scholarly journals Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among People with Epilepsy in Lithuania

Author(s):  
Kristijonas Puteikis ◽  
Rūta Mameniškienė

The purpose of our study was to determine the willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among people with epilepsy (PWE). In December 2020, we performed an online cross-sectional survey of PWE and their caregivers in Lithuania before the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to the public. The study sample consisted of 111 respondents (44 (39.6%) male, median age 25 years (range 1 to 70)). From 58 PWE who personally responded to the survey, 27 (46.6%) would be willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Among the 53 caregivers, 18 (34.0%) would accept the person they care for to be vaccinated. Willingness to be vaccinated was associated with receiving an influenza shot in 2020 (odds ratio (OR) = 9.17, 95% confidence interval (CI = 1.15–73.47), the beliefs that vaccines are generally safe (OR = 7.90, 95% CI = 2.43–25.74) and that they are the only convenient way to gain immunity (OR = 3.91, 95% CI = 1.02–15.05). Respondents were hesitant to accept the COVID-19 vaccine if they thought it could cause the infection (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.04–0.49). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is frequent among PWE and their caregivers. It is probably related to erroneous beliefs about their safety and mechanism of action.

Author(s):  
Paulina Majek ◽  
Mateusz Jankowski ◽  
Bartłomiej Nowak ◽  
Maksymilian Macherski ◽  
Maciej Nowak ◽  
...  

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are devices for generating a nicotine aerosol by heating the tobacco sticks. This study aimed to assess (1) the prevalence of HTP and tobacco cigarette usage among medical students, (2) to characterize smoking habits and (3) to assess students’ awareness and opinions about HTPs. A cross-sectional survey on the frequency and attitudes toward cigarettes, e-cigarettes and HTP use was performed between 2019–2020 at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland). The data were obtained from 1344 students aged 21.8 ± 1.9 years (response rate: 66.9%). Current traditional tobacco use was 13.2%, e-cigarettes use 3.5%, and HTP use 2.8% of students. Duration of use was shorter among HTPs users comparing to cigarette smokers (p < 0.001) although the number of tobacco sticks used daily was similar (p = 0.1). Almost 30% of respondents have ever tried HTPs. HTPs were considered safe by 5.3% of respondents (43.2% of HTP users vs. 3.9% of non-HTP users, p < 0.001). HTP users were more likely to report that heating tobacco is not addictive (odds ratio (OR) = 8.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8–45.8) and disagreed with a public ban on HTP use (OR = 4.9, 95%CI: 2.5–9.8). Among students, HTP use was less popular than cigarette smoking, but awareness of their presence is widespread.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212097800
Author(s):  
Damtew Asrat ◽  
Atsede Alle ◽  
Bekalu Kebede ◽  
Bekalu Dessie

Background: Over the last 100 years, the development and mass production of chemically synthesized drugs have revolutionized health care in most parts of the world. However, large sections of the population in developing countries still depend on traditional medicines for their primary health care needs. More than 88% of Ethiopian parents use different forms of traditional medicine for their children. Therefore, this study aimed to determine factors associated with parental traditional medicine use for children in Fagita Lekoma Woreda. Method: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 March 2019 in Fagita Lekoma Woreda. Data collection tool was a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the data. Odds ratio and binary and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to measure the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Results: Among 858 participants, 71% of parents had used traditional medicine for their children within the last 12 months. Parents who cannot read and write (adjusted odds ratio = 6.42, 95% confidence interval = 2.1–19.7), parents with low monthly income (adjusted odds ratio = 4.38, 95% confidence interval = 1.58–12.1), and those who had accesses to traditional medicine (adjusted odds ratio = 2.21, 95% confidence interval = 1.23–3.98) were more likely to use traditional medicine for their children. Urban residents (adjusted odds ratio = 0.20, 95% confidence interval = 0.11–0.38) and members of community-based health insurance (adjusted odds ratio = 0.421, 95% confidence interval = 0.211–0.84) were less likely to use traditional medicine for their children. Conclusions: Our study revealed that the prevalence of traditional medicine remains high. Educational status, monthly income, residence, accessibility to traditional medicine, and being a member of community-based health insurance were predictors of potential traditional medicine use. Therefore, the integration of traditional medicine with modern medicine should be strengthened. Community education and further study on efficacy and safety of traditional medicines should be also given great attention.


Author(s):  
Farah Yasmin ◽  
Waleed Asghar ◽  
Maryam Salma Babar ◽  
Hiba Khan ◽  
Shoaib Ahmad ◽  
...  

Developing countries like Pakistan have previously suffered from barriers to acceptance of vaccination by the public because of financial and belief barriers. This study aims to explore these beliefs and highlight concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy in the general population of Pakistan since they are a hindrance to an effective coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) immunization in the country. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 1,778 participants from all four provinces of Pakistan. Results from the study showed more than half of the participants to be unsure of the safety (50%) and efficacy (51%) of the vaccine, whereas 42% were concerned about the side effects of the vaccine. About 72% of the respondents planned to get vaccinated, whereas 28% refused to do so. Internationally made imported vaccines were more trusted by the participants. Forty-four percent of the participants agreed to receive the vaccine upon recommendation from a physician. Lastly, participants who believed in the efficacy of the polio vaccination also considered the COVID-19 vaccine to be safe and effective.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (25) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Mathieu ◽  
Arnaud Gautier ◽  
Jocelyn Raude ◽  
Thomas Goronflot ◽  
Titouan Launay ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takaaki Kobayashi ◽  
Yuka Nishina ◽  
Hana Tomoi ◽  
Ko Harada ◽  
Kyuto Tanaka ◽  
...  

Background: Few studies have assessed how mobile messenger apps affect COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. We created a COVID-19 vaccine information chatbot in a popular messenger app in Japan to answer commonly asked questions. Methods: LINE is the most popular messenger app in Japan. Corowa-kun, a free chatbot, was created in LINE on February 6, 2021. Corowa-kun provides instant, automated answers to frequently asked COVID-19 vaccine questions. In addition, a cross-sectional survey assessing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was conducted via Corowa-kun during April 5 to 12, 2021. Results: A total of 59,676 persons used Corowa-kun during February to April 2021. Of them, 10,192 users (17%) participated in the survey. Median age was 55 years (range 16 to 97), and most were female (74%). Intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine increased from 59% to 80% after using Corowa-kun (p < 0.01). Overall, 20% remained hesitant: 16% (1,675) were unsure, and 4% (364) did not intend to be vaccinated. Factors associated with vaccine hesitancy were: age 16 to 34 (odds ratio [OR] = 3.7, 95% confidential interval [CI]: 3.0-4.6, compared to age ≥ 65), female sex (OR = 2.4, Cl: 2.1-2.8), and history of another vaccine side-effect (OR = 2.5, Cl: 2.2-2.9). Being a physician (OR = 0.2, Cl: 0.1-0.4) and having received a flu vaccine the prior season (OR = 0.4, Cl: 0.3-0.4) were protective. Conclusions: Corowa-kun reduced vaccine hesitancy by providing COVID-19 vaccine information in a messenger app. Mobile messenger apps could be leveraged to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.


Sexual Health ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ohnmar ◽  
Alan F. Geater ◽  
Than Winn ◽  
Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong

Background: The present study describes sexual risk behaviours including penile oil injection and implantation among migrant Myanmar fishermen in Thailand, and their determinants. Methods: A cross-sectional survey among 639 Myanmar fishermen in Ranong, Thailand was conducted in 1999 following in-depth interviews. Results: Prevalence of penile oil injection, penile implantation, and both practices were 48 (7.5%), 79 (12.4%) and nine (1.4%) respectively. Over one-third (38.6%) of those who had injected oil had various kinds of problems during sex. One-year period prevalence of sex with commercial sex workers (CSW) was higher in those with unusual practices than others (61.9% v. 22.8%, P < 0.0001). The condom use rate with CSW at all times was non-significantly lower among those with unusual practices (32.9%) than others (44.5%). From multivariate analysis, oil injections are associated with young age, low education, ethnicity, and longer stay in Thailand, whereas the duration of stay in Thailand is the only factor associated with the practice of penile implantation. Both oil injection (odds ratio 3.03, 95% confidence interval 1.39–6.60), and penile implantation (odds ratio 2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.19–3.99) have independent predictive risk of having sex with CSW in addition to other factors (younger age, single, and Walat boat type). Conclusion: These exorbitant practices were common, associated with not using condoms and probably resulted from the working environment in Thailand. Further study is needed to reduce this risk behaviour.


Author(s):  
Justin Gatwood ◽  
Madison McKnight ◽  
Michelle Fiscus ◽  
Kenneth C Hohmeier ◽  
Marie Chisholm-Burns

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose To examine the vaccine-related beliefs and behaviors associated with likely hesitancy toward vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among nonelderly adults. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in June 2020. Responses were sought from Tennessee adults 18 to 64 years of age who were not healthcare providers. The survey instrument focused on vaccine-related beliefs, prior and planned influenza and pneumococcal vaccine use, and attitudes toward receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. Inferential statistics assessed survey responses, and logistic regression determined predictors of the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination. Results A total of 1,000 completed responses were analyzed (a 62.9% response rate), and respondents were mostly White (80.1%), insured (79.6%), and/or actively working (64.2%); the sample was well balanced by gender, age, income, and political leaning. Approximately one-third (34.4%) of respondents indicated some historical vaccine hesitancy, and only 21.4% indicated always getting a seasonal influenza vaccination. More than half (54.1%) indicated at least some hesitancy toward vaccination against COVID-19, with 32.1% citing lack of evidence of vaccine effectiveness as the leading reason. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was more likely among those with more moderate (odds ratio [OR], 2.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.749-3.607) or conservative (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 2.048-4.421) political leanings, Black Americans (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.182-2.742), and residents of nonmetropolitan areas (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.386-2.865). Conclusion Subgroups of the population may prove more challenging to vaccinate against COVID-19, requiring targeted approaches to addressing hesitancy to ensure more-vulnerable populations are adequately covered.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110662
Author(s):  
Mohamed Ebrahim ◽  
Dawit Tamiru ◽  
Behailu Hawulte ◽  
Tadesse Misgana

Introduction: Depression is one of the most common comorbid psychiatric disorders among diabetic patients. Depression among diabetic people has led to poor treatment adherence, defective treatment outcomes, and consequently worsened quality of life. However, there is a limited study conducted to assess the magnitude and factors associated with depression among diabetic patients in Ethiopia including this study area. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression among adult diabetic outpatients attending diabetic clinic in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 407 adult diabetic outpatients on treatment in Ethiopia in 2020. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to assess depression among randomly selected samples. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was fitted to identify factors associated with depression among diabetic outpatients. A p value less than 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of depression among diabetic outpatients was found to be 48.9% (95% confidence interval: 44.2%, 53.4%). Being female (adjusted odds ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.39, 2.73), Khat chewing (adjusted odds ratio = 1.88, 95% confidence interval: 1.22, 2.93), having poor and moderate social support (adjusted odds ratio = 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.07, 2.98 and adjusted odds ratio = 1.90, 95% confidence interval: 1.14, 3.17, respectively), taking both oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin medication (adjusted odds ratio = 1.33, 95% confidence interval: 1.13, 2.80) and duration of diabetes mellitus for more than 6 years (adjusted odds ratio = 5.40, 95% confidence interval: 3.42, 8.14) were significantly associated with depression. Conclusion: This study revealed a relatively high prevalence of depression in diabetic outpatients. A lesser level of social support, taking oral and insulin treatment regimes, longer duration of illness, using Khat, and being female were associated with depression among diabetic outpatients. Therefore, early screening and identification of such factors could help ameliorate some of the deleterious effects of depression in diabetic outpatients.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1109
Author(s):  
Lauren McAbee ◽  
Oscar Tapera ◽  
Mufaro Kanyangarara

Vaccines are one of the most effective public health strategies to protect against infectious diseases, yet vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a global health threat. Understanding COVID-19 knowledge and attitudes and their association with vaccine intentions can help the targeting of strategies to increase vaccination uptake and achieve herd immunity. The goal of this study was to assess COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, and identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine intentions among heads of households in Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2021 among 551 randomly selected households. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding COVID-19 and the vaccines. More than half (55.7%) of the respondents reported intending to vaccinate themselves or their households. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the likelihood of vaccine intentions was most strongly associated with confidence in vaccine safety. Additionally, the odds of intending to get vaccinated were significantly higher among heads of households who were male, had a higher level of education, and identified vaccination and face mask usage as prevention measures. Among perceived motivators to vaccinate, recommendations from the World Health Organization and availability of the vaccine free of charge increased the likelihood of vaccine intentions, while country of vaccine manufacturer posed a barrier to vaccine intentions. As the vaccine rollout in Zimbabwe continues, efforts to increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage and achieve herd immunity should target females and less educated populations and be tailored to address concerns about vaccine safety and country of manufacturer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 107602962110669
Author(s):  
Bulent Kantarcioglu ◽  
Krishan Patel ◽  
Joseph Lewis ◽  
Omer Iqbal ◽  
Fakiha Siddiqui ◽  
...  

Introduction We conducted a cross-sectional survey as a part of an educational program in collaboration with the Global Thrombosis Forum (GTF), an affiliate of North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF), and Loyola University about public perceptions of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccinations in the US. In this study, we are reporting the results of this survey. Materials and Methods The survey, in the form of a questionnaire, has been developed by GTF and faculty members. A prepared questionnaire was sent to the members of the Georgia and Illinois communities. Results In our current study, the COVID-19 vaccine willingness rate was 94.5% and vaccination rate was 90.9%. In multivariate analysis believing to have enough information about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines (OR: 3.730, 95% CI: 1.199–11.603, p: 0.023) and gender (OR: 0.123, 95% CI: 0.016–0.967, p: 0.046) were significant predictors for vaccine willingness. Previous COVID-19 infection (OR: 0.215, 95% CI: 0.061–0.758, p: 0.017), moderate and severe effects of COVID-19 pandemic on participant's life (OR: 4.631, 95% CI 1.681–12.760, p: 0.003) and believing to have enough information about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines (OR: 4.119, 95% CI: 1.508–11.253, p: 0.006) were significant predictors for final vaccination status. Conclusion In conclusion, currently vaccination remains one of the most effective tools in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccine hesitancy is a complex phenomenon that is driven by individuals' perceptions of safety, and efficiency of the vaccines. We must continue to educate the public and communities that vaccines are safe, that they are effective and that they are still required even after a COVID-19 infection.


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