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BackgroundMonkeypox virus re-surged in May 2022 as a new potential global health threat with outbreaks bursting in multiple countries across different continents. This study was conducted during the first month of the WHO announcement to assess the healthcare workers (HCWs) within Saudi Arabia, exploring their perception, worries, and vaccine acceptance for Monkeypox in-line with the resolving COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsA national cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 27 and June 10, 2022, in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected on the sociodemographic and job-related characteristics, COVID-19 infection status, HCWs worry levels of Monkeypox compared to COVID-19 and its sources, their perceptions, awareness, and HCWs Monkeypox vaccination advocacy. ResultsAmong the 1130 HCWs who completed survey, 41.6% already developed COVID-19. Still, 56.5% were more worried from COVID-19 compared to Monkeypox, while the rest were more worried of Monkeypox disease. The main reason for their worry among 68.8% of the participants was development of another worldwide pandemic post COVID-19, followed by their worry of acquiring the infection themselves or their families (49.6%). Most HCWs (60%) rated their self-awareness of Monkeypox disease as moderate to high. Males and those who previously developed COVID-19 were significantly less likely to worry about Monkeypox. The worry about Monkeypox developing into a pandemic and the perception of Monkeypox being a severe disease correlated significantly positively with the odds of high worry from the disease. Regarding participants advocacy for HCWs vaccination against Monkeypox disease, those who developed COVID-19 previously and those who supported application of tighter infection control measures compared to the current ones to combat the disease were significantly predicted to agree for vaccination. 74.2% of the surveyed HCWs perceived that they need to read more about the Monkeypox disease after the survey. ConclusionDuring the first month of the WHOs Monkeypox international alert, about half of HCWs in this study were more worried about Monkeypox disease as compared to COVID-19, and its possible progression into another pandemic. In addition, the majority were in favor of applying tighter infection prevention measures to combat the disease. The current study highlights areas needed for healthcare administrative about the HCWs perceptions and readiness for Monkeypox especially in the event of any occurrence of local or international pandemic.
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BackgroundMonkeypox re-emerged in May 2022 as another global health threat. This study assessed the publics perception, worries, and vaccine acceptance for Monkeypox and COVID-19 during the first month of WHO announcement. MethodsA national cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 27 and June 5, 2022, in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, previous infection with COVID-19, worry levels regarding Monkeypox compared to COVID-19, awareness, and perceptions of Monkeypox, and vaccine acceptance. ResultsAmong the 1546 participants, most respondents (62%) were more worried about COVID-19 than Monkeypox. Respondents aged 45 years and above and those with a university degree or higher had lower odds of agreement with Monkeypox vaccination (OR .871, p-value .006, OR .719, p-value <0.001), respectively. Respondents with moderate to a high level of self and family commitment to infection control precautionary measures and those who expressed self and family worry of Monkeypox infection had significantly higher odds of vaccination agreement (OR 1.089 p-value=0.047, OR1.395 p-value=0.003) respectively. On the other hand, respondents who previously developed COVID-19 were significantly more worried about the Monkeypox disease (1.30 times more, p-value=0.020). ConclusionWorry levels amongst the public are higher from COVID-19 than Monkeypox. Perception of Monkeypox as a dangerous and virulent disease, worry from contracting the disease, and high commitment to infection precautionary measures were predictors of agreement with Monkeypox vaccination. While advanced age and high education level are predictors of low agreement with vaccination.
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BackgroundAs the SARS-CoV2 Omicron variant spreads in several countries, healthcare workers (HCWs) perceptions and worries regarding vaccine effectiveness and boosters warrant reassessment. MethodsAn online questionnaire among HCWs in Saudi Arabia (KSA) was distributed from Dec 1st to 6th 2021 to assess their perceptions, vaccine advocacy to the Omicron variant, and their perception of the effectivness of infection prevention measures and vaccination to prevent its spread, their Omicron variant related worries in comparison to the other variants, and their agreement with mandatory vaccination in general for adults. ResultsAmong the 1285 HCW participants, two-thirds were female, 49.8 % were nurses, 46.4% were physicians, and 50.0% worked in tertiary care hospitals. 66.9% considered vaccination to be the most effective way to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant and future variants. The respondents however perceived social distancing (78.0%), universal masking (77.8%), and avoiding unnecessary travel (71.4%) as slightly superior to vaccination to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants. HCWs aging 55 or older agreed singficanlty with vaccine ineffictivness to control Omicron spread, while those who believed in non-pharmacolgical infection prevention measures agreed signifcantly with vaccination for that purpose. Male HCWs had a significant agreement with mandatory vaccination of all eligible adult populations. On the other hand, unwilling HCWs to receive the vaccine had strong disagreements with mandatory vaccination. ConclusionsThe current study in the first week of Omicron showed that only two-thirds of HCWs felt that vaccination was the best option to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant, indicating the need for further motivation campaigns for vaccination and booster dose. HCWs had a strong belief in infection prevention measures to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants that should be encouraged and augmented.
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IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused an unprecedented health crisis around the world, not least because of its heterogeneous clinical presentation and course. The new information on the pandemic emerging daily has made it challenging for healthcare workers (HCWs) to stay current with the latest knowledge, which could influence their attitudes and practices during patient care. MethodsThis study is a follow-up evaluation of changes in HCWs knowledge, attitudes, and practices as well as anxiety levels regarding COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Data were collected through an anonymous, predesigned, self-administered questionnaire that was sent online to HCWs in Saudi Arabia. ResultsThe questionnaire was sent to 1500 HCWs, with a 63.8% response rate (N=957). The majority of respondents were female (83%), and the most common age group was 31-40 years (52.2%). Nurses constituted 86.3% of the respondents. HCWs reported higher anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic which increased from 4.91{+/-}2.84 to 8.6{+/-}2.27 on an 11-point Likert scale compared to other viral outbreaks. HCWs believed that their own preparedness as well as that of their hospitals intensive care unit (ICU) or emergency room (ER) was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic than during the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus pandemic (2012-2015). About 58% of HCWs attended one or more simulations concerning the management of COVID-19 patients in their ICU/ER, and nearly all had undergone N95 mask fit testing. The mean score of HCWs knowledge of COVID-19 was 9.89/12. For most respondents (94.6%), the perception of being at increased risk of infection was the main cause of anxiety related to COVID-19; the mean score of anxiety over COVID-19 increased from 4.91{+/-}2.84 before to 8.6{+/-}2.27 during the pandemic in Saudi Arabia. ConclusionsHCWs anxiety levels regarding COVID-19 have increased since a pandemic was declared. It is vital that healthcare facilities provide more emotional and psychological support for all HCWs.
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ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the perception, confidence, hesitancy, and acceptance rate of various COVID-19 vaccine types among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia, a nation with MERS-CoV experience. DesignNational cross-sectional, pilot-validated questionnaire. SettingOnline, self-administered questionnaire among HCWs. ParticipantsA total of 2,007 HCWs working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated; 75.3% completed the survey and were included in the analysis. InterventionData were collected through an online survey sent to HCWs during November 1-15, 2020. The main outcome measure was HCW acceptance of COVID-19 candidate vaccines. The associated factors of vaccination acceptance were identified through a logistic regression analysis and via measurement of the level of anxiety, using the generalized anxiety disorder 7 (GAD7) scale. ResultsAmong the 1512 HCWs who were included, 62.4% were women, 70.3% were between 21 and 40 years of age, and the majority (62.2%) were from tertiary hospitals. In addition, 59.5% reported knowing about at least one vaccine; 24.4% of the participants were sure about their willingness to receive the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, and 20.9% were willing to receive the RNA BNT162b2 vaccine. However, 18.3% reported that they would refuse to receive the Ad5-vectored vaccine, and 17.9% would refuse the Gam-COVID-Vac vaccine. Factors that influenced the differential readiness of HCWs included their perceptions of the vaccines efficiency in preventing the infection (33%), their personal preferences (29%), and the vaccines manufacturing country (28.6%). ConclusionsAwareness by HCWs of the several COVID-19 candidate vaccines could improve their perceptions and acceptance of vaccination. Reliable sources on vaccine efficiency could improve vaccine uptake, so healthcare authorities should use reliable information to decrease vaccine hesitancy among frontline healthcare providers.
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ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify COVID-19 vaccine perception, acceptance, confidence, hesitancy, and barriers among healthcare workers (HCW). MethodsAn online national cross-sectional pilot-validated questionnaire was self-administered by HCW in Saudi Arabia, a nation with MERS-CoV experience. The main outcome variable was HCWs acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine candidates. The associated factors of vaccination acceptance were identified through a logistic regression analysis and the level of anxiety using generalized anxiety disorder 7. ResultOut of 1512 HCWs who completed the study questionnaire--944 (62.4%) women and 568 (37.6%) men--1058 (70%) were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Logistic regression analysis revealed that male HCWs (ORa=1.551, 95% CI: 1.122-2.144), HCWs who believe in vaccine safety (ORa=2.151; 95% CI:1.708-2.708), HCWs who believe that COVID vaccines are the most likely way to stop the pandemic (ORa=1.539; 95% CI: 1.259-1.881), and HCWs who rely on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for COVID 19 updates (ORa=1.505, 95% CI: 1.125-2.013) were significantly associated with reporting willingness to be vaccinated. However, HCWs who believed vaccines were rushed without evidence-informed testing were found to be 60% less inclined to accept COVID-19 vaccines (ORa=0.394, 95% CI: 0.298- 0.522). ConclusionMost HCWs are willing to receive COVID-19 vaccines once available; yet, satisfactoriness of COVID-19 vaccination among HCWs is crucial because health professionals knowledge and confidence toward vaccines are important determining factors for their own vaccine acceptance and recommendation to their patients.
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IntroductionMany healthcare systems initiated rapid training with COVID-19 simulations for their healthcare workers (HCWs) to build surge capacity and optimize infection control measures. This study aimed to describe COVID-19 simulation drills in international healthcare centers. MethodsThis is cross-sectional, international survey among simulation team leaders and HCWs, based on each centers debriefing reports from simulation centers from 30 countries in all WHO regions where COVID-19 simulation drills were conducted. The main outcome measures were the COVID-19 simulations characteristics, outcomes, facilitators, obstacles and challenges encountered during the simulation sessions. ResultsInvitation was sent to 500 simulation team leaders and HCWs, 343 responded, and 121 completed the survey. Those who completed the study were from East Mediterranean (EMRO) countries (41.3%); Southeast Asian countries (SERO) (25.6%); and Europe (12.4%) and the remainder from other regions. The frequency of simulation sessions was monthly (27.1%), weekly (24.8%), twice weekly (19.8%), or daily (21.5%). Among participants, 55.6% reported teams full engagement in the simulation sessions. The average session length was 30-60 minutes. The most commonly reported debriefing leaders were ICU staff, simulation lab staff, and ER facilitators, and the least common were infection control staff. A total of 80% reported "a lot" to "a great improvement" in terms of clinical preparedness after simulation sessions, and 70% were satisfied with the COVID-19 simulation sessions and thought they were better than expected. Most of the perceived issues reported were related to infection control measures, followed by team dynamics, logistics, and patient transport issues. ConclusionSimulation centers team leaders and HCWs reported positive feedback on COVID- 19 simulation sessions. The presence of multiprofessional personnel during drills is warranted. These drills are a valuable tool for rehearsing safe dynamics of HCWs on the frontline of COVID-19. Summary boxexplaining the significance of their study by providing each of the following key questions: What is already known?O_LISimulation enhances healthcare systems safety. C_LIO_LIPreparedness to potential disasters includes training for personal protection techniques, environmental contamination, medical management, and training of HCWs. C_LI What are the new findings?O_LIMany hospitals conducted COVID-19 simulations in all WHO regions. C_LIO_LIMost of the team leaders and HCWs reported full engagement and significant clinical preparedness improvement after the COVID-19 simulation sessions. C_LI What do the new findings imply?O_LIThe presence of multiprofessional personnel, including infection control experts, during COVID-19 drills is warranted. C_LIO_LISimulation are a valuable tool for rehearsing safe dynamics of HCWs on the frontline of COVID-19. C_LI
