Beliefs and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Three Countries with Different Human Development Index (HDI) Scores: A Comparative Study.

Background: As vaccination is a cornerstone strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this study assessed and compared beliefs about and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination among the population of three countries with different Human Development Index (HDI) scores: Saudi Arabia (very high), India (medium), and Sudan (low). Methods: A web-based, self-administered structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from the three countries. The questionnaire contained three sections that measured sociodemographic characteristics, participants' beliefs about and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines, barriers to receiving COVID-19 vaccines, and scenarios in which there is a possibility to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine whether there was an association between the country of the participant and their beliefs about COVID-19 vaccines. Results: 972 responses were collected. The study participants from India were more likely to believe in the safety and efficacy of vaccines than those from Saudi Arabia or Sudan. Consequently, they reported more willingness to get vaccinated to avoid complications from COVID-19. Regarding barriers to COVID-19 vaccination, concerns about adverse effects and ineffectiveness of vaccines were more common among Saudi participants, while concerns about conspiracy were more common among Sudanese participants. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was higher in countries with a very high to medium Human Development Index, indicating greater belief in the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

Congenital chylothorax--successful management with chemical pleurodesis.

Congenital chylothorax is a rare entity which is characterized by abnormal accumulation of chyle in pleural cavity. Chylothorax presenting as non-immune hydrops is even rarer. We report a case of congenital bilateral chylothorax presenting as non immune hydrops and managed successfully with chemical pleurodesis. A term male baby presented at birth with bilateral pleural effusions and subcutaneous edema. It was initially managed with ventilation and intercostals drainage (ICD). After the initiation of feeds, re-accumulation of pleural fluid led to the diagnosis of congenital chylothorax. Management with ICD and octreotide was unsuccessful but responded to chemical pleurodesis with 4% povidine iodine done on 3 separate occasions.