COVID-19 Vaccine Perception in South Korea: A Web-Crawling Approach (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hocheol Lee ◽  
Eun Bi Noh ◽  
Sung Jong Park ◽  
Hae-Kweun Nam ◽  
Tae Ho Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
World Health ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Web Crawling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Perception

BACKGROUND The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization emphasized vaccination against the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) because physical distancing proved inadequate to mitigate death, illness, and massive economic loss. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean citizens’ perceptions of vaccines by examining their views on COVID-19, their positive and negative perceptions of each vaccine, and ways to enhance policies to increase vaccine acceptance. METHODS This cross-sectional study analyzed posts on NAVER and Instagram to examine Korean citizens’ acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines. The keywords searched were “vaccine,” “AstraZeneca,” and “Pfizer.” In total 8,100 posts in NAVER and 5,291 posts in Instagram were sampled through web crawling. Morphology analysis was performed, overlapping or meaningless words were removed, sentiment analysis was implemented, and three public health professionals reviewed the results. RESULTS The findings revealed a negative perception of COVID-19 vaccines; of the words crawled, the proportion of negative words for AstraZeneca was 71.0% and for Pfizer was 56.3%. Moreover, 70.5% considered Pfizer safe, while 30.4% thought AstraZeneca safe. Among words crawled with “vaccine,” “good” ranked first, with a frequency of 312 (13.4%). Meanwhile, “side effect” ranked highest, with a frequency of 163 (18.4%) for “AstraZeneca,” but 0.6%. for “Pfizer.” With “vaccine,” positive words were more frequently used, whereas with “AstraZeneca” and “Pfizer” negative words were prevalent. CONCLUSIONS There is a negative perception of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines in Korea, with one in four people refusing vaccination. To address this, accurate information needs to be shared about vaccines including AstraZeneca, and the experiences of those vaccinated. Furthermore, government communication about risk management is required to increase the AstraZeneca vaccination rate for herd immunity before the vaccine expires.

scholarly journals Demographic study of dogs in rural and urban areas in Umuahia; a step towards eradication of rabies

2021 ◽  
pp. 62-66
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Rabies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Canine Rabies ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas

Dog-mediated human rabies remains a major public health threat in Nigeria. The availability of reliable dog population estimates is the key in planning control strategies for canine rabies in developing countries. This study was conducted to evaluate the demography of dogs in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. A cross sectional study was carried out in Umuahia North and Umuahia south, Local Government areas (LGA) Abia state, Nigeria, between September and November 2019. A total of 132 compounds in Umuahia North and 186 compounds in Umuahia South were randomly selected for administration of questionnaires. A total of 159 questionnaires were distributed for compound dog count. Information obtained included household information such as numbers of dogs in the premises, housing and control of dog movement. Others were history of dog bites and individual dog information such as breed, sex, age, source of dog, source of food and vaccination status. Two hundred and fifty-seven (257) dogs were counted which comprised 126 (49%) males and 131 (51%) females. Also, 46.3% of the dogs were confined. The dog vaccination coverage in the dog population surveyed was 47.9%. Majority of the respondents (83.3%) stated that no member of their family has been bitten by a dog. The findings of this study show female: male ratio of dog to be 1.04:1. There was negligent dog ownership as a good number of dogs were left to roam. There was a low anti-rabies vaccination coverage in Umuahia North and Umuahia South LGAs which falls below recommendation of 70-80% vaccination coverage by the World Health Organization to achieve herd immunity. Keywords: Demography, dog, Nigeria, rabies, Umuahia.

scholarly journals New Caledonian biology teachers’ opinions about vaccination: Preliminary findings

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 594-606
Author(s):  
Stephane Frayon
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Biology Teachers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Electronic Survey

Objective: Vaccine hesitancy is increasing worldwide and the World Health Organisation has declared it to be one of the 10 threats for global health in 2019. Lack of confidence in vaccines and fear of side effects seem to be the key reasons. Education may help restore confidence, and middle and high school biology teachers may have a particularly powerful role in countering vaccine hesitancy. The aim of this study was to compare biology teachers’ opinions about vaccination with those of other teachers. Design: Cross-sectional study. Method: An electronic survey was sent to middle and high school teachers in New Caledonia. A total of 280 participants were recruited: 110 biology teachers and 170 teachers of other subjects. Attitudes about three common vaccine controversies were measured using Likert-type scales. Results were analysed using multiple logistic regression. Results: Biology teachers showed greater confidence in their knowledge about vaccines than other teachers. In general, their opinions agreed more with scientific knowledge than those of the other teachers, despite some disparities depending on their specific sub-specialty. Highest university qualification obtained was not correlated with the opinions expressed about vaccines. Conclusion: Biology teachers may be better able to restore confidence about vaccines than other teachers. Additional training and information are needed however to allow them to transmit accurate information about vaccines to adolescents.

scholarly journals Seroprotection rates of vaccine-preventable diseases among newly arrived Eritrean asylum seekers in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelia Staehelin ◽  
Afona Chernet ◽  
Véronique Sydow ◽  
Rein J Piso ◽  
Franziska Suter-Riniker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Abstract Background According to 2016 World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund country estimates, Eritrea has overall high vaccination coverage with immunization rates for three doses of diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis and polio vaccine of 95%, for two doses measles vaccine of 85% and for three doses hepatitis B vaccine of 85%. If confirmed, this could imply that routine basic vaccination of newly arrived Eritreans could be safely omitted. Methods We used stored serum samples from two cross-sectional studies that screened newly arrived Eritrean refugees for infectious diseases. Consenting refugees aged 16 years and older who registered in one of three neighbouring cantons in northwestern Switzerland were enrolled between January 2016 and December 2017. Antibody titers against the following vaccine-preventable diseases were measured (applied thresholds for seroprotection in brackets): diphtheria (>0.1 IU/ml), tetanus (>0.1 IU/ml), measles (>150 mIU/ml), rubella (only for women, >11 IU/ml), varicella (>50 mIU/ml), hepatitis B [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) Index >0.9, Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) Index >0.9 and antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) >10 IE/L]. Differences between sex and age groups (≤25 and >25 years) were measured by Fisher’s exact test. Results We analysed samples of 133 study participants (20 women, 15%) with a median age of 25 years (range 16–61). Rates of seropositivity were as follows for women/men, respectively: diphtheria 57.9%/74.8% (difference non-significant), tetanus 94.8%/41.1% (P < 0.001), measles 73.7%/76.6% (non-significant), rubella in women 78.9%, varicella 89.5%/95.3% (non-significant), anti-HBc 15.8%/26.2% (non-significant) and anti-HBs 15.8%/17.8% (non-significant). Conclusion Seroprevalence for vaccine-preventable infections did not meet levels required to confer herd immunity in any of the human-to-human transmissible diseases that were studied. In general, the strategy proposed by the Federal Office of Public Health to offer basic immunization to all newly arrived refugees, including newly arriving Eritrean refugees, is justified.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitudes and Uptake Related to Influenza Vaccine Among Healthcare Workers in Tunisia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Cherif ◽  
Ghassen Kharroubi ◽  
Leila Bouabid ◽  
Adel Gharbi ◽  
Aicha Boukthir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
World Health ◽  
High Educational Level ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background:The influenza vaccine (IV) is considered the most effective strategy to prevent seasonal influenza infection and annual vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended by the World Health Organization given their high mixing with patients. We assessed IV uptake among HCWs in the 2018-2019 season and explored their knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza immunization.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in 150 representative Tunisian health facilities from March to May 2019. We recruited 1,231 HCWs with direct patient contact using self-weighted multistage sampling. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses permitted to assess the factors associated with IV uptake in the 2018­–2019 influenza season. Results:Among 1,231 health professionals enrolled in this study, less than half (36.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.9-39.4) received the IV at least once in their lives and only 15.3% (CI: 13.3-17.4) were vaccinated against influenza in the 2018–2019 influenza season. High confidence regarding IV efficacy, belief about the mandatory character of influenza vaccination for HCWs, and IV uptake in the 4 years preceding the 2018­–2019 influenza season were independently associated with higher IV uptake by multivariate analysis. However, participants with high educational level were less likely to receive the IV than those with the lowest educational level. Conclusions:Our study revealed a low vaccination rate among Tunisian HCWs confirming the importance of tailored education programs targeting this population.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes and uptake related to influenza vaccine among healthcare workers during the 2018–2019 influenza season in Tunisia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ines Cherif ◽  
Ghassen Kharroubi ◽  
Leila Bouabid ◽  
Adel Gharbi ◽  
Aicha Boukthir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
World Health ◽  
High Educational Level ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background The influenza vaccine (IV) is considered the most effective strategy to prevent seasonal influenza infection and annual vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended by the World Health Organization given their high mixing with patients. We assessed IV uptake among HCWs in the 2018–2019 season and explored their knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza immunization. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 150 representative Tunisian health facilities from March to May 2019. We recruited 1231 HCWs with direct patient contact using self-weighted multistage sampling. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses permitted to assess the factors associated with IV uptake in the 2018–2019 influenza season. Results Among 1231 health professionals enrolled in this study, less than half (36.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.9–39.4) received the IV at least once in their lives and only 15.3% (CI: 13.3–17.4) were vaccinated against influenza in the 2018–2019 influenza season. High confidence regarding IV efficacy, belief about the mandatory character of influenza vaccination for HCWs, and IV uptake in the 4 years preceding the 2018–2019 influenza season were independently associated with higher IV uptake by multivariate analysis. However, participants with high educational level were less likely to receive the IV than those with the lowest educational level. Conclusions Our study revealed a low vaccination rate among Tunisian HCWs confirming the importance of tailored education programs targeting this population.

Breakfast Skipping Is an Independent Predictor of Obesity but not Overweight Among Children in a Southeastern European Population

2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 242-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genc Burazeri ◽  
Jolanda Hyska ◽  
Iris Mone ◽  
Enver Roshi
Keyword(s):  
Task Force ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
European Population ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Communist Country ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Breakfast Skipping

Abstract.Aim: To assess the association of breakfast skipping with overweight and obesity among children in Albania, a post-communist country in the Western Balkans, which is undergoing a long and difficult political and socioeconomic transition towards a market-oriented economy. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was carried out in Albania in 2013 including a representative sample of 5810 children aged 7.0 – 9.9 years (49.5% girls aged 8.4 ± 0.6 years and 51.5% boys aged 8.5 ± 0.6 years; overall response rate: 97%). Children were measured for height and weight, and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Cut-off BMI values of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) were used to define overweight and obesity in children. Demographic data were also collected. Results: Upon adjustment for age, sex, and place of residence, breakfast skipping was positively related to obesity (WHO criteria: OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.3–1.9; IOTF criteria: OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.5), but not overweight (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.3 and OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.9–1.4, respectively). Furthermore, breakfast skipping was associated with a higher BMI (multivariable-adjusted OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02–1.07). Conclusions: Our findings point to a strong and consistent positive relationship between breakfast skipping and obesity, but not overweight, among children in this transitional southeastern European population. Future studies in Albania and other transitional settings should prospectively examine the causal role of breakfast skipping in the development of overweight and obesity.

MORBIDITY PATTERN AMONG ADOLESCENT SCHOOL GIRLS IN RURAL AND URBAN SCHOOL OF JHANSI (U.P.)- A COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubhanshu Gupta ◽  
Sanjeev Kumar ◽  
Piyush D Swami ◽  
Anjana Niranjan
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
World Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rural And Urban

Background: According to World Health Organization, adolescents constitute about one fifth of the world population, and in India they constitute about 21% of the total population. Most of the surveys show that health status of adolescent girls is at sub-optimal level. Objectives: To assess nutritional status and morbidity pattern among the adolescent girls and to suggest measures for improvement of health status of adolescent girls.  Method: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 adolescent schoolgirls in Rural and urban field practice area of Jhansi school from January 2017 to July 2014. Results: Among the various morbidities eye problem was seen in maximum no of adolescent girls. Eye problem was present in 44.8% of adolescent girls followed by respiratory 14.7% and ear 13.06% disease. Skin disease was present in 3.2% of adolescent girls, which was more in rural girls 6.7% than in urban girls 1.7%, may be due to better hygienic practice in urban schoolgirls. Conclusions: Rural background, low socioeconomic status, illiteracy, birth rate and order, income and number of members in a family have shown to be significant determinants of morbidity pattern in the adolescent girls. Keywords: Adolescent, anemia, morbidity, vaginal discharge.

Evaluation of Drug Use Based on WHO Prescribing Indicator in Mizan- Tepi University Teaching Hospital, south Western Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Hambisa ◽  
Rediet Feleke ◽  
Ameha Zewudie ◽  
Mohammed Yimam
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Organization

Background:: Rational drug use comprises aspects of prescribing, dispensing and patient use of medicines for different health problems. This study is aimed to assess drug prescribing practice based on the world health organization prescribing indicators in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Methods:: An institutional based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate prescribing practices in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Data were collected based on World health organization drug use indicators using prescription papers. 600 prescriptions dispensed through the general outpatient pharmacy of the hospital were collected by systematic random sampling method from prescriptions written for a 1-year time in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Results:: The present study found that the average number of drugs per prescription was 2.04 ± 0.87 in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital with a range between 1 and 5. Prescribing by generic name was 97.6 % and 47.8% of prescriptions contained antibiotics in the hospital. 27.7% of prescriptions contained at least one injectable medication in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. From prescribed drugs, 96.7% of them were prescribed from Ethiopian essential drug list. Conclusion:: Present study indicated that the average number of drugs prescribed per encounter, the percentage of generic prescribing and prescribing from the EDL were close to optimal value. However, the percentage of encounters with antibiotics and injections prescribed were found be very high. Thus, the study highlights some improvements in prescribing habits, particularly by focusing on the inappropriate consumption of antibiotics and injections.

scholarly journals The impact of coronavirus outbreak on breastfeeding guidelines among Brazilian hospitals and maternity services: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Walusa Assad Gonçalves-Ferri ◽  
◽  
Fábia Martins Pereira-Cellini ◽  
Kelly Coca ◽  
Davi Casale Aragon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Breastfeeding Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Maternity Services ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Skin Contact ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The World Health Organization recognizes exclusive breastfeeding a safe source of nutrition available for children in most humanitarian emergencies, as in the current pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the Brazilian national guideline protecting breastfeeding practices, there are many concerns about protecting infants from their infected mothers. This study aimed to analyze how the Brazilian hospitals and maternity services promote and support mothers suspected or diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional and multicenter study which collected data from 24 Brazilian hospitals and maternity services between March and July 2020. Representatives of the institutions completed a questionnaire based on acts to promote and support breastfeeding, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and Brazil’s federal law recommendations. Results The results showed that in delivery rooms, 98.5% of the services prohibited immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their infants and did not support mothers to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour. On the postnatal ward, 98.5% of the services allowed breastfeeding while implementing respiratory hygiene practices to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Companions for mothers were forbidden in 83.3% of the hospitals. Hospital discharge was mostly between 24 and 28 h (79.1%); discharge guidelines were not individualized. Additionally, a lack of support was noticed from the home environment’s health community network (83.3%). Hospital and home breast pumping were allowed (87.5%), but breast milk donation was not accepted (95.8%). There was a lack of guidance regarding the use of infant comforting strategies. Guidelines specific for vulnerable populations were not covered in the material evaluated. Conclusions In Brazil, hospitals have not followed recommendations to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding during the COVID-19 outbreak. The disagreement between international guidelines has been a major issue. The absence of recommendations on breastfeeding support during the pandemic led to difficulties in developing standards among hospitals in different regions of Brazil and other countries worldwide. The scientific community needs to discuss how to improve maternal and infant care services to protect breastfeeding in the current pandemic.

scholarly journals The Utilization of Protective Face Masks among Polish Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic: Do We Pass the Exam?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 841
Author(s):  
Radomir Reszke ◽  
Łukasz Matusiak ◽  
Piotr K. Krajewski ◽  
Marta Szepietowska ◽  
Rafał Białynicki-Birula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Medical Profession ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Internet Survey ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Who Criteria ◽  
The Face ◽  
Health Organization

Relevant personal protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic include face masks, possibly decreasing the risk of infection among the general population and healthcare workers (HCW) if utilized properly. The aim of the study was to assess whether different Polish HCW utilize face masks according to the 2020 World Health Organization guidance (WHO) criteria. This cross-sectional study included 1156 respondents who participated in an internet survey evaluating mask-related behaviors. All the WHO criteria were complied with by 1.4% of participants, regardless of medical profession, specialty or place of employment. HCW mostly adhered to criterion 1 (C1; strict covering of the face and mouth with the mask; 90.8%), C4 (washing/disinfecting the hands after touching/taking off the mask; 49%) and C3 (taking off the mask properly without touching the anterior surface; 43.4%), whereas C2 (avoidance of touching the mask with hands) was complied with least commonly (6.8%). HCW with mask-induced itch (31.6%) complied to C2 less often (odds ratio 0.53; p = 0.01). The study reveals that Polish HCW rarely adhere to all the 2020 WHO guidance criteria on the use of masks, whereas the adherence to particular criteria is variable and may be associated with the presence of skin-related conditions and other factors. Better compliance with the recommendations in the future is necessary to increase personal safety of HCW and prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

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