Factors Affecting Parental Intent to Vaccinate Against COVID-19 in the United States

Introduction. The topic of childhood vaccinations has become increasingly contentious, sparking debate and challenging decisions for parents, study aimed to explore the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination plans for parents of unvaccinated children and identify the most common reasons for not vaccinating children against COVID-19 in the United States. Methods. Authors analyzed data from Phase 3.7, Week 53 of the United States Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey (N = 68,504), collected from January 4 to January 16, 2023. Standard descriptive statistics and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) were used to analyze the data. Results. The top three reasons given for vaccine hesitancy were concerns about side effects, not trusting the vaccine, and children in the household not members of a high-risk group. Nearly 87% (n = 59,363) of respondents reported having received a COVID-19 vaccination, these respondents were more likely to vaccinate their children in all three age ranges studied. Participants with higher levels of education (bachelor’s degree or higher) were also more likely to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. (≤ associate degree; aOR = 5.79; 95% CI, 5.43 to 6.17; P <.001). Conclusions. Insights from this study provide a deeper understanding of parents\u27 decision-making processes regarding COVID-19 vaccination for their children. Educational programs tailored to the factors identified in this study could potentially enhance vaccine acceptance among children and adolescents

Knowledge and perceptions of type 2 diabetes among Ghanaian migrants in three European countries and Ghanaians in rural and urban Ghana: The RODAM qualitative study.

African migrants in Europe and continental Africans are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes (T2D). Both groups develop T2D at a younger age, and have higher morbidity and mortality from T2D and complications, compared to European populations. To reduce risk, and avoidable disability and premature deaths, culturally congruent and context specific interventions are required. This study aimed to: (a) assess perceptions and knowledge of T2D among Ghanaian migrants in Europe and their compatriots in Ghana and (b) identify specific perceptions and knowledge gaps that might predispose migrants to higher risk of diabetes. Data was gathered through 26 focus groups with 180 individuals, aged 21 to 70, from Amsterdam, Berlin and London and rural and urban Ashanti Region, Ghana. Thematic analysis of the data was informed by Social Representations Theory, which focuses on the sources, content and functions of social knowledge. Three key insights emerged from analysis. First, there was general awareness, across migrant and non-migrant groups, of T2D as a serious chronic condition with life threatening complications, and some knowledge of biomedical strategies to prevent diabetes (e.g healthy eating) and diabetes complications (e.g medication adherence). However, knowledge of T2D prevention and reduction of diabetes complications was not comprehensive. Secondly, knowledge of biomedical diabetes theories and interventions co-existed with theories about psychosocial and supernatural causes of diabetes and the efficacy of herbal and faith-based treatment of diabetes. Finally, migrants' knowledge was informed by both Ghanaian and European systems of T2D knowledge suggesting enculturation dynamics. We discuss the development of culturally congruent and context-specific T2D interventions for the research communities

Potential impact of host immunity on malaria treatment outcome in Tanzanian children infected with Plasmodium falciparum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In malaria endemic areas children may recover from malaria after chemotherapy in spite of harbouring genotypically drug-resistant <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>. This phenomenon suggests that there is a synergy between drug treatment and acquired immunity. This hypothesis was examined in an area of moderately intense transmission of <it>P. falciparum </it>in Tanzania during a drug trail with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) or amodiaquine (AQ).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred children with uncomplicated malaria were treated with either SP or AQ and followed for 28 days. Mutations in parasite genes related to SP and AQ-resistance as well as human sickle cell trait and alpha-thalassaemia were determined using PCR and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SSOP-ELISA), and IgG antibody responses to a panel of <it>P. falciparum </it>antigens were assessed and related to treatment outcome.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Parasitological or clinical treatment failure (TF) was observed in 68% and 38% of children receiving SP or AQ, respectively. In those with adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) compared to children with TF, and for both treatment regimens, prevalence and levels of anti-Glutamate-rich Protein (GLURP)-specific IgG antibodies were significantly higher (P < 0.001), while prevalence of parasite haplotypes associated with SP and AQ resistance was lower (P = 0.02 and P = 0.07, respectively). Interestingly, anti-GLURP-IgG antibodies were more strongly associated with treatment outcome than parasite resistant haplotypes, while the IgG responses to none of the other 11 malaria antigens were not significantly associated with ACPR.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings suggest that GLURP-specific IgG antibodies in this setting contribute to clearance of drug-resistant infections and support the hypothesis that acquired immunity enhances the clinical efficacy of drug therapy. The results should be confirmed in larger scale with greater sample size and with variation in transmission intensity.</p

Rationale and cross-sectional study design of the Research on Obesity and type 2 Diabetes among African Migrants: the RODAM study.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are highly prevalent among African migrants compared with European descent populations. The underlying reasons still remain a puzzle. Gene-environmental interaction is now seen as a potential plausible factor contributing to the high prevalence of obesity and T2D, but has not yet been investigated. The overall aim of the Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) project is to understand the reasons for the high prevalence of obesity and T2D among sub-Saharan Africans in diaspora by (1) studying the complex interplay between environment (eg, lifestyle), healthcare, biochemical and (epi)genetic factors, and their relative contributions to the high prevalence of obesity and T2D; (2) to identify specific risk factors within these broad categories to guide intervention programmes and (3) to provide a basic knowledge for improving diagnosis and treatment. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: RODAM is a multicentre cross-sectional study among homogenous sub-Saharan African participants (ie, Ghanaians) aged >25 years living in rural and urban Ghana, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK (http://rod-am.eu/). Standardised data on the main outcomes, genetic and non-genetic factors are collected in all locations. The aim is to recruit 6250 individuals comprising five subgroups of 1250 individuals from each site. In Ghana, Kumasi and Obuasi (urban stratum) and villages in the Ashanti region (rural stratum) are served as recruitment sites. In Europe, Ghanaian migrants are selected through the municipality or Ghanaian organisations registers. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained in all sites. This paper gives an overview of the rationale, conceptual framework and methods of the study. The differences across locations will allow us to gain insight into genetic and non-genetic factors contributing to the occurrence of obesity and T2D and will inform targeted intervention and prevention programmes, and provide the basis for improving diagnosis and treatment in these populations and beyond

Ten golden rules for optimal antibiotic use in hospital settings: the WARNING call to action

Antibiotics are recognized widely for their benefits when used appropriately. However, they are often used inappropriately despite the importance of responsible use within good clinical practice. Effective antibiotic treatment is an essential component of universal healthcare, and it is a global responsibility to ensure appropriate use. Currently, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop new antibiotics due to scientific, regulatory, and financial barriers, further emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. To address this issue, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery established an international multidisciplinary task force of 295 experts from 115 countries with different backgrounds. The task force developed a position statement called WARNING (Worldwide Antimicrobial Resistance National/International Network Group) aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and improving antibiotic prescribing practices worldwide. The statement outlined is 10 axioms, or “golden rules,” for the appropriate use of antibiotics that all healthcare workers should consistently adhere in clinical practice

Assessing the effects of Sunlight on the Photooxidation of Tropical Oils

This study aims to investigate the influence of sunlight on the photooxidation of tropical oils (TOs). Coconut oil (CNO), palm oil (PO), and palm kernel oil (PKO) were chosen for determining the indicators of photooxidation when exposed to and in the absence of sunlight for seven weeks. The results showed a significant (p &lt; 0.05) increase in free fatty acid (FFA) levels and peroxide value (PV) when the TOs were exposed to sunlight. The iodine value (IV) and colour content decreased significantly (p &lt; 0.05) due to the decomposition of unsaturated FFAs owing to the breaking-down of the π-bonds and the degradation of colour pigments during photooxidation. FTIR analysis showed strong vibrational absorptions at 1721 and 3505 cm, 1720 and 3560 cm, and 1721 and 3554 cm for the CNO, PO, and PKO samples exposed to sunlight, respectively. These bands can be attributed to the presence of secondary oxidation products, which were absent in the TOs that were not exposed to sunlight. A simulation was performed to support the FTIR results, which also indicated peaks from the secondary oxidation products at 1744 and 3660 cm. The study also revealed that the rate of photooxidation was different for each TOs. The rate of oxidation followed the order PO &gt; PKO &gt; CNO. In contrast, no notable changes were observed in the TOs kept away from the sunlight. These results suggest that exposing TOs to sunlight influences their oxidation stability and quality.</jats:p

Bridewealth and women’s contraceptive use in Sub-Saharan Africa: does completeness of payment matter?

The relationship between bridewealth payment and women’s reproductive autonomy has been the subject of investigation for many years in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). But few studies have examined whether the level of completeness of bridewealth payment is associated with women’s use of contraceptives. Efforts to assess this relationship has been hampered by lack of survey data. We address this knowledge gap using recently collected survey data in four SSA countries. We analysed data from a sample of 5,322 women in union who had a desire to postpone or stop childbearing. We found that women in marriages where bridewealth was partially paid or yet to be paid were significantly more likely to use modern contraceptives relative to those in marriages where bridewealth was fully paid. This suggests that complete bridewealth payment limit women’s use of modern contraceptives. Therefore, efforts to increase modern contraceptive uptake need to address the curtailing effect of bridewealt

Women's post-abortion contraceptive use: Are predictors the same for immediate and future uptake of contraception? Evidence from Ghana.

This study seeks to identify the socio-demographic, reproductive, partner-related, and facility-level characteristics associated with women's immediate and subsequent use of post-abortion contraception in Ghana. Secondary data from the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey were utilized in this study. The weighted data comprised 1,880 women who had ever had an abortion within the five years preceding the survey. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between the predictor and outcome variables. Health provider and women's socio-demographic characteristics were significantly associated with women's use of post-abortion contraception. Health provider's counselling on family planning prior to or after abortion and place of residence were associated with both immediate and subsequent post-abortion uptake of contraception. Among subsequent post-abortion contraceptive users, older women (35-49), women in a union, and women who had used contraception prior to becoming pregnant were strong predictors. Partner-related and reproductive variables did not predict immediate and subsequent use of contraception following abortion. Individual and structural/institutional level characteristics are important in increasing women's acceptance and use of contraception post abortion. Improving and intensifying family planning counselling services at the health facility is critical in increasing contraceptive prevalence among abortion seekers