ABSTRACT
Objective: This study included participants from Hacettepe University 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade students of Medical School and 4th and 5th-grade students of Dental School;and aimed to evaluate the general health status, COVID-19 history, vaccination status, and SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels of the participants to support their physical and social health, during the pandemic period. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with an integrated, matched, nested case-control study. Sociodemographic characteristics, life habits, COVID-19 history, vaccination status, compliance with mask-distance-hygiene rules, and risks (if any) for COVID-19 were inquired via online questionnaires. Physical examinations, complete blood count, biochemistry tests, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibody tests were conducted for all consenting participants. All analyses were established using depersonalized data. Results: Of the 778 participants completing the baseline visit in June-July 2021, the percentages of those vaccinated with at least one, two, and three/more doses of COVID-19 vaccine were 99.1%, 98.0%, and 11.7%, respectively;one had four doses. The median (minimum-maximum) time since the last vaccination was 134 (34-166) days for those vaccinated with two doses [CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences, Beijing, China)] and 25 (14-56) days for those vaccinated with three doses [two doses of CoronaVac and a last dose of Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine (ComirnatyR). The third dose was applied at a median of 164 (151-202) days after the second dose, and all were heterologous in type. The median (minimum-maximum) antibody level for the overall group was 53.55(0-5680) BAU/mL: 47.19 BAU/mL in those who received two doses, with a more than 100 times increase after a third dose (4943.64 BAU/mL). Of the 522 participants followed up to October 1, 2021, 6 PCR-positive symptomatic participants were diagnosed with COVID-19: the incidence rate was 4/1000 person-months. Conclusion: A 100-fold neutralizing antibody level following the third dose demonstrated the importance of a booster dose. Given the time lag between doses, antibody measurements of BioNTech recipients should be repeated in the upcoming months. Booster selection should involve antibody level, variant sensitivity of the vaccine, and individual characteristics of the recipient.
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study included participants from Hacettepe University 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade students of Medical School and 4th and 5th-grade students of Dental School;and aimed to evaluate the general health status, COVID-19 history, vaccination status, and SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels of the participants to support their physical and social health, during the pandemic period. Method(s): A prospective cohort study was conducted with an integrated, matched, nested case-control study. Sociode-mographic characteristics, life habits, COVID-19 history, vaccination status, compliance with mask-distance-hygiene rules, and risks (if any) for COVID-19 were inquired via online questionnaires. Physical examinations, complete blood count, biochemistry tests, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibody tests were conducted for all consenting partici-pants. All analyses were established using depersonalized data. Result(s): Of the 778 participants completing the baseline visit in June-July 2021, the percentages of those vaccinated with at least one, two, and three/more doses of COVID-19 vaccine were 99.1%, 98.0%, and 11.7%, respectively;one had four doses. The median (minimum-maximum) time since the last vaccination was 134 (34-166) days for those vaccinated with two doses [CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences, Beijing, China)] and 25 (14-56) days for those vaccinated with three doses [two doses of CoronaVac and a last dose of Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty). The third dose was applied at a median of 164 (151-202) days after the second dose, and all were heterologous in type. The median (minimum-maximum) antibody level for the overall group was 53.55(0-5680) BAU/mL: 47.19 BAU/mL in those who received two doses, with a more than 100 times increase after a third dose (4943.64 BAU/mL). Of the 522 participants followed up to October 1, 2021, 6 PCR-positive symptomatic participants were diagnosed with COVID-19: the incidence rate was 4/1000 person-months. Conclusion(s): A 100-fold neutralizing antibody level following the third dose demonstrated the importance of a booster dose. Given the time lag between doses, antibody measurements of BioNTech recipients should be repeated in the upcoming months. Booster selection should involve antibody level, variant sensitivity of the vaccine, and individual characteristics of the recipient.Copyright © 2023, DOC Design and Informatics Co. Ltd.. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Women and girls are more disadvantaged in times of crisis, and their chances of surviving and fleeing are limited. As the Syrian crisis enters its eleventh year, Turkey alone hosts the largest population (over 3.7 million). It aimed to evaluate essential reproductive health services in the shadow of the pandemic that deepens the crisis. The research was conducted in April 2021 with 637 married Syrian refugee women aged 15-49 living in Ankara (mean age: 29.6). The median age at first marriage was 17, and consanguinity with her spouse was 29.8%. 8.6% were illiterate. 36.3% did not/could not benefit from public hospitals free of charge, and 89.8% did not have health insurance. 96.7% had a previous pregnancy (median:4). Since the pandemic's beginning, 35.6% have been pregnant (n = 219), and 14% are still pregnant (n = 86). Of 133 women whose pregnancies ended during this period, 78.2% gave birth (n = 104) and 21.8% miscarried. 12.8% of pregnancy was terminated at home (n = 17, 14 of which could not receive support from anyone). 41.1% of those who became pregnant during the pandemic were not followed up in pregnancy;45.1% of those whose pregnancies ended were not followed up in the puerperium. 29.5% of all the participants stated that they had not used any birth control method. The most common reason for not using family planning is fear of harm to health and their spouse's disapproval. Only 3.3% of those currently using birth control methods stated difficulty accessing birth control methods. The most used information resources about pregnancy, childbirth and contraception methods were hospitals and Migrant Health Centres. This study is funded through the UK Research and Innovation GCRF Research for Health In Conflict (R4HC-MENA), developing capability, partnerships and research in the Middle and Near East (MENA) [ES/P010962/1]. Key messages • In refugee crises, women's health should be structured as a separate heading in the health system and unmet sexual health needs should be met, especially in culture-oriented primary care services. • Women should be empowered with a health system where women can determine their own needs and make decisions about their bodies.