Parents' Attitude about Hepatitis B Disease and Practice of Hepatitis B Vaccination among Children in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Knowledge level of healthcare professionals regarding hepatitis B immunizatıon of newborns: example of Turkey

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate healthcare professionals' knowledge level for hepatitis B immunization of term and preterm newborns.

METHODS

The study was conducted with 213 midwives, nurses, and physicians between October 2021 and January 2022 in a province of Turkey.

RESULTS

Participants had the least knowledge about the management of newborns with low birth weight born to hepatitis B-infected mothers (16%).

CONCLUSION

The study revealed some knowledge gaps among healthcare professionals regarding hepatitis B immunization of newborns.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of front line health workers after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine: a cross-sectional study in Pakistan

Background

Globally, there is an increased risk of COVID-19 infection among front-line health workers (FHW). This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of FHW of Pakistan after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods

A population web-based survey on COVID-19 vaccine was conducted on 635 FHW in Pakistan between April 15, 2021, and July 15, 2021. The survey focused on four main sections consisting of socio-demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practices after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The data was analyzed on SPSS. p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Overall, 60% of FHW were nervous before getting vaccinated, with the leading reason to get vaccinated being their concern to protect themselves and their community (53.4%). A majority of FHW had fear about the unseen side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine (59.7%) used in Pakistan, with the most common side effect reported as soreness at the injection site (39%). It has been noted that almost all of the FHW observed preventive practices after getting vaccinated. The results showed that married respondents had favorable practices towards COVID-19 vaccines (B = 0.53, p < 0.01) (B, unstandardized regression coefficient). It was also found that more informational sources (B = 0.19, p < 0.01), higher knowledge of vaccination (B = 0.15, p < 0.001), and favorable attitude toward vaccine (B = 0.12, p < 0.001) significantly predicted favorable practices toward COVID-19 vaccination.

Conclusion

The findings reflect that FHW, though they were worried about its side effects, have good knowledge and a positive attitude after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This study is significant as the FHWs are a symbol for guidance, a reliable source of information, and an encouraging means of receiving COVID-19 vaccine for the general public. This study also reported that post-vaccination side effects were mild which will aid in reducing the vaccine hesitancy among the general Pakistani population.

Timeliness of routine childhood vaccination in 103 low-and middle-income countries, 1978-2021: A scoping review to map measurement and methodological gaps

Empiric studies exploring the timeliness of routine vaccination in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) have gained momentum in the last decade. Nevertheless, there is emerging evidence suggesting that these studies have key measurement and methodological gaps that limit their comparability and utility. Hence, there is a need to identify, and document these gaps which could inform the design, conduct, and reporting of future research on the timeliness of vaccination. We synthesised the literature to determine the methodological and measurement gaps in the assessment of vaccination timeliness in LMICs. We searched five electronic databases for peer-reviewed articles in English and French that evaluated vaccination timeliness in LMICs, and were published between 01 January 1978, and 01 July 2021. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts and reviewed full texts of relevant articles, following the guidance framework for scoping reviews by the Joanna Briggs Institute. From the 4263 titles identified, we included 224 articles from 103 countries. China (40), India (27), and Kenya (23) had the highest number of publications respectively. Of the three domains of timeliness, the most studied domain was 'delayed vaccination' [99.5% (223/224)], followed by 'early vaccination' [21.9% (49/224)], and 'untimely interval vaccination' [9% (20/224)]. Definitions for early (seven different definitions), untimely interval (four different definitions), and delayed vaccination (19 different definitions) varied across the studies. Most studies [72.3% (166/224)] operationalised vaccination timeliness as a categorical variable, compared to only 9.8% (22/224) of studies that operationalised timeliness as continuous variables. A large proportion of studies [47.8% (107/224)] excluded the data of children with no written vaccination records irrespective of caregivers' recall of their vaccination status. Our findings show that studies on vaccination timeliness in LMICs has measurement and methodological gaps. We recommend the development and implement of guidelines for measuring and reporting vaccination timeliness to bridge these gaps.

Implementation Approaches for Introducing and Overcoming Barriers to Hepatitis B Birth-Dose Vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa

We discuss determinants of hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine uptake in sub-Saharan Africa countries at the policy, facility, and community levels and propose solutions to known barriers of hepatitis B vaccine introduction in low- and middle-income countries.

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), chronic viral hepatitis B (HBV) affects more than 60 million people. Mother-to-child transmission is a major contributor to the ongoing HBV epidemic and yet only 11 of 54 (20.3%) SSA countries have introduced the birth dose of HBV vaccine (HepB-BD) into their regular immunization schedule. As more African countries adopt HepB-BD, implementation approaches must be targeted to ensure effective and timely HepB-BD delivery, especially in rural and under-resourced settings. We conducted a systematic literature review of published literature using PubMed. We included 39 articles published from January 2010 to August 2020, as well as gray literature, case studies, and research performed in SSA. We describe barriers to the uptake of HepB-BD in SSA at the policy, facility, and community levels and propose solutions that are relevant to stakeholders wishing to introduce HepB-BD. We highlight the importance and challenge of reaching infants who are born outside of health care facilities (i.e., home deliveries) with HepB-BD in partnership with community health workers. We also discuss the critical role of maternal education and community engagement in future HepB-BD scale-up efforts in SSA.

Integrating Health Behavior Theories to Predict Intention to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are put forward as the most promising solution for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to assess the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by using the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework. A self-administered questionnaire was considered among Vietnamese adult patients between March and May 2021. The dependent variable was a COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, the hierarchical multivariable regression was done to assess the fit of the predictor model and the associations of variables. A total of 462 participants completed the questionnaire, with 80.5% vaccination intention. A model containing demographics, as well as HBM and TPB variables, demonstrated to be a predictor of intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, interpreting 39% of the variance (adjusted R 2 = 0.39). For HBM and TPB constructs, respondents were more likely to accept vaccination if they had higher level of cues to action, self-efficacy, and a lower level of the perceived barriers (all P < .001). The theoretical framework provided a predictor of intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine, which is important for elaborating intervention plans to ensure the success of conducting mass vaccination campaigns.

Mapping the national evidence on double burden of malnutrition in Ethiopia: a protocol of scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Currently, the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is an emerging public health problem due to the inevitable consequences of nutritional transition. An increasing number of studies have reported the DBM in Ethiopian populations. However, organised and summarised national evidence is not yet available. Therefore, the main aim and research question of this scoping review is to map the national evidence on the DBM in the last decades in Ethiopia.

METHODS

This scoping review will be mapping the national evidence on the DBM in different population groups of Ethiopia including all ages and both sexes from 1 January 2021 to 30 September 2021. The Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer's Manual will be used as the methodology of review for this review. The search strategy will be conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library, Google Scholar, and grey literature sources and reference lists of key studies to identify studies appropriate for inclusion in the review. Two independent reviewers will be screened independently with all abstracts and full-text studies for inclusion. Data will be abstracted into tables and logically organised according to the items addressed in the specific research questions.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The data will be used from publicly available secondary sources. Therefore, no ethical review and approval will be required for this review. Dissemination of results will be sought through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and stakeholder meetings. Regarding registration, this review protocol is registered on the figshare website on 28 February 2021, with the DOI number https://doiorg/106084/m9figshare14131874.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of hepatitis B infection prevention among nursing students in the Upper West Region of Ghana: A cross-sectional study

Introduction

Hepatitis B infection remains a public health threat associated with undesirable statistics of morbidity and mortality. Good knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of hepatitis B infection (HBI) prevention are essential for HBI control. However, there is limited evidence concerning the KAP of HBI prevention among nursing students, who are significantly exposed to HBI. We assessed the KAP of HBI prevention and the factors associated with the practice of HBI prevention among nursing students in the Upper West Region of Ghana.

Methods

We administered an online cross-sectional survey in November 2020 to a stratified random sample of 402 nursing students in two nursing training colleges in the Upper West Region. Using STATA version 13, we computed composite scores of KAP of HBI prevention with maximum scores of 18 for knowledge and 8 each for attitude and practice. A generalised ordered logistic regression model was run to assess the factors associated with the practice of HBI prevention.

Results

The students had moderate median scores for knowledge (12.00; IQR = 10–13) and attitude (6.00; IQR = 5.00–7.00) but a poor median score (5.00; IQR = 4.00–6.00) for the practice of HBI prevention. High knowledge (aOR = 2.05; p = 0.06), good attitude, being a male, second year student and having parents with tertiary education were significantly associated with higher likelihoods (aOR >1; p < 0.05) of demonstrating good practice of HBI prevention. Students who had never married were significantly (aOR = 0.34; p = 0.010) less likely to exhibit good practice of HBI prevention.

Conclusion

The KAP scores of HBI prevention among the students were sub-optimal. We recommend institution-based policies and regular education on HBI prevention, free/subsidised HBI prevention services, and the enforcement of proper professional ethics on HBI prevention in nursing training colleges. Such interventions should predominantly target female, non-married and first year nursing students.

Development and Psychometric Properties of the Health Belief Scales Toward COVID-19 Vaccine in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Background

Beliefs of an individual about health conditions can play an important role in contributing to their behavior concerning good and bad health practices. The aim of this study was to develop and assess a set of vaccination belief scales in relation to COVID-19 vaccines.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2020 and January 2021 using a systematic random sampling of 425 adult outpatients at two hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. An instrument was designed based on the dimensional structure and wording of the health belief model (HBM), which was followed by the assessment of the instrument’s internal consistency and the construct validity.

Results

The 15-item instrument showed the content validity index (CVI) of scales reached a value of 1.0. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the first sample (n = 170) and extracted 12 out of 15 draft items in a four-factor model (threat of disease, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action) that accounted for 68.3% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.765 showed as satisfactory. Following this, the confirmatory factor analysis in the remaining sample (n = 255) found a good fit between a four-factor model and a theoretical model of HBM with acceptable values of fit indices.

Conclusion

Beliefs scales for COVID-19 vaccination have been determined to be valid and reliable. They can be a helpful instrument for health educators to use for assessing immunization beliefs of individuals and the public where there is the need to implement new vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, before they are used more widely across the community.

Knowledge About COVID-19, Beliefs and Vaccination Acceptance Against COVID-19 Among High-Risk People in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Background

Vaccination is one of the best ways to control a pandemic such as COVID-19. However, identifying community apprehensions towards vaccination needs to be understood in detail. This study aims to determine the factors that can predict the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was considered by systematic random sampling of 425 adults with chronic illnesses in Ho Chi Minh City. Data were collected between December 2020 and January 2021 via a self-administered, structured questionnaire. The main outcome was the acceptance of future COVID-19 vaccinations.

Results

A total of 425 eligible adults responded to the survey, whose mean age was 52.9±15.6 years; 67.8% of them were women, more than a half of them had high school education level or higher (57.4%) and received COVID-19 information mainly via television and social media accounted for 82.4% and 58.1%, respectively. Overall, knowledge of COVID-19 was reported as relatively good, with a mean score of 7.11 ± 1.77 (0–9). Determinants of vaccination acceptance were knowledge and cues to action. Accordingly, there was a 1.2-fold increase in the odds of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination for a 1-unit increase in “the total knowledge score” (AOR 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.3, p<0.05), and there was a 3.2-fold increase in the odds of vaccination acceptance for a 1-unit increase in “cues to action” (AOR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.7–5.8, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Determinants that influence the intention to have the COVID-19 vaccination are identified, which can be applied to future health education interventions that should focus on enhanced knowledge towards COVID-19 via mass media messages and cues to action from healthcare workers’ recommendations to promote vaccine acceptance.

Social and behavioral determinants of attitudes towards and practices of hepatitis B vaccine birth dose in Vietnam

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant public health issue in Vietnam. Our goal was to understand the determinants of attitudes towards and practices of hepatitis B vaccine birth dose (HepB-BD) in certain regions of Vietnam.

METHOD

A rapid qualitative assessment was conducted in three geographically diverse provinces that reported low coverage (<50%) of HepB-BD. Using purposive sampling of participants, 29 focus group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews were held with caregivers (n = 96), healthcare providers (n = 75), and healthcare administrators (n = 16). Summary notes from these were translated, and inductive coding was used to derive themes. The SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants Matrix was used as a theoretical framework to organize barriers and facilitators associated with the themes into three levels of influence.

RESULTS

At the individual and group level, caregivers who had higher levels of knowledge about HepB-BD sought the vaccine proactively, while others with lower knowledge faced barriers to the vaccine. Some caregivers reported a negative attitude toward health services because of a language barrier or had generalized concerns about HepB-BD due to media reporting of the past adverse events. Distress arising from potential adverse events was equally common among healthcare providers. At the contextual level, the physical environment made it difficult for caregivers to access healthcare facilities and for providers to conduct outreach. Home births posed a challenge for timely administration of HepB-BD, while health facility births facilitated it. Vaccination-specific barriers included misinterpretation of pre-vaccination screening criteria and asking for the consent of caregivers. Inadequate resources for service delivery negatively influenced HepB-BD attitudes and practices.

CONCLUSION

Given the diversity of barriers associated with attitudes towards and practices of HepB-BD in the three provinces, tailored interventions will be necessary for both demand- and supply-side factors. Rural areas, often with more home births and geographic barriers, may require focused attention.

Hepatitis B Birth Dose among Children in District 2 Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Background

A birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine will prevent most perinatally acquired infections and offers early protection from horizontal transmission. This article assessed the prevalence of the hepatitis B birth dose and associated factors among children in the District 2 Hospital.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional study between June and December 2017 recruited parents/caregivers of children aged 12–59 months who were randomly selected at the vaccination department in the District 2 Hospital. The structured questionnaire applied was to collect the characteristics of participants and check the vaccination schedule. The birth dose was defined as the hepatitis B vaccine, which was given to children within 24 hours after birth. Additionally, a semistructured questionnaire was used for interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) to assess the risk perceptions and barriers to vaccination.

Results

A total of 292 parents/caregivers had a mean age of 32.7 ± 6.8 years; among them, 88.7% were females. Their children had a mean age of 30.3 ± 13.9 months and 71.6% of these children received the hepatitis B birth dose, which correlated with the age of gestation (P < 0.05). In-depth interviews and FGDs found that most participants did not know that hepatitis B could be transmitted through childbirth, and barriers that affected the birth dose vaccine included children being sick, premature infants, or reason relating to physicians.

Conclusions

The rate of hepatitis B birth dose was low, which resulted from associated factors such as premature birth, likely to be linked with false contraindications and beliefs that, potentially, the 2013 incident is still fresh in people's minds. Therefore, strategies to implement policies around the hepatitis B birth dose should be in line with current World Health Organization recommendations and strategies to modify current beliefs about vaccination.