scholarly journals Side Effects and Perceptions Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Jordan: A Randomized, Cross-Sectional Study Implementing Machine Learning for Predicting Severity of Side Effects

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 556
Author(s):  
Ma’mon M. Hatmal ◽  
Mohammad A. I. Al-Hatamleh ◽  
Amin N. Olaimat ◽  
Malik Hatmal ◽  
Dina M. Alhaj-Qasem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Gradient Boosting ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Post Vaccination ◽  
Extreme Gradient Boosting

Background: Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic, there was no doubt that vaccination is the ideal protocol to tackle it. Within a year, a few COVID-19 vaccines have been developed and authorized. This unparalleled initiative in developing vaccines created many uncertainties looming around the efficacy and safety of these vaccines. This study aimed to assess the side effects and perceptions following COVID-19 vaccination in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing an online survey targeted toward Jordan inhabitants who received any COVID-19 vaccines. Data were statistically analyzed and certain machine learning (ML) tools, including multilayer perceptron (MLP), eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest (RF), and K-star were used to predict the severity of side effects. Results: A total of 2213 participants were involved in the study after receiving Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech, and other vaccines (38.2%, 31%, 27.3%, and 3.5%, respectively). Generally, most of the post-vaccination side effects were common and non-life-threatening (e.g., fatigue, chills, dizziness, fever, headache, joint pain, and myalgia). Only 10% of participants suffered from severe side effects; while 39% and 21% of participants had moderate and mild side effects, respectively. Despite the substantial variations between these vaccines in the presence and severity of side effects, the statistical analysis indicated that these vaccines might provide the same protection against COVID-19 infection. Finally, around 52.9% of participants suffered before vaccination from vaccine hesitancy and anxiety; while after vaccination, 95.5% of participants have advised others to get vaccinated, 80% felt more reassured, and 67% believed that COVID-19 vaccines are safe in the long term. Furthermore, based on the type of vaccine, demographic data, and side effects, the RF, XGBoost, and MLP gave both high accuracies (0.80, 0.79, and 0.70, respectively) and Cohen’s kappa values (0.71, 0.70, and 0.56, respectively). Conclusions: The present study confirmed that the authorized COVID-19 vaccines are safe and getting vaccinated makes people more reassured. Most of the post-vaccination side effects are mild to moderate, which are signs that body’s immune system is building protection. ML can also be used to predict the severity of side effects based on the input data; predicted severe cases may require more medical attention or even hospitalization.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors of CoronaVac Side Effects: An Independent Cross-Sectional Study among Healthcare Workers in Turkey

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2629
Author(s):  
Abanoub Riad ◽  
Derya Sağıroğlu ◽  
Batuhan Üstün ◽  
Andrea Pokorná ◽  
Jitka Klugarová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Public Confidence ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is a serious threat to mass vaccination strategies that need to be accelerated currently in order to achieve a substantial level of community immunity. Independent (non-sponsored) studies have a great potential to enhance public confidence in vaccines and accelerate their uptake process. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study for the side effects (SE) of CoronaVac was carried out in February 2021 among Turkish healthcare workers who were recently vaccinated. The questionnaire inquired about local and systemic SEs that occurred in the short-term, within four weeks, following vaccination. Results: A total of 780 healthcare workers were included in this study; 62.5% of them experienced at least one SE. Injection site pain (41.5%) was the most common local SE, while fatigue (23.6%), headache (18.7%), muscle pain (11.2%) and joint pain (5.9%) were the common systemic SEs. Female healthcare workers (67.9%) were significantly more affected by local and systemic SEs than male colleagues (51.4%). Younger age, previous infection, and compromised health status (chronic illnesses and regular medicines uptake) can be associated with an increased risk of CoronaVac SEs; Conclusions: The independent research shows a higher prevalence of CoronaVac SEs than what is reported by phase I–III clinical trials. In general, the results of this study confirm the overall safety of CoronaVac and suggest potential risk factors for its SEs. Gender-based differences and SEs distribution among age groups are worth further investigation.

scholarly journals Unfolding the Mild to Moderate Short-Term Side Effects of Four COVID-19 Vaccines Used in Bahrain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1369
Author(s):  
Muhammad Nauman Zahid
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Post Vaccination ◽  
Global Pandemic

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) created a global pandemic (COVID-19) that has resulted in massive health and economic losses. The current unavailability of treatments leaves vaccination as the only way to control this disease. There are four vaccines (Sinopharm, Pfizer—BioNTech, Sputnik, and AstraZeneca) available in Bahrain. This project aimed to study the most common side effects resulting from the first and second doses of these four vaccines. Data were collected through an online questionnaire answered by 311 individuals who received both doses of one of these four vaccines. The results of this study revealed that regardless of the vaccine identity, participants experienced more side effects from the second dose. Among the different side effects, pain at the site of injection was primarily observed after the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine (43%), which was followed by the AstraZeneca vaccine (31%). Moreover, fever was observed in participants after the first dose of the Sputnik vaccine (37%), while headache was mainly observed after the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine (32%). It is important to note that fatigue was observed after the first dose of all four vaccines but was reported by the highest proportion of respondents in the Pfizer group (28%). Interestingly, there are some side effects, such as pain at the site of injection, that are correlated with fever (r = 0.909). Similarly, headache is correlated with fever (r = 0.801) and pain at the site of injection (r = 0.868). Overall, it was observed that recipients of the Sinopharm vaccine reported the mildest side effects among all four vaccines. The crucial finding of this study is that the first and second dosage post-vaccination side effects were modest and predictable with no occurrences of hospitalization; this information can assist in lessening vaccine apprehension.

scholarly journals Assessment of Saudi Parents’ Beliefs and Behaviors towards Management of Child Fever in Saudi Arabia—A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5217
Author(s):  
Mohamed N. Al Arifi ◽  
Abdulrahman Alwhaibi
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Febrile Seizures ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Electronic Thermometer ◽  
And Behavior

Objective: Fever alone can lead to rare serious complications in children, such as febrile seizures. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, beliefs, and behavior of parents toward fever and its management. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was applied over a period of 3 months, from January to March 2018, to parents who were living in Saudi Arabia. The inclusion criteria were a parent who is a resident of Saudi Arabia, with at least one child aged 6 years or less, while incomplete questionnaires, having a child aged more than 6 years, or parents who were not living in Saudi Arabia were excluded. Results: A total of 656 parents completed the questionnaire. More than two-thirds of the subjects were female, the majority of whom were aged between 25–33 years old. The best-reported place to measure the temperature of children was the armpit (46%), followed by the ear (28%) and the mouth (10.7%). More than half of the parents considered their children feverish at a temperature of 38 °C. The majority of parents (79.7%) reported that the most serious side effects of fever were seizure, brain damage (39.3%), coma (29.9%), dehydration (29.7%), and death (25%). The most common method used to measure a child’s temperature was an electronic thermometer (62.3%). The most common antipyretic was paracetamol (84.5%). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the good knowledge of parents in identifying a feverish temperature using the recommended route and tools for measuring body temperature.

scholarly journals SAT0330 NEW IMMUNOMODULATORY COMBINATION THERAPIES IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS: A RETROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1110.1-1111
Author(s):  
J. Qiao ◽  
S. X. Zhang ◽  
T. T. Zhang ◽  
J. Zhang ◽  
M. T. Qiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Lymphocyte Subsets ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Peripheral Lymphocyte ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Combination Therapies ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Long Term Treatment

Background:Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) is a rare complex connective tissue disease associated with high mortality and high morbidity1. Active SSc are typically treated with immunosuppressants, which may create a variety of severe side-effects, especially for long-term treatment2. As the pathogenesis of SSc is still a matter of debate, growing evidences have focused on the immune disorders3. However, the quantitative status of lymphocyte subsets in SSc patients are unclear and effects of immunomodulatory combination therapies (avoiding side-effects of conventional therapy) on the lymphocyte subsets are unknown.Objectives:To investigate the quantitative status of peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations and CD4+T subsets in SSc patients for the exploration of SSc pathogenesis and evaluate the effects of new immunomodulatory combination therapies on those cells.Methods:From July 2014 to December 2019, total 166 patients with SSc and 206 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study, in which, 79 follow-up patients received immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) such as low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, retinoic acid and coenzyme Q10. The absolute numbers of T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs in peripheral blood of these subjects were detected by flow cytometry combined with standard absolute counting beads.Results:Patients with SSc had lower absolute counts of total T, NK, Th2, Th17 and Tregs as compared with those of HCs (P<0.05) (Figure 1). After immunomodulatory combination treatments, there were increases in a various of peripheral lymphocyte subsets such as T, B and CD8+T (P< 0.05). Moreover, the increased level of Tregs was much more dramatical than those of other lymphocyte subsets, resulting in the decrease ratios of Teffs/Tregs such as Th1/Tregs and Th2/Tregs and rebuilding immunologic equilibrium (Figure 2).Conclusion:This cross-sectional study clarified the abnormal status of lymphocyte subsets in SSc patients, suggesting lymphocyte subsets, especially Tregs, might be relevant and play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of SSc, thus providing a potential therapeutic target for SSc patients. Immunomodulatory combination therapies effectively increase the level of Tregs as well as other lymphocytes to some degree and maintain the immunologic equilibrium, which may help for SSc patients’ symptom remission.References:[1]Denton CP, Khanna D. Systemic sclerosis. Lancet 2017;390(10103):1685-99. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30933-9 [published Online First: 2017/04/18][2]Winthrop KL, Weinblatt ME, Bathon J, et al. Unmet need in rheumatology: reports from the Targeted Therapies meeting 2019. Ann Rheum Dis 2020;79(1):88-93. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216151 [published Online First: 2019/10/31][3]Skaug B, Khanna D, Swindell WR, et al. Global skin gene expression analysis of early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis shows a prominent innate and adaptive inflammatory profile. Ann Rheum Dis 2019 doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215894 [published Online First: 2019/11/27]Acknowledgments :None.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals A study of the knowledge and attitude of physicians in the first aid management of epistaxis in Aseer region, Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1457
Author(s):  
Abdullah Musleh ◽  
Sarah Ali AlShehri ◽  
Anas Mohammed AlShehri ◽  
Sultan Khalid Kadasah ◽  
Mohammed Sharaf Alshahrani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasolacrimal Duct ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Common ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Epistaxis is the common occurrence of bleeding from the nose. It is usually noticed when blood drains out through the nostrils. There are two types: anterior (the most common), and posterior (less common, more likely to require medical attention). Sometimes in more severe cases, the blood can come up the nasolacrimal duct and out from the eye<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted in main five hospitals in Aseer region targeting residents dealing with emergency room (ER) cases during the period from 1st July to 31st July, 2018. Data were collected using a pre-structured written questionnaire by the researchers. The questionnaire composed of three parts. First part was for residents’ demographic data. Second part considered epistaxis cases rate and treatment. Third part covered 10 questions for knowledge regarding epistaxis<span lang="EN-IN">.  </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> A total sample of 165 residents was involved with ages ranged from 27 years to 32 years old and 65.5% of the sampled residents were males. Exact of 47.3% of the residents were ER residents and 24.2% were general practitioners (GPs)<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-IN">Conclusions:</span></strong><span lang="EN-IN"> Nearly one out of each four residents had good awareness level regarding epistaxis especially GPs and ER residents. Position of patients with epistaxis and sites of epistaxis were the only items well known by residents. </span></p>

scholarly journals Side Effects of mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccine: Nationwide Phase IV Study among Healthcare Workers in Slovakia

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 873
Author(s):  
Abanoub Riad ◽  
Barbora Hocková ◽  
Lucia Kantorová ◽  
Rastislav Slávik ◽  
Lucia Spurná ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Post Vaccination ◽  
Phase Iv

mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines such as BNT162b2 have recently been a target of anti-vaccination campaigns due to their novelty in the healthcare industry; nevertheless, these vaccines have exhibited excellent results in terms of efficacy and safety. As a consequence, they acquired the first approvals from drug regulators and were deployed at a large scale among priority groups, including healthcare workers. This phase IV study was designed as a nationwide cross-sectional survey to evaluate the post-vaccination side effects among healthcare workers in Slovakia. The study used a validated self-administered questionnaire that inquired about participants’ demographic information, medical anamneses, COVID-19-related anamnesis, and local, systemic, oral, and skin-related side effects following receiving the BNT162b2 vaccine. A total of 522 participants were included in this study, of whom 77% were females, 55.7% were aged between 31 and 54 years, and 41.6% were from Banska Bystrica. Most of the participants (91.6%) reported at least one side effect. Injection site pain (85.2%) was the most common local side effect, while fatigue (54.2%), headache (34.3%), muscle pain (28.4%), and chills (26.4%) were the most common systemic side effects. The reported side effects were of a mild nature (99.6%) that did not require medical attention and a short duration, as most of them (90.4%) were resolved within three days. Females and young adults were more likely to report post-vaccination side effects; such a finding is also consistent with what was previously reported by other phase IV studies worldwide. The role of chronic illnesses and medical treatments in post-vaccination side effect incidence and intensity requires further robust investigation among large population groups.

scholarly journals Side Effects Following Administration of the First Dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield Vaccine in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 888-901
Author(s):  
Nishat Jahan ◽  
Fahad Imtiaz Rahman ◽  
Poushali Saha ◽  
Sadia Afruz Ether ◽  
ASM Roknuzzaman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Post Vaccination ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Larger Sample

In response to the raging COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh started its vaccine administration in early 2021; however, due to the rapid development and launch of the vaccines in the market, many people had concerns regarding the safety of these vaccines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the side effects that were experienced by the Bangladeshi residents after receiving the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield vaccine (ChAdOx1nCoV-19). The study was conducted using both online and printed questionnaires and the data were analysed using SPSS. The results included the responses of 474 vaccine recipients from March–April 2021. Pain at the site of injection, fever, myalgia, fatigue and headache were the most commonly reported symptoms, and the overall side effects were found to be significantly more prevalent in the younger population (p ≤ 0.05). These findings were consistent with the results indicated by the clinical trial of ChAdOx1nCoV-19. Logistic regression analysis further revealed that compared to people aged 70 years or above, the incidence of reported side effects was significantly higher in people aged 18–30 years (odds ratio (OR) = 8.56), 31–40 years, (OR = 5.05), 41–50 years (OR = 4.08), 51–60 years (OR = 3.77) and 61–70 years (OR = 3.67). In addition, a significantly higher percentage of female participants suffered from post-vaccination side effects compared to males (OR = 1.51). It was concluded that the Covishield vaccine was well-tolerated among people of different age groups. Nevertheless, further long-term follow-up study with a larger sample size is warranted to establish the long-term safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.

scholarly journals Assessment of Females Awareness in Saudi Arabia about Long term use of COCP and Venous Thromboembolism Risk: A Cross Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (01) ◽  
pp. 62-66
Author(s):  
Basmah Mohammed Alazmi ◽  
Shaikha Sulayyem Alsharari ◽  
Razan motawkel ◽  
Sara Alzahrani ◽  
Anhar Alfateel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Education ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Participants

Background: Nowadays there are a lot of women using contraceptive oral combined pills for birth control and as we know VTE is one of the complications when it used for a long time, and here in this study our aim is to assess the awareness and knowledge of females who live in Saudi Arabia about COCP and its complications like VTE. A cross-sectional observational study based on a questionnaire conducted among females who live in Saudi Arabia. Data collection was done by using online survey which contains questions about the age, education and contraception. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study carried out during December 2020 in Saudi Arabia. We minimize our target population through inclusion criteria: 1- Female 2- Live in Saudi Arabia 3- Agree to participate. Sample size was 454 participants calculated by using survey system website through sample size calculator with Confidence Level 95% and margin of error 5%. Result: A total of 454 patients completed the survey questionnaire. The results showed that the vast majority of the study participants aged 20 years or more. Moreover, more than 90% of the study participants were Saudi females. The average body weight is around 95 kg and height 164.2 cm. The results also indicated that two-third of the study participants attained university education level compared to 16.1% obtained secondary education. Additionally, 36.6% of the study participants worked as a housewife, 18.1% working in health field. Moreover, 40% of the respondents reside in the western regions, 34% live in eastern regions compared to the lowest percentage in South region 3.3%. Conclusion: In summary, this study revealed that the internet was the main source of knowledge. Health care providers should perform their intended role in improving the female’s awareness regarding family planning. The criteria for preferable contraceptive method are that it has few or no side effects, also it depends on how much effective and convenient it is. Educational programs may be warranted to minimize the fear of side effects and to enhance the general knowledge about contraception.

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