ABSTRACT
Vaccine hesitancy is considered one of the greatest threats to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programs. Lack of trust in vaccine benefits, along with concerns about side effects of the newly developed COVID-19 vaccine, might significantly contribute to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study was to determine the level of vaccine hesitancy among communities in particular their belief in vaccination benefits and perceived risks of new vaccines. An online cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 countries in Asia, Africa, and South America from February to May 2021. Seven items from the WHO SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Scale were used to measure a construct of belief in vaccination benefit, and one item measured perceived riskiness of new vaccines. A logistic regression was used to determine which sociodemographic factors were associated with both vaccine hesitancy constructs. A total of 1,832 respondents were included in the final analysis of which 36.2% (range 5.6-52.2%) and 77.6% (range 38.3-91.2%) of them were classified as vaccine hesitant in terms of beliefs in vaccination benefits and concerns about new vaccines, respectively. Respondents from Pakistan had the highest vaccine hesitancy while those from Chile had the lowest. Being females, Muslim, having a non-healthcare-related job and not receiving a flu vaccination during the past 12 months were associated with poor beliefs of vaccination benefits. Those who were living in rural areas, Muslim, and those who did not received a flu vaccination during the past 12 months had relatively higher beliefs that new vaccines are riskier. High prevalence of vaccine hesitancy in some countries during the COVID-19 pandemic might hamper COVID-19 vaccination programs worldwide. Programs should be developed to promote vaccination in those sociodemographic groups with relatively high vaccine hesitancy.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Influenza Vaccines , Africa , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Pakistan , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , South America/epidemiology , Vaccination , Vaccination HesitancyABSTRACT
The data on the predictors and prognosis of acute liver injury (ALI) among patients in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are limited. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, predictors and outcomes of ALI among patients with COVID-19. A systematic review was conducted up to 10 June 2021. The relevant papers were searched from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science, and the data were analysed using a Z test. A total of 1331 papers were identified and 16 papers consisting of 1254 COVID-19 with ALI and 4999 COVID-19 without ALI were analysed. The cumulative prevalence of ALI among patients with COVID-19 was 22.8%. Male and having low lymphocyte levels were more likely to be associated with ALI compared with female and having higher lymphocyte level, odds ratio (OR): 2.70; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.03, 3.60 and mean difference (MD) -125; 95% CI: -207, -43, respectively. COVID-19 patients with ALI had higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 compared with those without ALI (OR: 3.61; 95% CI: 2.60, 5.02). Our findings may serve as the additional evaluation for the management of ALI in COVID-19 patients.