scholarly journals Healthcare Workers Attitudes, Practices and Sources of Information for COVID-19 Vaccination: An Italian National Survey

Author(s):  
Francesca Papini ◽  
Sara Mazzilli ◽  
Dania Paganini ◽  
Lucia Rago ◽  
Guglielmo Arzilli ◽  
...  

Vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is a crucial element to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this survey was to assess attitudes, sources of information and practices among Italian Healthcare workers (HCWs) in relation to COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: From 19 February to 23 April 2021, an anonymous voluntary questionnaire was sent to the mailing list of the main National Health Service structures. Data were collected through the SurveyMonkey platform. Results: A total of 2137 HCWs answered. Hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination was more frequent in females, in those with lower concern about COVID-19, and in nurses, auxiliary nurses (AN) and healthcare assistants. Hesitant professionals were more likely to not recommend vaccination to their patients or relatives, while a high concern about COVID-19 was related to an increased rate of recommendation to family members. HCWs were mostly in favor of mandatory vaccination (61.22%). Female sex, a lower education level, greater hesitancy and refusal to adhere to flu vaccination campaigns were predictors influencing the aversion to mandatory vaccination. All categories of HCWs referred mainly to institutional sources of information, while scientific literature was more used by professionals working in the northern regions of Italy and in infection control, infectious diseases, emergencies and critical areas. HCWs working in south-central regions, nurses, AN, healthcare technicians, administrators and HCWs with a lower education level were more likely to rely on internet, television, newspapers, and the opinions of family and friends. Conclusions: Communication in support of COVID-19 immunization campaigns should consider the differences between the various HCWs professional categories in order to efficiently reach all professionals, including the most hesitant ones.

Author(s):  
Longmei Tang ◽  
Shangchun Wu ◽  
Dianwu Liu ◽  
Marleen Temmerman ◽  
Wei-Hong Zhang

Background: In China, there were about 9.76 million induced abortions in 2019, 50% of which were repeat abortions. Understanding the tendency of repeat induced abortion and identifying its related factors is needed to develop prevention strategies. Methods: Two hospital-based cross-sectional surveys were conducted from 2005–2007 and 2013–2016 in 24 and 90 hospitals, respectively. The survey included women who sought an induced abortion within 12 weeks of pregnancy. The proportion of repeat induced abortions by adjusting the covariates through propensity score matching was compared between the two surveys, and the zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was established to identify independent factors of repeat induced abortion. Results: Adjusting the age, occupation, education, marital status and number of children, the proportion of repeat induced abortions in the second survey was found to be low (60.28% vs. 11.11%), however the unadjusted proportion was high in the second survey (44.97% vs. 51.54%). The risk of repeat induced abortion was higher among married women and women with children [ORadj and 95% CI: 0.31 (0.20, 0.49) and 0.08 (0.05, 0.13)]; the risk among service industry staff was higher when compared with unemployed women [ORadj and 95% CI: 0.19 (0.07, 0.54)]; women with a lower education level were at a higher risk of a repeat induced abortion (ORadj < 1). Compared with women under the age of 20, women in other higher age groups had a higher frequency of repeat induced abortions (IRadj: 1.78, 2.55, 3.27, 4.01, and 3.93, separately); the frequency of women with lower education levels was higher than those with a university or higher education level (IRadj > 1); the repeat induced abortion frequency of married women was 0.93 (0.90, 0.98) when compared to the frequency of unmarried women, while the frequency of women with children was 1.17 (1.10, 1.25) of childless women; the induced abortion frequency of working women was about 60–95% with that of unemployed women. Conclusions: The repeat induced abortion proportion was lower than 10 years ago. Induced abortion seekers who were married, aged 20 to 30 years and with a lower education level were more likely to repeat induced abortions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazem Khalagi ◽  
Akram Ansarifar ◽  
Noushin Fahimfar ◽  
Mahnaz Sanjari ◽  
Safoora Gharibzdeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Iran’s population is aging. Disability is a major public health problem for older adults, not only in Iran but all over the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cardio-metabolic and socio-demographic risk factors and disability in people 60 years and older in Iran. Methods The baseline (cross-sectional) data of 2426 samples from the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program was included in the analysis. The participants were selected through multi-stage random sampling in Bushehr, southern Iran. Socio-demographic characteristics, as well as the history of diabetes and other chronic diseases, and smoking were measured using standardized questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests were performed under standard conditions. Dependency was determined by the questionnaires of basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) using Barthel and Lawton scales respectively. Multiple logistic regression was used in the analysis. Results Mean (Standard Deviation) of the participants’ age was 69.3 (6.4) years (range: 60 and 96 years), and 48.1% of the participants were men. After adjusting for potential confounders, being older, being female (OR (95%CI): 2.3 (1.9–2.9)), having a lower education level, a history of diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.4 (1.2–1.7)) and past smoking (OR: 1.3 (1.0–1.6)), and no physical activity (OR: 1.5 (1.2–1.9)) were significantly associated with dependency in IADL. Also, being older and female (OR: 2.4 (1.9–3.0)), having a lower education level, no physical activity (OR: 2.2 (1.6–2.9)) and daily intake of calories (OR: 0.99 (0.99–0.99)) were associated with dependency in BADL. Conclusion Dependency in older adults can be prevented by increasing community literacy, improving physical activity, preventing and controlling diabetes mellitus, avoiding smoking, and reducing daily calorie intake.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
So Young Park ◽  
Jieun Kim ◽  
Jung Il Son ◽  
Sang Youl Rhee ◽  
Do-Yeon Kim ◽  
...  

AbstractThe screening rate of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is low despite the importance of early diagnosis. We investigated the predictive value of dietary glutamic acid and aspartic acid for diagnosis of DR using the Korea National Diabetes Program cohort study. The 2067 patients with type 2 diabetes without DR were included. The baseline intakes of energy, glutamic acid and aspartic acid were assessed using a 3-day food records. The risk of DR incidence based on intake of glutamic acid and aspartic acid was analyzed. The DR group was older, and had higher HbA1c, longer DM duration, lower education level and income than non-DR group (all p < 0.05). The intake of total energy, glutamic acid and aspartic acid were lower in DR group than non-DR group (p = 0.010, p = 0.025 and p = 0.042, respectively). There was no difference in the risk of developing DR according to the intake of glutamic acid and ascorbic acid. But, aspartic acid intake had a negative correlation with PDR. Hence, the intake of glutamic acid and aspartic acid did not affect in DR incidence. However, lower aspartic acid intake affected the PDR incidence.


Author(s):  
Tatiane da Silva Dal Pizzol ◽  
Cassia Garcia Moraes ◽  
Paulo Sérgio Dourado Arrais ◽  
Andréa Dâmaso Bertoldi ◽  
Luiz Roberto Ramos ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The written information on medicines has been acknowledged as an important tool for health education. Objective: To analyze the use and understanding of medicine package inserts by users and assess sociodemographic and medical factors associated with their comprehension. Method: Data in this analysis are part of the PNAUM National Survey - a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Brazil. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson χ2 tests were performed to compare proportions between sociodemographic and medical characteristics, as well as use and understanding of medicine package inserts. Results: A total of 28.427 individuals responded to questions related to medicine package inserts. From these, 59.6% (95%CI 57.7 - 61.5) said they usually read the inserts, and 98.4% (95%CI 98.0 - 98.8) considered them necessary. Among people who read the medicine package inserts, more than half indicated difficulties with legibility (57.4%; 95%CI 55,2 - 59,6) and readability (54.1%; 95%CI 52.1 - 56.1). People from a lower education level reported greater difficulty in understanding them. Conclusion: The larger portion of the population usually read medicine package inserts. Nevertheless, people have difficulty in reading and understanding them.


2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 474-477
Author(s):  
Igor A. Gundarov ◽  
M. A. Flores

Introduction. Smokers are known to have the mortality rate to be higher than never-smokers. At the same time a refusal from smoking in prevention programs did not make a prognosis better. Smoking may be associated with some social disadvantages, which can also influence health negatively. Testing of this hypothesis which had been made earlier on the population of the enterprise workers proved significant disparities in the way of life and mental features of smokers in comparison with never-smokers. Aim. The aim of present work is to study the health and mental features of male smokers in comparison with never-smokers. Material and methods. 1059 men - workers of metallurgical plant, 35-60 years old, were examined. Response rate of 92.3% makes sample general. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, height, weight, resting pulse rate were taken by standard methods. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as a ratio of weight (kg) to height in square (m2). Men were divided into two groups: 132 heavy smokers (≥20 cigarettes/day) and 403 never-smokers. Results. There was no difference between the groups in age and non-communicative diseases prevalence. At the same time smokers had more often symptoms of psychological disadvantage, people with insufficient BMI and had lower education. Conclusion. Heavy smokers are characterized with less favorable indices of mental status, more often insufficient BMI and lower education level in comparison with never smokers. Health promoting actions among smokers should include the correction of way of life parameters non favorable for health.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Pickles ◽  
Erin Cvejic ◽  
Brooke Nickel ◽  
Tessa Copp ◽  
Carissa Bonner ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Misinformation about COVID-19 is common and has been spreading rapidly across the globe through social media platforms and other information systems. Understanding what the public knows about COVID-19 and identifying beliefs based on misinformation can help shape effective public health communications to ensure efforts to reduce viral transmission are not undermined. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with COVID-19 misinformation in Australia and their changes over time. METHODS This prospective, longitudinal national survey was completed by adults (18 years and above) across April (n=4362), May (n=1882), and June (n=1369) 2020. RESULTS Stronger agreement with misinformation was associated with younger age, male gender, lower education level, and language other than English spoken at home (<i>P</i>&lt;.01 for all). After controlling for these variables, misinformation beliefs were significantly associated (<i>P</i>&lt;.001) with lower levels of digital health literacy, perceived threat of COVID-19, confidence in government, and trust in scientific institutions. Analyses of specific government-identified misinformation revealed 3 clusters: prevention (associated with male gender and younger age), causation (associated with lower education level and greater social disadvantage), and cure (associated with younger age). Lower institutional trust and greater rejection of official government accounts were associated with stronger agreement with COVID-19 misinformation. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study highlight important gaps in communication effectiveness, which must be addressed to ensure effective COVID-19 prevention.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satiel Banda

BACKGROUND In the statistics taken from media brief on ending child marriage in Zambia, (2014) states, “Zambia is the third highest country with cases of child marriages in the SADC region and 19th in the world. In Zambia, about 42 per cent of women aged 20-24 years are married by the age of 18 – a rate that has not evolved since 2002. The rates of child marriages vary from province to province, and are as high as 60 per cent in the Eastern Province. (www.girlsnotbrides.org.) accessed on 20th November 2014. At 13.42) The ZDHS [Zambia Demographic Health Survey] indicates that among married girls aged 15-19 in Zambia, 68 percent have already given birth. In addition, most of the births occurring to girls before age 18 are first births (85 percent), and a majority of these first births occur within marriage. A Central Statistical Office (CSO) report of 2010 carried out by Plan Zambia indicates that “only a few adolescent girls and boys complete upper primary education while the enrolment ratio in secondary education is 13.4% for males and 12.9% for females.” The report concludes that child marriage is the critical driver for this state of affairs. OBJECTIVE This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with child marriage in Chipulukusu township of Ndola. Zambia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chipulukusu Township within the location of Ndola. A pretest questionnaire was used to collect information on child marriage prevalence and factors towards the practice of child marriage and other relevant socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS the prevalence of early marriage in Chipulukusu township of Ndola district, Zambia was 20.7 % with it being significantly associated with lower social economic status (poverty), lower education level, orphanhood and teen pregnancies CONCLUSIONS the prevalence of early marriage in this study was high. Its prevalence was significantly associated with people of poor backgrounds (poverty), teen pregnancies, lower education level, and orphan hood.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 4s ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Cardozo Bortolotto ◽  
Christian Loret de Mola ◽  
Luciana Tovo-Rodrigues

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the quality of life and its determinants in a population living in a rural area. METHODS: This is a population-based, cross-sectional study with individuals aged 18 years or over from the rural area of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We evaluated quality of life using the WHOQOL-BREF, which has four domains (physical, psychological, social relations, and environment) and two questions: overall quality of life and satisfaction with health. We considered as independent variables the demographic, socioeconomic, and health variables. We evaluated the associations using linear regression in the four domains and ordinal logistic regression in the two general questions on quality of life and satisfaction with health. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1,479 individuals. The prevalence of the perception of overall very poor quality of life and dissatisfaction with health were 22.5% and 26.3%, respectively. Individuals who were older (p < 0.001), non-white (p = 0.004), with lower education level (p < 0.001), poorer (p = 0.001), and who had always lived in the rural area (p = 0.049) were less likely to have a better perception of overall quality of life. As for satisfaction with health, women (p = 0.001), older individuals (p = 0.001), those unemployed (p = 0.023), and those with diseases were less likely to report higher satisfaction with health. For the four domains evaluated, the results were consistent with those observed for the general questions. CONCLUSIONS: The most relevant aspects that negatively defined the quality of life of the population were being a woman, older, non-white, having a low income, having a lower education level, having always lived in the rural area, being unemployed, and having a disease. Given that they are significant factors as determinants of health, these results suggest that quality of life is an issue that should be placed among health needs, especially regarding the most vulnerable groups in rural areas.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 546 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Naik ◽  
X. Qiu ◽  
M. C. Brown ◽  
L. Eng ◽  
D. Pringle ◽  
...  

Purpose Smoking cessation and increased physical activity (pa) have been linked to better outcomes in cancer survivors. We assessed whether socioeconomic factors influence changes in those behaviours after a cancer diagnosis.Methods As part of a cross-sectional study, a diverse group of cancer survivors at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto, ON), completed a questionnaire about past and current lifestyle behaviours and perceptions about the importance of those behaviours with respect to their health. The influence of socioeconomic indicators on smoking status and physical inactivity at 1 year before and after diagnosis were assessed using multivariable logistic regression with adjustment for clinico-demographic factors.Results Of 1222 participants, 1192 completed the smoking component. Of those respondents, 15% smoked before diagnosis, and 43% of those smokers continued to smoke after. The proportion of survivors who continued to smoke increased with lower education level (p = 0.03). Of the 1106 participants answering pa questions, 39% reported being physically inactive before diagnosis, of whom 82% remained inactive afterward. Survivors with a lower education level were most likely to remain inactive after diagnosis (p = 0.003). Lower education level, household income, and occupation were associated with the perception that pa had no effect or could worsen fatigue and quality of life (p ≤ 0.0001).Conclusions In cancer survivors, education level was a major modifier of smoking and pa behaviours. Lower socioeconomic status was associated with incorrect perceptions about pa. Targeting at-risk survivors by education level should be evaluated as a strategy in cancer survivorship programs.


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