Seronegativity to polio viruses among previously immunized adult candidates to solid organ transplantation

Attitude and perception towards vaccination against poliomyelitis in Peshawar, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE:

This research aimed to quantitatively assess the general public's awareness, attitude and perception of polio and its vaccination in Peshawar KPK, Pakistan.

METHODS:

We conducted a survey-based study to understand the surge in polio cases from 2015 to 2019 in the Peshawar city of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. A pre-tested questionnaire-based study was conducted in 2019 to assess the attitude and general perception of residents of Peshawar KPK towards polio vaccination.

RESULTS:

Out of 241 country-wide polio cases, 63 (26.1%) polio cases were reported in Peshawar city from 2015–2019. The questionnaire revealed that individuals between 18–30 years of age had sufficient knowledge (65.1%) about polio. Male and female participants had equal awareness (~ 43%). Participants with higher education (45.9%), those with better financial status (49.5%), individuals with children < 5 years of age (46.4%), and those who had experience of a polio patient (63.1%) had better knowledge. Participants inhabiting the central city were better aware (50.5%) of polio than individuals living in the outskirts.

CONCLUSION:

The data indicated that poor knowledge and negative attitudes of people towards polio vaccination are the main causes of the polio eradication program's failure. Moreover, religious beliefs, unchecked migration between the Pak-Afghan border, and lack of knowledge about polio vaccination are identified as critical barriers to polio eradication.

Travel medicine, transplant tourism, and the solid organ transplant recipient-Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice

These updated guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Community of Practice of the American Society of Transplantation review recommendations for prevention and management of travel-related infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients as well as risks associated with transplant tourism. Counseling regarding travel post-transplant should be included during the pre-transplant evaluation, and all SOT recipients should be seen by a travel medicine specialist prior to traveling to destinations with higher rates of infection. Patients should be advised on vaccine-preventable illnesses as well as any need for prophylaxis (ie, malaria) based on their individual travel itineraries. Information with regards to specific recommendations for vaccines and prophylactic medications, along with drug-drug interactions, is summarized. Counseling should be provided for modifiable risks and exposures (ie, food and water safety, and insect bite prevention) as well as non-infectious travel topics. These guidelines also briefly address risks associated with transplant tourism and specific infections to consider if patients seek care for transplants done in foreign countries.