Knowledge, awareness and practice regarding cystic echinococcosis in Algeria: A cross-sectional survey among the general population.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonotic disease with a widespread occurrence, particularly in developing countries. Known as a neglected disease, it is highly prevalent in Algeria with a significant public health concern and substantial financial losses. The objectives of this study was to explore knowledge and awareness and practice of the Algerian population regarding this disease. A cross-sectional online-based survey was conducted between July 15 and September 25, 2022 using a self-administered questionnaire targeting all Algerian people of more than 18 years of age. Out of the total respondents, 87.7% have ever heard of CE with livestock rearing connection (OR:2.550, CI 95% OR: 1.108-5.870) and educational level (OR:3.826, CI 95% OR: 1.599-9.156) as the main factors associated with the level of awareness. Regarding their knowledge, results showed dispersing notions about the disease. The majority (84.8%) were aware of the zonnotic nature of the disease while only 49.6% knew that CE is caused by parasitic disease. Also, 83.3% were knowledgeable of the role of contaminated offal in the contamination of dogs which are considered as the main source of contamination of humans (65.19%). Regarding their practices, even home slaughtering was common (92.96%), some positive attitudes were prevalent where most of the participants declared washing vegetable before consumption (97.41%) and washing their hands after touching a dog (91.11%). Also, 68.29% among the dog owners declared that deworming their pets. This study has revealed that despite the high level of awareness and some positive attitudes, the level of knowledge about CE among the Algerian public has shown some gaps related to the epidemiology of the disease. These results could be helpful for the awareness campaigns programmers in their missions through focusing their efforts on raising the level of knowledge for the items that have shown a lack of understand which will be of great importance in the strategy of CE elimination.

Breast cancer knowledge and practices amongst women in Algeria.

PURPOSE: The present study aims at investigating how Algerian women feel about Breast Cancer (BC) and Breast Self-Examination (BSE) in terms of knowledge and attitude and to determine the factors associated with performing BSE and its reluctance. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional survey between October 14, 2021 and November 14, 2022, targeting Algerian females aged more than 18 years and living in the country using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 436 participants were involved in this study among which 41.28% were aged between 21 and 30 years and 34.86% were aged between 31 and 40 years. The average level of correct responses with regard to knowledge about BC was estimated at 51.31%, whereas it was 32.93% concerning knowledge about BC risk factors. Family history was the less reported incriminating factor for developing BC among the asked women (7.34%). Concerning alarming signs of BC, the current study revealed that Algerian women were less knowledgeable about breast dimpling-puckering (44.27%), breast inward traction (50.23%), breast redness (54.13%), and nipple position change (54.13%). In terms of belief in the utility of BSE in the early detection of BC, almost all the participants (97.98%) were convinced of its utility, whereas 96.33% of them showed an interest in learning more about it. In what concerns the early screening tests, approximately, four-fifth of the participant (77.52%) heard about them, while 94.72% believed that its early detection could reduce the disease's severity and mortality. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed an insufficient level of knowledge concerning BC, especially in regard to its risk factors and some alarming signs as well as a lack of knowledge about BSE and other BC screening tests; hence the necessity of awareness campaigns about this disease that should target categories with the lowest level of knowledge.

Knowledge and awareness of Algerian healthcare workers about human monkeypox and their attitude toward its vaccination: An online cross-sectional survey.

Objectives: This study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge of Algerian healthcare workers about human monkeypox, and their attitude toward its vaccination. Methods: An online-based cross-sectional study using social media platforms targeting Algerian healthcare workers was conducted between 28 June and 18 September 2022. Results: 111 healthcare workers have answered the questionnaire. Overall, a medium level of knowledge (64.9%) was obtained with multiple gaps about the epidemiology and clinical features of this disease. Factors associated with high levels of knowledge included young age, being married and practicing outside the province town. Also, only 38.7% of the respondents were in favor of human monkeypox vaccination if recommended for free with COVID-19 vaccine uptake as a determinant factor of acceptance. Conclusion: Results have shown a medium level of knowledge and a low rate of vaccination willingness. The findings of this study although not representative of all Algerian healthcare workers, could be a baseline for human monkeypox knowledge and vaccination in Algeria.

Objectivos: Este estudio se llevó a cabo para evaluar el nivel de conocimiento de los trabajadores de la salud argelinos sobre la viruela del simio humano y su actitud hacia su vacunación. Métodos: Entre el 28 de junio y el 18 de septiembre de 2022 se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en línea utilizando plataformas de redes sociales dirigido a trabajadores de la salud argelinos. Resultados: 111 rabajadores de la salud han respondido al cuestionario. En general se obtuvo un nivel de conocimiento medio (64,9%) con múltiples lagunas sobre la epidemiología y clínica de esta enfermedad. Los factores asociados con altos niveles de conocimiento incluyen la edad joven, estar casado y ejercer fuera de la ciudad de la provincia. Además, solo el 38,7% de los encuestados estaba a favor de la viruela del simio humano si la vacunación se recomendaba de forma gratuita con la aceptación de la vacuna COVID-19 como factor determinante de la aceptación. Conclusión: Los resultados han mostrado un nivel medio de conocimiento y una baja tasa de disposición a la vacunación. Los hallazgos de este estudio podrían ser una línea de base para el conocimiento y la vacunación contra la viruela del simio humano en Argelia.

Short-Term Adverse Effects Following Booster Dose of Inactivated-Virus vs. Adenoviral-Vector COVID-19 Vaccines in Algeria: A Cross-Sectional Study of the General Population.

COVID-19 booster vaccines have been adopted in almost all countries to enhance the immune response and combat the emergence of new variants. Algeria adopted this strategy in November 2021. This study was conducted to consider the self-reported side effects of COVID-19 booster vaccines by Algerians who were vaccinated with a booster dose of one of the approved inactivated-virus vaccines, such as BBIBP-CorV and CoronaVac, or one of the adenoviral-vector-based vaccines, such as Gam-COVID-Vac, AZD1222 and Ad26.COV2.S, and to determine the eventual risk factors. A cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) was conducted in Algeria between 28 April 2022, and 20 July 2022. A descriptive analysis of the 196 individuals who were included showed a nearly equal distribution of adenoviral- (52%) and inactivated-virus vaccines (48%) and of males (49.5%) and females (50.5%). The results showed that 74.7% of the studied population reported at least one local or systemic side effect. These side effects were more frequent among adenoviral-vector vaccinees (87.3%) than inactivated-virus vaccinees (60.6%) (sig. < 0.001). Injection site pain (40.3%), heat at the injection site (21.4%), and arm pain (16.3%) were the most common local side effects. These signs generally appeared in the first 12 h (73.3%) and generally lasted less than 24 h (32.8%). More interestingly, these signs differed from those that followed the administration of primer doses (48.5%) and were generally more severe (37%). The same observation was reported for systemic side effects, where the signs were especially most severe in the adenoviral-vaccinated group (49.4% vs. 20.8%; sig. = 0.001). These signs generally appeared within the first day (63.6%) and mostly disappeared before two days (50.8%), with fatigue (41.8%), fever (41.3%), and headache (30.1%) being the most common. Adenoviral-vector vaccinees (62.7%) were more likely to use medications to manage these side effects than were inactivated-virus vaccinees (45.7%) (sig. = 0.035) and paracetamol (48.5%) was the most used medication. Adenoviral-based vaccines were the types of vaccines that were most likely to cause side effects. In addition, being female increased the risk of developing side effects; regular medication was associated with local side effects among inactivated-virus vaccinees; and previous infection with COVID-19 was associated with systemic and local side effects among adenovirus-based vaccinees. These results support the short-term safety of booster vaccines, as has been reported for primer doses.

Intention to get COVID-19 vaccination and its associated predictors: A cross-sectional study among the general public in Algeria.

Background: Hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination and its rejection remains a major public health concern worldwide, especially in the Middle East and North African countries. The current study aimed to assess the intentions to get COVID-19 vaccines and its determinants among the general public in Algeria. Methods: A self-administered online survey was distributed during August-September 2021 using a convenience-based sampling approach. Data were collected anonymously and analyzed using IBM SPSS v22.0 software. Results: The study sample comprised a total of 656 participants, with 51.1% being in favor of COVID-19 vaccines while 18.5% and 30.5% were against or hesitant respectively. Only 38.6% among the study participants got vaccinated. Factors associated with higher odds of acceptance were: male sex, healthcare profession, the belief in natural origin of the pandemic and previous COVID-19 infection in family. The most common cited reasons for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were the belief that vaccination is the only way to fight COVID-19 and the fear of getting infected by the virus; while the most common reasons of rejection were lack of trust in proper vaccine testing and fear of side effects. Conclusion: The overall level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in this study was below the levels required to achieve population immunity. Besides certain socio-demographic characteristics, the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine rejection included the embrace of conspiratorial ideas regarding the virus and its vaccination. This should be considered in implementation of interventional measures aiming to promote COVID-19 vaccination in the country.

Antecedentes: Las dudas sobre la vacuna contra la COVID-19 y el rechazo a la misma siguen siendo un gran problema de salud pública a nivel mundial, especialmente en Oriente Medio y los países del norte de África. El objetivo del estudio actual es evaluar la intención de recibir las vacunas contra la COVID-19 y sus determinantes entre el público general de Argelia. Métodos: Se distribuyó una encuesta autoadministrada durante agosto-septiembre de 2021, utilizando un enfoque de muestreo basado en conveniencia. Los datos fueron recopilados de manera anónima utilizando el software IBM SPSS v22.0. Resultados: La muestra del estudio incluyó un total de 656 participantes, de los cuales el 51,1% estuvo a favor de las vacunas contra la COVID-19, y el 18,5% y el 30,5% estuvo en contra o tuvo dudas, respectivamente. Solo el 38,6% de los participantes del estudio acudió a vacunarse. Los factores asociados a las mayores probabilidades de aceptación fueron: sexo masculino, profesión sanitaria, creencia en el origen natural de la pandemia e infección por COVID-19 previa en la familia. Los motivos más comúnmente citados para la aceptación de la vacuna contra la COVID-19 fueron la creencia en que la vacuna es el único modo de luchar contra la enfermedad, y el miedo a infectarse por el virus, mientras que los motivos más comunes de rechazo fueron la falta de confianza en las pruebas de la propia vacuna y el miedo a los efectos secundarios. Conclusión: El nivel general de aceptación de la vacuna contra la COVID-19 en este estudio estuvo por debajo de los niveles requeridos para lograr la inmunidad de la población. Además de ciertas características socio-demográficas, los determinantes del rechazo a la vacuna contra la COVID-19 incluyeron la adhesión a ideas conspiratorias en cuanto al virus y su vacuna. Esto deberá considerarse a la hora de implementar medidas intervencionistas encaminadas a promover la vacuna contra la COVID-19 en el país.

ST-Segment Analysis Using Wireless Technology in Acute Myocardial Infarction (STAT-MI) trial.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to examine the effects of implementing a fully automated wireless network to reduce door-to-intervention times (D2I) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). BACKGROUND: Wireless technologies used to transmit prehospital electrocardiograms (ECGs) have helped to decrease D2I times but have unrealized potential. METHODS: A fully automated wireless network that facilitates simultaneous 12-lead ECG transmission from emergency medical services (EMS) personnel in the field to the emergency department (ED) and offsite cardiologists via smartphones was developed. The system is composed of preconfigured Bluetooth devices, preprogrammed receiving/transmitting stations, dedicated e-mail servers, and smartphones. The network facilitates direct communication between offsite cardiologists and EMS personnel, allowing for patient triage directly to the cardiac catheterization laboratory from the field. Demographic, laboratory, and time interval data were prospectively collected and compared with calendar year 2005 data. RESULTS: From June to December 2006, 80 ECGs with suspected STEMI were transmitted via the network. Twenty patients with ECGs consistent with STEMI were triaged to the catheterization laboratory. Improvement was seen in mean door-to-cardiologist notification (-14.6 vs. 61.4 min, p < 0.001), door-to-arterial access (47.6 vs. 108.1 min, p < 0.001), time-to-first angiographic injection (52.8 vs. 119.2 min, p < 0.001), and D2I times (80.1 vs. 145.6 min, p < 0.001) compared with 2005 data. CONCLUSIONS: A fully automated wireless network that transmits ECGs simultaneously to the ED and offsite cardiologists for the early evaluation and triage of patients with suspected STEMI can decrease D2I times to <90 min and has the potential to be broadly applied in clinical practice.