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Education plays a critical role in promoting preventive behaviours against the spread of pandemics. In Japan, handwashing education in primary schools was positively correlated with preventive behaviours against COVID-19 transmission for adults in 2020, during the early stages of COVID-19. The following year, the Tokyo Olympics were held in Japan, and a state of emergency was declared several times. Public perceptions of and risks associated with the pandemic changed drastically with the emergence of COVID-19 vaccines. We re-examined whether the effect of handwashing education on preventive behaviours persisted by covering a longer period of the COVID-19 pandemic than previous studies. A total of 26 surveys were conducted nearly once a month for 30 months from March 2020 (the early stage of COVID-19) to September 2022 in Japan. By corresponding with the same individuals across surveys, we comprehensively gathered data on preventive behaviours during this period. In addition, we asked about the handwashing education they had received in their primary school. We used the data to investigate how and to what degree school education is associated with pandemic-mitigating preventive behaviours. We found that handwashing education in primary school is positively associated with behaviours such as handwashing and mask wearing as a COVID-19 preventive measure but not related to staying at home. We observed a statistically significant difference in handwashing between adults who received childhood handwashing education and those who did not. This difference persisted throughout the study period. In comparison, the difference in mask wearing between the two groups was smaller but still statistically significant. Furthermore, there was no difference in staying at home between them. Childhood hygiene education has resulted in individuals engaging in handwashing and mask wearing to cope with COVID-19. Individuals can form sustainable development-related habits through childhood education.
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Until pharmacological measures are rolled out on a global scale, reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and preventing future outbreaks require the continued promotion of behaviors known to effectively limit the spread of infections (e.g., physical distancing, hand hygiene practices). The success of such behavioral measures, however, relies on widespread compliance, highlighting the importance of theory-and evidence-based behavior change interventions targeting COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Theories of social cognition have recently been applied to COVID-19 preventive behaviors to identify the key modifiable determinants of behavior that can be targeted by strategies or techniques in interventions. The identification of key modifiable determinants of COVID-19 preventive behaviors permits the matching of evidence-based behavior change strategies or techniques proposed to affect change in the targeted determinants. The goal of this chapter is to provide an overview of the social cognition literature and interventions targeting key psychological constructs as means to adopt and maintain COVID-19 preventive behaviors. The chapter also provides example materials used in behavior change interventions based on social cognition theory, which may have application across a broad range of COVID-19 preventive behaviors. First, the chapter provides an overview of social cognition theories that have been used to explain and predict health and social behavior and how behavior change occurs. Next, the emerging research evidence of potentially modifiable social cognition determinants of COVID-19 preventive behaviors are reviewed. Finally, a step-by-step example of how interventionists might develop a theory-based intervention targeting change in an important COVID-19 preventive behavior is provided. The chapter concludes with a summary of some key challenges and future directions in moving forward behavior change research in this area. Overall, this chapter provides information useful to the design and development of effective behavior change interventions targeting the adoption and maintenance of COVID-19 preventive behaviors which are relevant to current and future pandemic contexts. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.
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In order to slow the COVID-19 pandemic's rapid spread and put an end to it, the world needs to take extraordinary action. The knowledge, attitude, and practises (KAP) of outpatients concerning COVID-19 have an impact on the adherence to control measures. As a result, this research serves as a baseline analysis to assess Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice and serve as the foundation for our mitigation efforts. The outpatients were given this self-administrated survey. The ten-item survey was created in a way that allowed for an accurate evaluation of the knowledge, attitude, and practise components. Using SPSS software, the statistical analysis was conducted. The replies from the Google sheet were loaded into SPSS after being exported to Excel. Data were described using frequency and percentages, and chi square analysis was conducted to see whether there was any correlation between the variables. 85 outpatients in total took part in the survey. While 80% of the participants were aware of the life trajectory of Covid-infected individuals and 77.6% of them paid close attention to government directives, the overall level of awareness about COVID-19 and its prevention was rather high. 54.12% of the participants used hand sanitizer and wore masks constantly. The outcomes indicated that the participants had sound knowledge and a positive outlook. To combat this epidemic, media propaganda and instructional video production must continue to be produced and distributed. © 2023 IEEE.
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We present a data set containing data of five cross-cultural framing studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (Austria, Germany, U.K. and U.S.). The dataset covers data on participants' conspiracy mentality, distrust in science, risk aversion, individualism-collectivism and the endorsement of preventive behaviors such as vaccination willingness. In addition, across all studies, we collected data of a newly developed scale measuring paradoxical, anti-prevention attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). We think that authors interested in the interplay of different traits and COVID-19 attitudes could be interested in the secondary use of the data set, and especially in the newly developed Paradox of Prevention Scale. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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An outbreak of a respiratory sickness started in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and the causative agent was found be a novel betacoronovirus of the same subgenus as SARSCoV and named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quickly spread around the world, with clinical signs ranging from mild respiratory symptoms to severe pneumonia and a fatality rate estimated around 2%. Lower respiratory tract infections can occur in immunocompromised subjects and the elderly persons. Respiratory droplets are the causative agent for the person-to-person spread of the disease resembling the spread of influenza. Individual to individual spread turned into the primary mode of transmission. The transmission of the disease might be more likely in the earlier stage of infection as the viral RNA levels appear to be higher. Accurate diagnosis in the early stages of the epidemic helps control the spread of the disease. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Indian Drugs is the property of Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the US with an estimated 236,740 new cases and 130,180 deaths expected in 2022. While early detection with low-dose computed tomography reduces lung cancer mortality by at least 20%, there has been a low uptake of lung cancer screening (LCS) use in the US. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruption in cancer screening. Yet, little is known about how COVID-19 impacted already low use of LCS. This study aims to estimate LCS use before (2019) and during (2020 and 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic among LCS-eligible population in the US. Method(s): We used population-based, nationally representative, cross-section data from the 2019 (n=4,484), 2020 (n=1,239) and 2021 (n=1,673) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Lung Cancer Screening module. The outcome was self-reported LCS use among eligible adults in the past 12 months. For 2019 and 2020, the eligibility was defined based on US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) initial criteria-adults aged 55 to 80 years old, who were current and former smokers (had quit within the past 15 years) with at least 30 pack years of smoking history. For 2021, we used the USPSTF updated criteria- adults aged 50 to 80 years, current and former smokers (who had quit within the past 15 years) with at least 20 pack years of smoking history. We applied sampling weights to account for the complex survey design to generate population estimates and conducted weighted descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. Result(s): Overall, there were an estimated 1,559,137 LCS-eligible respondents from 16 US states in 2019 (AZ, ID, KY, ME, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, PA, RI, SC, UT, VT, WV, WI), 200,301 LCS-eligible respondents from five states in 2020 (DE, ME, NJ, ND, SD), and 668,359 LCS-eligible respondents from four states in 2021 (ME, MI, NJ, RI). Among 2,427,797 LCS-eligible adults, 254,890;38,875;and 122,240 individuals reported receiving LCS in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Overall, 16.4% (95% CI 14.4-18.5), 19.4% (95% CI 15.3-24.3), and 18.3% (95% CI 15.6-21.3) received LCS during 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. In all years, the proportion of LCS use was higher among adults aged 65-74, insured, those with fair and poor health, lung disease and history of cancer (other than lung cancer). In 2020, a higher proportion of adults living in urban areas reported receiving LCS compared to those living in rural areas (20.36% vs. 12.7%, p=0.01). Compared to non-Hispanic White adults, the odds of receiving LCS was lower among Hispanic adults and higher among Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native adults in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Conclusion(s): LCS uptake remains low in the US. An estimated 2,011,792 adults at high-risk for developing lung cancer did not receive LCS during 2019, 2020 and 2021. Efforts should be focused to increase LCS awareness and uptake across the US to reduce lung cancer burden.
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Before the arrival of Covid-19 the way of being in life was mainly in the present and future while it carried the past less consciously;during lockdown the focus seemed to be in the present and past, while the future also remained just out of sight. Lockdown had become a giant guilt-free procrastination chamber. The first lockdown took place in Britain on 16 March 2020. Emerging from that first lockdown was like slowly coming out of hibernation. This chapter touches on some of experiences at the beginning of the first lockdown: 'Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is the power to choose the response. In the response lies the growth and the freedom'. Freedom is never total and there are always limits and boundaries, some come with a particular situation and others are self-made, others are within relationships and so on. Freedom can also be experienced when accepting 'a new reality' with new boundaries. The term 'thinking outside the box' is a good example of creative psychological freedom in action. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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Aim: To determine the attitude of medical practitioners towards collaborating with dental professionals during a pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s): The present study is a cross sectional survey conducted among the medical practitioners of India. 2100 medical practitioners were randomly selected as study subjects. The data pertaining to their attitude toward collaboration with dental professionals were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive studies. Result(s): Among the study subjects, 93% of the medical doctors said in the future if the pandemic occurs then they would feel contended if they were to be given the provision to be aided by a well-trained dental support team, 80% of them said they experienced high stress during the pandemic. When asked to specify the reason in case they have not approached the dentist during the pandemic, 89% said they did not ponder over the thought of taking help from the dentist. Conclusion(s): If a pandemic occurs in the future, the contribution of the dentist can be beyond dentistry provided we adopt and execute proper measures and plan them beforehand.Copyright © 2021 Muslim OT et al.
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Background: After the first patient of COVID-19 was announced by the Ministry of Health in Tanzania from Arusha region, the hottest discussion in the community was the fear on how our health facilities were prepared against the spread of coronavirus disease. Objective and significance: This study aims at assessing healthcare facilities level of preparedness response on preventive measures against COVID-19 in selected regions of Tanzania through the contributions of healthcare workers. This study will add value in building capacity to fight COVID-19 pandemic and possibly any other pandemic of similar significance in the future. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study design which applied quantitative research strategy was conducted from August to October 2022. A total of 596 healthcare workers were involved in the study from 40 healthcare facilities in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, and Dodoma regions of Tanzania. Descriptive statistics were analyzed by a statistical package SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) giving frequencies, percentages, and significant association between variables. Results: Overall level of preparedness was poor at 52%, only 25% of preventive measures were good prepared and 23% moderately prepared. Availability of hand washing station with soap and water to ensure hand hygiene for healthcare workers was most prepared by 87.1% while designated ambulance facility for transporting patients from isolation area to other COVID-19 referral facilities was less prepared by 30.4% in this study. Conclusion: The preparedness responses was poor in selected regions of Tanzania which cause less capacity to fight against COVID-19 whenever it emerges. © 2020 The author (s).
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On 23 March 2020, in response to the growing threat of Covid-19, world leaders including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told their countries that people must stay at home and avoid all unnecessary social contacts, including contact with family members, friends and romantic partners living elsewhere. As existential psychologists living in the UK, it is decided to engage in an online dialogue about the experiences of living in, and working therapeutically through, 'corona times'. This chapter explores and elaborates upon several of the key existential themes and concerns discussed in the two dialogues. The first dialogue took place a mere two weeks after UK lockdown had begun and was subsequently uploaded onto YouTube on 6 April 2020 where it can still be viewed. Just over a year later, following the realisation that many of the feelings and experiences had changed considerably, it is decided to engage in a second dialogue, which was primarily focused on the longer-term psychological and existential impact of this strange period in human history. Once again, the dialogue was uploaded onto YouTube on 30 April 2021. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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This research attempts to understand how individuals prevent themselves from exposure to COVID-19 when dining out at a restaurant and what situational factors shaping their COVID-19 preventive behavior (CPB) are. It collects 303 questionnaires responded by restaurant patrons in the United Arab Emirates. The resultant data reveals the ranks of the relative importance among the five CPBs proposed by this study that wearing a mask is considered the most critical CPB. In contrast, wearing gloves is the least desirable CPB. Concerning five health-risk factors under investigation, there is no difference in CPB between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated. People suffering from issues with their immune system show a significant inclination to stress social distancing compared to those without any immune issues. Those having an inflected family member are apt to wear gloves. Further, individuals bearing risk factors concerning chronic illness, an immune problem, and an infected family member are inclined to wash their hands and wear gloves. Lastly, this research finds six situational factors affecting an individual's CPB. © 2023 Thouraya Gherissi Labben, Joseph S. Chen and Hyangmi Kim.
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Objectives: Obesity is a global epidemic and leads to complications such as diabetes and dyslipidemia. The objective of this study was to examine the provision of diet, exercise, cholesterol and HbA1c testing in office based medical visits among normal, overweight, obese, and morbidly obese individuals in the US. Method(s): The 2018 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data was used to conduct the study. Main outcome was provision of diet/nutrition, exercise, weight-reduction counseling, cholesterol and HbA1c testing in normal (BMI:18-25), overweight (BMI:25-30), obese (BMI:30 - 40), and morbidly obese (BMI:40+) individuals. A logistic regression model was fit to examine main outcomes by BMI status. Survey weights are assigned to the sample visits to obtain national estimates. All models were adjusted for confounders: race, ethnicity, age, gender, MSA, and insurance status. Odds ratios are reported to describe differences in overweight, obese, and morbidly obese patients compared to normal weight patients. Result(s): The weighted study sample consisted of 496,622,621 outpatient visits primarily white (84%), male (58%), covered by private insurance (57%). Multivariate analysis reveals that overweight, obese, and morbidly obese individuals received more HbA1c tests (OR, 1.02;CI, 1.01-1.03;OR, 3.47;CI, 2.31-5.2;OR, 9.01;CI, 4.88-16.66), and lipid profile tests (OR, 1.56;CI, 1.01-2.41;OR, 1.88;CI, 1.32-2.67;OR, 2.16;CI, 1.20-3.90) compared to normal weight patients. Similar trends were observed in the provision of diet/nutrition, exercise, and weight reduction counseling services (OR, 3.31;CI, 1.49 -7.35;OR, 7.51;CI, 2.85 -19.76;OR, 18.47;CI, 7.40- 46.10). Conclusion(s): Our study findings suggest that at risk individuals receive more weight-related services, such as testing for diabetes, cholesterol, diet, exercise, and weight reduction education compared to normal weight individuals. This study forms a baseline to examine disparity in provision of such services post-Covid (2019 and beyond) era given the disruption in the scarcity of health care professionals for such basic preventive services.Copyright © 2023
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The objective of this study was to assess the volume of consumption of anti-interleukins and janus kinase inhibitors in the period 2018–2021, used as well as preventive pathogenetic therapy of COVID-19.Materials and methods. Based on actual sales data in the segments of public procurement (including regional and federal preferential drug provision) and retail sales segment in the period 2018–2021, obtained from the IQVIA database. All data was recalculated into the number of established daily doses (DDDs), with the calculation of pharmacoepidemiological indicators «Incidence of prescribing drugs», «Cumulative risk of prescribing drugs», as well as «Prescribing prevalence per year» for tocilizumab, olokizumab, levilimab, sarilumab, kanakinumab, anakinra, baricitinib, tofacitinib and upadacitinib. Results and discussion. The growth of total sales volumes was demonstrated in all market segments, but mostly in the segment of regional purchases, primarily related to the purchase of these groups of medicines for COVID-19 therapy in the period 2020–2021. It was demonstrated that the increase in the number of cases, accompanied by the expansion of prescribing preventive pathogenetic therapy, led to a twofold increase in the number of new cases of prescribing of janus kinase inhibitors and an increase in this indicator for anti-interleukins by 1.5 times, taking into account the estimated number of patients with moderate and severe COVID-19. The cumulative risk of prescribing these classes of drugs increased proportionally: for JAK inhibitors from 14 to 32%, and for anti-IL drugs from 38 to 69%. Calculations showed that the proportion of people over 18 years of age in the Russian Federation who received at least one dose of janus kinase inhibitors and anti-interleukins increased many times, in 1000 times and 500 times. Conclusions. Taking into account the expansion of the use of these groups of medicines, careful monitoring of information about their safety is required. © 2023, HIV Infection and Immunosuppressive Disorders.All Rights Reserved.
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Objectives: To determine the impact of a pharmacy-based, clinical decision support (CDS) tool on herpes zoster (HZ) vaccine series completion during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic across the US. Method(s): In partnership with Kroger Health, a pharmacy CDS tool alerted staff of patients due for their second HZ vaccine dose, which had been accompanied previously by a timed text message. Once operations changed due to COVID-19, the system limited outreach to only patients visiting the pharmacy. Primary outcomes included the proportion of patients receiving both doses within a Kroger-owned pharmacy (n=2,293) and the number of days between doses, both within and across two 32-week periods before and after the pandemic hit the US. Generalized estimating equation-based (GEE) logistic and linear regression models determined differences in completion rates and time to completion. Result(s): During the observation period, 38,937 adults received at least one HZ vaccine dose, with 77.2% receiving both doses. Patients engaged by the CDS tool achieved 80.5% dose completion, versus 65.4% of those not intervened (p<0.0001), which was lower than in the period immediately before the pandemic (85.8%, p<0.0001). The dosing window averaged 119.4 days (SD: 26.91), which was the longest timeframe between doses since the HZ vaccine was launched and nearly one month longer than before the pandemic (93.0 days [SD: 28.02], p<0.0001). The odds of dose completion increased in areas of higher health literacy (OR: 1.01;95% CI: 1.007-1.014), but decreased in areas of higher poverty (OR: 0.992;95% CI: 0.988-0.995). Time to completion was slightly shorter (B=-0.04, p<0.05) in areas of higher health literacy. Conclusion(s): Despite changes in clinical processes, a nationwide community pharmacy was successful in completing HZ vaccine dose series for adults during the pandemic, suggesting that processes in community pharmacies can protect staff while remaining committed to providing preventive health services during public health crises.Copyright © 2023
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Evusheld is a combination injection of tixagevimab and cilgavimab and is indicated for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older. Its use has been advocated for immunosuppressed individuals, such as blood cancer patients, although uptake varies significantly between countries. Despite extensive use internationally, there has been limited analysis of potential psychological benefits that vulnerable patients might gain from receiving this prophylactic medication. In this study we have quantified four key psychological health parameters in blood cancer patients who received Evusheld (EQ5D-3L quality of life score, DSM5 Agoraphobia score, Duke's Social Support Index and the hospital anxiety and depression score) and compared their responses with a control group of patients who did not receive Evusheld. We show that patients who opted for treatment had higher baseline markers of psychological stress and ill-health compared with non-treated individuals but that treatment with Evusheld significantly improved the psychological health of recipients and increased the level of physical social/work interactions over that of control patients. Although there are limitations with this small study, the findings strongly suggest that Evusheld prophylaxis can provide significant psychological benefits for vulnerable blood cancer patients who have significant anxiety about COVID-19 infection. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of COVID is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The number of visits for routine or basic immunizations decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Basic immunization is essential to offer in order to lessen the likelihood of outbreaks of various other diseases that will cause many children to become seriously ill, become paralyzed, or die. In contrast to responding to outbreaks, prevention of diseases that can be prevented by immunization also saves lives, conserves resources, and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on healthcare systems is lessened. Nurses must understand why mothers choose to give their children the full range of the recommended basic vaccines. This study aims to describe the motivating factors for mothers to provide their children with basic immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The seven Steps Colaizzi analysis method was employed in this study's qualitative descriptive design with in-depth interviews with 10 individuals. Participants are mothers who bring their child to health care institutions for basic immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic and who are fluent in both oral and written Indonesian. Participants were obtained selected through a purposive sampling technique. Results: The findings of this study revealed two themes that reflected its goal. The two themes are intrinsic factors, such as social support, the health care system, and the COVID-19 dynamic;and intrinsic factors, such as the need for health, experience, perception, and knowledge. Conclusion: Several factors, both internal to the mother and external, can affect a mother's motivation to provide children with basic immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Malaysian Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences is the property of Universiti Putra Malaysia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of wearing face masks as a preventive measure to reduce the spread of the virus. In medical settings, such as hospitals and clinics, healthcare professionals and patients are required to wear surgical masks for infection control. However, the use of masks can hinder facial recognition technology, which is commonly used for identity verification and security purposes. In this paper, we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) based approach to detect faces covered by surgical masks in medical settings. We evaluated the proposed CNN model on a test set comprising of masked and unmasked faces. The results showed that our model achieved an accuracy of over 96% in detecting masked faces. Furthermore, our model demonstrated robustness to different mask types and fit variations commonly encountered in medical settings. Our approaches reaches state of the art results in terms of accuracy and generalization. © 2022 Copyright for this paper by its authors.
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In a rapidly developing crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, people are often faced with contradictory or changing information and must determine what sources to trust. Across five time points (N = 5902) we examine how trust in various sources predicts COVID-19 health behaviors. Trust in experts and national news predicted more engagement with most health behaviors from April 2020 to March 2022 and trust in Fox news, which often positioned itself as counter to the mainstream on COVID-19, predicted less engagement. However, we also examined a particular public health behavior (masking) before and after the CDC announcement recommending masks on 3 April 2020 (which reversed earlier expert advice discouraging masks for the general public). Prior to the announcement, trust in experts predicted less mask-wearing while trust in Fox News predicted more. These relationships disappeared in the next 4 days following the announcement and reversed in the 2 years that follow, and emerged for vaccination in the later time points. We also examine how the media trusted by Democrats and Republicans predicts trust in experts and in turn health behaviors. Broadly we consider how the increasingly fragmented epistemic environment has implications for polarization on matters of public health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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Objectives: Brazil's annual vaccination coverage rate (AVCR) for Polio has risen to alarming levels in recent years. Given the imminent possibility of the return of the disease eradicated 32 years ago in Brazil, the objective was to assess the historical data of AVCR and foresee the Brazilian performance in the next five years. Method(s): We apply a classic linear forecasting model Holt Winter (HW), composed of a forecasting equation and three corresponding smoothing equations alpha, beta, and gamma. The Polio AVCR between 1994 and 2022 was collected from the National Immunization Program and was evaluated in two stages using the R software involving (i) analysis of data, (ii) application of the HW using least squares adjustment. Result(s): The AVCR showed a growing trend between 1994 (38%) and 1999 (86%). From 2000 to 2015, the average AVCR was 78.72%, with the best coverage in 2015 (95.07%). Between 2016 and 2022, the AVCR was 66.75%, with a tendency to reduce over time. Between 2020 and 2022, AVCR had its lower result (64.44%), which can be explained by the postponement of Polio vaccination due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The best adjustment of smoothing alpha, beta and gamma was achieved (0.67, 0, 0) by HW. The forecast showed positive results in the average AVCR, with a growth of 16.71% in the next five years and with an AVCR projection of just 75.89%, in the case of no public health action is endowed by the country. To reach the best AVCR achieved in 2015, it is necessary to expand it by 48.5%. Conclusion(s): Forecasts using HW are recommended for public health monitoring, helping managers make decisions with limited resources. The results indicate that it is necessary to develop a strategic plan to expand AVCR to keep Polio eradicated from Brazil, mainly due to both disease gravity and treatment unavailability.Copyright © 2023
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The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in several changes worldwide. In particular, border closures and economic stagnation have significantly affected societies. Although the implementation of preventive measures has improved the pandemic scenario in several countries, the effectiveness of vaccines has decreased with the emergence of mutant viruses. With this background, the use of masks is considered the best method for preventing the spread of the virus. Notably, public transportation is closely related to socioeconomic activities, and the spread of infectious diseases is more likely in closed, dense, and congested areas. Moreover, the probability of infection during public transportation also depends on the proportion of commuters wearing masks. Based on the closed-circuit television footage of various public transportation spaces, the number of mask wearers can be analysed using artificial intelligence deep learning, and the probability of COVID-19 spread can be predicted by determining the proportion of mask wearers among the commuters. With this background, in this study, the importance of masks in controlling the spread of the virus is confirmed. In conclusion, appropriate measures can be implemented by determining the probability of infection according to the mask-wearing rate in public transportation spaces. © 2023 ICE Publishing: All rights reserved.