scholarly journals Assessment of influence of social media and peer groups on increasing the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy in India: a prospective cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaitanya Devulapalli ◽  
Swarna Priya B ◽  
Yugapriya M ◽  
Tharun Kanduri ◽  
Heeba Begum J ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Peer Groups ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Control

Abstract Since March 11, 2020, when the World Health Organization proclaimed the fast spread of SARS-CoV-2 a worldwide pandemic, the majority of afflicted nations have continued to adopt non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs, such as physical separation, hand cleanliness, and mask usage), which have been effective in suppressing viral transmission. However, given the fast spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the outbreak's high fatality rate, it is generally agreed that a safe and effective vaccine is essential for controlling the pandemic. Vaccination coverage is one of the most effective and cost-efficient health interventions available for the prevention and control of infectious illnesses, including the COVID-19. While producing an effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine is not straightforward, it's manufacturing, storage, distribution, and administration may offer additional difficulties, particularly in underdeveloped nations. The purpose of the present study sought to determine the general population's acceptability, the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy, and the influence of social media and peer groups towards the COVID19 vaccination in India.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of COVID-19 Pandemic in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria- The Initial Experience

2021 ◽  
pp. 27-37
Author(s):  
E. K. Mgbe ◽  
C. G. Mgbe ◽  
S. N. Ezeofor ◽  
J. F. Etiki
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The World ◽  
Enugu State ◽  
Health Organization

Background: The world is experiencing a global corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic. As of 9th June 2020, over 7 million confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and more than 400,000 deaths had been reported in more than 30 countries of the world according to World Health Organization. Aim: We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and vulnerability perception of Enugu state residents during the coronavirus outbreak in order to facilitate better health care outcomes. Methodology: A prospective Web-based cross-sectional survey was designed for this study which was conducted in March 2020 among Enugu state residents. The obtained data were coded, validated, and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences SPSS software, version 24. Descriptive analysis was applied to calculate the frequencies and proportions and Chi-Square Test was also used. A preliminary phase was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of the questionnaire before its use.  Results: The study showed that significant number (99.6%) of the respondents had heard about Covid-19 and the most stated source of knowledge was social media (57.6%), followed by Newspaper and television shows (50.2%) while the least was from General Practitioner (GP) (8.9%). There was over 75% agreement with, and practice, of all known covid precautionary measures and less than 35% responses for wrong claims and practices about covid -19. Conclusion: The overall knowledge, attitude, and perception are high in Enugu state population although few still has background combined superstitious believes. Social media and internet are the highest used facility for acquisition of knowledge and information in Enugu, Nigeria.

scholarly journals Intention to Be Vaccinated for COVID-19 among Italian Nurses during the Pandemic

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 500
Author(s):  
Marco Trabucco Aurilio ◽  
Francesco Saverio Mennini ◽  
Simone Gazzillo ◽  
Laura Massini ◽  
Matteo Bolcato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Female Sex

Background: While the COVID-19 pandemic has spread globally, health systems are overwhelmed by both direct and indirect mortality from other treatable conditions. COVID-19 vaccination was crucial to preventing and eliminating the disease, so vaccine development for COVID-19 was fast-tracked worldwide. Despite the fact that vaccination is commonly recognized as the most effective approach, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccine hesitancy is a global health issue. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of nurses in four different regions in Italy between 20 and 28 December 2020 to obtain data on the acceptance of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccination in order to plan specific interventions to increase the rate of vaccine coverage. Results: A total of 531 out of the 5000 nurses invited completed the online questionnaire. Most of the nurses enrolled in the study (73.4%) were female. Among the nurses, 91.5% intended to accept vaccination, whereas 2.3% were opposed and 6.2% were undecided. Female sex and confidence in vaccine efficacy represent the main predictors of vaccine intention among the study population using a logistic regression model, while other factors including vaccine safety concerns (side effects) were non-significant. Conclusions: Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, intention to be vaccinated was suboptimal among nurses in our sample. We also found a significant number of people undecided as to whether to accept the vaccine. Contrary to expectations, concerns about the safety of the vaccine were not found to affect the acceptance rate; nurses’ perception of vaccine efficacy and female sex were the main influencing factors on attitudes toward vaccination in our sample. Since the success of the COVID-19 immunization plan depends on the uptake rate, these findings are of great interest for public health policies. Interventions aimed at increasing employee awareness of vaccination efficacy should be promoted among nurses in order to increase the number of vaccinated people.

scholarly journals Home Based Management of Uncomplicated P. falciparum Malaria in Children Below Five Years in Delta State

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Edjophe Arute ◽  
Valentine Uche Odili
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
World Health ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
African Child ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Choice Of Therapy

Background: The world health organization (WHO) estimates that every 45 seconds an African child dies of malaria while several others lay ill. Also, studies have shown that home-based management of malaria could improve prompt access to antimalarial medications for African children. Objective: This study aimed at assessing the home based management practices among care givers of children below five years in Delta State. Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey used to assess the home based management practices of malaria in children under age five. 459 consenting Caregivers of children under five (6 to 59 months) were purposively selected from different churches during Sundays and Wednesdays midweek services through balloting from two communities in Central and North Senatorial Districts of Delta State (Oghara and Obiaruku). Prior to the commencement of the study, the caregivers were thoroughly counselled on the objectives of the study, and a pretested structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used for administration in English, Urhobo and Ukwuani languages. Results: The study revealed that 86.93% respondents have good knowledge of malaria, and 60% commenced treatment within 24hrs. It also showed that 58.4% preferred anti-malarial combination therapies with arthemether-lumefantrine combination accounting for 34.0% drug options. Drug sources for home based malaria management were mainly from Pharmacy 40.5%, Drug sellers such as chemist 55.1% while information sources on choice of therapy and dosage were mainly from chemist 32.7%; health personnel 25.7%; neighbours 7.5% and self-based on previous experience 36.6%. Conclusion: The study revealed very good knowledge of malaria and good management practices as well as good treatment seeking behaviours amongst the caregivers.

scholarly journals The Relation Between Official WhatsApp-Distributed COVID-19 News Exposure and Psychological Symptoms: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean C J Liu ◽  
Eddie M W Tong
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factor ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
World Health ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Health Organization

BACKGROUND In a global pandemic, digital technology offers innovative methods to disseminate public health messages. As an example, the messenger app WhatsApp was adopted by both the World Health Organization and government agencies to provide updates on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). During a time when rumors and excessive news threaten psychological well-being, these services allow for rapid transmission of information and may boost resilience. OBJECTIVE In this study, we sought to accomplish the following: (1) assess well-being during the pandemic; (2) replicate prior findings linking exposure to COVID-19 news with psychological distress; and (3) examine whether subscription to an official WhatsApp channel can mitigate this risk. METHODS Across 8 weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak (March 7 to April 21, 2020), we conducted a survey of 1145 adults in Singapore. As the primary outcome measure, participants completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). As predictor variables, participants also answered questions pertaining to the following: (1) their exposure to COVID-19 news; (2) their use of the Singapore government’s WhatsApp channel; and (3) their demographics. RESULTS Within the sample, 7.9% of participants had severe or extremely severe symptoms on at least one DASS-21 subscale. Depression scores were associated with increased time spent receiving COVID-19 updates, whereas use of the official WhatsApp channel emerged as a protective factor (<i>b</i>=–0.07, <i>t</i>[863]=–2.04, <i>P</i>=.04). Similarly, increased anxiety scores were associated with increased exposure to both updates and rumors, but this risk was mitigated by trust in the government’s WhatsApp messages (<i>b</i>=–0.05, <i>t</i>[863]=–2.13, <i>P</i>=.03). Finally, although stress symptoms increased with the amount of time spent receiving updates, these symptoms were not significantly related to WhatsApp use. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that messenger apps may be an effective medium for disseminating pandemic-related information, allowing official agencies to reach a broad sector of the population rapidly. In turn, this use may promote public well-being amid an “infodemic.” CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04305574; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04305574

scholarly journals Prices, Availability and Affordability of Medicines with Value-Added Tax Exemption: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the Philippines

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 5242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizzia Lambojon ◽  
Jie Chang ◽  
Amna Saeed ◽  
Khezar Hayat ◽  
Pengchao Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Value Added ◽  
Access To Medicines ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Unit Price ◽  
World Health ◽  
Value Added Tax ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Universal Healthcare ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Developing countries, such as the Philippines, started implementing policies to improve access to medicines, which is a vital step toward universal healthcare coverage. This study aimed to evaluate the prices, availability and affordability of prescribed medicines for diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension with the exemption of 12% value-added tax in the Philippines. Methods: The prices and availability of 50 medicines were collected in August 2019 from 36 public and 42 private medicine outlets in six regions of the Philippines, following a modified methodology developed by the World Health Organization and Health Action International. Availability is reported as the percentage of outlets in which the surveyed medicine was found at the time of visit. Medicine prices are expressed as median unit prices (MUPs) in Philippine Peso. Affordability is calculated based on the number of days’ wages required for the lowest-paid unskilled government worker to purchase a monthly treatment. Results: The mean availability of surveyed medicines was low in both public and private sectors, with 1.3% for originator brands (OBs) and 25.0% for lowest-priced generics (LPGs) in public outlets, and 34.7% and 35.4% in private outlets, respectively. The MUP of medicines were higher in private outlets, and OBs have higher unit price compared to the generic equivalents. Treatments with OBs were unaffordable, except for gliclazide, but the affordability of most LPGs is generally good. Conclusion: Access to medicines in both sectors was affected by low availability. High prices of OBs influenced the affordability of medicines even with tax exemption. A review of policies and regulations should be initiated for a better access to medicines in the Philippines.

PREDICTORS OF MALE CIRCUMCISION AMONG MEN AGED 15–35 YEARS IN HARARE, ZIMBABWE

2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-211
Author(s):  
Kudzaishe Mangombe ◽  
Ishumael Kalule-Sabiti
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Male Circumcision ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Male Circumcision ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Health Organization

SummaryMedical male circumcision has been recommended by the World Health Organization as part of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention. Zimbabwe is one of the fourteen sub-Saharan countries that embarked on the Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) programme. However, the country has not yet met male circumcision targets. This paper examines the predictors of male circumcision in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 784 men aged 15–35 years in Harare, Zimbabwe. Negative log-log logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of male circumcision. The main predictors of circumcision were age, employment status, ever tested for HIV, approval of HIV testing prior to circumcision, knowledge about male circumcision and attitudes towards male circumcision. By and large, participants had good knowledge about male circumcision and viewed HIV prevention with a reasonably positive attitude. The identification of these predictors can be used to scale up the demand for male circumcision in Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals Managing Cancer Pain - Simple Rules, Major Benefits

2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 180-180
Author(s):  
Dwight E Moulin
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Opioid Analgesic ◽  
Good News ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Developed World

In the developed world, approximately one in three individuals will be diagnosed with cancer and one-half of those will die of progressive disease (1). At least 75% of patients with cancer develop pain before death. It is therefore not surprising that pain is one of the most feared consequences of cancer for both patients and families (2). The good news is that cancer pain can be controlled with relatively simple means in more than 80% of cases based on guidelines from the World Health Organization (3). Mild pain can be treated with acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Step 1 of the analgesic ladder). Moderate pain requires the addition of a 'minor' opioid such as codeine (Step 2), and severe pain mandates the use of a major opioid analgesic such as morphine (Step 3). In this issue of Pain Research & Management, Gallagher et al (pages 188-194) highlight some of the barriers to adequate cancer pain management based on a cross-sectional survey of British Columbian physicians. The survey response rate of 69% attests to the validity of their findings.

scholarly journals Population perception of mandatory childhood vaccination programme before its implementation, France, 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Mathieu ◽  
Arnaud Gautier ◽  
Jocelyn Raude ◽  
Thomas Goronflot ◽  
Titouan Launay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Opinion ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
French Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Vaccines For Children

Background Vaccination policy in France was previously characterised by the coexistence of eight recommended and three mandatory vaccinations for children younger than 2 years old. These 11 vaccines are now mandatory for all children born after 1 January 2018. Aim To study the French population’s opinion about this new policy and to assess factors associated with a positive opinion during this changing phase. Methods A cross-sectional survey about vaccination was conducted from 16 November–19 December 2017 among the GrippeNet.fr cohort. Data were weighted for age, sex and education according to the French population. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with a favourable opinion on mandatory vaccines’ extension and defined in the ‘3Cs’ model by the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts working group on vaccine hesitancy. Results Of the 3,222 participants (response rate 50.5%) and after adjustment, 64.5% agreed with the extension of mandatory vaccines. It was considered a necessary step by 68.7% of the study population, while 33.8% considered it unsafe for children and 56.9% saw it as authoritarian. Factors associated with a positive opinion about the extension of mandatory vaccines were components of the confidence, complacency and convenience dimensions of the ‘3Cs’ model. Conclusions In our sample, two thirds of the French population was in favour of the extension of mandatory vaccines for children. Perception of vaccine safety and benefits were major predictors for positive and negative opinions about this new policy.

scholarly journals Vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccination attitudes during the start of COVID-19 vaccination program: a content analysis on Twitter data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hüseyin Küçükali ◽  
Ömer Ataç ◽  
Ayşe Zülal Tokaç ◽  
Ayşe Seval Palteki ◽  
Osman Erol Hayran
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Content Analysis Method ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Vaccine hesitation, which is defined as one of the most important global health threats by World Health Organization, maintains its universal importance during the COVID-19 period. Due to the increasing appearance of anti-vaccine arguments on social media, Twitter is a useful resource in detecting these contents. In this study, we aimed to identify the prominent themes about vaccine hesitancy and refusal on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this qualitative study we collected Twitter contents which contain a vaccine-related keywords and published publicly between 9/12/2020 and 8/1/2021 (n=551,245). A stratified random sample (n=1041) is selected and analyzed by four researchers with content analysis method. Results: All tweets included in the study were shared from 1,000 unique accounts of which 2.7% were verified and 11.3% organizational users. 90.5% of the tweets were about vaccines, 22.6% (n=213) of the tweets mentioned at least one COVID-19 vaccine name and the most frequently mentioned COVID-19 vaccine was CorronaVac (51.2%). Yet, it was mostly as "Chinese vaccine" (42.3%). 22.0% (n=207) of the tweets included at least one anti-vaccination theme. Among tweets that included an anti-vaccination theme; poor scientific processes (21.7%), conspiracy theories (16.4%), and suspicions towards manufacturers (15.5%) were the most frequently mentioned themes. The most co-occurred themes were "Poor scientific process" theme come along with "suspicion towards manufacturers" (n=9) and "suspicion towards health authorities" (n=5). Conclusions: This study may be helpful for health managers to identify the major concerns of the population and organize the preventive measures, through the significant role of social media on early information about vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccination attitudes.

scholarly journals Knowledge and attitude of dental professionals toward COVID-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 277-284
Author(s):  
Darshan Devang Divakar ◽  
Shruti Basavaraj Nimbeni ◽  
Abdulaziz A. Al-Kheraif ◽  
Aftab Ahmed Khan ◽  
Sachin Naik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Dental Professionals

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a life-threatening global pandemic. The dental profession is considered a high-risk group in the transmission of the responsible virus. Objective To assess the knowledge and attitude among dental professionals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of dental graduates, interns, postgraduates, and dental faculty from May to July 2020. A standardized questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge and attitude of 650 participants. The questionnaire comprised 14 questions to assess general knowledge about COVID-19, 11 questions regarding knowledge about prevention of COVID-19 in dental practice, and 10 questions regarding the attitude toward preventing COVID-19. Results Among the study population, only 376 (57.8%) knew the causative virus for COVID-19. Only 425 (65.3%) knew about rinsing the mouth with an antimicrobial solution or 1% hydrogen peroxide before the dental procedure. Regarding the hand hygiene guidelines, 357 (54.9%) had knowledge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and 377 (58.0%) about World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. At the time of our survey, 72% of the participants showed sufficient knowledge, while 28% had low or insufficient knowledge about COVID-19. Conclusion While there was a lack of knowledge among dental professionals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia about COVID-19, there was an excellent positive attitude toward preventing disease. Greater awareness is needed to control the spread of this disease.

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