scholarly journals Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination among Healthcare and Non-Healthcare Workers of Hospitals and Outpatient Clinics in the Northern Region of Slovakia

Author(s):  
Romana Ulbrichtova ◽  
Viera Svihrova ◽  
Maria Tatarkova ◽  
Henrieta Hudeckova ◽  
Jan Svihra

The purpose of this study was to analyse attitudes, motivation, and reasons for hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) in northern Slovakia. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 30 August 2021 and 30 September 2021. An anonymous questionnaire was administered. The study was completed by 1277 employees. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of COVID-19 vaccination status. A total of 1076 (84.3%) were vaccinated, and 201 (15.7%) were unvaccinated. Physician job type (OR = 1.77; CI95 1.13–2.78), history of COVID-19 (OR = 0.37; CI95 0.26–0.37), influenza vaccination at any time (OR = 1.97; CI95 1.12–3.46), compulsory vaccination for HCWs (OR = 9.15; CI95 2.92–28.62), and compulsory vaccination for selected groups (OR = 9.71; CI95 2.75–34.31) were the predictors significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. Non-physician HCWs, employees in hospitals, and employees without a history of COVID-19 significantly more distrusted the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19. Results of our study confirmed that physicians have higher vaccination rates and lower hesitance to get vaccinated than non-physician HCWs. HCWs play an important role in influencing vaccination decisions and can be helpful in vaccine advocacy to the general public.

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 465
Author(s):  
Leena R. Baghdadi ◽  
Shatha G. Alghaihb ◽  
Alanoud A. Abuhaimed ◽  
Dania M. Alkelabi ◽  
Rawan S. Alqahtani

In 2019, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)) caused a global pandemic. There was an urgent need to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 to reduce its spread and economic burden. The main objective of this study was to understand the attitudes and concerns of healthcare workers (HCWs) towards the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine, whether their decision was influenced by their history of taking the seasonal influenza vaccine, and factors that influence the acceptance of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We selected and surveyed 356 HCWs via an electronic self-administered questionnaire. A total of 61.16% of HCWs were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and 55.9% of them had received the seasonal influenza vaccine in the preceding year (2019–2020). The strongest predictors for taking the COVID-19 vaccine were the HCWs’ belief that the COVID-19 vaccine would be safe, needed even for healthy people, that all HCWs should be vaccinated against COVID-19, and that HCWs will have time to take the vaccine. Being female, being middle aged, having <5 years of work experience, having no fear of injections, and being a non-smoker were predictive factors for taking the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. No associations were found between the intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine and a history of taking the seasonal influenza vaccine.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 843
Author(s):  
Christian Kromer ◽  
Phoebe Wellmann ◽  
Ralf Siemer ◽  
Selina Klein ◽  
Johannes Mohr ◽  
...  

The risk of developing severe complications from an influenza virus infection is increased in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis (PsO) and atopic dermatitis (AD). However, low influenza vaccination rates have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine vaccination rates in PsO compared to AD patients and explore patient perceptions of vaccination. A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed in 327 and 98 adult patients with PsO and AD, respectively. Data on vaccination, patient and disease characteristics, comorbidity, and patient perceptions was collected with a questionnaire. Medical records and vaccination certificates were reviewed. A total of 49.8% of PsO and 32.7% of AD patients were vaccinated at some point, while in season 2018/2019, 30.9% and 13.3% received an influenza vaccination, respectively. There were 96.6% and 77.6% of PsO and AD patients who had an indication for influenza vaccination due to age, immunosuppressive therapy, comorbidity, occupation, and/or pregnancy. Multivariate regression analysis revealed higher age (p < 0.001) and a history of bronchitis (p = 0.023) as significant predictors of influenza vaccination in PsO patients. Considering that most patients had an indication for influenza vaccination, the rate of vaccinated patients was inadequately low.


Author(s):  
Demeke Demilew ◽  
Berhanu Boru ◽  
Getachew Tesfaw ◽  
Habtamu Kerebih ◽  
Endalamaw Salelew

Abstract Background Alcohol use disorder increase the risk of physical harm, mental or social consequences for patients and others in the community. Studies on alcohol use disorder and associated factors among medical and surgical outpatients in Ethiopia are limited. Therefore, this study is meant to provide essential data on alcohol use disorder and associated factors among alcohol user medical and surgical outpatients to intervene in the future. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted by using the systematic random sampling technique. Alcohol use disorders were assessed using the World Health Organization’s 10-item Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, a P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant in the multivariate analysis and the strength of association was measured at a 95% confidence interval. Results The prevalence of alcohol use disorder was 34.5% with a 95% CI (29.20, 39.80) among study participants. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, male sex (AOR = 3.33, 95%CI: 1.40, 7.93), history of mental illness (AOR = 2.68, 95%CI: 1.12, 6.38), drinking for relaxation (AOR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.02, 3.48) and history of lifetime tobacco use (AOR = 5.64, 95%CI: 1.95, 16.29) were factors significantly associated with alcohol use disorder. Conclusion The prevalence of alcohol use disorders among medical and surgical outpatients was found to be high. Male sex, history of mental illness, alcohol use for relaxation and lifetime cigarette smoking need more attention during the assessment of patients in the medical and surgical outpatient departments.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzieh Honarbakhsh ◽  
Mehdi Jahangiri ◽  
Haleh Ghaem

Background: Using appropriate respiratory protection equipment (RPE) is very important to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) against respiratory hazards. The aim of this study was to identify the level of knowledge, perceptions and practices of HCWs on using RPE. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 284 employees of educational hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The study’s instrument was a self-made questionnaire that comprised four components: demographic inquiries and questions designed to assess the knowledge, perceptions and practice of HCWs regarding RPE. Collected data were analysed using SPSS software version 21. Results: Average scores of knowledge, perceptions and practice of HCWs on using RPE were 66.50% ± 11.93%, 80.32% ± 10.05% and 70.12% ± 20.51%, respectively. A significant association was observed between knowledge and age, job experience, history of using respirator, marital status and risk of respiratory hazards in the workplace and perceptions with age and education and practice with education. Conclusion: Studied HCWs had positive perceptions and moderate level of knowledge and practice about the use of RPE. Full implementation of respiratory protection program in the hospitals would be helpful to improve the knowledge, perceptions and practices of HCWs regarding RPE.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juana Sedamano ◽  
Alvaro Schwalb ◽  
Rodrigo Cachay ◽  
Carlos Zamudio ◽  
Cesar Ugarte-Gil ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Tuberculosis (TB) transmission has long been recognized as an important occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs). HCWs possess a 5.8% annual risk of exposure and three times greater risk of developing active TB than the general population.Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study between September 2014 and March 2015 among HCWs in a high-burden TB setting in Lima to estimate the prevalence of positive Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and to investigate factors associated with a positive TST.Results: 240 participants were included in the analysis; TST was administered to 190 (79.2%) while the rest were exempt due to a previous positive TST result, history of TB or refused the test. A positive TST result was found among 56.2% of participants who were applied the TST (95% CI: 49.22% - 63.55%). When considering those who had a previous positive TST result and those with a history of TB, the prevalence was 64.3% (95% CI: 57.8% - 70.3%). No significant differences were observed between clinical/paramedical and administrative staff in the health center. The use of N95 mask during work hours was reported by 142 (69.9%) participants. Prevalence ratios (PR) show that workers with more than 120 months as a HCW were 1.44 times more likely to be TST positive. The multivariate analysis found that HCWs with over 10 years of service were 1.52 times more likely to be TST positive.Conclusion: This study supports previous reports that TB infection is an occupational hazard for HCWs. Prevention of TB transmission through control measures, as well as timely diagnosis of LTBI in this selected risk group, is critical for the individual and for public health.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haile Woretaw Alemu ◽  
Anthony Carlson

Abstract Objective Cross-sectional study design were used to assess willingness to pay for spectacles among south Gondar presbyopic population.Results Of the total 322 people participating in the study, only 53.4% (172) were experienced by spectacles users. The median gross monthly income of participants was US$ 75.0 (ranged US$ 7.1 - 321.4) and the mean amount of money willing to pay for a pair of spectacles was US$ 17.9 (ranged US$ 1.1-107.1). Participants who were willing to pay US$ 12.5 for a pair of spectacles from a government optical accounted for 63.0% (95% CI: 57.8-68.3), while those willing to pay the minimum international pair of spectacle price US$ 5.6 were accounted 73.9% (95% CI: 68.9-79.2%) and spectacle from local private optical price US$ 17.8 accounted 46.6% (95% CI: 40.4-52.2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated factors such as age (P=0.049), occupation (0.001), monthly income (0.001) and history of the previous spectacle wear (0.005) to be significantly associated with willingness to pay for a pair of spectacles. Public willingness to pay for a pair of spectacle has to be supported with the accessible provision of spectacles to increase spectacle coverage among presbyopic individuals.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juana Sedamano ◽  
Alvaro Schwalb ◽  
Rodrigo Cachay ◽  
Carlos Zamudio ◽  
Cesar Ugarte-Gil ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Tuberculosis (TB) transmission has long been recognized as an important occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs). HCWs have a 5.8% annual risk of exposure and three times greater risk of developing active TB than the general population.Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study between September 2014 and March 2015 among HCWs in a high-burden TB setting in Lima to estimate the prevalence of positive Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and to investigate factors associated with a positive TST.Results: 240 participants were included in the analysis; TST was administered to 190 (79.2%) while the rest were exempt due to a previous positive TST result, history of TB, or test refusal. A positive TST result was found among 56.2% of participants to whom the TST was applied (95% CI: 49.22% - 63.55%). When considering those who had a previous positive TST result and those with a history of TB, the prevalence of a positive TST result was 64.3% (95% CI: 57.8% - 70.3%). No significant differences were observed between clinical/paramedical and administrative staff in the health center. The use of N95 masks during work hours was reported by 142 (69.9%) participants. Prevalence ratios (PR) show that workers with more than 120 months as a HCW were 1.44 times more likely to be TST positive. The multivariate analysis found that HCWs with over 10 years of service were 1.52 times more likely to be TST positive.Conclusion: This study supports previous reports that TB infection is an occupational hazard for HCWs. Prevention of TB transmission through control measures, as well as timely diagnosis of LTBI in this particular high-risk group, is critical for individual and public health.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juana Sedamano ◽  
Alvaro Schwalb ◽  
Rodrigo Cachay ◽  
Carlos Zamudio ◽  
Cesar Ugarte-Gil ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) transmission has long been recognized as an important occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs). HCWs possess a 5.8% annual risk of exposure and three times greater risk of developing active TB than the general population.Methods We conducted an observational cross-sectional study between September 2014 and March 2015 among HCWs in a high-burden TB setting in Lima to estimate the prevalence of positive Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and to investigate factors associated with a positive TST.Results 240 participants were included in the analysis; TST was administered to 190 (79.2%) while the rest were exempted due to a previous positive TST result, history of TB or refused the test. A positive TST result was found among 56.2% of participants (95% CI: 49.22% - 63.55%). When considering those who had a previous positive TST result and those with a history of TB, the prevalence of a positive TST was 64.3% (95% CI: 57.8% - 70.3%). No significant differences of TST results were observed between clinical/paramedical and administrative staff in the health center. The use of N95 mask during work hours was reported by 142 (69.9%) participants. Prevalence ratios (PR) show that workers with more than 120 months as a HCW were 1.44 times more likely to be TST positive. The multivariate analysis found that HCWs with over 10 years of service were 1.62 times more likely to be TST positive.Conclusion This study supports previous reports that TB infection is an occupational hazard for HCWs. Prevention of TB transmission through control measures, as well as timely diagnosis of LTBI in this selected risk group, is critical for the individual and for public health.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Bartosz Szmyd ◽  
Filip Franciszek Karuga ◽  
Adrian Bartoszek ◽  
Katarzyna Staniecka ◽  
Natalia Siwecka ◽  
...  

Healthcare workers are particularly exposed to biological risk during their daily occupational activities. Nowadays, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become one of the most widespread infectious agents. In the current study, we performed a survey on the attitude and behavior of Polish healthcare workers (HCW), which comprise physicians (MD) and administrative healthcare assistants (HA) towards the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Our study involved 2300 subjects (42.17% female; 10.96% MD; 5.87% HA). The evaluation was conducted using a Google Forms survey based on original questions and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 Items questionnaire. HCW significantly more often demonstrated their willingness to get vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 as compared to the control group (82.95% vs. 54.31%, respectively). The main concern, as regards all groups, was the development of long-term side effects after getting COVID-19 vaccine. The study revealed that depression significantly affects the willingness to get vaccinated. The readiness was significantly strengthened by positive medical history of recommended vaccinations, fear of catching COVID-19, as well as fear of passing on the disease to the relatives. Overall, the percentage of HCW, who want to be vaccinated against COVID-19 remains unsatisfactory. Further works exploring this subject are needed to take a step closer to achieving the herd immunity in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Author(s):  
Swanit Hemant Deshpande ◽  
Sudatta Waghmare ◽  
Hiteshi Jain ◽  
Swarika Hemant Deshpande

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic poses a massive challenge for the healthcare system and overburdens the Healthcare Workers (HCWs) in a developing country like India. The coronavirus may survive on various surfaces and/or aerosols for hours to days, making it a necessity to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while treating infected patients. Wearing the PPE is often uncomfortable while working, more so in the summer season, when the temperatures in a tropical country like India are soaring. Aim: To identify, quantify and highlight the difficulties faced by the HCWs while wearing PPEs. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2020, by a team of researchers working in a government owned designated Coronavirus Disease- 2019 (COVID-19) hospital in metropolitan city, West India. The questionnaire was prepared for a multicentre survey for 230 HCWs who had used PPE kits during their COVID-19 duties. The online questionnaire responses were recorded in an Microsoft Excel sheet and the results were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 19.0. Results: Total 230 responses were received out of which 74% were doctors, 21.7% nurses and 4.3% paramedical staff. The mean duration of work was 6.24 hours and per duty one, PPE was used by almost all of the respondents. The most common difficulty faced by the responders while on duty was excessive sweating (96%/n-221), itching of the nose (56%/n-129) and face (50.9%/n-117). While after the duty 61.7% of respondents reported being dehydrated and 68.2% complained of de novo headache. In a subset with a history of migraine, almost all reported worsening of migraine with increased frequency and severity of attacks. Many (40%) reported occasionally lowering the masks or face shield due to unbearable heat, risking self- contamination. Conclusion: The PPEs in current use and in the hot and humid conditions of summer months in tropical countries poses a unique challenge for the HCWs. Customisation of PPEs and working conditions is essential in the mitigation of the problems faced by the HCWs.


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