ABSTRACT
BackgroundFear of anticipated side effects has hindered the COVID-19 vaccination program globally. We report the uptake and the self-reported side effects (SEs) of the COVID-19 vaccine among Healthcare workers (HCWs) in Mbale City Eastern Uganda. MethodsA cross-sectional survey of HCWs at seven different level health facilities was conducted from 6th September to 7th October 2021 using a structured self-administered questionnaire. ResultsCOVID-19 vaccine had been received by 119 (69%) participants of which 79 (66%) received the two recommended doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Getting vaccinated was associated with working in a lower health facility (aOR= 14.1, 95% CI: 4.9 - 39.6, P=0.000), perceived minor risk of contracting COVID-19 (aOR= 12.3, 95% CI: 1.0 - 44.6, p=0.047), and agreeing that COVID-19 vaccine is protective (aOR= 16.7, 95% CI: 5.6 - 50.4, p=0.000). 97 (82%) of participants experienced side effects to at least one dose of which most were mild on both the first (n=362, 51%) and second dose (n=135, 69%). The most frequently reported side effects on the first and second dose were fever (79% and 20%), injection site pain (71% and 25%), and Fatigue (69% and 20%) respectively. ConclusionsThe majority of the HCWs in Mbale City had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and experienced a side effect. The side effects were mostly mild on either dose thus the vaccines are generally safe.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundThe coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impose a significant impact on medical education. We aimed to describe the clinical learning experience of undergraduate medical students undertaking internal medicine clerkship during the COVID-19 pandemic at Makerere University, Uganda. MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study among medical students in clinical years of study pursuing the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery undergraduate degree program was conducted in November 2020. Only 3rd (junior clerks) and 5th (senior clerks) year medical students whose internal medicine clerkships were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic were studied. ResultsData of 188 (95%) eligible clinical year students; junior (101, 54.0%) and senior (86, 46.0%) were analysed. Median age was 24 (range: 22-42) years. Majority (70.1%) were male and Ugandan nationals (94.1%). Sixty-four (30.3%) students reported inadequate personal protective equipment, 152 (81.7%) felt at risk of contracting COVID-19, and 127 (67.9%) said it was difficult to observe COVID-19 standard operating procedures. Twenty-two students (11.9%) were discouraged from pursuing a career in internal medicine. Overall, most students reported good or excellent clinical experience pre-COVID-19 era compared to during the COVID-19 era (4.0 vs. 3.5, p<0.0001). Senior clerks significantly believed that the time allocated for the rotation was adequate (p<0.0001) and they were able to complete their study objectives (p<0.001), compared to the junior clerks. Senior clerks believed that learning was difficult when combined with junior clerks (p=0.013). About half of the students (51.4%, n=95) reported clinical teaching should remain as it was in the pre-COVID-19 era. ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significantly negative effect on the clinical learning experience of the students. There is need to review the current teaching and learning methods to suit teaching and learning during pandemics of highly infectious diseases to ensure safe and effective learning experience. HighlightsO_LINearly half of the medical students reported a negative clinical learning experience during their internal medicine clerkship in the COVID-19 pandemic. C_LIO_LIOver two-thirds of the participants expressed that it was difficult to observe COVID-19 prevention standard operating procedures during their clinical rotations. C_LIO_LIOver 80% of the medical students felt at risk of contracting COVID-19 during their clinical rotation. C_LIO_LIAbout one-third of the medical students reported inadequacy in personal protective equipment like masks during their rotation. C_LI
ABSTRACT
ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of HIV and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) co-infection. MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science databases and grey literature for studies reporting epidemiological and clinical data of patients with HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection. Eligible studies were all observational or interventional studies and commentaries in English language that reported patient data on HIV/SARS-CoV-2 co-infection. We used random effect meta-analysis to determine the pooled prevalence and mortality. ResultsOf the 17 eligible studies, there were 3 retrospective cohorts, 1 survey, 5 case series, 7 case reports and 1 commentary that reported on a total of 146 HIV infected individuals. The pooled prevalence of HIV among individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.0 - 3.0, I2 = 79.3%, p = 0.01), whereas the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among HIV patients was 0.68% (95% CI: 0.34 - 1.34).There were 110 (83.8%) HIV/ SARS-CoV-2 co-infected males, and the age (range) of the co-infected was 30 - 60 years. A total of 129 (97.0%) were anti-retroviral therapy experienced, and 113 (85.6%) had a suppressed HIV viral load. The CD4 count (range) was 298 - 670 cells/mm3 (n = 107). The commonest symptoms were fever (73.5%, n = 75) and cough (57.8%, n = 59). Sixty-two (65.3%) patients had at least one other comorbid condition, of which hypertension (26.4%, n = 38) was the commonest. Chest radiological imaging abnormalities were found in 46 (54.1%) cases. Twenty-eight cases (56.0%) were reported as mild. Recovery occurred in 120 (88.9%) cases, and the pooled mortality was 9% (95% CI: 3.0 - 15.0, I2 = 25.6%, p = 0.24). ConclusionThe prevalence of HIV/SARS-CoV-2 co-infection was low. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of HIV/SARS-CoV-2 co-infection are comparable to those reported among HIV negative SARS-CoV-2 cases.
ABSTRACT
Objectives(1) To examine the usage of social media and other forms of media among medical students (MS) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Uganda. (2) To assess the perceived usefulness of social media and other forms of media for COVID-19 public health campaigns. DesignA descriptive WhatsApp messenger-based cross-sectional survey in April 2020. SettingMakerere University Teaching Hospitals (MUTH) and 9 of the 10 medical schools in Uganda. ParticipantsHCPs at MUTH and MS in the 9 medical schools in Uganda. Main outcome measuresWe collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, sources of information on COVID-19, preferences of social media platform and perceived usefulness of the different media platforms for acquisition of knowledge on COVID-19. ResultOverall, response rate was 21.5% for both MS and HCPs. In total, 877 (HCPS [136, 15.5%], MS [741, 85.5%]) were studied. Majority (n=555, 63.3%) were male with a median age of 24 (range: 18-66) years. Social media was a source of information for 665 (75.8%) participants. Usage was similar among MS and HCPs (565/741 (76.2%) vs. 100/136 (73.5%), p=0.5). Among the MS, commonly used social media were: WhatsApp (n=705, 95.1%) Facebook (n=405, 54.8%), Twitter (n=290, 39.1%), Instagram (n=178, 24.0) and Telegram (n=80, 10.8%). Except for WhatsApp, male MS we more likely to use the other social media platforms (p= <0.001 - 0.01). Mass media (television and radio) and social media were preferred the most useful tools for dissemination of COVID-19 related information. ConclusionMore than two-thirds of MS and HCPs are routinely using social media in Uganda. Social media platforms may be used for dissemination of information as well as a research tool among MS and HCPs. Social media alongside other media platforms can also be used as sources of reliable information on COVID-19 as well as for dissemination of research findings and guidelines. O_LSTStrengths and limitationsC_LSTO_LIThis is the first study in sub Saharan Africa on the use of social media for research during the COVID-19 pandemic. C_LIO_LIThe study also explores perceived usefulness of different media for COVID-19 public health campaigns. C_LIO_LIDiversity of the participants consisting both healthcare professionals and medical students. C_LIO_LIA relatively large sample size was enrolled in the survey despite a low response rate. C_LI
