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Ashrafun L, Uddin MJ, Debnath D. Caregiver Narratives of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Exploring Symptom Recognition, Diagnosis, and Interventions. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06440-0. [PMID: 38907780 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06440-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) poses myriad challenges for families, yet there is a scarcity of research focusing on their journey from recognizing initial anomalies to implementing interventions. This qualitative study examines how caregivers in Sylhet, Bangladesh, perceive and manage ASD in their children, including early symptom identification, diagnostic processes, and intervention strategies. Data for this study were collected through semi-structured interviews, case studies, and observations involving 22 caregivers of children with ASD. Participants were chosen using purposive-convenience sampling, and data collection continued until interpretive saturation was achieved. The study findings unveil nuanced caregiver perceptions of ASD causation, influenced by sociocultural factors, religious beliefs, and genetic predispositions. These determinants wield significant influence over treatment modalities and the child's developmental trajectory. Importantly, the prevalence of supernatural beliefs and myths often surpasses biomedical explanations, highlighting gaps in awareness, educational outreach, and understanding of ASD. Nevertheless, religious beliefs and rituals concurrently serve as adaptive coping mechanisms, offering solace amidst uncertainty. Furthermore, a striking observation emerges: despite parents frequently identifying anomalies in their children within a 24-month, a substantial delay of 3 to 5 years persists between initial symptom recognition and formal diagnosis. This delay predominantly stems from caregiver hesitancy driven by societal stigmatization, familial dismissal attitudes, and limited diagnostic and specialized services. This study highlights the challenging diagnostic journey and caregiving for children with ASD in Bangladesh, stressing the need for systemic improvements in services, awareness, and research to enhance the well-being of individuals with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Ashrafun
- Department of Sociology, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Jasim Uddin
- Department of Sociology, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh.
| | - Dipa Debnath
- Department of Sociology, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh
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Charzewska A, Terczyńska I, Lipiec A, Mazurczak T, Górka-Skoczylas P, Szlendak R, Kanabus K, Tataj R, Dawidziuk M, Wojtaś B, Gielniewski B, Bal J, Stawicka E, Hoffman-Zacharska D. Genetic Risk Factors for Neurological Disorders in Children with Adverse Events Following Immunization: A Descriptive Study of a Polish Case Series. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021117. [PMID: 36674629 PMCID: PMC9864286 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies conducted on large populations show a lack of connection between vaccination and serious neurological symptoms. However, there are isolated cases that indicate such a relationship. These reports on adverse effects following immunization (AEFI) reduce social confidence in vaccination; however, their background may be rare genetic defects. The aim of the presented study was to examine if neurological AEFI in children may be associated with variants in genes related to neurodevelopment. To identify such possible associations, a descriptive study of the Polish case series was conducted. We performed next-generation sequencing in patients who, up to 4 weeks of injection of any vaccine, manifested neurological AEFI. We included 23 previously normally developing children with first seizures that occurred after vaccination. We identified pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in genes engaged in neurodevelopment in nine patients and variants of uncertain significance in another nine patients. The mutated genes belonged to the group of genes related to epilepsy syndromes/epileptic encephalopathy. We showed that AEFI might have a genetic background. We hypothesized that in some AEFI patients, the vaccine might only trigger neurological symptoms that would have been manifested anyway as a result of a pathogenic variant in a gene engaged in neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Charzewska
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-32-77-313; Fax: +48-22-32-77-200
| | - Iwona Terczyńska
- Institute of Mother and Child, Clinic of Paediatric Neurology, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Lipiec
- Institute of Mother and Child, Clinic of Paediatric Neurology, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Mazurczak
- Institute of Mother and Child, Clinic of Paediatric Neurology, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Górka-Skoczylas
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Róża Szlendak
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Kanabus
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renata Tataj
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Dawidziuk
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Wojtaś
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Pasteura 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Gielniewski
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Pasteura 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy Bal
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Stawicka
- Institute of Mother and Child, Clinic of Paediatric Neurology, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Hoffman-Zacharska
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
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Khadafi R, Nurmandi A, Qodir Z, Misran. Hashtag as a new weapon to resist the COVID-19 vaccination policy: a qualitative study of the anti-vaccine movement in Brazil, USA, and Indonesia. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2042135. [PMID: 35240923 PMCID: PMC9009927 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2042135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) named the anti-vaccine movement one of the top 10 global health threats. This trend has shown that it can diminish public faith in government and increase public distrust of scientific results in the health sector, including the use of the COVID-19 vaccine. The purpose of this study is to examine the anti-vaccine movement on Twitter social media platform, which uses Hashtag to protest vaccination regulations in the COVID-19 pandemic. The content analysis, relationship analysis, and word cloud analysis models were used in this study, which used a descriptive qualitative approach. The primary data source for this study is Hashtag, which are used to focus on three aspects. First, establish which information in Brazil, the United States, and Indonesia leads the anti-vaccine COVID-19 narrative. Second, how does the Hashtag link between each country work? Third, which narrative dominates the use of Hashtag in each of the three countries? According to the findings of this study, in Brazil, 69.2% of Twitter Hashtag associated to the COVID-19 vaccination were negative, compared to 59.4% in the USA and 62.8% in Indonesia. In general, the Hashtag used in the three countries to oppose COVID-19 vaccination policies have a clear and significant relationship. In Brazil, the Hashtag #covidiots was the most popular, while in the United States, #covivaccine was the most popular, and in Indonesia, #antivaccine was the most popular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizal Khadafi
- Departement of Islamic Politics - Political Science, Muhammadiyah University Yogyakarta, Bantul, Indonesia
| | - Achmad Nurmandi
- Departement of Islamic Politics - Political Science, Muhammadiyah University Yogyakarta, Bantul, Indonesia
| | - Zuly Qodir
- Departement of Islamic Politics - Political Science, Muhammadiyah University Yogyakarta, Bantul, Indonesia
| | - Misran
- Departement of Islamic Politics - Political Science, Muhammadiyah University Yogyakarta, Bantul, Indonesia
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Ali I, Hamid S. Implications of COVID-19 and "super floods" for routine vaccination in Pakistan: The reemergence of vaccine preventable-diseases such as polio and measles. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2154099. [PMID: 36573023 PMCID: PMC9891673 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2154099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
With multiple waves and variants, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected routine vaccination programs globally. Its impact is also visible in Pakistan as routine health services continue to be disrupted. Consequently, thousands of children have emerged as vulnerable in the face of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), which have already started causing outbreaks in the country. Infections with polio and measles have been significantly reported, especially during the last few years. This reemergence of both diseases is posing great challenges for the country at local, national, and global levels. These impacts are being multiplied by the 2022 flooding - called "super floods" - in the country. Hence, relevant stakeholders, such as the Pakistani government and the World Health Organization (WHO), need to revisit the entire vaccination program to address and resolve issues occurring at the management or local levels. It is highly important to pay attention to the context that provides a fertile ground to negatively affect vaccine uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inayat Ali
- Department of Public Health and Allied Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan,Department of Anthropology, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan,CONTACT Inayat Ali Department of Public Health and Allied Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Saima Hamid
- Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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Mahmoud M, Alanazi MM, Albarrak MS, Aljarba NK, Almutairi NG. The Percentage of Vaccine Hesitancy among Married Individuals in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross Sectional Study in Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SAUDI JOURNAL OF HEALTH SYSTEMS RESEARCH 2021. [PMCID: PMC8805075 DOI: 10.1159/000520681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
<b><i>Background:</i></b> Vaccines are largely regarded as one of medicine’s greatest breakthroughs, yet vaccination rates have been declining in many parts of the world in recent years. Although there are numerous contributing variables to decreased vaccination rates, it is critical to evaluate the impact of the relevant factors. Also, because we are in the midst of a sad epidemic and vaccination for COVID-19 is critical to maintaining public health and limiting the virus’s spread, there is a risk of vaccine rejection on the horizon. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Five hundred and fourteen married Riyadh inhabitants aged 18 years and over were issued an online Web-based survey. The research took place from June to October 2020. The study calculates the percentage of vaccination apprehension and analyzes immunization attitudes and knowledge. It also contrasts the participants’ attitudes regarding vaccines before and during the COVID-19 global pandemic, as well as the associated causes for vaccine reluctance and rejection. <b><i>Result:</i></b> The majority of the respondents (48.1%) were between 37–47 and 26–36 years of age (37.5%). Females (80%) made up the majority of the group. Around 66.3% of participants have a bachelor’s degree, and 80.8% have an average monthly income. During the pandemic, 38.5% of participants said they do not want to be vaccinated. When comparing vaccine-hesitant participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, it was discovered that the percentage of vaccine-hesitant participants was significantly higher in the younger age-group (<36 years), those who had been married for more than 10 years, those with 1–3 children (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and those who did not work (<i>p</i> = 0.002). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The percentage of people who are hesitant to get vaccinated has grown by 5.2% from the previous level, and the level of reluctance has increased by 2.3%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Mahmoud
- Associate Professor, College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha M. Alanazi
- College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- *Maha M. Alanazi,
| | - Maha S. Albarrak
- College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Najd K. Aljarba
- College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nehal G. Almutairi
- College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Tahir MJ, Saqlain M, Tariq W, Waheed S, Tan SHS, Nasir SI, Ullah I, Ahmed A. Population preferences and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination: a cross-sectional study from Pakistan. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1759. [PMID: 34565351 PMCID: PMC8474768 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11814-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background While vaccine development is itself a challenge; ensuring optimal vaccine uptake at population level can present an even more significant challenge. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the Pakistani population’s attitude and preferences towards the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out through an online self-administered questionnaire from 27 September 2020 to 11 October 2020. A total of 883 people responded to the survey. The questionnaire included the participants’ socio-demographic variables, attitudes, beliefs towards the COVID-19 vaccine and acceptance and rejection of vaccination, and reasons for them. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the predictors for vaccine acceptance and willingness to pay for the vaccine. Results A majority (70.8%) of respondents will accept the COVID-19vaccine if available, and 66.8% showed a positive attitude towards vaccination. Monthly family income, education level, self-diagnosis of COVID-19 or a friend, family member, or colleague are significant factors influencing the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination. The dogma of being naturally immune to COVID-19 was a key reason for the refusal of the vaccine. Less than half (48%) of those who refuse will vaccinate themselves if government officials have made it compulsory. A third (33.9%) of participants were willing to pay up to (7 USD) 1000 Pkr (Pakistani Rupees) for the vaccine. Conclusion The population’s positive attitude should be improved by increasing awareness and eradicating false myths about vaccines through large-scale campaigns. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11814-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Junaid Tahir
- Ameer-ud-Din Medical College Affiliated with University of Health Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.,Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saqlain
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Waleed Tariq
- Ameer-ud-Din Medical College Affiliated with University of Health Sciences, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.,Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Summaiya Waheed
- Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Steven H S Tan
- Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, Nusajaya, Malaysia
| | | | - Irfan Ullah
- Kabir Medical College, Gandhara University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Ali Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan. .,School of Pharmacy, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Perceptions of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Etiology among Parents of Children with ASD. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18136774. [PMID: 34202481 PMCID: PMC8297016 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and restricted or repetitive behaviors. Parental perceptions of the etiology of their child’s ASD can affect provider–client relationships, bonding between parents and their children, and the prognosis, treatment, and management of children with ASD. Thus, this study sought to examine the perceptions of ASD etiology of parents of children with ASD. Methods: Forty-two parents of children diagnosed with ASD were recruited across Texas. Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually. All interviews were recorded and later transcribed verbatim for content analysis utilizing NVivo 12.0 (QSR International, Doncaster, Australia). Results: The content analysis identified the following themes regarding parental perceptions of ASD etiology: Genetic factors (40.5%), environmental factors (31.0%), problems that occurred during pregnancy or delivery (23.8%), vaccinations (16.7%), other health problems (7.1%), parental age at the time of pregnancy (4.8%), and spiritual or religious factors (2.4%). Conclusions: The parental perceptions of ASD etiology were diverse, but several views, such as vaccinations and spiritual or religious factors, were not based on scientific evidence. Health professionals and researchers can use these findings to develop and provide targeted education to parents who have children with ASD. Our findings also support policymakers in developing campaigns designed to increase parental ASD awareness and knowledge.
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Abstract
This article reviews the origins of vaccine hesitancy, explores common misconceptions about vaccines, and discusses strategies for overcoming vaccine hesitancy.
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