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Segala FV, Patti G, Olal L, De Vita E, Olung N, Papagni R, Amone J, Totaro V, Onapa E, Novara R, Ngole B, L'Episcopia M, Okori S, Dall'Oglio G, Ictho J, Severini C, Putoto G, Lochoro P, Di Gennaro F, Saracino A. COVID Perceptions among Pregnant Women Living in a Malaria Hyperendemic Rural Region in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:1363-1367. [PMID: 37931305 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Both SARS-CoV2 and Plasmodium falciparum infection during pregnancy increases the risk for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including abortion, severe disease, and death. Indeed, although malaria and COVID-19 show an overlapping clinical presentation, they require a profoundly different approach. The aim of this study was to explore COVID-19 awareness among pregnant women living in a P. falciparum hyperendemic region in rural Uganda. This cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted in one Hospital and two Health Centers (HC) in Lango region, Uganda, from July 14, 2022, to March 14, 2023. Data about demographics, COVID-19 history, and COVID-19 and malaria perceptions were collected using RedCap mobile app platform. Study endpoint was a context-specific COVID-19 awareness score, accounting for the most common disease misconceptions. Association between study variables and good COVID-19 awareness was assessed by χ2 and t test, as appropriate, and variables found to be statistically significant were further explored in multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 888 pregnant women were recruited. Median age was 24 (interquartile range: 20-29) years, whereas 79% (n = 704) attained only primary education and 66.6% (n = 591) were used in agriculture. SARS-CoV2 vaccination rate was 92%. In multivariate analysis (Table 3), variables associated with high COVID knowledge were presenting at antenatal care visit in Atipe HC (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 8.1, 95% CI: 4.1-16.48) having a previous good knowledge about malaria (aOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.21-2.56). Among pregnant women living in rural Uganda, COVID-19 awareness relies on the overall educational level, malaria knowledge and reference HC. Among pregnant women living in P. falciparum endemic areas, community-level malaria awareness might guide educational interventions during future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Vladimiro Segala
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia Patti
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | | | - Elda De Vita
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Papagni
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - James Amone
- St. John's XXIII Hospital Aber, Jaber, Uganda
| | - Valentina Totaro
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Novara
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Carlo Severini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Putoto
- Operational Research Unit, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Di Gennaro
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Saracino
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
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Mantovani A, Rescigno M, Forni G, Tognon F, Putoto G, Ictho J, Lochoro P. COVID-19 vaccines and a perspective on Africa. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:172-187. [PMID: 36709083 PMCID: PMC9832054 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines have dramatically changed the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 30 vaccines that were developed on four main platforms are currently being used globally, but a deep dissection of the immunological mechanisms by which they operate is limited to only a few of them. Here, we review the evidence describing specific aspects of the modes of action of COVID-19 vaccines; these include innate immunity, trained innate immunity, and mucosal responses. We also discuss the use of COVID-19 vaccines in the African continent which is ridden with inequality in its access to vaccines and vaccine-related immunological research. We argue that strengthening immunology research in Africa should inform on fundamental aspects of vaccination, including the relevance of genetics, trained innate immunity, and microbiome diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Mantovani
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Maria Rescigno
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072 Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanni Putoto
- Head of Planning and Operational Research, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Italy
| | - Jerry Ictho
- Clinical Epidemiology, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Uganda
| | - Peter Lochoro
- Health Service Management, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Uganda.
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