scholarly journals Vaccine Prioritisation Using Bluetooth Exposure Notification Apps

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Penney ◽  
Yigit Yargic ◽  
Lee Smolin ◽  
Edward Thommes ◽  
Madhur Anand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Percolation Theory ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Contact Data ◽  
Total Exposure Time ◽  
Individual Contact

Abstract After vaccinating health care workers and vulnerable groups against COVID-19, authorities will need to decide how to vaccinate everyone else. Prioritising individuals with more contacts can be disproportionately effective, in theory, but identifying these individuals is difficult. Here we show that the technology underlying Bluetooth exposure notification applications, such as used for digital contact tracing, can be leveraged to prioritise vaccination based on individual contact data. Our approach is based on the insight that these apps also act as local sensing devices measuring each user's total exposure time to other users, thereby enabling the implementation of a previously impossible strategy that prioritises potential super-spreaders. Furthermore, by generalising percolation theory and introducing a novel measure of vaccination efficiency, we demonstrate that this ``hot-spotting" strategy can achieve herd immunity with up to half as many vaccines as a non-targeted strategy, and is attractive even for relatively low rates of app usage.

scholarly journals Vaccine Prioritisation Using Bluetooth Exposure Notification Apps

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D Penney ◽  
Yigit Yargic ◽  
Lee Smolin ◽  
Edward W Thommes ◽  
Madhur Anand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Percolation Theory ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Contact Data ◽  
Total Exposure Time ◽  
Individual Contact

After vaccinating health care workers and vulnerable groups against COVID-19, authorities will need to decide how to vaccinate everyone else. Prioritising individuals with more contacts can be disproportionately effective, in theory, but identifying these individuals is difficult. Here we show that the technology underlying Bluetooth exposure notification applications, such as used for digital contact tracing, can be leveraged to prioritise vaccination based on individual contact data. Our approach is based on the insight that these apps also act as local sensing devices measuring each user’s total exposure time to other users, thereby enabling the implementation of a previously impossible strategy that prioritises potential super-spreaders. Furthermore, by generalising percolation theory and introducing a novel measure of vaccination efficiency, we demonstrate that this “hot-spotting” strategy can achieve herd immunity with up to half as many vaccines as a non-targeted strategy, and is attractive even for relatively low rates of app usage.

scholarly journals Challenges to Manage Pandemic of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Iranian Special Situation: A Qualitative Multi-Method Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Khankeh ◽  
Mehrdad Farrokhi ◽  
Juliet Roudini ◽  
Negar Pourvakhshoori ◽  
Shokoufeh Ahmadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Patient Flow ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Care Workers

Abstract BackgroundWith the unprecedented expansion of COVID-19 in the world since December 2019, the Iranian health system like other countries faced various challenges in managing the disease, which led to obtaining numerous experiences and lessons learned. The aim of this study is to identify these challenges, in regard with unique political, economic, and cultural issues which could help to other countries with similar situation.MethodsThe present study was performed using a qualitative multi-method approach with a content analysis method. The data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews and Focused Group Discussions with 60 key persons, policy makers, health care workers and affected people by the disease, and the review of all available national reports between February 21, 2020, and December 22, 2020. The data collection and analysis process took place simultaneously.ResultsIn this study, critical challenges related to the management of COVID-19 in the health system were, including; The limited evidence and scientific controversies, Poor social prevention and social inequalities, Burnout and sustained workload among health care workers, Improper management of resources and equipment, Lack of guideline for case contact tracing and patient-flow, Community mental health problem. ConclusionsAccording to the study, measurements should be taken to conduct a continuous comprehensive risk assessment and develop a national response plan with an emphasis on exact case contact tracing, active screening, patient flow, paying attention to the psychological and social dimensions of the disease and also transparency of social inequalities in the face of risk factors of the COVID-19. And finally, supporting vulnerable groups using community capacity and cooperating international community to provide vaccine which is difficult to procure due to the sanction.

Stress and Anxiety Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Lessons Learnt from a Cohort of Orthopaedic Registrars Redeployed to ITU)

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 303-312
Author(s):  
Joseph Boktor ◽  
Rhodri Gwyn ◽  
Gianluca Gonzi ◽  
Abhijeet Kumar ◽  
Kunal Roy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Intensive Therapy ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Anxiety Management ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Lessons Learnt ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Future Challenges

Background. Working during the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on health care workers. A group of orthopaedic trainees at Royal Gwent Hospital, UK, were redeployed to intensive therapy unit for four weeks during COVID-19 pandemic. This study reviews our experience; focusing on causes of stress and anxiety, and how they were managed. The lessons learnt could be used as a framework for pre-emptive me­asures during future challenges. Material and methods. Orthopaedic registrars were divided into two groups. Seven trainees (Redeployed group) moved to ITU for four weeks to support the critical care team. The other group (Retained group) of eight registrars continued to cover orthopaedic rota. A survey was done for anxiety levels comparing the two groups at three time points during these four weeks. Results. Anxiety and stress in the ITU-redeployed group was comparatively less than the continuing group as time progressed during the redeployment. Conclusions. 1. The disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of massive stress and an­xiety for health care workers. 2. Our experience shows that stress is controllable with the correct strategies. 3. The main points are early identification of vulnerable groups, proper induction, active involvement, adequate explanation, appreciation, good communication, and available psychological support whenever needed. 4. These are essential to maintain a resilient workforce against upcoming waves of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Changes in Alcohol Habits Among Workers During the Confinement of COVID-19: Results of a Canadian Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117822182110332
Author(s):  
Violaine Mongeau-Pérusse ◽  
Elie Rizkallah ◽  
Julie Bruneau ◽  
Denis Chênevert ◽  
Loick Menvielle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Alcohol Craving ◽  
Care Workers

Background: The restrictions implemented around the world to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact workers. Emotional distress and maladaptive behaviors such as alcohol misuse are expected, particularly in vulnerable groups such as front-line health workers. In the present study, we examined if alcohol consumption behaviors in Quebec workers changed during confinement of the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether healthcare workers reported specific patterns of changes. Methods: Data were obtained from an anonymous online survey conducted among adult workers aged ⩾18 years in the province of Quebec, Canada, between May 25, 2020 and June 26, 2020. Participants provided self-reported data regarding sociodemographic including field of work, as well as mental health disorders, alcohol use, alcohol craving, and type of alcohol consumed. Changes in alcohol behaviors were assessed using Wilcoxon signed rank test for categorial variables and paired- t tests for continuous variables. Results: The survey was completed by 847 participants (77.8% women), with 42.5% healthcare workers. Participants reported increased daily alcohol use ( Z = −10.60; P < .001, r = −.372) and alcohol craving ( P < .001, d = 0.485) during the confinement. Only the type of alcohol consumed during the confinement differed between health care workers and other workers (OR = 0.45, P = .003). Health care workers used less high alcohol products during the confinement. Conclusion: Our results show a significant increase in daily alcohol consumption and in alcohol craving during the confinement in the Quebec working population.

scholarly journals Factors influencing health care workers’ implementation of tuberculosis contact tracing in Kweneng, Botswana

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lebapotswe Tlale ◽  
Rosemary Frasso ◽  
Onalenna Kgosiesele ◽  
Mpho Selemogo ◽  
Quirk Mothei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Care Workers

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Niger State

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussaini Majiya ◽  
Mohammed Aliyu-Paiko ◽  
Vincent Tochukwu Balogu ◽  
Dickson Achimugu Musa ◽  
Ibrahim Maikudi Salihu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The State ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic is ongoing, and to know how far the virus has spread in Niger State, Nigeria, a pilot study was carried out to determine the COVID-19 seroprevalence, patterns, dynamics, and risk factors in the state. A cross sectional study design and clustered-stratified-Random sampling strategy were used. COVID-19 IgG and IgM Rapid Test Kits (Colloidal gold immunochromatography lateral flow system) were used to determine the presence or absence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in the blood of sampled participants across Niger State as from 26th June 2020 to 30th June 2020. The test kits were validated using the blood samples of some of the NCDC confirmed positive and negative COVID-19 cases in the State. COVID-19 IgG and IgM Test results were entered into the EPIINFO questionnaire administered simultaneously with each test. EPIINFO was then used for both the descriptive and inferential statistical analyses of the data generated. The seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Niger State was found to be 25.41% and 2.16% for the positive IgG and IgM respectively. Seroprevalence among age groups, gender and by occupation varied widely. A seroprevalence of 37.21% was recorded among health care workers in Niger State. Among age groups, COVID-19 seroprevalence was found to be in order of 30-41 years (33.33%) > 42-53 years (32.42%) > 54-65 years (30%) > 66 years and above (25%) > 6-17 years (19.20%) > 18-29 years (17.65%) > 5 years and below (6.66%). A seroprevalence of 27.18% was recorded for males and 23.17% for females in the state. COVID-19 asymptomatic rate in the state was found to be 46.81%. The risk analyses showed that the chances of infection are almost the same for both urban and rural dwellers in the state. However, health care workers and those that have had contact with person (s) that travelled out of Nigeria in the last six (6) months are twice ( 2 times) at risk of being infected with the virus. More than half (54.59%) of the participants in this study did not practice social distancing at any time since the pandemic started. Discussions about knowledge, practice and attitude of the participants are included. The observed Niger State COVID-19 seroprevalence means that the herd immunity for COVID-19 is yet to be achieved and the population is still susceptible for more infection and transmission of the virus. If the prevalence stays as reported here, the population will definitely need COVID-19 vaccines when they become available. Niger State should fully enforce the use of face/nose masks and observation of social/physical distancing in gatherings including religious gatherings in order to stop or slow the spread of the virus.

scholarly journals CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 VACCINATION DRIVE: THE PERCEPTIONS AND ACCEPTANCE OF VACCINATION AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS

2021 ◽  
pp. 177-181
Author(s):  
KASI VISWANATH ◽  
HIREMATH RN ◽  
SHARANJIT SINGH BASRA ◽  
NIRAJ CHOUREY
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
North India ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Awareness Level

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection evolved as a worst nightmare across entire humanity especially for health care workers along with all stakeholders of the society ever since the beginning of year 2020. Vaccination campaign is one of the most successful public health interventions and a cornerstone for the prevention of communicable infectious diseases. To have a baseline data and to form the basis for further vaccination drive, we carried out this study with an objective to understand the perception and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among health care workers (HCWs). Methods: A correctional study was carried out at one of the multispecialty hospital in North India where COVID-19 vaccination for HCWs was planned and 675 HCWs were taken into the study. Data were collected by means of personal interview using pretested semi-structured questionnaire and Epi Info version 6 was used for analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 32.78 years. Majority were male (89.48%), working in government sector (87.7%) and paramedic (88.15%). While 94.67% were accepting vaccine voluntarily while remaining were not confident enough on their own, only 26.96% were ready to take vaccine even on payment. The overall awareness scores of study participants were calculated and found that 79.56% of them had poor awareness level while only 20.44% had satisfactory awareness level. The association of awareness score was statistically significant with job profile (designation), gender, and prior COVID-19 positivity of study participants. Conclusion: The decision of vaccine prioritization to HCWs and frontline workers will boost the morale and spirit of warriors high in future. This study was a preliminary attempt to check any vaccine hesitancy factors among HCWs and act accordingly. Although almost all had volunteered for vaccine, the knowledge about vaccine was poor in majority of HCWs as the time period was recent to vaccine rollout and detailed research findings were not yet out about vaccine. All measures to be taken including intensive information education and communications activities targeting HCWs and general population on regular basis to upgrade the knowledge on vaccine issues. A strong communicating policy in an era of misinformation is highly recommended as social media plays an important role in spreading true as well as false messages jeopardizing the entire gains of successful vaccination and attainment of herd immunity. HCWs to act as role model for general public and patients which would in turn increase the vaccine acceptance among them.

scholarly journals Analysis of social interactions and risk factors relevant to the spread of infectious diseases at hospitals and nursing homes

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257684
Author(s):  
Frederik Boe Hüttel ◽  
Anne-Mette Iversen ◽  
Marco Bo Hansen ◽  
Bjarne Kjær Ersbøll ◽  
Svend Ellermann-Eriksen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
The Social ◽  
Using Data

Ensuring the safety of healthcare workers is vital to overcome the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We here present an analysis of the social interactions between the healthcare workers at hospitals and nursing homes. Using data from an automated hand hygiene system, we inferred social interactions between healthcare workers to identify transmission paths of infection in hospitals and nursing homes. A majority of social interactions occurred in medication rooms and kitchens emphasising that health-care workers should be especially aware of following the infection prevention guidelines in these places. Using epidemiology simulations of disease at the locations, we found no need to quarantine all healthcare workers at work with a contagious colleague. Only 14.1% and 24.2% of the health-care workers in the hospitals and nursing homes are potentially infected when we disregard hand sanitization and assume the disease is very infectious. Based on our simulations, we observe a 41% and 26% reduction in the number of infected healthcare workers at the hospital and nursing home, when we assume that hand sanitization reduces the spread by 20% from people to people and 99% from people to objects. The analysis and results presented here forms a basis for future research to explore the potential of a fully automated contact tracing systems.

scholarly journals Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in a dengue-endemic region: lessons for the future

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (07) ◽  
pp. 459-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farheen Ali ◽  
Taimur Saleem ◽  
Umair Khalid ◽  
Syed Faisal Mehmood ◽  
Bushra Jamil
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Care Workers

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are endemic in Pakistan. However, the overlap of geographic distribution and early clinical features between the two conditions make a reliable diagnosis difficult in the initial stage of illness. A 16-year-old boy presented with a history of hematemesis and high-grade fever. A preliminary diagnosis of dengue hemorrhagic fever was made and supportive treatment was instituted; however, the patient continued to deteriorate clinically. Dengue IgM antibody testing was negative on the third day of admission. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction test for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viral RNA was sent but the patient expired shortly after the results became available on the sixth day of admission. Considerable resources had to be expended on contact tracing and administration of ribavirin prophylaxis to all the health-care workers who had come in contact with the patient. It is crucial that Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever be recognized and treated at an early stage because of longer term financial and health implications for contacts such as health-care workers in the setting of a developing country. Increased surveillance of dengue and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever cases is warranted for the derivation of reasonably reliable, cost-effective and prompt predictors of disease diagnosis. These predictors can help guide future decisions in the management of similar cases. Ultimately, such a strategy may translate into better cost containment in resource-poor settings. Institution of ribavirin prophylaxis in selected patients also merits consideration.

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