scholarly journals The Moral Calm Before the Storm: How a Theory of Moral Calms Explains the Covid-Related Increase in Parents’ Refusal of Vaccines for Children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica McCrory Calarco
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Moral Panics ◽  
Vaccine Refusal ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Vaccines For Children ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns ◽  
Related Increase

In this study, I ask why, despite historically high rates of participation in childhood vaccination campaigns, large numbers of US parents are now planning to refuse or delay getting Covid-19 vaccines for their children. Combining insights from the theory of moral panics with pre-pandemic research on parents who refuse vaccines, I argue that to understand the high levels of concern about Covid-19 vaccines for children, we need a theory of “moral calms.” Drawing on interviews with 80 mothers of young children whose vaccine decisions I have tracked since 2018, I find that early public health and media messaging created a “moral calm” around children and Covid-19. These messages led many mothers—particularly mothers who perceived their families as “naturally healthy”—to see their children as being at low risk of contracting, transmitting, and suffering serious consequences from Covid-19. As a result, many mothers came to see Covid-19 vaccines as unnecessary, even if they had previously vaccinated their children. Seeing vaccines as unnecessary then made mothers more susceptible to misinformation about Covid-19 vaccine risks and ultimately weakened their desire to vaccinate their children as soon as possible. I conclude that moral calms can, ironically, lay the groundwork for moral panics. By weakening people’s concerns about a larger threat, they facilitate efforts to raise concerns about other smaller or nonexistent threats. I discuss how the theory of moral calms may help to explain other moral panics, and I consider the implications of these findings for efforts to reduce or prevent vaccine refusal.

scholarly journals Streptococcus pyogenes vulvovaginitis in children in Nottingham

1991 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Donald ◽  
R. C. B. Slack ◽  
G. Colman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Streptococcus Pyogenes ◽  
Public Health Laboratory ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Vaginal Swabs ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Winter Peak ◽  
The Common

SUMMARYIsolates of Streptococcus pyogenes from vaginal swabs of children with vulvovaginitis received at Nottingham Public Health Laboratory during 1986–9 were studied. A total of 159 isolates was made during the 4 years, increasing from 17 in 1986 to 64 in 1989 and accounting for 11% of all vaginal swabs received from children. The numbers of throat swabs yielding S. pyogenes also showed an increase from 974 in 1986 to 1519 in 1989. A winter peak of isolates was noted for both vaginal swabs and throat swabs. A total of 98 strains from vaginal swabs were serotyped: 22 different types were identified, 61% of which were the common types M4, M6, R28 and M12. Erythromycin sensitivity was done on 89 strains; 84% were highly sensitive (MIC < 0·03 mg/1). There are no other reports of such large numbers in the literature; the reason for seeing this increase in Nottingham is unclear.

Using the Weibull distribution to model COVID-19 epidemic data

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Vitor Hugo Moreau
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Weibull Distribution ◽  
Initial Phase ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Slowing Down ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Disease Epidemics ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the new Coronavirus. COVID-19 outbreak is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, declared by WHO, that killed more than 2 million people worldwide. Since there are no specific drugs available and vaccination campaigns are in the initial phase, or even have not begun in some countries, the main way to fight the outbreak worldwide is still based on non-pharmacological strategies, such as the use of protective equipment, social isolation and mass testing. Modeling of the disease epidemics have gained pivotal importance to guide health authorities on the decision making and applying of those strategies. Here, we present the use of the Weibull distribution to model predictions of the COVID-19 outbreak based on daily new cases and deaths data, by non-linear regression using Metropolis-Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations. It was possible to predict the evolution of daily new cases and deaths of COVID-19 in many countries as well as the overall number of cases and deaths in the future. Modeling predictions of COVID-19 pandemic may be of importance on the evaluation of governments and health authorities mitigation procedures, since it allows one to extract parameters that may help to guide those decisions and measures, slowing down the spread of the disease.

Vaccine Coverage Across the Life Course in Michigan During the COVID-19 Pandemic: January–September 2020

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e9
Author(s):  
Angela K. Shen ◽  
Cristi A. Bramer ◽  
Lynsey M. Kimmins ◽  
Robert Swanson ◽  
Patricia Vranesich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Course ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Immunization Registry ◽  
Immunization Services ◽  
Vaccines For Children ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
The Impact

Objectives. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immunization services across the life course. Methods. In this retrospective study, we used Michigan immunization registry data from 2018 through September 2020 to assess the number of vaccine doses administered, number of sites providing immunization services to the Vaccines for Children population, provider location types that administer adult vaccines, and vaccination coverage for children. Results. Of 12 004 384 individual vaccine doses assessed, 48.6%, 15.6%, and 35.8% were administered to children (aged 0–8 years), adolescents (aged 9–18 years), and adults (aged 19–105 years), respectively. Doses administered overall decreased beginning in February 2020, with peak declines observed in April 2020 (63.3%). Overall decreases in adult doses were observed in all settings except obstetrics and gynecology provider offices and pharmacies. Local health departments reported a 66.4% decrease in doses reported. For children, the total number of sites administering pediatric vaccines decreased while childhood vaccination coverage decreased 4.4% overall and 5.8% in Medicaid-enrolled children. Conclusions. The critical challenge is to return to prepandemic levels of vaccine doses administered as well as to catch up individuals for vaccinations missed. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 7, 2021: e1–e9. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306474 )

The Influence of Structural Aspects of the English Counting Word System on the Teaching and Learning of Place Value

1998 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Place Value ◽  
Single Digit ◽  
Value System ◽  
Number Words ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Structural Aspects

The influence of structural aspects of the English counting word system on the teaching and learning of place value In their discussion of the teaching of place value to young children Fuson and Briars (1990) describe the extent to which the English spoken system of number words constitutes a ‘named value’ system for large numbers. They argue that, because two-digit numbers are not ‘named value’, teachers should move from teaching single-digit calculations to teaching calculations with large numbers, only returning to two-digit numbers when children are familiar with the standard written algorithms. This article uses transcriptions of children calculating mentally to suggest that they appear to take advantage of the ‘partitionable’ aspect of the language associated with two-digit numbers - an aspect that Fuson and Briars (1990) appear to have ignored. These examples appear to raise questions about their recommendation that teachers should progress from single-digit to large number calculations.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of meningococcal meningitis in Angola, 1994–2000

2001 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. GASPAR ◽  
F. LEITE ◽  
L. BRUMANA ◽  
B. FÉLIX ◽  
A. A. STELLA
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Civil Conflict ◽  
Polysaccharide Vaccine ◽  
Meningococcal Meningitis ◽  
Mass Vaccination ◽  
Meningitis Belt ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

We describe six meningococcal disease outbreaks that occurred in Angola during the period 1994–2000. In total, 7140 cases were documented. The age groups most affected were 15–29 years and 5–14 years; there were no differences in incidence between the sexes. Circulation of both serogroup A and sporadic serogroup B strains was demonstrated. Mass vaccination campaigns with A+C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine were implemented, except in Yambala province in 1999 where insecure conditions precluded this intervention.Outbreaks of serogroup A meningococcal disease in Angola may indicate an extension of these epidemics outside the meningitis belt. Mass vaccination campaigns stopped the Angolan epidemics within weeks. Civil conflict and displaced persons living in crowded areas created serious difficulties for surveillance and impeded timely public health responses.

scholarly journals Conocimiento y actitudes hacia el virus del papiloma humano en una población de universitarios españoles = Knowledge and attitudes towards human papillomavirus in a population of Spanish university students

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luz Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Ubaldo Cuesta Cambra
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
Young People ◽  
University Students ◽  
Preventive Healthcare ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Prevention And Early Detection ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

Resumen: El virus del papiloma humano se relaciona con varios tipos de cáncer como el de cuello de útero (CCU), orofarínge, pene o ano. Más de 4.000 mujeres mueren al año por CCU en EEUU y más de 2.000 en España a pesar de la vacunación y aunque estos cánceres son prevenibles mediante la prevención y detección precoz. Por lo tanto, el conocimiento y comprensión del VPH son vitales para su prevención y normalización. Este trabajo evalúa el conocimiento de los jóvenes sobre el VPH, su actitud hacia las revisiones o a hablar de él. Se realizó un diseño descriptivo transversal con jóvenes universitarios. Los participantes mostraron un bajo conocimiento sobre el VPH, sobre su transmisión, detección y medidas preventivas. Muchos no saben que afecta a hombres o su relación con el CCU. No creen que las revisiones sean importantes y sienten vergüenza de hablar del VPH o de que sepan que lo padecen. Los datos muestran la necesidad de complementar las campañas de vacunación con intervenciones informativas y de comunicación sexual entre jóvenes y padres, la necesidad de campañas para la concienciación sobre las revisiones y comprensión de la enfermedad que ayuden a su normalización.Palabras clave: Virus Papiloma Humano; salud pública; prevención de enfermedades; jóvenes; enfermedades de transmisión sexual.Abstract: Human Papillomavirus is related to various types of cancer such as cervical cancer, oropharyngeal, penis and anus. More than 4.000 women died per year because of cervical cancer in EEUU and over 2.000 in Spain despite vaccination and although these cancers are preventable through prevention and early detection. Therefore, knowledge and understanding of HPV are vital for its prevention and its normalization. This work evaluates young people’s knowledge about HPV, their attitude toward reviews, or discusses HPV. A transversal descriptive design was carried out with university students. Young people showed low knowledge about HPV, its transmission, detection and preventive steps. Many do not knowits affection to men or their relationship with cervical cancer. Young people do not think the check-ups are important and they feel embarrassed about talking about HPV or if others know they are affected by it. Data shows the need to complement vaccination campaigns with informative and sexual commu nication interventions among young people and parents, and the need of campaigns for the awareness of the check-ups and the understanding of the disease to help to its normalization.Keywords: Human Papillomavirus; Public health; Preventive healthcare; Health promotion; Young people; sexual transmitted diseases.

scholarly journals Prevalence and determinants of intimate partner violence against mothers of children under-five years in central Malawi

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Chilanga ◽  
Delphine Collin-Vezina ◽  
Mohammad Nuruzzaman Khan ◽  
Liam Riley
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Children Under Five ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Controlling Behavior

Abstract Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a pervasive and significant public health problem. The phenomenon is linked to adverse health effects for women and children. Mothers of young children in Malawi can be particularly at risk because of gender-based power imbalances. The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence and the risk factors of IPV perpetrated by the current or recent partner against mothers of children under five years of age in rural Malawi.Methods: A multistage cross-sectional study design was used. A sample of 538 mothers of young children was randomly selected from postnatal clinics in Dowa district. The WHO's Violence against women instrument was used to collect data. Logistic regressions were used to determine risk factors that were associated with IPV against mothers. Results: The prevalence of IPV controlling behavior, psychological, physical, and sexual violence were 74.7%, 49.4%, 43.7% and 73.2% respectively. In multivariate analyses, mothers whose partners had extra marital affairs were more likely to experience controlling behavior (AOR: 4.97, 95% CI: 2.59-8.55, P<0.001), psychological (AOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.486-3.472, P<0.001) and physical (AOR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.48-3.94, P<0.001) violence than mothers whose partners did not have extra marital affairs. Mothers whose partners consume alcohol were more likely to experience sexual violence (AOR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.17-3.41, P<0.001) than mothers whose partners did not drink. Finally, mothers who spent more than 30 minutes drawing water were at greater risk of experiencing IPV than mothers who spent less than 30 minutes.Conclusion: This study found a significantly higher prevalence of IPV against mothers in rural Malawi compared to the national prevalence. Programs aimed at reducing the partners’ potential risk behaviors identified in this study are recommended. Public health programs that support increased household access to safe water are also recommended to help mitigate IPV against mothers.

scholarly journals FEEDING EXPERIMENTS WITH BACTERIUM PULLORUM. THE TOXICITY OF INFECTED EGGS

1916 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo F. Rettger ◽  
Thomas G. Hull ◽  
William S. Sturges
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Domestic Fowl ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Feeding Experiments ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Poultry Breeding ◽  
Viable Bacteria

The problem of eradicating ovarian infection in the domestic fowl assumes still greater importance than heretofore, in the light of data recently acquired. Not only is it of great significance to eliminate the permanent carriers of Bacterium pullorum from all flocks of fowls from the standpoint of successful poultry breeding, but also because they constitute a possible source of danger to man. Eggs which harbor Bacterium pullorum in the yolk in large numbers may produce abnormal conditions, when fed, not only in young chicks, but in adult fowls, young rabbits, guinea pigs, and kittens. The toxicity for young rabbits is most pronounced, the infection usually resulting in the death of the animals. In kittens the most prominent symptoms are those of severe food-poisoning with members of the paratyphoid group of bacteria. The possibility of infected eggs causing serious disturbances in young children and in the sick and convalescent of all ages must therefore receive serious consideration. Ovarian infection of fowls is very common throughout this country. Hence, a large proportion of the marketed eggs are infected with Bacterium pullorum. When such eggs are allowed to remain in nests under broody hens, or in warm storage places, for comparatively few hours, they contain large numbers of the organism. Soft boiling, coddling, and frying on one side only do not necessarily render the yolks free from viable bacteria; therefore, eggs which have gone through these processes may, like raw eggs, be the cause of serious disturbances in persons who are particularly susceptible to such influences, and especially to infants. That no well authenticated instances of egg-poisoning of this kind are on record does not warrant the assumption that there have been no cases. The etiology of infantile stomach and intestinal disturbances is as yet too little understood; in fact, it may be said that many of these disorders have no known cause, and almost as much may be said regarding gastro-intestinal diseases in later life. Furthermore, since the ailments caused by infected eggs would not make themselves felt presumably until several days after their ingestion, little or no suspicion would fall upon the eggs. It may be said, too, that the wide distribution of ovarian infection in the domestic fowl has come about only in the last few years, hence its possible danger to man is one of recent development.

scholarly journals Resistance to temptation in toddlers at genetic risk for autism spectrum disorder

Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018-1027
Author(s):  
Susan B Campbell ◽  
Jessie B Northrup ◽  
Amy B Tavares
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
High Risk Children

Children with autism spectrum disorder often demonstrate difficulties with self-regulation, although studies of this construct in young children with autism spectrum disorder are limited. In this study, developmental changes were examined using a measure of self-regulation appropriate for young children, resistance to temptation. At 22, 28, and 34 months, toddlers with an older sibling with autism spectrum disorder (high risk) and toddlers with typically developing older siblings (low risk) were presented with an appealing toy and instructed not to touch it. Observers coded whether or not children touched the toy and the strategies they used to resist touching it. At 36 months, children were assessed for autism spectrum disorder, yielding three groups: high risk children with autism spectrum disorder, high risk children without autism spectrum disorder, and low risk children. At 22 months, most children, regardless of group, touched the forbidden toy; at 28 and 34 months, many high risk children without autism spectrum disorder and low risk children resisted the temptation to touch the toy, whereas most of the children with autism spectrum disorder did not. Differences in delay strategies were also evident. Some, but not all group differences, were accounted for by differences in language ability. Results highlight one early index of impulse control that differentiates children with emerging autism spectrum disorder from age-mates prior to the third birthday.

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