Showing papers by "Annette M. Bachand published in 2009"
TL;DR: There was no evidence of associations between cookstove type or air quality measures with lung function or CRP, and women using traditional stoves reported symptoms more frequently than those using improved stoves.
Abstract: Elevated indoor air pollution levels due to the burning of biomass in developing countries are well established. Few studies have quantitatively assessed air pollution levels of improved cookstoves and examined these measures in relation to health effects. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 79 Honduran women cooking with traditional or improved cookstoves. Carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) levels were assessed via indoor and personal monitoring. Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms were ascertained. Finger-stick blood spot samples were collected to measure C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. The use of improved stoves was associated with 63% lower levels of personal PM(2.5), 73% lower levels of indoor PM(2.5), and 87% lower levels of indoor carbon monoxide as compared to traditional stoves. Women using traditional stoves reported symptoms more frequently than those using improved stoves. There was no evidence of associations between cookstove type or air quality measures with lung function or CRP.
96 citations
TL;DR: In epidemiologic studies where cycle length categories are of interest, the limitations of prospective diaries in terms of cost, compliance, attrition and power must be carefully weighed against the potentially decreased reliability of questionnaire data.
14 citations
TL;DR: Findings suggest that a variety of symptoms are temporally associated with tick bite but data provide no clear evidence that reported symptoms were caused by an infectious process.
Abstract: Amblyomma americanum is an aggressive human-biting tick that transmits several known human pathogens and is associated with a Lyme disease-like illness of unknown etiology. To determine the frequency, distinguishing clinical characteristics, and etiology of A. americanum-associated illness and identify associated risk factors, a prospective study of adult tick-bite victims was conducted at Fort Campbell from 2005–2007. Forty-two participants submitted ticks, none of which contained Borrelia lonestari or B. burgdorferi DNA. Thirty-three participants completed a follow-up health survey; 14 reported at least one symptom; two had erythema migrans-like rash; eight sought medical evaluation for their symptoms. Findings suggest that a variety of symptoms are temporally associated with tick bite but data provide no clear evidence that reported symptoms were caused by an infectious process. Removing a tick by hand or being bitten on a limb may be a risk factor for illness.
6 citations