Willingness to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine among Residents of Slum Settlements

Slum residents are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Without a specific treatment, vaccination became the main strategy against COVID-19. In this study, we determined the rate and factors associated with the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 among slum residents and their main reasons associated with the vaccine intention. The study was conducted in Pau da Lima, a slum community in Salvador Brazil. In total, 985 residents were interviewed. Among them 66.0% (650/985) were willing to get vaccinated, 26.1% (257/985) were hesitant to take the vaccine and 7.9% (78/285) were not sure. The main reasons cited for vaccine hesitancy or being unsure were concerns about vaccine efficacy and potential side effects. In contrast, the main reasons cited for wanting the vaccine were the high incidence of COVID-19 cases and participants’ self-perception of their own health history. Multivariate analysis identified that COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was associated with younger age and low social capital, summarized as low perceived importance of vaccination to protect one’s family, friends and community. Slum residents have been less willing to vaccinate than the general population. Social capital presents a critical opportunity in the design of communication campaigns to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in slum settings.

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Spirituality and other factors associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance amongst Healthcare Workers in Cameroon

10.21203/rs.3.rs-712354/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Neh Chang Ngasa ◽

Stewart Ndutard Ngasa ◽

Leticia Armelle Sani Tchouda ◽

Eugénie Tanisso ◽

Christabel Abanda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Microsoft Excel ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Frontline Workers ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Negative Perceptions

Abstract Background: The production of the different COVID-19 vaccines has offered hope towards controlling the pandemic. Many governments around the world have been able to secure the number of doses required for the vaccination of their entire population. In Cameroon, the government’s strategy has been to secure the number of doses required to vaccinate frontline workers and other population at risk. A threat to this strategy could be vaccine hesitancy as demonstrated in previous studies. In this article we discussed the influence of spirituality on vaccine acceptance. We also examined other factors associated with vaccine acceptance amongst healthcare workers in Cameroon. Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey of healthcare workers in Cameroon. Data was collected using Surveysparrow and then computed into Microsoft Excel. All analysis were done using Stata 14. Results: A total number of 371 healthcare workers took part in the survey and 45.38% indicated willingness to accept the vaccine if offered. The most common reason advanced for non-acceptance of the vaccine was negative perceptions about the efficacy of the vaccines. Independent factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance following a multivariate logistic regression included: being married (AOR 1.13, p< 0.01), presence of comorbidity (AOR:2.10, p<0.02), participants who had direct contact with covid patients (AOR: 3.34, p<0.01). Spirituality level was not independently associated with vaccine acceptance (AOR: 1.12, p<0.63). Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance amongst healthcare workers in Cameroon is low. This is likely to reduce the vaccine uptake amongst healthcare workers. HCWs are in the best position to influence the uptake of these vaccines by the general population, therefore educating healthcare workers on the efficacy of these vaccines might improve their acceptance.

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Corowa-kun: Impact of a COVID-19 vaccine information chatbot on vaccine hesitancy, Japan 2021

10.1101/2021.05.26.21257854 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Takaaki Kobayashi ◽

Yuka Nishina ◽

Hana Tomoi ◽

Ko Harada ◽

Kyuto Tanaka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Confidential Interval ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Factors Associated ◽

History Of ◽

Flu Vaccine ◽

Vaccine Information ◽

To Receive

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.

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COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in older Syrian refugees: preliminary findings from an ongoing study

10.1101/2021.04.25.21256024 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Noura Salibi ◽

Sawsan Abdulrahim ◽

Maria El Haddad ◽

Stephanie Bassil ◽

Zeina El Khoury ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Conditions ◽

Panel Study ◽

Vaccine Safety ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Syrian Refugees ◽

Culturally Appropriate ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Phone Interview ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Vaccine Refusal

AbstractThis study assesses COVID-19 vaccine intentions among a sample of Syrian refugees (≥50 years) beneficiaries of a humanitarian organization in Lebanon, and explores factors associated with vaccine refusal. The findings are part of an ongoing rotating 4-wave panel study. The sample was limited to participants from the first panel who completed a phone interview between January-February, 2021. Out 1,037 beneficiaries, almost a third (29%) reported no intention to vaccinate. Reasons for refusal were: newness of the vaccine (35%); preference to maintain precaution measures (21%); belief that COVID-19 vaccine is not essential (21%); and other reasons (23%). COVID-19 vaccine refusal was significantly associated with perceptions regarding vaccine safety (OR: 5.97; 95%CI: 4.03-8.84) and effectiveness (OR: 6.80; 95%CI:4.44-10.42) but did not differ by age, presence of chronic conditions, self-reported adherence to COVID-19 measures, and perceptions of susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19. Addressing vaccine hesitancy among Syrian refugees in Lebanon necessitates disseminating accurate, accessible, and culturally appropriate information about vaccine safety and effectiveness.

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439. Corowa-kun: Impact of a COVID-19 Vaccine Information Chatbot on Vaccine Hesitancy, Japan 2021

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofab466.638 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S321-S322

Author(s):

Takaaki Kobayashi ◽

Yuka Nishina ◽

Hana Tomoi ◽

Ko Harada ◽

Eiyu Matsumoto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Text Messages ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Vaccine Information ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Japan has one of the highest vaccine hesitancy rates in the world. According to a previous study, less than 30% of people strongly agreed that vaccines were safe, important, or effective. We created a COVID-19 vaccine information chatbot in a popular messenger app in Japan to answer COVID-19 vaccine frequently asked questions (FAQs) via text messages. We assessed the impact of chatbot text messages on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy by conducting a cross-sectional survey among chatbot users. Methods LINE is the most popular messenger app in Japan; about 86 million people in Japan (roughly two-thirds of the population) use this messenger app. 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. A cross-sectional survey assessing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was conducted via Corowa-kun during April 5 to 12, 2021. We included persons ages 16 years old and older who had not received a COVID-19 vaccine. The survey was written in Japanese and consisted of 21 questions. Corowa-kun’s Consultation Room Corowa-kun is the mascot of an online chatbot. This chatbot in LINE is used to answer COVID-19 vaccine frequently asked questions (FAQs) via text messages. As of May 10th, 70 FAQs are available. Results A total of 59,676 persons used Corowa-kun during February to April 2021. The most commonly accessed message categories were: “I have (select comorbidity), can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?” (23%); followed by questions on adverse reactions (22%) and how the vaccine works (20%). 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. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance increased and hesitancy decreased after using Corowa-kun, Japan, 2021 (n=10,192) *There was a statistically significant difference in responses between before and after using Corowa-kun (p < 0.01, Chi-square test). Univariable logistic regression models of factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, Japan, 2021 (n=10,192) Ref: reference NA: Logistic regression was not performed due to too small number (n≤3) Conclusion 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. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among residents of Northern California jails

10.1101/2021.11.22.21266559 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yiran E Liu ◽

Jillian Oto ◽

John Will ◽

Christopher LeBoa ◽

Alexis Doyle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

High Risk ◽

Vaccine Uptake ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Medical Mistrust ◽

Northern California ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Factors Associated

Background: Carceral facilities are high-risk settings for COVID-19 transmission. Understanding of factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among incarcerated individuals is incomplete, especially for people living in jails. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of COVID-19 vaccination data from the electronic health record (EHR) of residents in two Northern California county jails to examine factors associated with vaccine uptake in this population. We additionally administered a survey in four jails to assess reasons for vaccine hesitancy, sources of COVID-19 information, and medical mistrust. We performed multivariate logistic regression to determine associations with vaccine uptake or hesitancy. Results: Of 2,584 jail residents offered a COVID-19 vaccine between March 19, 2021 and June 30, 2021, 1,464 (56.7%) accepted at least one dose. Among vaccinated residents, 538 (36.7%) initially refused the vaccine. Vaccine uptake was higher among older individuals, women, those with recent flu vaccination, and those living in shared cells or open dorms. Leading reasons for vaccine hesitancy included concerns around side effects and suboptimal efficacy. Television and friends/family were the most commonly cited and the most trusted sources of COVID-19 information, respectively. Vaccine acceptance was associated with increased trust in COVID-19 information sources and in medical personnel both in and out of jail. Conclusion: Ongoing evidence-based COVID-19 vaccination efforts are needed in high-risk carceral settings. Effective interventions to improve vaccination rates in this population should utilize accessible and trusted sources of information to address concerns about vaccine side effects and efficacy and foster medical trust.

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Which older Brazilians will accept a COVID-19 vaccine? Cross-sectional evidence from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil)

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049928 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. e049928

Author(s):

James Macinko ◽

Brayan V Seixas ◽

Juliana Vaz de Melo Mambrini ◽

M Fernanda Lima-Costa

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Contextual Factors ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vaccine Acceptance ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Individual Disease ◽

Disease Specific

ObjectivesVaccine hesitancy may represent a barrier to effective COVID-19 immunisation campaigns. This study assesses individual, disease-specific and contextual factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among a nationally representative sample of older Brazilian adults.DesignCross-sectional analysis of data from household interviews and a supplementary telephone survey.SettingBrazil and its five geographic regions.ParticipantsData are derived from 6584 individuals aged 50 years and over who participated in the second wave of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging.Primary and secondary outcome measuresSurvey-weighted multinomial logistic regression assesses factors associated with intending, not intending or being uncertain about one’s intention to vaccinate against COVID-19.FindingsSeventy-one per cent of study participants intend to receive a COVID-19 vaccine once available, while 17% (representative of nearly 9 million people) have no intention to vaccinate, and 12% are still undecided. Besides age, demographic and health-related factors related to COVID-19 severity and complications were not associated with intention to vaccinate. Those who most trusted social media or friends and family for COVID-19 information and those who did not trust any information source were 68% and 78% more likely to refuse vaccination, respectively, as compared with those who trusted official information sources. People who inconsistently used face masks when outside were 3.4 times more likely than consistent face mask users to intend to refuse vaccination. Higher municipal COVID-19 fatality rates were negatively associated with vaccine refusal.ConclusionsMost national COVID-19 immunisation strategies identify older individuals as among those prioritised for early vaccination, given their increased risk of more severe symptoms and complications of the disease. Because individual, disease-specific, and contextual factors were associated with vaccine acceptance, there is a clear need for multilevel and multichannel information and outreach campaigns to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among vulnerable older populations.

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MALIGNANT TUMORS ASSOCIATED WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME: THE EXPRESSION PROFILE OF THE TRANSCRIPTIONAL AND GROWTH FACTORS

Problems in oncology ◽

10.37469/0507-3758-2017-63-6-817-823 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 63 (6) ◽

pp. 817-823

Author(s):

Natalya Yunusova ◽

Irina Kondakova ◽

Sergey Afanasev ◽

Larisa Kolomiets ◽

Alena Chernyshova

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Growth Factors ◽

Cell Motility ◽

Expression Profile ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Molecular Targets ◽

Factors Associated ◽

High Incidence

The study of the pathogenetic features of malignant tumors associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) is relevant because of high incidence of these tumors. Investigations of the mechanisms of involvement of MS in the pathogenesis of cancer reasonably supplemented by the study of transcription and growth factors associated with energy imbalance of the cell and involved in proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, cell motility and inflammation. More research is needed to identify the most promising molecular targets for therapy of malignant tumors associated with MS with a view to increasing the survival and quality of life of these patients.

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Younger age of onset and uveitis associated with HLA-B27 and delayed diagnosis in Thai patients with axial spondyloarthritis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93001-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Naphruet Limsakul ◽

Praveena Chiowchanwisawakit ◽

Parichart Permpikul ◽

Yubolrat Thanaketpaisarn

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Multiple Regression Analysis ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Age At Onset ◽

Delayed Diagnosis ◽

Musculoskeletal Symptom ◽

Hla B27 ◽

Delay In Diagnosis ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Younger Age

AbstractTo identify characteristics associated with HLA-B27, and to identify factors associated with delayed diagnosis in Thai patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). This cross-sectional study included Thai patients were diagnosed with axSpA by a rheumatologist at Siriraj Hospital. Clinical data were collected. Regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with study outcomes. Of total 177 patients, 127 (72%) were positive HLA-B27. Uveitis [Odds ratio (OR) 4.0], age at onset of the first musculoskeletal symptom of ≤ 28 years [OR 3.5], female [OR 0.4], and psoriasis [OR 0.4] were significantly associated with HLA-B27 in multiple regression analysis. Those with positive HLA-B27 had less spinal flexibility. Elevated C-reactive protein (p = 0.012) was associated with shorter delay in diagnosis, while uveitis (p < 0.001) and younger age at onset of the first symptom (p = 0.002) were associated with longer delay in diagnosis in multiple regression analysis. Younger age at onset of the first musculoskeletal symptom and uveitis were associated with HLA-B27 and delayed diagnosis in axSpA patients. Young people with musculoskeletal symptom and uveitis should be referred to a rheumatologist to rule out or make a timely diagnosis of axSpA.

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COVID-19 Pandemic Optimism and Vaccine Willingness among an Online Sample of US Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9070745 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 745

Author(s):

Rob Stephenson ◽

Stephen P. Sullivan ◽

Renee A. Pitter ◽

Alexis S. Hunter ◽

Tanaka MD Chavanduka

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Binary Outcomes ◽

Sex Partners ◽

Black African ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Public Health Messages ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Living With Hiv

This paper presents data from an online sample of U.S gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), to explore the factors associated with three dimensions of vaccine beliefs: perception of the likelihood of a COVID-19 vaccine becoming available, perception of when a COVID-19 vaccine would become available, and the likelihood of taking a COVID-19 vaccine. Data are taken from the Love and Sex in the Time of COVID-19 study, collected from November 2020 to January 2021. A sample of 290 GBMSM is analyzed, modeling three binary outcomes: belief that there will be a COVID-19 vaccine, belief that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available in 6 months, and being very likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine. In contrast to other studies, Black/African Americans and GBMSM living with HIV had higher levels of pandemic optimism and were more likely to be willing to accept a vaccine. Men who perceived a higher prevalence of COVID-19 among their friends and sex partners, and those who had reduced their sex partners, were more likely to be willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine. There remained a small percentage of participants (14%) who did not think the pandemic would end, that there would not be a vaccine and were unlikely to take a vaccine. To reach the levels of vaccination necessary to control the pandemic, it is imperative to understand the characteristics of those experiencing vaccine hesitancy and then tailor public health messages to their unique set of barriers and motivations.

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Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9030300 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 300

Author(s):

Patricia Soares ◽

João Victor Rocha ◽

Marta Moniz ◽

Ana Gama ◽

Pedro Almeida Laires ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Multinomial Regression ◽

Community Based ◽

Safety And Efficacy ◽

Perceived Safety ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Flu Vaccine ◽

Release Of Information

It is critical to develop tailored strategies to increase acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine and decrease hesitancy. Hence, this study aims to assess and identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Portugal. We used data from a community-based survey, “COVID-19 Barometer: Social Opinion”, which includes data regarding intention to take COVID-19 vaccines, health status, and risk perception in Portugal from September 2020 to January 2021. We used multinomial regression to identify factors associated with intention to delay or refuse to take COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Portugal was high: 56% would wait and 9% refuse. Several factors were associated with both refusal and delay: being younger, loss of income during the pandemic, no intention of taking the flu vaccine, low confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine and the health service response during the pandemic, worse perception of government measures, perception of the information provided as inconsistent and contradictory, and answering the questionnaire before the release of information regarding the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. It is crucial to build confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine as its perceived safety and efficacy were strongly associated with intention to take the vaccine. Governments and health authorities should improve communication and increase trust.

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