ABSTRACT
Despite the efficacy and widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine uptake has been relatively low in U.S. Hispanic communities, especially among adolescents. This study examined vaccination status among 444 high school students in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, California in May-June 2022 (mean age = 15.74 years, 55% female, 93% Hispanic). Guided by Protection Motivation Theory, we hypothesized that the odds of being fully vaccinated (at least 2 vaccine doses) would be significantly associated with higher levels of perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, response efficacy, and self-efficacy. 79% of the respondents were fully vaccinated. Binary logistic regression analyses found that response efficacy (belief in the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine) and self-efficacy to get vaccinated were significantly associated with the likelihood of being fully vaccinated. Perceived severity of COVID-19 and perceived vulnerability to COVID-19 were not associated with the likelihood of being fully vaccinated. Results indicate that health communications are needed to convince Hispanic adolescents and their parents that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective, and outreach efforts are needed to remove barriers to vaccination among this population.
ABSTRACT
The main presentation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is respiratory. However, there are extrapulmonary manifestations such as myocardial and pericardial injury. The term long COVID syndrome describes the persistence of symptoms in patients who have recovered from the infection. A 31-year-old man presented with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms for three days. Two weeks later, he developed chest pain, pericardial rub, and pericardial effusion; he underwent echocardiography showing pericarditis and an MRI which revealed inferoseptal hypokinesia and mild global myocardial hyperintensity, cardiac scintigraphy with Ga-67, and an inflammatory process in the myocardium. He was treated with methylprednisolone pulse (1g IV/day) and tapering prednisone (5 mg/day), with gradual evolution of symptoms for one year. In conclusion, this is a patient without comorbidities with clinical, laboratory, and imaging diagnosis of myopericarditis as a manifestation of long COVID syndrome.
ABSTRACT
The challenges of implementing interventions in healthcare settings have been more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. This pre-implementation evaluation used a rapid qualitative approach to explore barriers and facilitators to an intervention in intensive care units in Argentina, aimed to promote the use of personal protection equipment, provide emotional support for professionals, and achieve patient flow goals. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with health professionals of 15 public hospitals in Argentina. Normalization Process Theory was used to guide content analysis of the data. Participants identified potential barriers such as the incorporation of non-specialist staff, shortage of resources, lack of communication between groups and shifts. Potential facilitators were also identified: regular feedback and communication related to implementation, adequate training for new and non-specialist staff, and incentives (e.g., scholarships). The immediacy of the pandemic demanded rapid qualitative research, sharing actionable findings in real time.