PANDAS: behov for nasjonale retningslinjer

Background: Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) was introduced in 1998. The hypothesis that acute tics and/or symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might be triggered by streptococcal infection lacks scientific support. Patients are seen by several specialists, and treatment depends on knowledge and acceptance of the condition. This article provides an overview of literature investigating proposed treatments. Method: We performed a literature search in PubMed and Cochrane Library between 1 June 2019 and 17 July 2021. Results: 14 reviews were included. Suggested treatments comprised psychiatric treatment, antibiotics, tonsillectomy and immune modulating therapy. Recommendations were largely based on case reports and uncontrolled studies. Conclusion: Few studies have been conducted on PANDAS treatment, and none were evidence-based. Cooperation between different professions and establishment of national guidelines on how to approach these children are crucial. Keywords: PANDAS, post-infectious autoimmunity, neuropsychiatry, interdisciplinary

Knowledge and acceptance of HPV vaccination and its associated factors among parents of daughters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Background Cervical cancer is one of the most diagnosed and deadly cancers in women globally. Though vaccination is an effective way to reduce cervical cancer, people’s knowledge and acceptance of the vaccination remains a challenge in low and middle-income countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and acceptance of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination and its associated factors among parents of daughters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among parents or guardians whose daughters are in the age group of 9–17 years and residing in Akaki-Kalty sub-city in Addis Ababa. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants (n = 430). Face-to-face interview was conducted by using a structured questionnaire. Factors associated with the acceptance of HPV vaccination was identified by multivariable binary logistic regression and expressed by adjusted odds ratio (aOR), and respective 95% confidence interval. Results Complete response was obtained from 422 (98.1%) of the participants and their mean age was 39.0 years (SD ± 9.9). Out of the study participants, 41.7% and 72.0% had poor knowledge on cervical cancer and HPV, respectively. More than a quarter (27.0%) of the participants has never heard about HPV vaccine. One-third (36.5%) of the participants had negative attitude towards the HPV vaccine. Overall, 94.3% of the study participants were willing to vaccinate their daughters for HPV. Vaccine acceptability was associated with higher monthly income (aOR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.08–6.34), good knowledge on HPV (aOR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.56–4.87) and the vaccine (aOR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.12–8.60), and positive attitude towards the vaccine (aOR = 5.03, 95% CI 1.63—9.56). Conclusions The overall HPV vaccine acceptance was high. However, two out of five and one-thirds of the parents had poor knowledge on cervical cancer and negative attitude towards the HPV vaccine, respectively. Higher monthly income, good knowledge on HPV and the vaccine, and positive attitude towards the vaccine were associated with acceptance of HPV vaccination. To ensure sustainable acceptance of HPV vaccination, it is crucial to increase the community awareness in a sustainable manner.

Consumer Knowledge and Acceptance of Driving Automation: Changes Over Time and Across Age Groups

Increasing availability of and extensive investments toward automation in consumer vehicles call for a better understanding of public perceptions and acceptance. This study presents a five-year series of large-scale surveys (N=17,548, average 3,510 participants/year) on consumer knowledge and acceptance of vehicle automation in the United States. Results suggest a continued hesitance toward use of self-driving vehicles, with willingness to use increasing sharply under hypothetical conditions around inability to drive and added safety assurance. While drivers of all ages were most comfortable with driver assist level automation, acceptance of automation overall decreased with age. Findings also indicate that the public may have incorrect beliefs regarding the availability of self-driving vehicles. In conclusion, drivers’ acceptance of vehicle automation changes over time, is tied to factors beyond the current state of development and deployment, and may depend on a relative assessment of benefits and reliability in comparison to their own driving capabilities.

Pengetahuan Dan Penerimaan Masyarakat Islam di Malaysia Terhadap Vaksin COVID-19

There are concerns among some Malaysians about the Pfizer vaccine to curb the spread of the Covid 19 pandemic. Aims and Objectives: This study is aimed at measuring the level of Muslim knowledge in Malaysia on their acceptance of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine brought in by the Malaysian government. Methodology: The study used quantitative methodology by disseminating questionnaires to 1745 respondents online. Results and Findings: The findings showed that the level of knowledge and acceptance of the Malaysian Muslim community on this issue is at a satisfactory level. Abstrak Terdapat kebimbangan segelintir masyarakat Malaysia tentang vaksin Pfizer bagi mengekang penularan pandemik Covid 19. Tujuan dan Objektif: Kajian tinjauan awal ini bertujuan untuk mengukur tahap pengetahuan penerimaan masyarakat Islam di Malaysia terhadap vaksin Pfizer COVID-19 yang dibawa masuk oleh kerajaan Malaysia. Metodologi: Kajian ini menggunakan metodologi kuantitatif dengan menyebarkan borang soal selidik kepada 1745 responden melalui dalam talian. Hasil dan Dapatan: Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa tahap pengetahuan dan penerimaan masyarakat muslim Malaysia mengenai isu ini di tahap memuaskan.

Knowledge and Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination among Undergraduate Students from Central and Southern Italy

At the end of 2020, the Italian Ministry of Health launched a national vaccination campaign to counteract the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed at appraising levels of knowledge about and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in a sample of Italian undergraduates during the first phase of the immunization plan. A web-based questionnaire was administered to students attending universities in Bari, Naples, and Rome during the period February–April 2021. Of the total of 3226 participants, 91.9% were keen to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. More than 80% gave correct answers to questions about COVID-19 vaccine administration, functioning, and effects on community health. However, only 63.8% identified the correct composition of the available vaccines. Knowledge was found to be related to sociodemographic features and COVID-19 vaccination acceptance (p < 0.05). COVID-19 vaccination acceptance was found to be related to having a previous vaccination against influenza (OR 3.806, CI 95% 1.181–12.267; p = 0.025) and knowledge (OR 4.759, CI 95% 2.106–10.753; p = 0.000). These results show a good level of awareness about COVID-19 vaccination in this population, which may indicate the effectiveness of communication strategies accompanying the COVID-19 immunization campaign in Italy.

A Survey to Assess the Awareness and Acceptance of Dental Implants among Patients Seeking Prosthodontic Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND In this study, we wanted to assess the awareness, knowledge, and acceptance of dental implants as a treatment modality among patients visiting A.B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 100 patients visiting A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, using a self-explanatory questionnaire. RESULTS The results of this survey indicate that 51 % of the patients were not aware of implant therapy as a treatment option for replacing missing teeth and 44.9 % were aware about it. 38 % of the patients received information about implants from dentist and 38 % of them received from books / magazine / internet. 44.3 % of the patients were willing to undergo implant therapy as a treatment option if needed but 25.8 % of the patients were not willing. 29.9 % of them were open to the idea of implants but were not sure. 58.8 % of the patients rated implant treatment as not affordable and 41.2 % rated it as affordable. The most common reason listed for not opting implant treatment was found to be the cost of the treatment (45.1 %), 27.5 % of the patients were not clear about the procedure and 11.8 % of them stated long treatment time as the disadvantage of implant therapy. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a low level of awareness (44.9 %) among the patients regarding dental implants although, 44.3 % showed a positive attitude towards implant therapy. The study also revealed the need for further studies involving the general population as majority of the patients in this study were from a low socio-economic background. KEY WORDS Implant Supported Prosthesis, Awareness, Acceptance, Prosthodontic Rehabilitation

Public awareness and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine: An online cross-sectional survey, conducted in the first phase of vaccination drive in India

The context-specific, complex issue of ‘vaccine hesitancy’ is explicated in terms of delay or refusal of vaccination despite the availability of vaccine services. Although eleven million beneficiaries were administered the COVID-19 vaccine in India from 16th January 2021 till 20th February 2021, however, proportionately a low turnout has been registered in various parts of the country, possibly attributable to hesitance/apprehension towards the current vaccination. In this backdrop, we report the response (collected between Feb 1, 2021 and Feb 15, 2021) of 358 voluntary respondents who participated in an online questionnaire-based pan-India survey, executed to assess their knowledge and acceptance towards the current COVID-19 vaccination program in its first phase. The survey questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics of the respondents and queries pertaining to knowledge (7 items) and acceptance (3 items). The overall correct rate and the average knowledge score of the participants were 78 % and 5.46 ± 1.4/7 respectively. The acceptance score was 3.50 ± 1.6/5 while 70 % of participants agreed against the 20 % of respondents who neither agreed nor disagreed to take the vaccine. Around 66 % believed that the vaccines, currently being administered in India are safe. Fear about possible side effects (44 %) and inadequacy of comprehensive clinical trial data (29 %), seemed to be the major players in fortifying the vaccine hesitancy among the respondents, exhibiting negative acceptance. Although maximum respondents demonstrated a good level of knowledge (82%) and acceptance (88%), significant differences were observed among some demographic variables. In general, a positive correlation was observed between knowledge and acceptance against a negative correlation, observed in specific provinces. Despite the good acceptance and knowledge, a considerable fraction of the participants (30%) expressed hesitancy. Counselling, mobilization, and feedback from vaccinated individuals about safety should be encouraged. However, due to the limited sample size, we must be cautious when generalizing these findings. Nevertheless, the major elucidations of this study may be utilized in planning vaccination campaigns in further phases.

Ethnic heterogeneity of knowledge on termites and human consumption in southern Cameroon

Termites are both pests and non-conventional food resources in Sub-Saharan Africa. Many are reluctant to eat them, and the reasons for this rejection are poorly known. This study examined level of knowledge, and acceptance by members of the 10 main ethnic groups of southern Cameroon. Most respondents (86 percent) were aware of termites as food with sixteen vernacular names in the study areas. Acceptance among ethnic groups for consumption varied between 96 percent and 8 percent of people in a group. Barriers included being raised to not eat termites, not having many opportunities to eat termites, and dislike of the taste.

STUDY OF AWARENESS ABOUT POSTPARTUM INSERTION OF INTRAUTERINE DEVICE AMONG ANTENATAL CASES IN RAIGARH

Background: In spite of many available contraceptives numerous unwanted and unplanned pregnancies occur. Though the couples desire contraception but are not able to accept it due to their ignorance and misconceptions. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has taken initiative for provision of IUCD in immediate postpartum period. Several training programs and awareness camps are conducted by NHM for health service providers and also for the public. The study was corresponding to nd out the choices about contraception after delivery and awareness about postpartum insertion. Methods: The present observational study was conducted in LSLAMMC Raigarh hospitals. The study population included 400 women who planned to deliver at Government Medical College, RAIGARH during the study period including vaginal and caesarean section. Their choice of contraception after delivery and awareness was determined through a questionnaire. Reasons for refusal of postpartum insertion were recorded. Results: 400 cases were included in the study, a large number had decided about contraception; mainly breast feeding supplemented by barrier contraceptive. 78 of 400 were willing for insertion of contraceptive device but not immediately after delivery due to apprehension in general and fear of side effects. Conclusion: The results of this study showed Knowledge and acceptance of postpartum insertion is very low among antenatal women; probably because the concept is new in the community. There is a strong need to increase the knowledge and awareness about this by health education and counseling.