The Public Health Impact of the So-Called “Fluad Effect” on the 2014/2015 Influenza Vaccination Campaign in Italy: Ethical Implications for Health-Care Workers and Health Communication Practitioners

Author(s):  
Roberto Rosselli ◽  
◽  
Mariano Martini ◽  
Nicola Luigi Bragazzi ◽  
Abdulla Watad
Author(s):  
Yousuf A Vawda ◽  
Farhana Variawa

South Africa is renowned for having a progressive Constitution with strong protection of human rights, including protection for persons using the public health system. While significant recent discourse and jurisprudence have focused on the rights of patients, the situation and rights of providers of health care services have not been adequately ventilated. This paper attempts to foreground the position of the human resources personnel located at the centre of the roll-out of the government's ambitious programme of anti-retroviral (ARV) therapy. The HIV/AIDS epidemic represents a major public health crisis in our country and, inasmuch as various critical policies and programmes have been devised in response, the key to a successful outcome lies in the hands of the health care professionals tasked with implementing such strategies. Often pilloried by the public, our health care workers (HCWs) face an almost Herculean task of turning the tide on the epidemic. Unless the rights of HCWs are recognised and their needs adequately addressed, the best laid plans of government will be at risk. This contribution attempts to identify and analyse the critical challenges confronting HCWs at the coalface of the HIV/AIDS treatment programme, in particular the extent to which their own rights are under threat, and offers recommendations to remedy the situation in order to ensure the successful realisation of the ARV rollout.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayim Aboagye D

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of available research concerning covid-19 in Ghana. It presents challenges, measures from the health care delivery sector in the public health facilities. The article draws some strength from the fundamental laws of medicine as they aid to prepare the scientists in their combat against the novel Covid-19, its variants such as Delta and Omicron. Though the government has suffered economically from lockdowns and social interventions, its resilience efforts have been acclaimed to be successful and have to be emulated by other countries. The health care workers in Ghana's dissatisfaction with their jobs in these periods have not sidelined government efforts to lead and care for its citizens amid a pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 288-291
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ahmer Raza ◽  
Shireen Aziz ◽  
Shahid Masood Raza ◽  
Sana Shahzad

Pharmacists in health systems involved with immunizations have used their practice settings to become advocates for immunization and increase their responsibilities in the public health monarchy. Administering vaccines to patients and health care workers is enabling some health-system pharmacists to assume a prominent role in public health. Pharmacists have noticed that immunization needs were not being met and, through their advocacy, increased the numbers of patients and employees of health systems who have been vaccinated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Krishnaprasad Gopalkrishna Vanthichal ◽  
Arijit Ray ◽  
Debashish Paul

Background: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including gown, shoe cover, face mask, eye goggles, cap, face shield and gloves for health-care professional in operation theatre is a must in order to contain COVID-19 pandemic. It is imperative to mention that a surgical patient whether  suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 must receive peri-operative care as it is the mainstay in care of surgical patient which cannot be denied to anyone. If we look at the incidences and the trend of spreading the COVID-19 infection, any breech in the personal and professional preventive steps to this infection in peri-operative care imposes greater risk to the public health as it affects the health care workers. Anesthetisologist and other staffs and health care workers (HCWs) in the operating room are in close proximity to patients. They are always in events of increased aerosol production from an infected patients, whether it is intubation, Bag and mask Ventilation or suctioning of the airway and life saving procedures.The major route of spread is contact transmission.Cross-infection is the major hindrance to seamless healthcare service to Covid-19 patients. Hand-washing is the universal viral transmission containment step. But it will not suffice to the preventive goal of these HCWs. Though operation rooms are maintained with negative pressure atmosphere which is ideal to minimize infection risk but this is the time to rehearse and practice other aspects too.Conclusion: The peri-operative care providers’ face several challenges in operation theatre  and during per-operative care while treating suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 and thus pose a greater risk to the society. We tried to summarise these vital points and practices, dissemination of which is of utmost importance at this pandenmic scenario.


2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (13) ◽  
pp. 505-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piroska Orosi ◽  
Ágnes Borbély ◽  
Judit Szidor ◽  
János Sándor

Influenza vaccination is the most effective way of influenza prevention. The vaccination rate is low worldwide. In Hungary, the vaccine is free of charge to health care workers and, therefore, the low vaccination rate is unaccountable. Aims: In this study, the authors wanted to explore those factors which influence the refusal of vaccination. Methods: The Health Science Center of Debrecen University has about 4000 employees. The authors adjusted a questionnaire with 45 questions and sent it to 525 randomly selected health care workers, 294 of whom responded (response rate, 56%). The Epiinfo software was used for statistical evaluation. Results: The respondents strongly agreed that the vaccine is free and easy to obtain at the workplace. Official recommendations of the occupational health, the Medical Association of Hungary and advice of the family doctors failed to influence the decision. However, a significant impact of communication with family members, friends and colleagues on the decision was documented. Conclusions: The results indicate that the most important tool in decision making of influenza vaccination is the internal communication, but this effect is not a permanent one. International data show highly variable vaccination rates (between 2.1% and 82%). A better vaccination rate (98% or above) may be achieved with a mandatory influenza vaccination program among health care workers. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 505–513.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 911
Author(s):  
Marie Pouquet ◽  
Dorine Decarreaux ◽  
Pol Prévot-Monsacré ◽  
Corentin Hervé ◽  
Andréas Werner ◽  
...  

Background: The protocol study will focus on the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 achieved by vaccination and/or natural protection as well as the history, symptoms, and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 in four primary health-care workers (PHCWs) and their household contacts in metropolitan France. Methods: Here, we propose a protocol for a nationwide survey to determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 achieved by vaccination and/or natural protection in four PHCW populations (general practitioners, pediatricians, pharmacists and assistants, and dentists and assistants) and their household contacts. Participants will be included from June to July 2021 (Phase 1) among PHCW populations located throughout metropolitan France. They will be asked to provide a range of demographic and behavioral information since the first SARS-CoV-2 wave and a self-sampled dried blood spot. Phase 1 will involve also a questionnaire and serological study of PHCWs’ household contacts. Seroprevalence will be estimated using two ELISAs designed to detect specific IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in humoral fluid, and these results will be confirmed using a virus neutralization test. This study will be repeated from November to December 2021 (Phase 2) to evaluate the evolution of immune status achieved by vaccination and/or natural protection of PHCWs and to describe the history of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dereje Tsegaye ◽  
Muluneh Shuremu ◽  
Dereje Oljira ◽  
Sileshi Dubale ◽  
Getachew Befekadu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Novel-coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease is currently a worldwide health risk and public health emergency concern. The virus is transmitted from an infected person to another person through close contact and droplets. Frontline health care workers are the most at risk of infection, and so a WHO interim guidance document was issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) which underscores the importance of proper sanitation and waste management practices for COVID- 19 in health-care settings. This study aimed at assessing knowledge and preventive practices towards Covid-19 among health care providers in selected health facilities of Illu Aba Bor and Buno Bedele zones, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2020 among 330 health workers in selected health facilities of Illu Aba Bor and Buno-Bedelle Zones, Southwest Ethiopia. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of preventive practices towards Covid-19. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of < 0.05. Result The majority of respondents (93.3%) demonstrated good knowledge of COVID-19, and the mean (SD) knowledge score was 9.04 ± 1.06. Nearly two-thirds (64.2%) of the study participants had good infection prevention practices. Being male (AOR = 3.65, 95% CI: (1.96, 6.80)), education level (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI (1.02, 3.22)), profession (AOR = 3.17, 95% CI (1.08, 9.33)), service year (5–10 years) (AOR = 2.00 (1.02, 3.92)) and more than 10 years (AOR = 3.14 (1.51, 6.52)), availability of personal protective equipment (AOR = 1.96 (1.06, 3.61)) and Knowledge level (AOR = 2.61 (1.48, 4.62)) were independent predictors of COVID-19 preventive practices. Conclusion The overall level of knowledge of HCWs was good. However, the practice was relatively low. Gender, educational status, profession, year of service, knowledge towards COVID-19, and availability of personal protective equipment were independent predictors of good infection prevention practices. Optimizing the infection prevention and control loop of the health facilities is recommended.


2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 476-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Llupià ◽  
Alberto L. García-Basteiro ◽  
Victoria Olivé ◽  
Laura Costas ◽  
Jose Ríos ◽  
...  

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