexandra Jablonka ; Olga Iatseniuk ; Achim Kaasch ; Monika Kraus ; Lazar Mitrov ; Matthias Nauck ; Susana Marina Nunes de Miranda ; Margarete Scherer ; Yvonne Schmiedel ; Dana Stahl ; Nina Timmesfeld ; Nicole Marina Töpfner ; Jörg Janne Vehreschild ; Walter A. Wohlgemuth ; Astrid Petersmann ; Maria J. G. T. Vehreschild ; Folke Brinkmann
Age dependency; Convalescent; COVID-19; IGRA; Immunity; SARS-CoV-2; T cell; Vaccination
Introduction: A lot of research has been done, mainly on tuberculosis (TB), on the extent to which cellular immune protection as measured by interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) is age-dependent. In a previous study we showed that following an Omicron infection, adolescents with a hybrid immunity had a higher probability of having a reactive SARS-CoV-2-specific IGRA than children. Therefore, we examined in a large group of minors and adults whether age influences cellular immunity as measured by IGRA in TB and SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Participants were recruited at 13 German study sites between September and December 2022. Cellular immunity was analyzed using SARS-CoV-2 and Tb-specific IGRA and humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 by measuring antibodies against spike (S) and nucleocapsid protein. Analysis was done depending on natural (convalescent, not vaccinated) or hybrid immunity (convalescent and vaccinated). Results: Overall, 1401 adults and 392 minors were included. The amount of interferon-γ released by T cells, as well as the probability of a positive SARS-CoV-2 IGRA (OR 1.022) and a positive Tb IGRA (OR 1.047) were age dependent. Sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 IGRA in natural immunity was lower in minors (0.45), especially in those less than 5 years (0.29) as compared to adults (0.66). Conclusion: The interferon-γ response to SARS-CoV-2 infections and/or vaccinations and to Tb infections as measured by IGRA is in quality and quantity dependent on age. The sensitivity of commercially available tests in young children seems to be suboptimal, limiting their use as a diagnostic or research tool in this age group.
Infection München : Urban & Vogel, 1973 53(2025), 6 vom: Dez., Seite 2669-2680 Online-Ressource
Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most significant health risks contributing to the global decline in mental health and physical performance. Occupations with high physical work demands, such as patient handling in nursing, are associated with high rates of long-term absenteeism and disability due to musculoskeletal pain and disorders. Robotic assistance systems are revolutionizing bedside care and could provide a healthy future for caregivers. For the first time, the potential of a collaborative robotic system to assist nurses in a manual patient handling scenario has been quantified. Using the system significantly reduced the maximum effort required, resulting in physical relief. It demonstrates the feasibility of robot-assisted patient repositioning and highlights the need for interdisciplinary research to adaptively respond to the individual needs and functional abilities of nurses. This work provides a foundation for future research and practical implementation. The use of robotics is innovative, contemporary, widely applicable, and promising for reducing existing risk factors in nursing care. About the author Anna Brinkmann studied Medical Technology (B.Sc.) and Human Technology in Sports and Medicine (M.Sc.) in Bremerhaven, Cologne and Istanbul. She received her Ph.D. (Dr. rer. nat.) from the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Department of Assistance Systems and Medical Device Technology.
von Konstantin Warneke ; Michael Keiner ; Tim Wohlann ; Lars H. Lohmann ; Tina Schmitt ; Martin Hillebrecht ; Anna Brinkmann ; Andreas Hein ; Klaus Wirth ; Stephan Schiemann
