ABSTRACT
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic had a high economic cost, morbidity, and death toll. Due to high rates of mortality and morbidity from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), pregnant women were at particular risk during this pandemic. We designed and conducted a cross-sectional observational survey in Romanian pregnant women to evaluate the outcome of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic along with the preventive measures taken by authorities. We applied a 43-item questionnaire. We included 147 women over 18 years old from Romania who were pregnant or gave birth between March 2020 and March 2022. All pregnancies were monitored, most of them by a gynecologist, and only 23% faced rescheduled pregnancy visits. The majority (84%) were screened through the TORCH panel, 95.91% felt anxious because of the pandemic, 87% followed SARS-CoV2 preventive recommendations, and 82% were not infected with the coronavirus. Additionally, 80% were vaccinated against COVID-19. They felt the consequences of the pandemic through anxiety, and their level of anxiety influenced their vaccination decisions, the TORCH testing and the method of giving birth despite the level of education. Fortunately, their pregnancies were monitored properly, and there were no consequences noticed for fetuses at birth.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many countries had initial success with HPV vaccination campaigns worldwide. The HPV vaccine coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic dropped consistently. The aim of our research is to assess the barriers and facilitators of the current Romanian HPV vaccination campaign. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional observational survey was conducted in the Romanian general population; a self-administered questionnaire was used. RESULTS: 1122 responders were interviewed; 666 (59.36%) were parents, and 67 (5.97%) HPV vaccinated themselves. A multinominal logistic regression carried out in the parents' category showed that women with university studies and informed from medical sources have greater chances to HPV vaccinate. Reticence regarding vaccination comes from the high cost of the vaccine and a lack of information. Only 118 (10.51%) vaccinated against HPV. From the logistic regression analysis, gender (ORa 0.461 = 95% CI: (0.196; 1.083)), geographic area of residence (ORa = 0.517; 95% CI: (0.331; 0.807)), and the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the National Vaccination Program (ORa = 2.4; 95% CI: (1.361; 4.235)) were the factors found most associated with HPV vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: In the general population, the inclusion of HPV vaccination in the National Vaccination Program would be the most important facilitator of HPV vaccination in Romania. In parents that did not vaccinate their children, one important barrier to HPV vaccination was the high cost of the HPV vaccine and the lack of proper information. The acceptability of HPV vaccination in Romania is low; therefore, public health educational programs are needed.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 vaccination started in Romania in December 2020. Child vaccination started in 2021 with children aged 12-15 years in August. For children aged 5-11 years, vaccination started in January 2022. The aim of our study was to describe COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in Romanian children and vaccine acceptability in the general population. As parental consent is required for child vaccination in Romania, these aspects have a significant association. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted in October and November 2021 during the peak of the 4th COVID-19 wave. RESULTS: After validation, 1645 participants formed the main study group: median age 35 years, 72.83% women, and 35.44% from the medical domain. In total, 1311 (79.70%) participants were vaccinated against COVID-19 and 188 (11.42%) had vaccinated their 12-18-year-old children against COVID-19. Parents' level of education, geographic area of residence, and COVID-19 vaccination status were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination. The hesitancy factors of child vaccination included the novelty of COVID-19 vaccines (62, 47.32%), fear of adverse reactions (32, 24.42%), and anti-vaccinism in general (29, 22.13%). In the studied group, only 188 (11.42%) participants recommended vaccination of 5-11-year-old children. Vaccine acceptability was higher in the general population (1311, 79.70%) than in the medical domain (326 out of 583, 55.91%). General vaccine hesitancy was based mainly on beliefs regarding inefficiency (131, 39.22%) and fears about the side effects of the vaccine (76, 22.75%). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the acceptability of COVD-19 vaccines in the Romanian population was influenced by the level of education, area of residence, and being a COVID-19-vaccinated parent. Public health intervention programs are essential.
ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 vaccination started in Romania in December 2020. Child vaccination started in 2021 with children aged 12–15 years in August. For children aged 5–11 years, vaccination started in January 2022. The aim of our study was to describe COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in Romanian children and vaccine acceptability in the general population. As parental consent is required for child vaccination in Romania, these aspects have a significant association. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional survey was conducted in October and November 2021 during the peak of the 4th COVID-19 wave. Results: After validation, 1645 participants formed the main study group: median age 35 years, 72.83% women, and 35.44% from the medical domain. In total, 1311 (79.70%) participants were vaccinated against COVID-19 and 188 (11.42%) had vaccinated their 12–18-year-old children against COVID-19. Parents' level of education, geographic area of residence, and COVID-19 vaccination status were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination. The hesitancy factors of child vaccination included the novelty of COVID-19 vaccines (62, 47.32%), fear of adverse reactions (32, 24.42%), and anti-vaccinism in general (29, 22.13%). In the studied group, only 188 (11.42%) participants recommended vaccination of 5–11-year-old children. Vaccine acceptability was higher in the general population (1311, 79.70%) than in the medical domain (326 out of 583, 55.91%). General vaccine hesitancy was based mainly on beliefs regarding inefficiency (131, 39.22%) and fears about the side effects of the vaccine (76, 22.75%). Conclusions: Overall, the acceptability of COVD-19 vaccines in the Romanian population was influenced by the level of education, area of residence, and being a COVID-19-vaccinated parent. Public health intervention programs are essential.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In December 2020, the first doses of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Romania and were made available to medical and social staff. Vaccine hesitancy appeared as a barrier to effectively ending the pandemic. The opinions of medical and social staff influence the opinion of the general population. This study assesess the attitudes, knowledge, and opinion of medical and social personnel toward COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination and the influencing factors. METHODS: 1025 persons participated in an online cross-sectional study from March until July 2021. RESULTS: Out of 1021 eligible responders, 719 (70.42%) had been vaccinated: 227 with one dose (22.23%) and 492 with two doses (48.18%). There were 302 responders who were not vaccinated at all. Out of them, 188 refused vaccinations. The participants showed a good understanding and knowledge of SARScoV-2 transmission and treatment. Geographic area, medical profession, and medical experience influenced COVID-19 vaccination (p < 0.001). There were no associations between willingness to vaccinate and vaccine/virus knowledge. Most of the responders who were vaccinated or wanted to be vaccinated indicated an mRNA vaccine as their first choice. The variables that were significantly associated with reporting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance after logistic regression were: living in an urban area (Ora = 1.58, 95% CI: 0.98-2.56), being female (Ora = 1.59; 95% CI:1.03-2.44), and being a medical doctor (Ora = 3.40; 95% CI: 1.84-6.26). CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that vaccine hesitancy persists in medical and social personnel in Romania, and, hence, it may be reflected in the hesitancy of the general population toward vaccination.