scholarly journals Digitalization of immunization programmes in Europe: results from the EUVIS project

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Odone ◽  
V Gianfredi ◽  
B Frascella ◽  
F Balzarini ◽  
A Oradini Alacreu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Final Phase ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Immunization Programmes

Abstract The second and final phase of the EUVIS (EUrope Vaccines ICT Strategies) project, coordinated by the School of Public Health of the University Vita-Salute San Raffaele in Milan (Italy), aims at collecting best practices on the use and impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and digital tools to increase vaccine uptake and ultimately vaccination coverage in Europe. The field of ICT has flourished in recent years revolutionizing the processes of gathering, spreading and utilizing health information among healthcare providers, citizens and mass media. In particular, we are interested in any digital technology that can improve vaccine uptake supporting actions aimed at both increasing the demand of vaccines (i.e provide access to information through telecommunications, networks, the Internet, wireless, mobile devices), and the supply of effective and efficient life-course immunization services (i.e ICT-based interventions to support immunization programmes delivery and their monitoring). Within EUVIS we have previously conducted a series of systematic reviews to pool available evidence from experimental studies on the impact of selected ICT-based intervention (i.e. e-mail reminders, personal health records, among others) to improve vaccine uptake and other associated outcomes. In the current study, second and final phase of the EUVIS project, we are conducting a survey at the European level to gather original data on the use and impact of ICT and digital tools within immunization programmes in selected countries. The survey tool was developed on the basis of findings from EUVIS phase one and experts' consultation; it consisted on a 55-item questionnaire, distributed to public health professionals working in health agencies, institutions and the academia to build “ICT and immunization” countries' profile, as well as to gather, pool and critically appraise data on perceived potential and challenges of immunization programmes' digitalization in Europe.

scholarly journals FORMATION OF SOCIAL EDUCATOR’S DIGITAL COMPETENCE AS A WAY TO PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-204
Author(s):  
Olesia Vlasii ◽  
Olha Dudka ◽  
Nadiia Ivanochko
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Professional Competence ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Professional Activity ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Professional Activities ◽  
Internet Resources ◽  
The Impact

In the article, the impact of digitalization of education on the transformation of the professional competence of a social educators is analyzed; the need of the formation of digital competence of social educators in the context of the widespread implementation of information and communication technologies in the educational process is substantiated; the state of using educational Internet resources in the professional activities of social educators is analyzed; the importance of improving the level of digital competence as a component of the professional competence of social educators is substantiated; the use of digital tools as a practical toolkit for social educators is proposed; a brief overview of digital tools that will be useful in the work of a social educator is provided; a training course "Using Internet resources in the work of a social educator" developed by authors is presented; the course consists of four modules in accordance with the main directions of the social educator's activities, in particular, diagnostic, developmental, educational and preventive work; the course has a practical focus, for the implementation of practical tasks, adapted to the professional activity of a social educator, instructional and methodological materials are developed that make it possible to conduct the course both offline and online; the course is developed on the principles of accessibility, comprehensibility, professional orientation and motivation; to implement the developed course, it is recommended to use the Google Classroom platform, which makes it possible to combine traditional and innovative forms and methods of teaching, which is especially important in the context of the introduction of distance and blended learning; the results of approbation of the developed course, which was conducted for social educators of the Nadvirnyansky district of Ivano-Frankivsk region are presented; taking into account the results of approbation, the conclusion is given about the advisability of using the course for the professional growth of social educators, including for the formation of the readiness of a social educator for the implementation of digital tools into professional activities.

Optimal public health intervention in a behavioural vaccination model: the interplay between seasonality, behaviour and latency period

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-324
Author(s):  
Bruno Buonomo ◽  
Rossella Della Marca ◽  
Alberto d’Onofrio
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Minimum Principle ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Latency Period ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
The Impact

AbstractHesitancy and refusal of vaccines preventing childhood diseases are spreading due to ‘pseudo-rational’ behaviours: parents overweigh real and imaginary side effects of vaccines. Nonetheless, the ‘Public Health System’ (PHS) may enact public campaigns to favour vaccine uptake. To determine the optimal time profiles for such campaigns, we apply the optimal control theory to an extension of the susceptible-infectious-removed (SIR)-based behavioural vaccination model by d’Onofrio et al. (2012, PLoS ONE, 7, e45653). The new model is of susceptible-exposed-infectious-removed (SEIR) type under seasonal fluctuations of the transmission rate. Our objective is to minimize the total costs of the disease: the disease burden, the vaccination costs and a less usual cost: the economic burden to enact the PHS campaigns. We apply the Pontryagin minimum principle and numerically explore the impact of seasonality, human behaviour and latency rate on the control and spread of the target disease. We focus on two noteworthy case studies: the low (resp. intermediate) relative perceived risk of vaccine side effects and relatively low (resp. very low) speed of imitation. One general result is that seasonality may produce a remarkable impact on PHS campaigns aimed at controlling, via an increase of the vaccination uptake, the spread of a target infectious disease. In particular, a higher amplitude of the seasonal variation produces a higher effort and this, in turn, beneficially impacts the induced vaccine uptake since the larger is the strength of seasonality, the longer the vaccine propensity remains large. However, such increased effort is not able to fully compensate the action of seasonality on the prevalence.

scholarly journals Digital Gamification to Enhance Vaccine Knowledge and Uptake: Scoping Review (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Montagni ◽  
Inass Mabchour ◽  
Christophe Tzourio
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Relative Paucity ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Quasi Experimental

BACKGROUND Vaccine hesitancy is a growing threat to population health, and effective interventions are needed to reduce its frequency. Digital gamification is a promising new approach to tackle this public health issue. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this scoping review was to assess the amount and quality of outcomes in studies evaluating gamified digital tools created to increase vaccine knowledge and uptake. METHODS We searched for peer-reviewed articles published between July 2009 and August 2019 in PubMed, Google Scholar, Journal of Medical Internet Research, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and SocINDEX. Studies were coded by author, year of publication, country, journal, research design, sample size and characteristics, type of vaccine, theory used, game content, game modality, gamification element(s), data analysis, type of outcomes, and mean quality score. Outcomes were synthesized through the textual narrative synthesis method. RESULTS A total of 7 articles met the inclusion criteria and were critically reviewed. Game modalities and gamification elements were diverse, but role play and a reward system were present in all studies. These articles included a mixture of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and studies comprising quantitative and qualitative measures. The majority of the studies were theory-driven. All the identified gamified digital tools were highly appreciated for their usability and were effective in increasing awareness of vaccine benefits and motivation for vaccine uptake. CONCLUSIONS Despite the relative paucity of studies on this topic, this scoping review suggests that digital gamification has strong potential for increasing vaccination knowledge and, eventually, vaccination coverage.

scholarly journals Digital Gamification to Enhance Vaccine Knowledge and Uptake: Scoping Review

10.2196/16983 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e16983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Montagni ◽  
Inass Mabchour ◽  
Christophe Tzourio
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Relative Paucity ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background Vaccine hesitancy is a growing threat to population health, and effective interventions are needed to reduce its frequency. Digital gamification is a promising new approach to tackle this public health issue. Objective The purpose of this scoping review was to assess the amount and quality of outcomes in studies evaluating gamified digital tools created to increase vaccine knowledge and uptake. Methods We searched for peer-reviewed articles published between July 2009 and August 2019 in PubMed, Google Scholar, Journal of Medical Internet Research, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and SocINDEX. Studies were coded by author, year of publication, country, journal, research design, sample size and characteristics, type of vaccine, theory used, game content, game modality, gamification element(s), data analysis, type of outcomes, and mean quality score. Outcomes were synthesized through the textual narrative synthesis method. Results A total of 7 articles met the inclusion criteria and were critically reviewed. Game modalities and gamification elements were diverse, but role play and a reward system were present in all studies. These articles included a mixture of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and studies comprising quantitative and qualitative measures. The majority of the studies were theory-driven. All the identified gamified digital tools were highly appreciated for their usability and were effective in increasing awareness of vaccine benefits and motivation for vaccine uptake. Conclusions Despite the relative paucity of studies on this topic, this scoping review suggests that digital gamification has strong potential for increasing vaccination knowledge and, eventually, vaccination coverage.

Sea-Level-Rise Disaster in Micronesia: Sentinel Event for Climate Change?

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Keim
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Complete Loss ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTObjectives: To describe the impact of an acute-onset sea-level-rise disaster in 2 coral atoll populations and to generate hypotheses for further investigation of the association between climate change and public health.Methods: Households of Lukunoch and Oneop islands, Micronesia, were assessed for demographics, asset damage, food availability, water quantity and quality, hygiene and sanitation, and health status. Every fourth household on Lukunoch was randomly selected (n = 40). All Oneop households were surveyed (n = 72). Heads of each household were interviewed in the local language using a standard survey tool. Prevalence data were analyzed, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.Results: A total of 112 total households were respondents representing 974 inhabitants. On Lukunoch, roughly half of all households surveyed reported at least a partial loss of their primary dietary staple and source of calories (taro and breadfruit). Six (15%) of 40 Lukunoch households surveyed (95% CI, 6%-30%) reported a complete loss of taro and four (10%) of the 40 households (95% CI, 3%-24%) reported a complete loss of breadfruit. On Oneop, nearly all households reported at least a partial loss of these same food staples. Twenty four (31%) of all 76 Oneop households reported a complete loss of taro and another 24 (31%) households reported a complete loss of breadfruit. One third of all households surveyed reported a complete loss. On Lukunoch 11 (28%) of 40 households, (95% CI, 15%-43%) reported damage from salination, but none were damaged to the point of a complete loss. Forty-nine (64%) of 76 Oneop households reported salination and five (6%) reported complete loss of their well.Conclusion: On March 5, 2007, an acute-onset, sea level rise event resulting in coastal erosion, shoreline inundation, and saltwater intrusion occurred in two coral atoll islands of Micronesia. The findings of this study suggest that highly vulnerable populations of both islands experienced disastrous losses involving crop productivity and freshwater sources. These findings reveal the need for effective public health research and sustainable interventions that will monitor and shape the health of small island populations predicted to be at high risk for adverse health effects due to climate change.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:81-87)

scholarly journals The effect of COVID certificates on vaccine uptake, public health, and the economy

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miquel Oliu-Barton ◽  
Bary SR Pradel ◽  
Nicolas Woloszko ◽  
Lionel Guetta-Jeanrenaud ◽  
Philippe Aghion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Diffusion Theory ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Ethical Concerns ◽  
Innovation Diffusion Theory ◽  
Econometric Methods ◽  
Percentage Points ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have used various interventions,1,2 including COVID certificates as proof of vaccination, recovery, or a recent negative test, required for individuals to access shops, restaurants, and education or workplaces.3 While arguments for and against COVID certificates have focused on reducing transmission and ethical concerns,4,5 the effect of the certificates on vaccine uptake, public health, and the economy requires investigation. We construct counterfactuals based on innovation diffusion theory6 and validate them with econometric methods7 to evaluate the impact of incentives created by COVID certificates in France, Germany, and Italy. We estimate that from their announcement during summer 2021 to the end of the year, the intervention led to increased vaccine uptake in France of 13.0 (95% CI 9.7–14.9) percentage points (p.p.) of the total population, in Germany 6.2 (2.6–6.9) p.p., and in Italy 9.7 (5.4–12.3) p.p.; averted an additional 3,979 (3,453–4,298) deaths in France (i.e., 31.7%), 1,133 (-312–1,358) in Germany (5.6%), and 1,331 (502–1,794) in Italy (14.0%); and prevented gross domestic product (GDP) losses of €6.0 (5.9–6.1) billion in France, €1.4 (1.3–1.5) billion in Germany, and €2.1 (2.0–2.2) billion in Italy. Notably, the application of COVID certificates substantially reduced the pressure on intensive care units (ICUs) and, in France, averted surpassing the occupancy levels where prior lockdowns were instated. Overall, our findings are more substantial than predicted8 and may help to inform decisions about when and how to employ COVID certificates to increase vaccination and thus avoid stringent interventions, such as closures, curfews, and lockdowns, with large social and economic consequences.

scholarly journals Updating the determinants of health model in the Information Age

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1241-1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Rice ◽  
Rachel Sara
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Information Age ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Digital Revolution ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In 1991, Dahlgren and Whitehead produced a highly influential model of the determinants of health that has since been used by numerous national and international public health organizations globally. The purpose of the model is to enable interventions that improve health to be addressed at four key policy levels. It is not a model of health or disease; instead the model is structured around health policy decision-making. However the model needs an update, since it was devised there has been a digital revolution that has transformed every aspect of: human life, our cities, society and the fundamental principles upon which the global economy operates. The article examines the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the determinants of health. ICT has given rise to a new Information Age that is implicated in many of the major global health issues today. Addressing contemporary health issues requires intervention at the level of ICT, particularly as health communication online is central to the delivery and dissemination of public health policies.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Childhood Vaccination Uptake: A Rapid Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Heneghan ◽  
Jon Brassey ◽  
Tom Jefferson
Keyword(s):  
Original Data ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Vaccination Uptake ◽  
International Agencies ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Studies ◽  
The Impact

Abstract: Background Vaccines are highly effective for preventing a range of childhood infections. However, there have been concerns about an alarming decline in vaccinations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We performed a rapid review for studies that assessed childhood vaccination uptake during restrictive phases of the covid-19 pandemic. Results We found 35 published studies that compared changes in the pattern of childhood vaccinations before and during the pandemic. Thirteen were surveys; two mixed-methods surveys and interviews, three modelling studies and 17 retrospective cohort studies with historical controls. We also included ten reports by national or international agencies that had original data on vaccination uptake. Significant global disruptions to vaccine services were reported in Africa, Asia, America (including Latin America and the Caribbean) and Europe. We also found evidence of significant disruption to vaccine uptake for diphtheria tetanus pertussis, BCG, measles and polio. Countries, where vaccination rates were already suboptimal, had greater drops in uptake and there was evidence of smaller declines in younger children compared to older children. Children born to women who could not read and write were more likely to have an incompletely immunized child. Various initiatives were used to drive up vaccination rates post restrictions. Conclusions Obstacles to the delivery of vaccination services during the COVID-19 pandemic drove down immunisation rates, especially in disadvantaged people and poorer countries.

scholarly journals Predicting the impact of low influenza activity in 2020 on population immunity and future influenza season in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyueun Lee ◽  
Hawre Jalal ◽  
Jonathan M. Raviotta ◽  
Mary G. Krauland ◽  
Richard K. Zimmerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Population Immunity ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Expected Increase

AbstractBackgroundsThe influenza season of 2020-21 was remarkably low, likely due to implementation of public health preventive measures such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and school closure and due to decreased international travel. This leads to a key public health question: what will happen in the 2021-22 influenza season? To answer this, we developed a multi-season influenza model that accounted for residual immunity from prior infection.MethodWe built a multi-strain, non-age structured compartmental model that captures immunity over multiple influenza seasons. By the end of the influenza season, we sorted the population based on their experience of natural infection and/or vaccination, which determines the susceptibility to influenza infection in the following season. Because the exact parameters of transmission rates and immunity are unknown, we implemented Bayesian calibration against the observed influenza epidemics (influenza hospitalization rates from 2012 to 2020 in the US) to estimate those parameters. In forward projections, we simulated low influenza activity in 2020-21 season by lowering transmission rate by 20%. Compared to the counterfactual case, in which influenza activity remained at the normal level in 2020-21, we estimated the change in the number of hospitalizations in the following seasons with varying level of vaccine uptake and effectiveness. We measured the change in population immunity over time by varying the number of seasons with low influenza activity.ResultWith the low influenza activity in 2020-21, the model estimated 102,000 [95% CI: 57,000-152,000] additional hospitalizations in 2021-22, without change in vaccine uptake and effectiveness. The expected change in hospitalization varied depending on the level of vaccine uptake and effectiveness in the following year. Achieving 50% increase in one of two measures (1.5X vaccine uptake with 1X vaccine efficacy or 1.5X vaccine efficacy with 1X vaccine uptake) was necessary to avert the expected increase in hospitalization in the next influenza season. Otherwise, increases in both measures by 25% averted the expected increase in influenza-hospitalization. If the low influenza activity seasons continue, population immunity would remain low during those seasons, with 48% the population susceptible to influneza infection.ConclusionWe predicted a large compensatory influenza season in 2021-2 due to a light season in 2020-21. However, higher influenza vaccine uptake would reduce this projected increase in influenza.

THE RIGHT OF REMOTE WORKERS TO BE OFFLINE – SOME COMPARATIVE LEGAL REMARKS

2021 ◽  
Vol specjalny (XXI) ◽  
pp. 535-544
Author(s):  
Kamila Naumowicz
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Legal Regulations ◽  
European Level ◽  
Remote Workers ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this study is to define the origins and scope of the right to be offline from a European perspective, both with regard to legal regulations and specific sources of labor law in selected European countries and the resolution of the European Parliament adopted on January 21, 2021, calling on the European Commission to regulate the right to disconnect in a separate directive. These considerations are enriched by the analysis of European-level surveys on working conditions of workers using information and communication technologies (ICT) both before and during the pandemic, with particular emphasis on the impact of digital tools on the life and health of remote workers. The analysis of the results of the presented research both from the perspective of technological development and the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, allows to identify significant threats to the safety of remote workers, primarily in the psychosocial sphere, which in turn may lead to the conclusion that it is necessary to regulate the right to be offline at European level.

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