Routine, Cost-Effective SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Testing Using Pooled Saliva Limits Viral Spread on a Residential College Campus

This study highlights the utility of routine testing for SARS-CoV-2 using pooled saliva while maintaining high sensitivity of detection (under 2,500 copies/ml) and rapid turnaround of high volume (up to 930 samples in 8 h by two technicians and one quantitative PCR [qPCR] machine). This pooled approach allowed us to test all residential students 1 to 2 times per week on our college campus during the spring of 2021 and flagged 83% of our semester positives.

COVID-19 in Connecticut institutions of higher education during the 2020-2021 academic year

Background: During the 2020-2021 academic year, many institutions of higher education reopened to residential students while pursuing strategies to mitigate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission on campus. Reopening guidance emphasized PCR or antigen testing for residential students and social distancing measures to reduce the frequency of close interpersonal contact. Connecticut colleges and universities employed a variety of approaches to reopening campuses to residential students. Methods: We used data on testing, cases, and social contact in 18 residential college and university campuses in Connecticut to characterize institutional reopening strategies and COVID-19 outcomes. We compared institutions' fall 2020 COVID-19 plans, submitted to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and analyzed contact rates and COVID-19 outcomes throughout the academic year. Results: In census block groups containing residence halls, fall student move-in resulted in a 475% (95% CI 373%-606%) increase in average contact, and spring move-in resulted in a 561% (441%-713%) increase in average contact. The relationship between test frequency and case rate per residential student was complex: institutions that tested students infrequently detected few cases but failed to blunt transmission, while institutions that tested students more frequently detected more cases and prevented further spread. In fall 2020, each additional test per student per week was associated with a reduction of 0.0014 cases per student per week (95% CI: -0.0028, -0.000012). Residential student case rates were associated with higher case rates in the town where the school was located, but it is not possible to determine whether on-campus infections were transmitted to the broader community or vice versa. Conclusions: Campus outbreaks among residential students might be avoided or mitigated by frequent testing, social distancing, and mandatory vaccination. Vaccination rates among residential students and surrounding communities may determine the necessary scale of residential testing programs and social distancing measures during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Molar ratios of dietary phytate to minerals and iron status of female residential students in University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background: Female undergraduate students may undergo many health implications due to the transition from secondary to undergraduate level. Aim: The study was aimed to assess molar ratios of phytate to minerals (calcium, zinc, and iron) in the diets, and to measure the iron status of resident female students at Dhaka University. Methods: In total, 180 female students between 18–26 years of age from 3 dormitories of Dhaka University were selected for the study. Dietary intake information was collected over three consecutive days. Multiple-Pass 24-hour recall. Blood hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were analyzed for sub-sample (20 participants from each dormitory). Results: The mean dietary intake of phytate, calcium, zinc, and iron were estimated at 347.11, 181.04, 6.59, and 7.14 mg/day, and hemoglobin and serum ferritin at 11.34 g/dl, and 18.48 ng/ml, respectively. The respective molar ratios of phytate: calcium, phytate: zinc, phytate: iron and phytate × calcium: zinc were 0.13, 5.27, 4.20, and 21.26 in the diet of the respondents. The prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia among the respondents was found to be 51.7%, 48.4%, and 28.3%, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that only zinc intake had positive association with hemoglobin, while iron and zinc intake had a significant positive, and phytate:iron molar ratio had a significant negative association with serum ferritin concentration ( p < 0.05). After adjusting all significant determinants of serum ferritin, no predictors have found significant. Conclusions: Larger and more specific research is needed to clearly understand the mechanism behind anemia and iron deficiency among female residential students.

Assessment of residential institute foodservice using Kano categorization and importance–performance analysis

PurposeIn this article, we identify various foodservice-related attributes that are important for undergraduate students residing in hostels and avail service from specific foodservice providers. We also investigate the performance of attributes to determine areas where the foodservice providers should maintain a high performance or where improvement is required.Design/methodology/approachWe apply the Kano methodology to design the questionnaire for 24 different attributes. For each attribute, we construct three questions; namely, functional type, dysfunctional type, and performance of the hostel foodservice. We collect a total of 317 responses. We use multiple methods to determine the dominant category. Finally, combining the values of these methods, we study relative positions of the attributes in the importance–performance grid.FindingsBased on the Kano categorization, quality-related attributes are most important, followed by hygiene, comfort, availability, variety, and time, in the descending order. The gender of the respondent plays an important role in categorization of some attributes. Using the importance–performance analysis, we identify the attributes where the foodservice provider should maintain a high performance or where improvement is required. Improvements in some attributes are difficult due to foodservice provider's self-assessment of high performance or high difficulty for improvement.Originality/valueIn this study, we examine the importance of various foodservice attributes among undergraduate residential students. We combine multiple methods of Kano categorization to compute importance values of the attributes. We also investigate the reasons behind the gap between student's and foodservice manager's perception of the performance of these attributes.

Outbreak investigation of acid fly attack among residential students in a tertiary care centre in South India

Paederus dermatitis is the skin irritation resulting from contact with the haemolymph of certain rove beetles, a group that is comprised by the genus Paederus. In May 2018, there was an increase in the number of residential students reporting with burning skin lesions. In this context, an outbreak investigation was conducted. A team of public health specialists visited these residential buildings and premises. The inmates who were affected were interviewed and examined. Suspected insects were collected and entomologically evaluated by the Zoological Survey of India. On examination of the affected individuals, it was observed that the rashes were very much suggestive of acid fly toxin induced lesions. Inspection of the premises, revealed small heaps of dried leaves with moisture at two sites which could have served as a suitable environment for acid fly multiplication. Our study concluded that Paederus fuscipes as the causative agent. Top storeys of buildings, illuminated at night, facing potentially wet areas were considered to be the potential risk factor. Fly proofing of the building, cleaning the institution premises and chemical treatment was suggested as appropriate control measures.

An Advising Initiative for Online Students on Academic Probation

Online courses are increasingly popular with students, and postsecondary institutions are increasing the availability of online courses and degrees. Continued improvements in the academic experience, including academic advising, for students attending online degree programs will be expected as more students take these courses. This article provides an example of how institutions can improve academic advising for online students. An advising initiative designed for residential students on academic probation was adapted for use with online students on academic probation. Discussion of the advising approach used with both populations is included. Outcomes included improved academic standing for both student populations.