Search

Objectives: To compare a mathematical tool and time-dependent reproduction number (Rt) estimates to assess the COVID-19 pandemic progression in a Canadian context. Methods: Total number of reported cases were plotted against total number of tests for COVID-19 performed over time, with and without smoothing, for Canada and some Canadian provinces individually. Changes in curvature profile were identified as either convex or concave as indicators of pandemic acceleration or deceleration, respectively. Rtestimates were calculated on an exponential growth rate. Results: For Canada as a whole, the testing graphs had a slightly concave profile and a coincident decrease in Rtestimates. Saskatchewan more recently had a convex profile with a gradual shift to a concave profile and also demonstrated a gradual decline in Rtestimates. Curves and Rtestimates for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec displayed a gradual shift towards concavity over time and an overall decrease in Rtestimates, which is suggestive of a positive impact of public health interventions implemented federally and provincially. Conclusion: The present analyses compared a mathematical tool to Rtestimates to ascertain the status of the pandemic in Canada. Caution should be taken when interpreting results due to factors such as varying testing protocols, available testing data unique to each province and limitations inherent to each method, which may generate different results using the two approaches. Analysis of testing data may complement metrics obtained from surveillance data to allow for a weight-of-evidence approach to assess the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

AbstractAim:The purpose of this study is to explore how effective household smoking restrictions (HSRs) are in different age groups in predicting smoking abstinence. Methods:The study analysed the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) cycle, 3.1. Smoking abstinence was defined as individuals who reported to not have smoked greater than 100 cigarettes (n= 1 024 578) and were selected for this analysis. Important covariates include sex, age, education and immigrant status. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between smoking household restrictions and smoking abstinence when taking covariates into consideration. Results:Individuals who implemented HSRs reported to be abstinent from smoking at 12% compared to those with no HSRs at 0.7%. When adjusted for covariates of interest, the odds ratio (OR) for smoking abstinence was 1.43 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04, 1.97; P < .026). It was found that age was a strong predictor of smoking abstinence particularly in youths at 3.11 (95% CI: 1.65, 5.84; P < .001) and young adults at 1.92 (95% CI: 1.44, 1.92; P < .001). Conclusion:It is suggested that HSRs is an important anti-tobacco socialisation tool in youths and young adults. Individuals living in a home with HSRs may internalise behavioural norms against the initiation or continuation of smoking.

AbstractSmoking is widely known as an architect of well-documented, negative health outcomes. The advent of legislated actions to ban work- and public-place smoking has reduced the overall smoking prevalence in Canada and around the world. However, what is often overlooked are patients with psychiatric illness who are confined in psychiatric institutions and are not able to take advantage of designated smoking areas. The aim of this commentary is to raise awareness of potential inequitable conditions that are inherent in workplace smoking restrictions particularly for psychiatric patients. A biological and social equity perspective will frame the discourse of the issue.