Influenza vaccine coverage among health care workers in Victorian public hospitals

Introduction: This study aimed to determine influenza vaccine coverage and evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practice about influenza and vaccine of health care workers in Tehran, Iran. Methodology: This cross-sectional survey involved 144 health care workers (HCWs) at the Tehran University of Medical Science between October 2008 and February 2009. Participants received a self-administered questionnaire directed at 35 items of knowledge and every correct response was scored one point. Results: Influenza vaccination coverage for the 2008-2009 season was 66.9 % (range, 45% to 62%). Most HCWs (80.6%) had received an influenza vaccination in the past, and 65.4% intended to receive vaccination in the coming year. The main reason given for being immunized was the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine (51.4%). The main reason given for not being immunized was concern about adverse effects (23.1%). The knowledge score for the 35 items ranged from 0 to 34 (mean 17.37). Mean knowledge scores differed between educational levels. There was no significant difference in mean knowledge scores between females and males (P > 0.05). Independent variables (age, sex, marital status, having children aged ≤ 16 years, educational level) were not significant predictors of taking influenza immunization. Conclusion: Despite the high coverage rate of influenza vaccination in our study, we would expect a higher rate because of free vaccine availability. The results indicate the need for on-going education of influenza disease among HCWs to increase vaccination rates.

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Validation of the Guidelines to Enhance Health Care Workers’ Implementation of Effective Tuberculosis Control Measures in Rural Public Hospitals of Vhembe District, South Africa

Journal of Human Ecology ◽

10.1080/09709274.2015.11906899 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 51 (1-2) ◽

pp. 96-102

Author(s):

T.G. Tshitangano ◽

S.M. Maputle ◽

M.L. Netshikweta

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Control Measures ◽

Tuberculosis Control ◽

Care Workers ◽

Vhembe District

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Universal COVID-19 screening of 4040 health care workers in a resource-limited setting: an Egyptian pilot model in a university with 12 public hospitals and medical centers

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyaa173 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aya Mostafa ◽

Sahar Kandil ◽

Manal H El-Sayed ◽

Samia Girgis ◽

Hala Hafez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Care Facility ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Public Health Care ◽

High Rate ◽

Suspected Case ◽

Pilot Model ◽

Resource Limited ◽

Care Workers

Abstract Background The scale of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among health care workers (HCWs), particularly in resource-limited settings, remains unclear. To address this concern, universal (non-symptom-based) screening of HCWs was piloted to determine the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the associated epidemiological and clinical risk factors at a large public health care facility in Egypt. Methods Baseline voluntary screening of 4040 HCWs took place between 22 April and 14 May 2020 at 12 hospitals and medical centres in Cairo. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected using an online survey. All participants were tested for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid IgM and IgG serological tests. Results Of the 4040 HCWs screened, 170 [4.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.6-4.9] tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by either of the three tests (i.e. infected); 125/170 (73.5%) tested PCR-positive. Most infected HCWs were nurses (97/170, 57.5%). Median age of infected HCWs was 31.5 [interquartile range (IQR): 27.0–41.3] years. Of infected HCWs, 78 (45.9%) reported contact with a suspected case and 47 (27.6%) reported face-to-face contact within 2 m with a confirmed case. The proportion of infection among symptomatic HCWs (n = 54/616) was 8.8% (95% CI: 6.7-11.3); 6/54 (11.1%) had fever ≥38°C and 7/54 (13.0%) reported severe symptoms. Most infected HCWs were asymptomatic (116/170, 68.2%). The proportion of infection among asymptomatic HCWs (n = 116/3424) was 3.4% (95% CI: 2.8-4.0). Conclusions The high rate of asymptomatic infections among HCWs reinforces the need for expanding universal regular testing. The infection rate among symptomatic HCWs in this study is comparable with the national rate detected through symptom-based testing. This suggests that infections among HCWs may reflect community rather than nosocomial transmission during the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in Egypt.

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Breast Cancer Knowledge Assessment of Health Workers in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

JCO Global Oncology ◽

10.1200/jgo.19.00260 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 387-394

Author(s):

Liese C.C. Pruitt ◽

Stella Odedina ◽

Imaria Anetor ◽

Tolulope Mumuni ◽

Helen Oduntan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cultural Beliefs ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Public Hospitals ◽

Cancer Knowledge ◽

Care Workers ◽

Breast Cancer Knowledge

PURPOSE Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and in low- to middle-income countries late-stage diagnosis contributes to significant mortality. Previous research at the University College Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria, on social factors contributing to late diagnosis revealed that many patients received inappropriate initial treatment. METHODS The level of breast cancer knowledge among health practitioners at various levels of the health system was assessed. We developed a tool tailored to local needs to assess knowledge of symptoms, risk factors, treatments, and cultural beliefs. The recruitment included doctors, nurses, and pharmacists in public hospitals, physicians and pharmacists in private practice, nurses and health care workers from primary health care centers, community birth attendants, and students in a health care field from state schools. RESULTS A total of 1,061 questionnaires were distributed, and 725 providers responded (68%). Seventy-eight percent were female, and > 90% were Yoruba, the dominant local ethnic group. The majority were Christian, and 18% were Muslim. Median knowledge score was 31 out of 56, and the differences in scores between health care worker types were statistically significant ( P < .001). Nearly 60% of the participants believed breast cancer is always deadly. More than 40% of participants believed that keeping money in the bra causes breast cancer, and approximately 10% believed that breast cancer is caused by a spiritual attack. CONCLUSION Our questionnaire revealed that, even at the tertiary care level, significant gaps in knowledge exist, and knowledge of breast cancer is unacceptably low at the level of community providers. In addition to efforts aimed at strengthening health systems, greater knowledge among community health care workers has the potential to reduce delays in diagnosis for Nigerian patients with breast cancer.

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