ABSTRACT
Background. Little is known about the factors which influence COVID-19 vaccine uptake among reproductive-aged women in Jamaica. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional, web-based survey of 192 reproductive-aged women in Jamaica from February 1- 8, 2022. Participants were recruited from a convenience sample of women (patients, providers and staff) at a tertiary care hospital whose demographic characteristics are shown in Table 1. We assessed self-reported COVID-19 vaccination status, vaccine confidence (defined as confidence in the safety and efficacy of vaccines and the system that delivers them) and medical mistrust beliefs (e.g., "I don't trust the COVID-19 vaccine"). We conducted exploratory factor analysis using principal axis factoring and oblique equamax rotation on 22 survey items. Three factors were extracted which conceptually aligned with three subscales: lack of vaccine confidence, government-related COVID-19 medical mistrust, and race-based COVID-19 medical mistrust;we retained items with factor loadings > 0.40. The final subscale variables and their descriptive statistics are shown in Table 2. In addition, we used multivariable modified Poisson regression to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between vaccine uptake and pregnancy status adjusting for education and factors scores. Variables with a p value < 0.1 were retained in the final regression model. Results. Of 192 respondents, 72(38%) were pregnant and 120 (62%) were nonpregnant. Pregnancy was negatively associated with vaccine uptake (aPR=0.70, 95% CI=0.51 - 0.96;p=0.029). Women with higher scores on the lack of vaccine confidence subscale (i.e., less confident in vaccine) were less likely to be vaccinated (aPR=0.72, 95%CI=0.61 - 0.86;p< 0.001). Government-related COVID-19 medical mistrust and race-based COVID-19 medical mistrust were not significantly associated with vaccine uptake (see Table 3). Conclusion. Findings suggest that pregnancy and lack of vaccine confidence are factors associated with lower vaccine uptake among reproductive-aged women in Jamaica. Bolstering vaccine confidence, through the use of evidence-based interventions, may help to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in this population.
ABSTRACT
Purpose To assess the adherence of ophthalmologists to the current recommendations during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in the real-life practice and the measures taken by different institutions to decrease the risk of infection. Methods A cross-sectional study among ophthalmologists that was done via a self-administered web-based survey with 25 questions, starting with demographic data, followed by questions regarding the effect of the pandemic on practice. After that, detailed questions about infection control measures taken by different facilities and the use of various personal protective equipment and their availability were asked. Results We received 106 responses to the survey. Most of the respondents (86.8%) reported a reduction in the number of patients in the outpatient clinics, 49% limited services to emergencies, 50% reported triage for all patients, and 28% only reported providing face masks for patients. All our participants wear masks either surgical or filtering, 67% always use slit-lamp shields, and 75.5% apply hand hygiene per patient. The availability of various personal protective equipment and disinfectants was reported by 72% of our participants. Conclusion Real-life practice differs from the theoretical recommendations. Extra measures are required regarding patients' triage, availability, and use of slit-lamp shields, face shields, and goggles. A stricter hand hygiene policy needs to be implemented and monitored.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The new COVID-19 spread quickly all over the countries. The clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease may be asymptomatic or presented as acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi organ failure. Supportive and symptomatic treatment is the first line of therapy. Until now, no approved treatment for COVID-19 but there is some trials with use of antiviral drugs, intravenous immunoglobulin, interferons, ivermectin and chloroquine. Main Hypothesis: Almost all the countries have been affected by this viral infection with rapidly increasing rates. Although the Africa region has showed an increase in the number of confirmed cases recently, there are still fewer cases than in other parts of the world. This viewpoint review highlights some factors that are hypothesized to be related to the decreased rate of COVID-19 cases in Africa than other regions. Conclusion: The decreased rate of COVID-19 cases in Africa than other regions may related to many factors;genetic poly-morphisms of ACE in African people, the prevalence of malaria infection and the widespread use of malaria's treatment.