Knowledge, beliefs, and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 among the Seventh Day Adventists in Southeast Asia Region

Objective@#The vaccine rollout in the Asian region was slower than in other countries. Factors such as lack of knowledge and skepticism towards the vaccine were noted. On the other hand, the influence of religious leaders on the congregation was enormous, including their intention to vaccinate. Guided by the Health Belief Model theory, this study aimed to explore the knowledge, belief and perceived susceptibility and severity of COVID, the perceived benefits and barriers of the vaccines, and the intention to vaccinate among the Seventh Day Adventists in Asia.@*Methods@#This was a descriptive study with respondents chosen through a multi-stage sampling method within the Asian region. A validated self-survey questionnaire, piloted among 40 respondents, was used using the Google online form. Data gathering was conducted for one month, from May until June 2021.@*Results@#Out of 400 questionnaires distributed, 396 responded with a return rate of 0.99%. The majority were aged 18–29 years (43.2%), men (61.4%), married (50.2%), completed a bachelors' degree (49.5%), currently working (65.4%), and have been a member of the church for 20 years (30.8%). The majority had excellent knowledge regarding the vaccine (mean 4.72, ± 1.33); despite having low belief in the vaccine (mean 2.18, ± 0.43), low perception of their susceptibility to acquiring COVID (mean 2.43, ± 0.34), low perception on the seriousness of COVID (mean 2.30, ±0.40), low perception on vaccine benefits (mean 2.27, ± 0.45), and perceived low barrier on being vaccinated (mean 2.27, ±.45). Most of them intend to vaccinate (67.3%). @*Conclusion@#The findings of this study suggest that the majority of Adventists intend to vaccinate. However, there is a need for health education to enhance their belief in the vaccine and change their negative perception about their susceptibility and severity of COVID.

A pandemic guided by the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test: What should the clinician know?

Amidst an ever-evolving pandemic, the demand for timely and accurate diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to increase. Critically, managing and containing the spread of the disease requires expedient testing of infected individuals. Presently, the gold standard for the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Potential vulnerabilities of this testing methodology can range from preanalytical variables to laboratory-related analytical factors and, ultimately, to the interpretation of results.

Overview of preparedness and response to COVID-19 in Ghana

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Ghana is part of an ongoing pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Ghana on 12th March 2020. COVID-19 was consequently declared a Public Health Emergency of National Concern, triggering several response actions, including enhanced surveillance, case detection, case management and contact tracing, closure of borders, suspension of international flights, ban on social gatherings and closure of schools. Preparedness and response plans were activated for implementation at the national, regional, district and community levels. Ghana's Strategic approaches were to limit and stop the importation of cases; detect and contain cases early; expand infrastructure, logistics and capacity to provide quality healthcare for the sick; minimise disruption to social and economic life and increase the domestic capacity of all sectors to deal with existing and future shocks. The health sector strategic frame focused on testing, treatment, and tracking. As of 31st December 2020, a total of 535,168 cases, including 335 deaths (CFR: 0.61%), have been confirmed with 53,928 recoveries and 905 active cases. All the regions have reported cases, with Greater Accra reporting the highest number. The response actions in Ghana have seen highlevel political commitment, appropriate and timely decisions, and a careful balance of public health interventions with economic and socio-cultural dynamics. Efforts are ongoing to intensify non-pharmaceutical interventions, sustain the gains made so far and introduce COVID-19 vaccines to reduce the public health burden of the disease in Ghana

COVID-19 – Changes in Workload and Clinical Practice in Trauma and Orthopaedics in a District General Hospital in the United Kingdom

@#Introduction: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the entire health system. The trauma and orthopaedic service has been compelled to alter working practices to respond proactively and definitively to the crisis. The aim of this study is to summarise the impact of this outbreak on the trauma and orthopaedic workload and outline the response of the department. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected data comparing patient numbers pre-COVID-19, and prospectively during the early COVID-19 pandemic. We have collected the numbers and nature of outpatient orthopaedic attendances to fracture clinics and elective services, inpatient admissions and the number of fracture neck of femur operations performed. Results: The number of outpatient attendances for a musculoskeletal complaint to Accident and Emergency and the number of virtual fracture clinic reviews reduced by almost 50% during COVID-19. The number of face-to-face fracture clinic follow-ups decreased by around 67%, with a five-fold increase in telephone consultations. Inpatient admissions decreased by 33%, but the average number of fracture neck of femur operations performed has increased by 20% during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. Conclusion: We have noted a decrease in some aspects of the trauma and orthopaedic outpatient workload, such as leisure and occupational-related injuries but an increase in others, such as fracture neck of femurs. Many injuries have significantly reduced in numbers and we consider that a model could be developed for treating these injuries away from the acute hospital site entirely, thereby allowing the acute team to focus more appropriate major trauma injuries.