scholarly journals Prevalence of severe adverse events among health professionals after receiving the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 coronavirus vaccine (Covishield) in Togo, March 2021

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Rodion Konu ◽  
Fifonsi Adjidossi Gbeasor-Komlanvi ◽  
Mouhoudine Yerima ◽  
Arnold Junior Sadio ◽  
Martin Kouame Tchankoni ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines can cause adverse events that can lead to vaccine hesitancy. This study aims at estimating the prevalence of severe adverse events (SAEs) and their associated factors among health professionals vaccinated with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in Togo. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 13th to 19th, 2021 in Togo among health professionals who received the first dose of the vaccine. An online self-administered questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and vaccination data. SAEs were defined as one resulting in hospitalization, medical consultation, or inability to work the day following the administration of the vaccine. Data analysis were performed using R© 4.0.1 software, and a 5% significance level was considered. Results A total of 1,639 health professionals (70.2% male) with a median age of 32 (interquartile range: 27-40) were enrolled. At least one adverse event was reported among 71.6% of participants (95% CI = [69.3-73.8]). The most commonly reported adverse events were injection site pain (91.0%), asthenia (74.3%), headache (68.7%), soreness (55.0%), and fever (47.5%). An increased libido was also reported in 3.0% of participants. Of the participants who experienced adverse events, 18.2% were unable to go to work the day after vaccination, 10.5% consulted a medical doctor, and 1.0% were hospitalized. The SAEs’ prevalence was 23.8% (95% CI = [21.8-25.9]). Being <30 years (AOR = 5.54; p<0.001), or 30-49 years (AOR = 3.62; p<0.001) and being female (AOR = 1.97; p<0.001) were associated with SAEs. Conclusions High prevalence of SAEs have been observed in health professionals in Togo after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination especially in young people and females. However, these data are reassuring as they inform on COVID-19 vaccines’ SAE management. Systematic prescription of antalgics or antipyretics could be proposed to young people who get vaccinated.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Rodion KONU ◽  
Fifonsi Gbeasor-Komlanvi ◽  
Mouhoudine Yerima ◽  
Arnold Junior Sadio ◽  
Martin Kouame Tchankoni ◽  
...  

Introduction: Covid-19 vaccines can cause adverse events (AE) that can lead to increased hesitation or fear of vaccination. This study aims at estimating the prevalence of severe adverse events (SAEs) and their associated factors among health professionals (HPs) vaccinated with COVISHIELD(TM) vaccine in Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 13th to 19th, 2021 in Togo among HPs who received the first dose of vaccine. An online self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and vaccination. SAEs were defined as one resulting in hospitalization, medical consultation, or inability to work the day following the administration of the vaccine. Regression analysis were performed to assess factors associated with SAEs. Results: A total of 1,639 HP (70.2% male) with a median age [IQR] of 32 years [27-40] participated. At least one AE was reported among 71.6% (95%CI= [69.3-73.8]). The most commonly reported AEs were pain at the injection site (91.0%), asthenia (74.3%), headache (68.7%), soreness (55.0%), and fever (47.5%). An increased libido was also reported in 3.0% of HP. Among HP who experienced AEs, 18.2% were unable to go to work the day after vaccination, 10.5% consulted a medical doctor, and 1.0% were hospitalized. The SAE prevalence was 23.8% (95%CI= [21.8-25.9]). Being <30 years (aOR=5.54; p<0.001), or 30-49 years (aOR=3.62; p<0.001) and being female (aOR=1.97; p<0.001) were associated with SAEs. Conclusion: Despite the occurrence of SAEs, current data collected in Togo about adverse events are reassuring with COVISHIELD(TM) vaccine and how they could be managed. Keywords: Severe adverse event, COVID-19, vaccine, prevalence, health professionals, Togo.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1127
Author(s):  
Loredana Sabina Cornelia Manolescu ◽  
Corneliu Nicolae Zaharia ◽  
Anca Irina Dumitrescu ◽  
Irina Prasacu ◽  
Mihaela Corina Radu ◽  
...  

Background: In December 2020, the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Romania and were made available to medical and social staff. Vaccine hesitancy appeared as a barrier to effectively ending the pandemic. The opinions of medical and social staff influence the opinion of the general population. This study assesess the attitudes, knowledge, and opinion of medical and social personnel toward COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination and the influencing factors. Methods: 1025 persons participated in an online cross-sectional study from March until July 2021. Results: Out of 1021 eligible responders, 719 (70.42%) had been vaccinated: 227 with one dose (22.23%) and 492 with two doses (48.18%). There were 302 responders who were not vaccinated at all. Out of them, 188 refused vaccinations. The participants showed a good understanding and knowledge of SARScoV-2 transmission and treatment. Geographic area, medical profession, and medical experience influenced COVID-19 vaccination (p < 0.001). There were no associations between willingness to vaccinate and vaccine/virus knowledge. Most of the responders who were vaccinated or wanted to be vaccinated indicated an mRNA vaccine as their first choice. The variables that were significantly associated with reporting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance after logistic regression were: living in an urban area (Ora = 1.58, 95% CI: 0.98–2.56), being female (Ora = 1.59; 95% CI:1.03–2.44), and being a medical doctor (Ora = 3.40; 95% CI: 1.84–6.26). Conclusions: These findings show that vaccine hesitancy persists in medical and social personnel in Romania, and, hence, it may be reflected in the hesitancy of the general population toward vaccination.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110366
Author(s):  
Travis S. Dowdle ◽  
Jeff Dennis ◽  
Kenneth M. Nugent ◽  
Theresa Byrd

Objectives: Understanding vaccine intentions and attitudes of health professionals is critical as the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID19 vaccines are being administered throughout the United States. This study estimates the level of vaccine hesitancy at a health sciences center in West Texas prior to the distribution of the vaccines. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed via anonymous Qualtrics survey administered to approximately 4500 faculty, staff, postdoctoral research associates/medical residents, and employees at a multi-campus health sciences university in the United States. Respondents were asked demographic questions and intention to receive the vaccine. Factors associated with the intention to receive a vaccine were determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: A total sample of 2258 subjects were evaluated (50.0% response rate). Among all respondents, 64.6% reported that they would probably or definitely receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Men had higher levels of intention to receive the vaccine (OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.64-2.71); respondents who indicated yearly influenza vaccines are necessary were also more likely to receive the vaccine (OR = 6.04, 95% CI 4.70-7.75). Eighty-three percent of faculty and 56% of the staff reported intention to receive the vaccine. Respondents who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 reported more interest in receiving the vaccine (58.5% yes vs 41.5% no). Conclusion: In this study, the intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccination at a United States health sciences center falls below the necessary herd immunity estimates. Public health initiatives must be developed to decrease vaccine hesitancy, especially among health professionals.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Kumar D.R. ◽  
Srividya J ◽  
Apoorva E Patel ◽  
Vidya R

Background: The ongoing pandemic of Corona virus disease 2019(covid 19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Corona virus 2(SAR COV 2). The world health organization declared it as public health emergency of international concern on January 2020 and later declared as pandemic on 11 March 2020.One of the high risk groups for COVID 19 disease are people residing in urban overcrowded slums and as most of the population is migrant, they are less aware of the pandemic and have less access to health care facilities. Vaccinating these high risk groups can decrease disease burden and control the ongoing pandemic. Objectives: 1] To estimate COVID 19 vaccination coverage 2] To assess the factors responsible for COVID 19 vaccination coverage and vaccine hesitancy 3] To study AEFI pattern following COVID 19 vaccination 4] To determine the prevalence of breakthrough infections after COVID 19 Vaccination in urban slums of Bengaluru, India. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in Urban slums belonging to Urban Health and Training Centre, Department of community medicine, Akash Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru Rural District, Karnataka, India. After obtaining Institutional ethical clearance and informed consent from study participants, data was collected from 1638 participants, fulfilling inclusion criteria using a predesigned, pretested, structured questionnaire. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Chi square test and Fischers exact test was applied and p <0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: In the present study, 35.5% (583 out of 1638) of the study participants had taken COVID Vaccine, of which 533 (91.42%) were partially vaccinated and remaining 50 (8.5%) were fully Vaccinated. Majority i.e. 98.45% have taken vaccine at Govt health centers. 63.65% vaccinated with Covishield reported adverse events, whereas 18.6% vaccinated with Covaxin reported adverse events. Adverse events were more likely to be reported by women (74.7%) compared to men (58.6%) , this observation was consistent across all age groups. Vaccination coverage was high among 18 to 45 years age group (37.75%), males (64.86%), Christians (47.05%) followed by Hindus (43.56%), graduates (95.67%), clerical and skilled workers (70.75%), Upper middle socioeconomic class (72.41%). This difference was statistically significant. Our study reported Break through infections in 7 out of total 583 vaccinated with a prevalence of 1.2%. The break through infections was very high among partially vaccinated (85.71%) as compared to fully vaccinated individuals (14.28%). This was observed among those vaccinated with Covaxin only. Conclusion: The COVID 19 vaccine coverage was low in urban slums. The prevalence of Break through infections in our study was higher as compared to available data/reports in the country. Break through infections was very high among partially vaccinated as compared to fully vaccinated individuals. This study on break through infections on COVID vaccination is first study in South India on general population. The most important factor for vaccine hesitancy is the occurrence of mild or serious adverse effects following immunization, and this may be the biggest challenge in the global response against the pandemic. Key words: COVID 19 vaccination, Break through infections, Vaccine hesitancy, Adverse events COVID vaccination, Urban slums


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Vareda ◽  
T Garcia ◽  
J Rachadell

Abstract Background From disease prevention to health promotion, communication is key for Public Health (PH) practice and, according to the 9th Essential Public Health Operation its goal is to improve populations health literacy and capacity to access, understand and use information. Though social media is frequently presented as a potentially useful tool for PH communication, there is a lack of evidence about its effectiveness and impact on PH outcomes. This study researches Instagram® as a PH tool and aims to know who is using it, what content is shared on the platform and how much engagement there is. Methods This cross-sectional study regards information on 1000 Instagram® posts with the hashtags publichealth, publichealthpromotion, healthpromotion, publichealthmatters and publichealtheducation. Authors categorized post content and creators, and reviewed the number of likes and comments per post to determine engagement. Data analysis was performed on IBM SPSS® Statistics. Results The most common content categories were communicable diseases (n = 383), non-communicable diseases (n = 258) and healthy lifestyles (n = 143). Health professionals post more about communicable diseases (43,6%) and non-professionals about healthy lifestyles (36,1%). Non-professionals (n = 191) post about PH issues almost as much as health professionals (n = 220) and PH associations (n = 201). Most don't reference their sources (n = 821). Posts on communicable diseases have the most likes and comments per post (mean of 172 likes and 3,1 comments). Conclusions Half the Instagram® posts analysed in this study were made by health professionals or organizations. Communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and healthy lifestyles were the most frequent content categories and had the most engagement. The majority of posts didn't reference their sources. Though Instagram® seems to be a potential PH communication tool, further research is needed to confirm its benefits for PH. Key messages Social media platforms like Instagram® are potentially powerful tools for PH communication. There is a need to understand the efficacy of social media as health promotion tools.


Author(s):  
Deborah L Jones ◽  
Ana S Salazar ◽  
Violeta J Rodriguez ◽  
Raymond R Balise ◽  
Claudia Uribe Starita ◽  
...  

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 and HIV disproportionally affect underrepresented ethnoracial groups in the US. Medical mistrust and vaccine hesitancy will likely impact acceptability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. This study examined SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy among underrepresented ethnoracial groups with HIV and identified factors that may reduce vaccine uptake. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults ≥18 years with HIV residing in Miami, FL. Participants were invited to participate in the ACTION (A Comprehensive Translational Initiative on Novel Coronavirus) cohort study. A baseline survey was administered from April-August 2020 and followed by a COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy survey from August-November 2020. The COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy survey was adapted from the Strategic Advisory Group Experts survey. Comparisons by race and ethnicity were performed using the Freedman-Haltmann extension of Fisher’s exact test Results A total of 94 participants were enrolled, mean age 54.4 years, 52% female, 60% Black non-Latinx, and 40% non-Black Latinx. Black non-Latinx participants were less likely to agree that vaccinations are important for health when compared to non-Black Latinx (67.8% vs 92.1%, p=0.009), less likely to agree that vaccines are effective in preventing disease (67.8% vs 84.2%, p=0.029), less likely to believe that vaccine information is reliable and trustworthy (35.7% vs 71.1%, p=0.002), and less likely to believe vaccines were unnecessary because COVID-19 would disappear soon (11% vs 21%, p=0.049). Conclusion Medical mistrust, vaccine hesitancy and negative sentiments about SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are prevalent among underrepresented ethnoracial groups with HIV, particularly Black non-Latinx. Targeted strategies to increase vaccine uptake in this population are warranted.


Author(s):  
Marta Maes-Carballo ◽  
Manuel Martín-Díaz ◽  
Luciano Mignini ◽  
Khalid Saeed Khan ◽  
Rubén Trigueros ◽  
...  

Objectives: To assess shared decision-making (SDM) knowledge, attitude and application among health professionals involved in breast cancer (BC) treatment. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire, sent by several professional societies to health professionals involved in BC management. There were 26 questions which combined demographic and professional data with some items measured on a Likert-type scale. Results: The participation (459/541; 84.84%) and completion (443/459; 96.51%) rates were high. Participants strongly agreed or agreed in 69.57% (16/23) of their responses. The majority stated that they knew of SDM (mean 4.43 (4.36–4.55)) and were in favour of its implementation (mean 4.58 (4.51–4.64)). They highlighted that SDM practice was not adequate due to lack of resources (3.46 (3.37–3.55)) and agreed on policies that improved its implementation (3.96 (3.88–4.04)). The main advantage of SDM for participants was patient satisfaction (38%), and the main disadvantage was the patients’ paucity of knowledge to understand their disease (24%). The main obstacle indicated was the lack of time and resources (40%). Conclusions: New policies must be designed for adequate training of professionals in integrating SDM in clinical practice, preparing them to use SDM with adequate resources and time provided.


Author(s):  
José Andrade Louzado ◽  
Matheus Lopes Cortes ◽  
Márcio Galvão Oliveira ◽  
Vanessa Moraes Bezerra ◽  
Sóstenes Mistro ◽  
...  

Background: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the quality of life of young workers of a Social Work of Industry Unit. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 1270 workers. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire built on the KoBoToolbox platform that included the EUROHIS-QOL eight-item index to assess quality of life. Demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and clinical variables were considered explanatory. The associations were analyzed using the ordinal logistic regression model at a 5% significance level. Results: Men and women had a mean quality of life of 31.1 and 29.4, respectively. Workers that rated their health as “very good” had an odds ratio of 7.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.17–10.81), and those who rated it as “good” had an odds ratio of 2.9 (95% CI = 2.31–3.77). Both these groups of workers were more likely to have higher levels of quality of life as compared to workers with “regular”, “poor”, or “very poor” self-rated health. Physically active individuals were 30% more likely to have higher levels of quality of life (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.08–1.65). After adjusting the model by gender, age group, marital status, socioeconomic class, self-rated health, nutritional status, and risky alcohol consumption, the odds ratio of active individuals remained stable (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.05–1.66). Conclusions: In the present study, self-rated health, physical activity, and gender were associated with young workers’ quality of life.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 566
Author(s):  
Abanoub Riad ◽  
Huthaifa Abdulqader ◽  
Mariana Morgado ◽  
Silvi Domnori ◽  
Michal Koščík ◽  
...  

Background: Acceleration of mass vaccination strategies is the only pathway to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare professionals and students have a key role in shaping public opinion about vaccines. This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes of dental students globally towards COVID-19 vaccines and explore the potential drivers for students’ acceptance levels. Methods: A global cross-sectional study was carried out in February 2021 using an online questionnaire. The study was liaised by the scientific committee of the International Association of Dental Students (IADS), and data were collected through the national and local coordinators of IADS member organizations. The dependent variable was the willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine, and the independent variables included demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related experience, and the drivers of COVID-19 vaccine-related attitude suggested by the WHO SAGE. Results: A total of 6639 students from 22 countries, representing all world regions, responded to the questionnaire properly. Their mean age was 22.1 ± 2.8 (17–40) years, and the majority were females (70.5%), in clinical years (66.8%), and from upper-middle-income economies (45.7%). In general, 22.5% of dental students worldwide were hesitant, and 13.9% rejected COVID-19 vaccines. The students in low- and lower-middle-income (LLMI) economies had significantly higher levels of vaccine hesitancy compared to their peers in upper-middle- and high-income (UMHI) economies (30.4% vs. 19.8%; p < 0.01). Conclusions: The global acceptance level of dental students for COVID-19 vaccines was suboptimal, and their worrisome level of vaccine hesitancy was influenced by the socioeconomic context where the dental students live and study. The media and social media, public figures, insufficient knowledge about vaccines, and mistrust of governments and the pharmaceutical industry were barriers to vaccination. The findings of this study call for further implementation of epidemiology (infectious diseases) education within undergraduate dental curricula.


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