scholarly journals A National Survey to Assess the COVID-19 Vaccine-Related Conspiracy Beliefs, Acceptability, Preference, and Willingness to Pay among the General Population of Pakistan

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 720
Author(s):  
Muhammad Subhan Arshad ◽  
Iltaf Hussain ◽  
Tahir Mahmood ◽  
Khezar Hayat ◽  
Abdul Majeed ◽  
...  

The current study aims to assess the beliefs of the general public in Pakistan towards conspiracy theories, acceptance, willingness to pay, and preference for the COVID-19 vaccine. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online self-administered questionnaire during January 2021. The Chi-square test or Fisher exact test was utilized for statistical data analysis. A total of 2158 respondents completed the questionnaire, among them 1192 (55.2%) were male with 23.87 (SD: ±6.23) years as mean age. The conspiracy beliefs circulating regarding the COVID-19 vaccine were believed by 9.3% to 28.4% of the study participants. Among them, 1040 (48.2%) agreed to vaccinate on its availability while 934 (43.3%) reported the Chinese vaccine as their preference. The conspiracy beliefs of the participants were significantly associated with acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. The existence of conspiracy beliefs and low vaccine acceptance among the general population is a serious threat to successful COVID-19 vaccination.

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-371
Author(s):  
Sabita Subedi ◽  
Meera Prajapati ◽  
Bhojan Dhakal

A cross sectional study was conducted in Eastern and Western parts of Chitwan district from November 2015 to April, 2016  in two parts, the social study followed by biological to determine and compare the prevalence, distribution of antibodies, and level of awareness of farmers  against Brucella abortus in cattle of the two regions of same district. Altogether blood samples of 92 cattle were taken for detection of Brucella antibodies by using RBPT test and the positive samples were further retested by Indirect ELISA test through ID Vet iELISA kit 2016. The samples which showed positive on both tests were confirmed as seropositive. Chi -square test and Fisher Exact test was used to find out the association between various variables. The result showed that 14.13% (13/92) and 10.86% (10/92) sample were positive by RBPT and iELISA test respectively. There was no significant prevalence differences (p>0.05) on location, age group, breed type, and method of service (artificial and natural) used in cattle. Comparing abortion with prevalence of Brucellosis, there was significant differences (p<0.05) in the result of both RBPT and iELISA test. Inferring from this result, there is association between the abortion and occurrence of Brucellosis. The higher significant prevalence differences (p<0.01) was according to the time of abortion where higher seropositivity was obtained in the cattle aborted on 5-7th month of pregnancy and cattle of 3rd parity. The study showed the existence of Brucellosis in Chitwan district with no adoption of any preventive measures against this disease, so here is current need of the strategies for its prevention and control in order to mitigate such overwhelming situation.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(3): 365-371


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Koskei ◽  
Christine C. Bii ◽  
Protus Musotsi ◽  
Simon Muturi Karanja

An assessment of local farmers’ knowledge, attitude, and practices on postharvest maize storage and management was carried out with a view of understanding its role in maize contamination with mycotoxins and postharvest losses in Rift Valley and Lower Eastern Regions of Kenya among 165 and 149 farmers, respectively. Differences between the two regions were analyzed using the Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and two-sample t-test. The median quantity of maize harvested by farmers in the two regions after shelling was 585 kg. A median of 20 kg of maize was put aside as a result of rotting before shelling, and there was a significant mean difference in maize set aside as a result of rotting between the two regions (107.88 kg vs. 31.96 kg; t (306.25) = 5.707, P value <0.001). The quantity of discoloured and mouldy maize consumed ranged from 0 to 90 kg; 7 (2.2%) respondents consumed mouldy maize, 36 (11.5%) fed it to cows, and 19 (6.1%) fed it to poultry. A small percentage (3.5%) believed mouldy maize is safe for human consumption, 23.6% for animal consumption, while 15.0% considered it safe for brewing, with the differences between the two regions being statistically significant (P value <0.05). Nearly half of the respondents (48.4%) kept maize on cobs indoors, 47.1% left it in the field without covering, and 33.1% consumed and sold maize while still green, with more farmers from Lower Eastern practicing this. The results of the study suggest that there were poor postharvest practices and low awareness levels among maize farmers and that this can lead to postharvest losses due to Fusarium spp. infection and mycotoxin contamination that poses a threat to human and animal food safety. This calls for interventions on better postharvest practices.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 54-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Masud Sarker ◽  
Md. Shahidul Islam

AbstractSocial capital supports toward participating in political activities in democratic countries. This study tries to examine the relation between social capital and political participation in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Sylhet Sadar Upazila (sub-district) of north-eastern Bangladesh. A total of 100 respondents - who are above 23 years of age - were selected by using systematic random sampling technique for a face-to-face interview. Chi-square test and Fisher Exact test were applied to measure the association between social capital dimensions and political participation. The results show that social networks, civic participation, norms of reciprocity and social trusts are significantly associated with political participation in Bangladesh. This result suggests that social capital may have an effect towards an increment of a political participation in Bangladesh.


Author(s):  
Laima Alam

Objectives:Relation of demographics of hepatocellular-carcinoma with the aetiology.Tumour characteristics in relation to anti-viral therapy and presence of viral-DNA/RNATreatment modalities offeredMethods: This cross-sectional study enrolled all the patients aged 18-70 years with diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma either through Triphasic Contrast-Enhanced-CT scan and/or Magnetic Resonance Imaging or biopsy presenting to the Outpatient-Department or multi-disciplinary-team meetings for the year 2019. Demographic variables, biochemical analysis including liver profile and stage of cirrhosis, viral-status, tumour staging and the treatment modalities offered were all noted. ANOVA (normal) and Kruskal-Wallis (non-normal) tests were used to compare quantitative data whereas chi-square-test and fisher-exact-test were used to compare qualitative-data.Results: Out of 195 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 76% were males in their fifth to sixth decades of life, 96% had cirrhosis, 94% corresponded to viral hepatocellular-carcinoma (82% Hepatitis-C-Virus, 9% Hepatitis-B-Virus and 3% coinfection), 60% of the cirrhotics landed in Child-Pugh A category with tumour staging BCLC-B being the predominant one (43.6%) and single and multiple bilateral nodules were the commonest lesions encountered. Platelets and Alanine-Transaminase had a significant relation across aetiological groups. Lymph-nodes were the most common extra-hepatic organs for metastasis and the presence of viral PCR had a significant impact on the tumour aggressiveness. Thirty-two percent of the patients were amenable to curative treatment.Conclusion: Viral infection is the main cause of rising prevalence of this tumour in Pakistan. Treatment modalities are expensive and expertise are lacking. A nationwide cancer registry is required for the exact disease burden and tumour behaviour for our population. Continuous....


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 305-312
Author(s):  
Erivelton Sousa Lima ◽  
Amanda de Castro Amorim Serpa Brandão ◽  
Antonio Luiz Gomes Junior ◽  
Luana kelle Batista Moura ◽  
Gerardo Vasconcelos Mesquita ◽  
...  

Background: The child feed in the first two years of life is of fundamental importance for a healthy growth and development. Aims: To verify the association between food consumption indicators and overweight in children under the age of two, followed up by primary care health professionals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 232 children assisted by primary care. A structured questionnaire was used with questions on sociodemographic data of mothers or guardians and food intake and anthropometric data of children. The analysis of the association between excess weight and food intake indicators was performed using the Pearson’s chi-square test (χ2) and Fisher’s exact test (f ˂ 5). Results: Regarding food intake in children under 6 months of age, 35.1% of the children were exclusively breastfed. Among children at the age of 6 to 23 months: 66.3% were on continued breastfeeding; 16.7% consumed adequate foods at the age of 6 to 8 months; 90.4% consumed foods that belonged to the six food groups; 76.3% consumed food at the minimum frequency and with adequate consistency; 88.9% consumed iron-rich and vitamin A-rich foods, and 59.3% consumed ultra-processed foods. Regarding nutritional status, 24.5% of the children were overweight. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant association between overweight and food consumption indicators among the surveyed children. However, exclusive breastfeeding was below the recommended level, a low percentage of the introduction of complementary foods at the appropriate age and high consumption of ultra-processed foods reveal the need to improve the assistance provided by primary care to this group.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Elis Janaina Lira dos Santos ◽  
Alana Moura Xavier Dantas ◽  
Raíssa Marçal Vilela ◽  
Karina Jerônimo Rodrigues Santiago de Lima ◽  
Rejane Targino Soares Beltrão

Objective: To evaluate patient perception of the smile focused on analysis of the upper incisors. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Clinical and Social Dentistry at Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil. Participants: The sample consisted of 135 individuals (73 women and 62 men). Methods: Images with different characteristics associated with the incisal edges were shown at random and analysed using a Likert scale. Data were analysed using the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test with a statistically significant difference ( P < 0.05). Results: Smile I (difference of 1.5 mm in relation to the central incisor and lateral) was considered the most aesthetic, while Smile III (no difference in height between the central and lateral incisors) was the least aesthetic. A significant difference was found between perception of smile II (difference of 1 mm in relation to the central incisor and lateral) and age groups ( P < 0.005), with 31% (n = 13) of individuals aged 45–64 years considering smile II as not pleasant, 4.4% (n = 2) aged 15–24 years and 8.3% (n=4) aged 25–44 years and 4.4% (n = 2) aged 15–24 years considering the same. A significant difference was also found in relation to educational background of the assessor and smile perception, with smile III ( P = 0.0441) and smile IV ( P = 0.0053) considered the most aesthetic ( P = 0.0116). Conclusion: The smile considered most attractive among the sample was that with 1.5 mm steepness between the central and lateral incisors, while a flat smile arc was considered least attractive.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milad Al-kalisi ◽  
Manal Al-Hajri ◽  
Sarah Al-Rai

Abstract Background: Undernutrition is an inadequate supply of energy and nutrients. Periodontal diseases (PDs) defined as a broad form of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gingiva, bone and ligaments supporting the teeth. This study aimed to reveal the effect of undernutrition, using body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin level (Alb) on PDs and other risk factors as age, smoking and khat chewing. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the faculty of dentistry, Sana’a University. Of 1920 patients attended to clinics, only 229 matched the study criteria. Oral examination was performed to assess the periodontal clinical parameters measurements. BMI and Alb was measured. Statistical analysis was used to present the association between categorical variables was assessed using Chi square test and Fisher-Exact test. ANOVA was used to assess the differences in the mean values of the quantitative outcomes. Chi square test was used to evaluate the association between BMI and age, gender, occupation, education level, smoking, khat chewing as well as BMI with PDs. Results: Most of participants (58.5%) were males and most of the study sample (91.3%) was at the age group of (18-35). Among all subjects, (81.2%) of cases were diagnosed with gingivitis. (60.7%) of study participants were mildly undernourished according to BMI. (93%) of participants showed normal Alb level. Regarding to habits, only (18.2%) of patients were smokers and more than half of participants (59.4%) were khat chewers. Conclusion: There was a relationship between PDs and undernutrition which was obviously seen between gingivitis and mild undernutrition.


Revista CEFAC ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Ribeiro Schilling ◽  
Maria Cristina de Almeida Freitas Cardoso ◽  
Paulo Sérgio Gonçalves da Silva ◽  
Marcia Angélica Peter Maahs

ABSTRACT Purpose: to describe the changes in speech and dental occlusion in children with cleft lip and palate and verify their association with each other and with the time of primary plastic surgeries. Methods: a cross-sectional study with collected data on the subjects’ identification, age at the time of primary surgeries, and clinical assessment of speech and dental occlusion. The chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and t-test were used to verify the associations between the variables at the 5% significance level (p < 0.05). Results: the sample comprised 11 children aged 6 to 10 years, most of whom were males, self-reported white, with trans-incisive foramen cleft, predominantly on the left side. The mean age at lip repair surgery was 6 months, and 13 months at palatoplasty. Among the main dental occlusion changes, posterior and anterior crossbite stood out. All the subjects presented changed speech, with a prevalence of cases with dentoalveolar and palatine deformities, followed by passive and active changes. Subjects with anterior crossbite tended to have undergone primary lip repair surgery at a mean of four months earlier than the subjects without anterior crossbite. Conclusions: the associations between speech and dental occlusion changes, and between these and the time of primary plastic surgeries were not statistically significant. Even though it is known that early lip repair surgery is ideal to favor oral functions and aesthetics, the results revealed a tendency towards anterior crossbite, in these subjects.


Author(s):  
Vijayakumar M. ◽  
Jeshtin M.

Background: Construction sector is a thriving industry which comprises most of the unorganized workers and providing widespread opportunities for employment of most of the poorest and marginalized sections of society in India. The workers are more susceptible to various occupational hazards due to working conditions in dusty environment. This study is proposed to identify the morbidity pattern, availability and usage of safety measures, health care seeking behaviour and health care facilities at the quarry site.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the stone quarry workers of Maduranthakam area in Kancheepuram district from February 2018 to May 2018. The sample size was calculated as 94 and five quarries were selected randomly. The study tool was interview based semi structured questionnaire and clinical examination. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics like Chi square test, Fischer’s exact test was done to determine significant association (p<0.05).Results: The common morbidities among the participants were abdominal conditions (54%), injuries (34%) and musculoskeletal disorders (27%). One in five individuals had respiratory problems and those with breathing difficulty had decreased peak expiratory flow rate. Usage of personal protective equipments is low and about 63.8% of them were using government health care facilities.Conclusions: Increasing demand for stone and aggregates has led to extensive stone quarrying operations. Awareness and enforcement of personal protective equipment, vaccination against diseases like tetanus, periodic health check- ups should be enforced for people working in quarries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e554101220732
Author(s):  
Gabriela Luiza Hochscheidt ◽  
Mateus Müller da Silva ◽  
Maria Beatriz Cardoso Ferreira ◽  
Alexandre Silva de Quevedo ◽  
Deise Ponzoni

The aim of this study was to evaluate the most common drugs prescribed by dentists and the indicators related to rational drug use. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in which 189 interviews were carried out from August 2015 to June 2016 with patients who received drug prescriptions at specialized dental care centers in a city in southern Brazil. A specific data sheet was used, with questions regarding: age and gender of the patient, dental specialty in which the care occurred, and prescription drugs and their respective dosage regimen. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (p <0.05). From the total of interviews, it was observed that 92.1% of patients received written medication prescriptions. Of these prescriptions, 38.5% had some type of antibiotic for systemic use. Acetaminophen was the most prescribed drug (33.4%), followed by amoxicillin (19.7%). The mean number of medications per prescription was 1.75, and 17.4% of the prescriptions did not indicate the dosage regimen. Our findings indicate a high incidence of prescribed antibiotics and non-compliance with regulatory agency guidance in prescriptions at the centers evaluated.


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