Knowledge and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine among India's general rural population

Introduction Even after the enforcement of the lockdown, the government was unable to control the spread of the COVID-19 infection. Vaccination is the only remaining hope for preventing and controlling COVID-19 infections. The knowledge and attitude of the recipients can influence vaccine acceptance. In this study, we aim to assess the knowledge and attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine among the general rural population of India. Methodology A community-based, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2021 to October 2021 in the rural part of the Mandya district of Karnataka, India. Individuals over the age of 18 who met the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's vaccination eligibility criteria were included in the study. Demographic details of participants and assessment of knowledge and attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine were done in a designed and validated data collection form. Results The study included 596 participants, with females dominating males by 54.9 % (327). The average age of the participants was 31 years. Among them, 81.71% (487) had adequate knowledge, and 81.5% (486) had a positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Females (85.3%, 279) tend to have a more positive attitude than males (77%, 207). Positive attitude participants (86.86 %, 423) have a higher level of knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine than negative attitude participants (57.79 %, 63). Conclusion In the study, we found that 81.71% had adequate knowledge and 81.5% had a positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine. Resumen Introducción Incluso tras la obligatoriedad del confinamiento el gobierno fue incapaz de controlar la propagación de la infección por COVID-19. La vacuna es la única esperanza que queda para prevenir y controlar las infecciones por COVID-19. El conocimiento y la actitud de los receptores pueden influir en la aceptación de la vacuna. En este estudio, nuestro objetivo fue evaluar el conocimiento y la actitud hacia la vacuna contra la COVID-19 entre la población rural general de India. Metodología Se realizó un estudio transversal, prospectivo y con base comunitaria de mayo a octubre de 2021 en la zona rural del distrito Mandya de Karnataka, India. Se incluyó en el estudio a los individuos mayores de 18 años que cumplieron los criterios de elegibilidad del Ministerio de Sanidad y Bienestar Familiar. Los datos demográficos de los participantes y la evaluación del conocimiento y la actitud hacia la vacuna contra la COVID-19 se incluyeron en un formulario de recopilación de datos diseñado y validado. Resultados El estudio incluyó a 596 participantes, siendo más numerosas las mujeres que los hombres en un 54,9 % (327). La edad media de los participantes fue de 31 años. Entre ellos, el 81,71% (487) tenía un conocimiento adecuado, y el 81,5% (486) una actitud positiva hacia la vacuna contra la COVID-19. Las mujeres (85,3%, 279) tendieron a tener una actitud más positiva que los hombres (77%, 207). Los participantes con actitud positiva (86,86 %, 423) tuvieron un mayor nivel de conocimiento sobre la vacuna contra la COVID-19 que los participantes con actitud negativa (57,79 %, 63). Conclusión En el estudio, encontramos que el 81,71% tuvo un conocimiento adecuado, y el 81,5% una actitud positiva hacia la vacuna contra la COVID-19.

The rise in antimicrobial resistance: An obscure issue in COVID-19 treatment

A saturated health care system with a lack of evidence-based antiviral medicine and ignorance of antimicrobial stewardship during pandemics has prompted clinicians to prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic more often. A prospective, cross-sectional study of COVID-infected patients was conducted to gain insight into antibiotic prescribing practices and their impact on antimicrobial resistance. The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the disc diffusion method. 318 patients met the study's inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 46 years and 55% (175) of them being males. Antibiotics were prescribed for 93.72% (209) of mild cases, 92.45% (49) of moderate cases, 96.15% (25) of severe cases, and 100% (16) of critical cases of COVID-19. A total of 95 samples were sent in for culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing, with 58.95% (56) confirming growth. The majority of the growth was found to contain E. coli (14). In 54.9% of cases, antibiotics with less than 50% sensitivity to curing bacterial infection were detected. In the study, we found that antibiotics were being used unnecessarily in excessive quantities and that more than half of the antibiotics were less sensitive to isolated bacteria.

Knowledge and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine among India's general rural population.

Introduction: Even after the enforcement of the lockdown, the government was unable to control the spread of the COVID-19 infection. Vaccination is the only remaining hope for preventing and controlling COVID-19 infections. The knowledge and attitude of the recipients can influence vaccine acceptance. In this study, we aim to assess the knowledge and attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine among the general rural population of India. Methodology: A community-based, prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2021 to October 2021 in the rural part of the Mandya district of Karnataka, India. Individuals over the age of 18 who met the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's vaccination eligibility criteria were included in the study. Demographic details of participants and assessment of knowledge and attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine were done in a designed and validated data collection form. Results: The study included 596 participants, with females dominating males by 54.9 % (327). The average age of the participants was 31 years. Among them, 81.71% (487) had adequate knowledge, and 81.5% (486) had a positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Females (85.3%, 279) tend to have a more positive attitude than males (77%, 207). Positive attitude participants (86.86 %, 423) have a higher level of knowledge about the COVID-19 vaccine than negative attitude participants (57.79 %, 63). Conclusion: In the study, we found that 81.71% had adequate knowledge and 81.5% had a positive attitude toward the COVID-19 vaccine.

Introducción: Incluso tras la obligatoriedad del confinamiento el gobierno fue incapaz de controlar la propagación de la infección por COVID-19. La vacuna es la única esperanza que queda para prevenir y controlar las infecciones por COVID-19. El conocimiento y la actitud de los receptores pueden influir en la aceptación de la vacuna. En este estudio, nuestro objetivo fue evaluar el conocimiento y la actitud hacia la vacuna contra la COVID-19 entre la población rural general de India. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio transversal, prospectivo y con base comunitaria de mayo a octubre de 2021 en la zona rural del distrito Mandya de Karnataka, India. Se incluyó en el estudio a los individuos mayores de 18 años que cumplieron los criterios de elegibilidad del Ministerio de Sanidad y Bienestar Familiar. Los datos demográficos de los participantes y la evaluación del conocimiento y la actitud hacia la vacuna contra la COVID-19 se incluyeron en un formulario de recopilación de datos diseñado y validado. Resultados: El estudio incluyó a 596 participantes, siendo más numerosas las mujeres que los hombres en un 54,9 % (327). La edad media de los participantes fue de 31 años. Entre ellos, el 81,71% (487) tenía un conocimiento adecuado, y el 81,5% (486) una actitud positiva hacia la vacuna contra la COVID-19. Las mujeres (85,3%, 279) tendieron a tener una actitud más positiva que los hombres (77%, 207). Los participantes con actitud positiva (86,86 %, 423) tuvieron un mayor nivel de conocimiento sobre la vacuna contra la COVID-19 que los participantes con actitud negativa (57,79 %, 63). Conclusión: En el estudio, encontramos que el 81,71% tuvo un conocimiento adecuado, y el 81,5% una actitud positiva hacia la vacuna contra la COVID-19.

The prevalence of inverse health consequences of COVID-19 vaccines: A post-vaccination study.

Background: COVID-19 vaccinations are intended to help produce neutralizing antibodies which target surface spike protein to combat the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Similarly, COVID-19 recovered patients exhibit high levels of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, which predominantly target the surface spike protein and are associated with the occurrence of health consequences in survivors. Objective: The aim of the study is to explore the long-term health consequences of the COVID-19 vaccines. Methodology: A prospective, exploratory observational study conducted both online and offline using various questionnaires with all immunized individuals who had been inoculated for at least a month following their last COVID-19 vaccine either AZD1222® or BBV152® vaccines. Results: We evaluated 258 individuals who had taken the COVID vaccine and found that females made up the majority (54.3%) and that the mean age was 24 years. Post-vaccination long-term health issues were reported by 36.05% (93) of the participants, with 37.86% (53) of females and 33.9% (40) of males (p = 0.292). Myalgia was reported by 20.15% (52), fatigue was 13.95% (36), paresthesia was 1.16% (3), ageusia was 0.77% (2), sadness/irritability was 2.31% (6), and lack of concentration/excessive worry was 3.1% (8). Conclusions: Myalgia, fatigue, paresthesia, ageusia, coughs and colds, dyspnea, sadness/irritability, and lack of concentration/excessive worry are health consequences related to the COVID-19 vaccination which follow a similar pattern of post-COVID syndrome.

Antecedentes: El objetivo de las vacunas frente a la COVID-19 es el de ayudar a producir anticuerpos neutralizantes dirigidos a la proteína de la espícula para combatir el virus SARS-Cov-2. De igual modo, los pacientes que se recuperan de la COVID-19 exhiben grandes niveles de anticuerpos neutralizantes de SARS-CoV-2, que se dirigen predominantemente a la superficie de la proteína de la espícula, y están asociados a la incidencia de consecuencias para la salud de los sobrevivientes. Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio es explorar las consecuencias para la salud a largo plazo de las vacunas frente a la COVID-19. Metodología: Estudio prospectivo, exploratorio y observacional realizado tanto online como offline, utilizando diversos cuestionarios con todos los individuos vacunados a quienes se había inoculado en el plazo de al menos un mes, tras la última vacuna frente a la COVID-19, bien fueran las vacunas AZD1222® o BBV152®. Resultados: Evaluamos a 258 individuos que habían recibido la vacuna frente a la COVID, y encontramos que la mayoría eran mujeres (54,3%) con una edad media de 24 años. Las cuestiones de salud a largo plazo, tras la vacuna, fueron reportadas por un 36,05% (93) de los participantes, con un 37,86% (53) de mujeres y un 33.9% (40) de varones (p = 0,292). Se reportó mialgia en el 20,15% (52) de los casos, fatiga en el 13,95% (36), parestesia en el 1,16% (3), ageusia en el 0,77% (2), tristeza/irritabilidad en el 2,31% (6), y falta de concentración/preocupación excesiva en el 3,1% (8). Conclusiones: Mialgia, fatiga, parestesia, ageusia, tos y resfriado, disnea, tristeza/irritabilidad, y falta de concentración/preocupación excesiva son las consecuencias de salud relacionadas con la vacuna frente a la COVID-19, y siguen un patrón similar al del síndrome post-COVID.

Knowledge and beliefs towards universal safety precautions during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic among the Indian public: a web-based cross-sectional survey.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is considered the most serious global health threat in recent times. As there is a current lack of approved treatments and vaccines, universal safety precautions (USPs) must be taken to deal with this emergency. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and beliefs of the Indian public with regard to USPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted during March 2020. A 20-item self-administered questionnaire was developed, validated and distributed using Google Forms through social media networks. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing knowledge regarding COVID-19 USPs. Results: Of the 1117 individuals who participated in the survey, the mean age was 28.8 ± 10.9 years, 32.9% had a post-graduate education, 45% had a professional job, and 40% belonged to the upper-middle economic class. Overall, the mean correct response scores were 63% for USP knowledge and 83% for USP beliefs. All the sociodemographic variables were significantly (p < 0.001) associated with the USP knowledge levels. Importantly, students were less likely to have a lower level of USP knowledge compared with the other occupations (odds ratio 0.35, 95% CI 0.23-0.53; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Although the knowledge and beliefs of the Indian public towards USPs are encouraging, there is a need for long-term educational interventions as the dynamics and severity of COVID-19 rapidly change. These findings could guide public health authorities to make and implement precautionary measures to combat this pandemic.