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Chacón-Labrador FR, Passantino MG, Moncada-Ortega A, Ávila AA, Moreno AA, Kuffaty-Akkou NA, Pedroza LM, Camejo-Ávila NA, Mendoza-Millán DL, Rodriguez-Saavedra CM, Marcano-Rojas MV, Hernández-Medina F, Grillet ME, Carrión-Nessi FS, Forero-Peña DA. Understanding the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Venezuela. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1117. [PMID: 38654278 PMCID: PMC11036563 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18598-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite nearly a quarter of Venezuelans remaining unvaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy in the country have not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 15th to 30th, 2022, using a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. RESULTS The study analyzed data from 1,930 participants from all 24 states of Venezuela. The majority (93.4%) were vaccinated. The mean age was 40 years, predominantly female (67.3%), and held a university degree (70.6%). The mean KAP score was significantly higher among vaccinated individuals compared to unvaccinated ones (7.79 vs. 3.94 points for knowledge, 40 vs. 24 points for attitudes, and 16 vs. 10 points for practices, all p < 0.001). Increases in the scores for KAP were associated with increased odds of being vaccinated (84.6%, 25.6%, and 33% respectively for each one-point increase, all p < 0.001). Certain demographic factors such as marital status, occupation, religious beliefs, monthly income, and location influence COVID-19 vaccine knowledge. Higher income and certain occupations decrease the odds of low knowledge, while residing in specific states increases it. Attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine are influenced by age, health status, vaccination status, and location. Higher income and absence of certain health conditions decrease the odds of negative attitudes. Lastly, age, occupation, monthly income, and location affect vaccine practices. Advanced age and higher income decrease the odds of inappropriate practices, while residing in La Guaira state increases them. CONCLUSION Factors such as age, education level, occupation, monthly income, and location were found to be associated with knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine among the surveyed Venezuelans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabián R Chacón-Labrador
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
- School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María G Passantino
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
- School of Psychology, Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Augusto Moncada-Ortega
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
- School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Atahualpa A Ávila
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
- School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Andrea A Moreno
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
- School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Nicolle A Kuffaty-Akkou
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
- School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Luisana M Pedroza
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
- School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Daniela L Mendoza-Millán
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
- School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | | | - Fernando Hernández-Medina
- Immunogenetics Section, Pathophysiology Laboratory, Centro de Medicina Experimental "Miguel Layrisse", Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Altos de Pipe, Venezuela
| | - María E Grillet
- Vector and Parasite Biology Laboratory, Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical, School of Sciences, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Fhabián S Carrión-Nessi
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela.
- School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
- Immunogenetics Section, Pathophysiology Laboratory, Centro de Medicina Experimental "Miguel Layrisse", Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Altos de Pipe, Venezuela.
| | - David A Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela.
- School of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela.
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Forero-Peña DA, Carrión-Nessi FS, Forero-Peña JL, Camejo-Ávila NA, Mendoza-Millán DL, Omaña-Ávila ÓD, Maricuto AL, Velásquez VL, Mejía-Bernard MD, Rodriguez-Saavedra CM, Marcano-Rojas MV, Contreras Y, Guerra LJ, Alvarado MF, Carballo M, Caldera J, Guevara RN, Redondo MC, Landaeta ME. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV: a cross-sectional study in Caracas, Venezuela. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:87. [PMID: 38225550 PMCID: PMC10789023 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08967-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted multiple health services, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, care, and treatment services, jeopardizing the achievement of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 global target. While there are limited studies assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Latin America, there are none, to our knowledge, in Venezuela. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among PLHIV seen at the outpatient clinic of a reference hospital in Venezuela. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study among PLHIV aged 18 years and over seen at the Infectious Diseases Department of the University Hospital of Caracas, Venezuela between March 2021 and February 2022. RESULTS A total of 238 PLHIV were included in the study. The median age was 43 (IQR 31-55) years, and the majority were male (68.9%). Most patients (88.2%, n = 210) came for routine check-ups, while 28 (11.3%) were newly diagnosed. The majority of patients (96.1%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), but only 67.8% had a viral load test, with almost all (95.6%) being undetectable. Among those who attended regular appointments, 11.9% reported missing at least one medical consultation, and 3.3% reported an interruption in their ART refill. More than half of the patients (55.5%) had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the rest expressed hesitancy to get vaccinated. Most patients with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were male (65.1%), younger than 44 years (57.5%), employed (47.2%), and had been diagnosed with HIV for less than one year (33%). However, no statistically significant differences were found between vaccinated patients and those with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Older age was a risk factor for missing consultations, while not having an alcoholic habit was identified as a protective factor against missing consultations. CONCLUSION This study found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a limited impact on adherence to medical consultations and interruptions in ART among PLHIV seen at the University Hospital of Caracas, Venezuela.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela.
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - Fhabián S Carrión-Nessi
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - José L Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | | | - Daniela L Mendoza-Millán
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Óscar D Omaña-Ávila
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Andrea L Maricuto
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Viledy L Velásquez
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Mario D Mejía-Bernard
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | | | - Yoesmir Contreras
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Luis J Guerra
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María F Alvarado
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Martín Carballo
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Jocays Caldera
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Rafael N Guevara
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María C Redondo
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María E Landaeta
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
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Carrión-Nessi FS, Ascanio LC, Pineda-Arapé AG, Omaña-Ávila ÓD, Mendoza-Millán DL, Romero SR, Almao-Rivero AB, Camejo-Ávila NA, Gebran-Chedid KJ, Rodriguez-Saavedra CM, Freitas-De Nobrega DC, Castañeda SA, Forero-Peña JL, Delgado-Noguera LA, Meneses-Ramírez LK, Cotuá JC, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Forero-Peña DA, Paniz-Mondolfi AE. New daily persistent headache after SARS-CoV-2 infection in Latin America: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:877. [PMID: 38097988 PMCID: PMC10722794 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08898-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent headache is a frequent symptom after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and there is currently limited knowledge about its clinical spectrum and predisposing factors. A subset of patients may be experiencing new daily persistent headache (NDPH) after COVID-19, which is among the most treatment-refractory primary headache syndromes. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study in Latin America to characterize individuals with persistent headache after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and to identify factors associated with NDPH. Participants over 18 years old who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and reported persistent headache among their symptoms completed an online survey that included demographics, past medical history, persistent headache clinical characteristics, and COVID-19 vaccination status. Based on participants' responses, NDPH diagnostic criteria were used to group participants into NDPH and non-NDPH groups. Participant data was summarized by descriptive statistics. Student's t and Mann-Whitney U tests were used according to the distribution of quantitative variables. For categorical variables, Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used according to the size of expected frequencies. Binomial logistic regression using the backward stepwise selection method was performed to identify factors associated with NDPH. RESULTS Four hundred and twenty-one participants from 11 Latin American countries met the inclusion criteria. One in four participants met the NDPH diagnostic criteria. The mean age was 40 years, with most participants being female (82%). Over 90% of the participants reported having had mild/moderate COVID-19. Most participants had a history of headache before developing COVID-19 (58%), mainly migraine type (32%). The most predominant clinical characteristics in the NDPH group were occipital location, severe/unbearable intensity, burning character, and radiating pain (p < 0.05). A higher proportion of anxiety symptoms, sleep problems, myalgia, mental fog, paresthesia, nausea, sweating of the face or forehead, and ageusia or hypogeusia as concomitant symptoms were reported in participants with NDPH (p < 0.05). Palpebral edema as a concomitant symptom during the acute phase of COVID-19, occipital location, and burning character of the headache were risk factors associated with NDPH. CONCLUSION This is the first study in Latin America that explored the clinical spectrum of NDPH after SARS-CoV-2 infection and its associated factors. Clinical evaluation of COVID-19 patients presenting with persistent headache should take into consideration NDPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fhabián S Carrión-Nessi
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Venezuelan Science Incubator, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Luis C Ascanio
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Andreína G Pineda-Arapé
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Venezuelan Science Incubator, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | - Óscar D Omaña-Ávila
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Venezuelan Science Incubator, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Daniela L Mendoza-Millán
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Venezuelan Science Incubator, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Sinibaldo R Romero
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD), University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Abranny B Almao-Rivero
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Venezuelan Science Incubator, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | - Natasha A Camejo-Ávila
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Venezuelan Science Incubator, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | | | | | - Diana C Freitas-De Nobrega
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Venezuelan Science Incubator, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | - Sergio A Castañeda
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario (CIMBIUR), Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - José L Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Lourdes A Delgado-Noguera
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Venezuelan Science Incubator, Barquisimeto, Venezuela
| | - Lucianny K Meneses-Ramírez
- "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Juan C Cotuá
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Alfonso J Rodriguez-Morales
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Master of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
| | - David A Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Venezuelan Science Incubator, Barquisimeto, Venezuela.
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - Alberto E Paniz-Mondolfi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Venezuelan Science Incubator, Barquisimeto, Venezuela.
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA.
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Forero-Peña DA, Carrión-Nessi FS, Lopez-Perez M, Sandoval-de Mora M, Amaya ID, Gamardo ÁF, Chavero M, Figuera L, Marcano MV, Camejo-Ávila NA, Hidalgo M, Arenas CJ, Arévalo-Herrera M, Herrera S. Seroprevalence of viral and bacterial pathogens among malaria patients in an endemic area of southern Venezuela. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:33. [PMID: 37038195 PMCID: PMC10084699 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01089-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a leading public health problem worldwide. Co-infections with other pathogens complicate its diagnosis and may modify the disease's clinical course and management. Similarities in malaria clinical presentation with other infections and overlapping endemicity result in underdiagnosis of co-infections and increased mortality. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of viral and bacterial pathogens among diagnosed malaria patients in malaria-endemic areas in Venezuela. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on malaria patients attending three reference medical centres in Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela. Clinical evaluation and laboratory tests for dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), viral hepatitis [hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV)], and leptospirosis (LEP) were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Previous exposure to these pathogens was defined by the presence of specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G, and co-infection or recent exposure (CoRE) was determined by the presence of specific IgM alone or IgM + IgG. Data analysis considered descriptive statistics. Parameter distribution was statistically evaluated using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the necessary comparison tests. Odds ratio (OR) for complications was determined according to CoRE presence with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS A total of 161 malaria patients were studied, 66% infected with Plasmodium vivax, 27% with P. falciparum, and 7.5% harboured P. vivax/P. falciparum mixed infection. Previous exposure to DENV (60%) and CHIKV (25%) was frequent. CoRE was confirmed in 55 of the 161 malaria patients (34%) and were more frequent in P. falciparum (49%) than in P. vivax (29%) and mixed malaria patients (25%) (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.39-4.25, P = 0.018). The most frequent CoRE was DENV (15%), followed by HAV (12%), HBV (6.2%), CHIKV (5.5%), and LEP (3.7%); HCV CoRE was absent. Complicated malaria was significantly more frequent in patients with CoRE (56%) than those without CoRE (36%; OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.18-4.92, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS We found high CoRE prevalence in malaria patients as determined by serology in the study region; cases were associated with a worse clinical outcome. Further prospective studies with samples from different infection sites and the use of molecular tools are needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
- Internal Medicine Department, "Ruiz y Páez" University Hospital Complex, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
| | - Fhabián S Carrión-Nessi
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Mary Lopez-Perez
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marisol Sandoval-de Mora
- Internal Medicine Department, "Ruiz y Páez" University Hospital Complex, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Iván D Amaya
- "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Ángel F Gamardo
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Melynar Chavero
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Luisamy Figuera
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - María V Marcano
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Natasha A Camejo-Ávila
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
- "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Mariana Hidalgo
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Microbiology and Cell Biology Centre, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research, Miranda, Venezuela
| | - Cariagne J Arenas
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
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5
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Forero-Peña DA, Carrión-Nessi FS, Camejo-Ávila NA, Forero-Peña MJ. [COVID-19 in Latin America: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis]. Rev Salud Publica (Bogota) 2023; 22:246-252. [PMID: 36753116 DOI: 10.15446/rsap.v22n2.86878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Describe and analyze scientific activity on COVID-19 in Latin America. MATERIALS AND METHODS Through a systematic review of the literature in PubMed, LILACS, and the preprinted repositories BioRxiv and medRxiv, all available documents on COVID-19 in Latin America from January 1 to April 24, 2020, were retrieved for review and bibliometric analysis. RESULTS A total of 29 publications were included in the analysis. The country with the most scientific production was Brazil (10/29; 34,4%) followed by Colombia (6/29; 20,6%) and Mexico (6/29; 20,6%). The university with the most articles was the Technological University of Pereira, Colombia (5/29; 17,2%). 41,3% of the publications were preprinted documents. Most of the excluded studies were editorial comments or expert opinions. Three out of four investigations had an epidemiological focus (21/29; 72,4%); Limited studies on diagnosis (5/29; 17,24%), pathophysiology (2/29, 2,8%) and therapeutic. CONCLUSION Despite the exponential growth of publications in the world, there is a limited amount of information on the behavior of this infection in Latin America. The publication of studies with high methodological quality is required, which provide knowledge of the impact of the pandemic in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Forero-Peña
- DF: MD. Médico Internista; Residente de Infectología, Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario de Caracas. Instituto de Investigación Biomédica y Vacunas Terapéuticas; Ciudad Bolívar Caracas; Venezuela.
| | - Fhabián Stevens Carrión-Nessi
- FC: MD. Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta, Universidad de Oriente - Núcleo Bolívar. Instituto de Investigación Biomédica y Vacunas Terapéuticas; Ciudad Bolívar; Venezuela.
| | - Natasha A Camejo-Ávila
- NC: Bioanalista. Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta, Universidad de Oriente - Núcleo Bolívar. Instituto de Investigación Biomédica y Vacunas Terapéuticas; Ciudad Bolívar; Venezuela.
| | - Magda J Forero-Peña
- MF: MD. Instituto de Investigación Biomédica y Vacunas Terapéuticas; Ciudad Bolívar; Venezuela.
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Carrión-Nessi FS, Castro MP, Freitas-De Nobrega DC, Moncada-Ortega A, Omaña-Ávila ÓD, Mendoza-Millán DL, Marcano-Rojas MV, Trejo NJ, Virriel IV, Chavero M, Camejo-Ávila NA, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Forero-Peña DA. Clinical-epidemiological characteristics and maternal-foetal outcomes in pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19 in Venezuela: a retrospective study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:905. [PMID: 36471262 PMCID: PMC9720989 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-05253-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In low- and middle-income countries, pregnant women and newborns are more vulnerable to adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, in Venezuela, there are no integrated data in a national surveillance system to identify the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and maternal-foetal outcomes of pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted among Venezuelan pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19 seen at the "Ruiz y Páez" University Hospital Complex and the San Cristobal Central Hospital between June 2020 and September 2021. Information was obtained from physical and digitised clinical records using a purpose-designed proforma to collect epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, treatment, obstetric and perinatal complications, and maternal-foetal outcomes data. RESULTS A total of 80 pregnant women with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection were seen within the study period, 59 (73.8%) survived and 21 (26.2%) died. The median (interquartile range) age was 29 (23-33) years, the majority being in the third trimester of pregnancy (81.2%; n = 65). Interestingly, four (5%) pregnant women were co-infected with malaria by Plasmodium vivax and three (3.8%) with syphilis. The most frequent symptoms were fever (75%; n = 60), dry cough (68.8%; n = 55), dyspnoea (55%; n = 44), and headache (53.8%; n = 43). The most frequent maternal complications were anaemia (51.5%; n = 66) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (17.5%; n = 14). The most frequent perinatal complications were preterm delivery (39.2%; n = 20/51) and oligohydramnios (31.3%; n = 25). A total of 29 (36.3%) adverse foetal outcomes were documented, 21 stillbirth and eight abortions. CONCLUSION This is the first study to describe the clinical-epidemiological behaviour of COVID-19 in hospitalised Venezuelan pregnant women. Anaemia, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, oligohydramnios, and low birth weight were the most frequent maternal-foetal complications in this population of pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fhabián S. Carrión-Nessi
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela ,“Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta” Health Sciences School, University of Oriente – Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Mercedes P. Castro
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, San Cristobal Central Hospital, San Cristobal, Venezuela
| | - Diana C. Freitas-De Nobrega
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela ,“Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta” Health Sciences School, University of Oriente – Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Augusto Moncada-Ortega
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela ,grid.8171.f0000 0001 2155 0982“José María Vargas” School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Óscar D. Omaña-Ávila
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela ,grid.8171.f0000 0001 2155 0982“Luis Razetti” School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Daniela L. Mendoza-Millán
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela ,grid.8171.f0000 0001 2155 0982“Luis Razetti” School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Nayren J. Trejo
- “Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta” Health Sciences School, University of Oriente – Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Isabella V. Virriel
- “Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta” Health Sciences School, University of Oriente – Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Melynar Chavero
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Natasha A. Camejo-Ávila
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela ,“Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta” Health Sciences School, University of Oriente – Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
- grid.441853.f0000 0004 0418 3510Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de Las Américas - Institución Universitaria Visión de Las Américas, Pereira, Risaralda Colombia ,grid.411323.60000 0001 2324 5973Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon ,grid.430666.10000 0000 9972 9272Master of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
| | - David A. Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela ,grid.411226.2Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
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7
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Forero-Peña DA, Carrión-Nessi FS, Omaña-Ávila ÓD, Mendoza-Millán DL, Romero SR, Escalante-Pérez IA, Maricuto AL, Camejo-Ávila NA, Chavero M, Figuera L, Contreras R, Torres J, Noya-González Ó. Plasmodium vivax and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection in Venezuela: A case series from the malaria hotspot in Latin America. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 50:102460. [PMID: 36115526 PMCID: PMC9473143 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A Forero-Peña
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela; Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
| | - Fhabián S Carrión-Nessi
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela; "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
| | - Óscar D Omaña-Ávila
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela; "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - Daniela L Mendoza-Millán
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela; "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - Sinibaldo R Romero
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela; Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD), University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, United States.
| | - Iván A Escalante-Pérez
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela; "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - Andrea L Maricuto
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela; Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
| | - Natasha A Camejo-Ávila
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela; "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
| | - Melynar Chavero
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
| | - Luisamy Figuera
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
| | - Rosa Contreras
- "Dr. Félix Pifano" Tropical Medicine Institute, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - Jaime Torres
- "Dr. Félix Pifano" Tropical Medicine Institute, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
| | - Óscar Noya-González
- "Dr. Félix Pifano" Tropical Medicine Institute, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela; Centro de Estudios Sobre Malaria, "Dr. Arnoldo Gabaldón" High Studies Institute, Caracas, Venezuela.
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8
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Forero-Peña DA, Carrión-Nessi FS, Mendoza-Millán DL, Omaña-Ávila ÓD, Mejía-Bernard MD, Camejo-Ávila NA, Flora-Noda DM, Velásquez VL, Chacón-Labrador FR, Doval-Fernández JM, Maricuto AL, Grillet ME, Hernández-Villena JV, Vincenti-González MF, Paniz-Mondolfi AE, Orejas J, Rodríguez VI, Contreras MB, Guevara RN, Carballo M, Caldera J, Redondo MC, Landaeta ME. First wave of COVID-19 in Venezuela: Epidemiological, clinical, and paraclinical characteristics of first cases. J Med Virol 2021; 94:1175-1185. [PMID: 34761824 PMCID: PMC8662004 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has particularly affected countries with weakened health services in Latin America, where proper patient management could be a critical step to address the epidemic. In this study, we aimed to characterize and identify which epidemiological, clinical, and paraclinical risk factors defined COVID‐19 infection from the first confirmed cases through the first epidemic wave in Venezuela. A retrospective analysis of consecutive suspected cases of COVID‐19 admitted to a sentinel hospital was carried out, including 576 patient cases subsequently confirmed for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Of these, 162 (28.1%) patients met the definition criteria for severe/critical disease, and 414 (71.2%) were classified as mild/moderate disease. The mean age was 47 (SD 16) years, the majority of which were men (59.5%), and the most frequent comorbidity was arterial hypertension (23.3%). The most common symptoms included fever (88.7%), headache (65.6%), and dry cough (63.9%). Severe/critical disease affected mostly older males with low schooling (p < 0.001). Similarly, higher levels of glycemia, urea, aminotransferases, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were observed in severe/critical disease patients compared to those with mild/moderate disease. Overall mortality was 7.6% (44/576), with 41.7% (28/68) dying in hospital. We identified risk factors related to COVID‐19 infection, which could help healthcare providers take appropriate measures and prevent severe clinical outcomes. Our results suggest that the mortality registered by this disease in Venezuela during the first epidemic wave was underestimated. An increase in fatalities is expected to occur in the coming months unless measures that are more effective are implemented to mitigate the epidemic while the vaccination process is ongoing. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to assess the epidemiological, clinical, and paraclinical characteristics of COVID‐19 patients in Venezuela. Regarding the occupation, 15% of the patients were healthcare workers. Patients with more year's smoking, bilateral crackles and altered state of consciousness were associated with severe/critical disease. Only 42% of the patients with severe/critical disease criteria were hospitalized, of which 41.7% died.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Forero-Peña
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Fhabián S Carrión-Nessi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,Department of Medicine, "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Daniela L Mendoza-Millán
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,Department of Medicine, "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Óscar D Omaña-Ávila
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,Department of Medicine, "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Mario D Mejía-Bernard
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,Department of Medicine, "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Natasha A Camejo-Ávila
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,Department of Medicine, "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - David M Flora-Noda
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Viledy L Velásquez
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Fabián R Chacón-Labrador
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,Department of Medicine, "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Juan M Doval-Fernández
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,Department of Medicine, "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Andrea L Maricuto
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María E Grillet
- Vector Biology Laboratory, Institute of Zoology and Tropical Ecology, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Juan V Hernández-Villena
- Vector Biology Laboratory, Institute of Zoology and Tropical Ecology, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María F Vincenti-González
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alberto E Paniz-Mondolfi
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
| | - José Orejas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Verónica I Rodríguez
- Department of Medicine, "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Mariana B Contreras
- Department of Medicine, "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Rafael N Guevara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Martín Carballo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Jocays Caldera
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María C Redondo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María E Landaeta
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
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9
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Maricuto AL, Velásquez VL, Pineda J, Flora-Noda DM, Rodríguez I, Rodríguez-Inés CA, Noya-González ÓO, Contreras R, Omaña-Ávila ÓD, Escalante-Pérez IA, Camejo-Ávila NA, Kuffaty-Akkou NA, Carrión-Nessi FS, Carballo M, Landaeta ME, Forero-Peña DA. Amoebic liver abscess in a COVID-19 patient: a case report. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1134. [PMID: 34736397 PMCID: PMC8567734 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06819-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica, which affects people living in low- and middle-income countries and has intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. To date, knowledge on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) coinfection with enteric parasites is limited, and E. histolytica coinfection has not been previously described. Here we present the case of a patient with COVID-19 who, during hospitalisation, presented a clinical picture consistent with an amoebic liver abscess (ALA). Case presentation A 54-year-old man, admitted as a suspected case of COVID-19, presented to our hospital with dyspnoea, malaise, fever and hypoxaemia. A nasopharyngeal swab was positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. After 7 days, he developed diarrhoea, choluria and dysentery. An abdominal ultrasound showed a lesion compatible with a liver abscess; stool examination revealed E. histolytica trophozoites, and additional serology for E. histolytica was positive. After 12 days of treatment with metronidazole, ceftazidime and nitazoxanide, the patient reported acute abdominal pain, and an ultrasound examination revealed free liquid in the abdominal cavity. An emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed, finding 3000 mL of a thick fluid described as “anchovy paste”. Computed tomography scan revealed a second abscess. He ended up receiving 21 days of antibiotic treatment and was discharged with satisfactory improvement. Conclusion Here we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of ALA and COVID-19 co-presenting. Based on their pathophysiological similarities, coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and E. histolytica could change the patient’s clinical course; however, larger studies are needed to fully understand the interaction between these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Maricuto
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Viledy L Velásquez
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Jacinto Pineda
- "Dr. José Antonio O'Daly" Anatomopathological Institute, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - David M Flora-Noda
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Isaac Rodríguez
- Radiodiagnosis Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Óscar O Noya-González
- "Dr. Félix Pifano" Tropical Medicine Institute, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Rosa Contreras
- "Dr. Félix Pifano" Tropical Medicine Institute, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Óscar D Omaña-Ávila
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Iván A Escalante-Pérez
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | | | - Nicolle A Kuffaty-Akkou
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Fhabián S Carrión-Nessi
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,"Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Martín Carballo
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María E Landaeta
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - David A Forero-Peña
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital of Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela. .,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
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10
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Chacón FR, Doval JM, Rodríguez VI, Quintero A, Mendoza DL, Mejía MD, Omaña ÓD, Contreras MB, Gasparini S, González CJ, Camejo-Ávila NA, Romero SR, Flora-Noda DM, Maricuto AL, Velásquez VL, Guevara RN, Carballo M, Caldera J, Redondo MC, Landaeta ME, Carrión-Nessi FS, Forero-Peña DA. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19 among patients at Hospital Universitario de Caracas triage tent: A cross-sectional study. Biomedica 2021; 41:48-61. [PMID: 34669278 PMCID: PMC8639178 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.5808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The studies on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 help to identify erroneous concepts and inadequate practices related to the disease. This baseline information is essential to design effective strategies and improve adherence to prevention measures. OBJECTIVE To identify the COVID-19-related KAP in Venezuelan patients screened at the Hospital Universitario de Caracas triage tent. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study among 215 patients between April 25th and May 25th, 2020, with in-person interviews using a KAP survey. RESULTS Most surveyed patients (53.5%) were asymptomatic. Most of them, both from the symptomatic and the asymptomatic groups, had adequate knowledge about the symptoms and transmission of the disease and the majority said they were practicing quarantine, frequent handwashing, and the use of face masks in public areas. However, the daily replacement of cloth face masks was more frequent in the asymptomatic group whereas replacement every three days was more frequent in the symptomatic group. Finally, more than half of the participants admitted having been in crowded places, a common practice among the symptomatic compared to the asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS This is the first KAP study in Venezuela about COVID-19. Knowledge and practices among Venezuelans could be improved by strengthening education and training programs. This information from the early phase of the pandemic in Venezuela may contribute to the design of COVID-19 promotion and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabián R Chacón
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Juan M Doval
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Verónica I Rodríguez
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Adriana Quintero
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Daniela L Mendoza
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Mario D Mejía
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Óscar D Omaña
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Mariana B Contreras
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Sebastián Gasparini
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Carmen J González
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica y Vacunas Terapéuticas, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela.
| | | | - Sinibaldo R Romero
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD), University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.
| | - David M Flora-Noda
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Andrea L Maricuto
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Viledy L Velásquez
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Rafael N Guevara
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Martín Carballo
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - Jocays Caldera
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - María C Redondo
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | - María E Landaeta
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | | | - David Alberto Forero-Peña
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica y Vacunas Terapéuticas, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela; Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
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11
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Forero-Peña DA, Carrión-Nessi FS, Chavero M, Gamardo Á, Figuera L, Camejo-Ávila NA, Marcano MV, Hidalgo M, Arenas-Leal CJ, Villegas L, Grillet ME, Pacheco MA, Mora MSD, Escalante AA. The clinical-epidemiological profile of malaria patients from Southern Venezuela, a critical hotspot in Latin America. Malar J 2021; 20:375. [PMID: 34544438 PMCID: PMC8453994 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03913-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Venezuela accounted for 55% of the cases and 73% of the malaria deaths in the Americas in 2019. Bolivar state, in the southeast, contributes > 60% of the country's Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum cases every year. This study describes the clinical–epidemiological characteristics of clinical malaria patients in this high-transmission area. Methods A prospective study was conducted on patients seeking medical attention in three medical centres in the state capital, Ciudad Bolivar, between June and October 2018. Malaria diagnosis was carried out using microscopy following national standards. Malaria-positive patients were examined for clinical symptoms, and haematological tests were performed at the time of diagnosis. Patients were followed up by telephone to evaluate malaria recurrences. Results Out of 287 patients, 200 (69.7%) were positive for P. vivax, 69 (24%) for P. falciparum, and 18 (6.3%) had mixed (P. vivax/P. falciparum) infections. Patients' median age was 33 years (IQR 20), 168 (69%) were men, and 40% practiced gold mining as the main occupation. Fever (96.5%), chills (91.3%), and headaches (90.6%) were the most frequent symptoms. At least one symptom associated with severe malaria was observed in 69 out of 161 patients with complete clinical evaluation (42.9%). Plasmodium vivax infections were found in 42 out of 69 (60.9%) severe cases; by contrast, P. falciparum and mixed malaria caused 34.8% (24/69) and 4.4% (3/69) of infections, respectively. Two patients died of cerebral malaria. Mean hemoglobin was lower in the patients infected with P. falciparum than those infected with P. vivax. Regardless of the parasite causing the infection, patients presented high levels of total bilirubin, aminotransferases (AST, ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Out of the 142 patients followed up by phone for three months (49.5% of the 287 patients), 35 (24.7%) reported recurrences. Conclusions The high malaria prevalence among young male adults practicing gold mining suggests that this occupation is a significant risk factor. The unexpected high prevalence of P. vivax patients with at least one criteria of severe clinical disease is a matter of concern. Whether it is the result of a lack of timely diagnosis and effective treatment should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela. .,Department of Internal Medicine, "Ruiz Y Páez" University Hospital Complex, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
| | - Fhabián S Carrión-Nessi
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,"Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Melynar Chavero
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,Department of Internal Medicine, "Ruiz Y Páez" University Hospital Complex, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Ángel Gamardo
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Luisamy Figuera
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | | | - María V Marcano
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Mariana Hidalgo
- Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC), Miranda, Venezuela
| | | | - Leopoldo Villegas
- Civil Association of Social Impact (ASOCIS), Tumeremo, Venezuela.,Global Development One (GDO), Maryland, USA
| | - María E Grillet
- Vector and Parasite Biology Laboratory, Tropical Ecology and Zoology Institute, Faculty of Sciences, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - M Andreína Pacheco
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA
| | - Marisol Sandoval-de Mora
- Department of Internal Medicine, "Ruiz Y Páez" University Hospital Complex, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Ananías A Escalante
- Biology Department/Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine (iGEM), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19122-1801, USA.
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12
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Mendoza Millán DL, Carrión-Nessi FS, Mejía Bernard MD, Marcano-Rojas MV, Omaña Ávila ÓD, Doval Fernández JM, Chacón Labrador FR, Quintero Rodríguez A, Gasparini Vega S, Tami A, Maricuto AL, Velásquez VL, Landaeta ME, Figuera M, Chavero M, Figuera L, Camejo-Ávila NA, Forero-Peña DA. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding COVID-19 Among Healthcare Workers in Venezuela: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey. Front Public Health 2021; 9:633723. [PMID: 34327183 PMCID: PMC8315295 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.633723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The deterioration of Venezuela's health system in recent years undoubtedly contributes to an increased impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) toward COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic could inform their medical training and improve their preparedness. Methods: A online national cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 26th and May 30th, 2020, to assess KAPs among HCWs in Venezuela. Results: A total of 1,441 HCWs from all 24 regions of the country responded to the survey. The mean age of the HCWs was 44 (SD [standard deviation] 14) years; most were women (66.4%). Most HCWs were specialized doctors (48%), followed by nurses (13%) and resident doctors (12.3%). The majority of HCWs had good knowledge (76.3%), obtained information mainly from scientific literature (85.4%); had negative attitudes (53.6%), felt uncomfortable with their work during the current pandemic (59.8%); and reported appropriate practices (76.9%). However, participation in COVID-19 related training was absent in more than half of the HCWs. Positive attitudes were significantly more frequent in frontline workers than in non-frontline workers (p = 0.001). Bioanalysts, students, and doctors were more likely to have good knowledge; participating in training was a predictor for positive attitudes and older age was an appropriate practice predictor. Conclusions: HCWs, knowledge in Venezuela could be improved by strengthening education and training programs. Strategies should focus on reducing fear and improving attitudes toward the care of COVID-19 patients, as well as the promotion of preventive practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Lucía Mendoza Millán
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
| | | | - Mario Daniel Mejía Bernard
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
| | | | - Óscar Daniel Omaña Ávila
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
| | - Juan Manuel Doval Fernández
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
| | - Fabián Rafael Chacón Labrador
- "Luis Razetti" School of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
| | | | | | - Adriana Tami
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Groningen, Netherlands.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela
| | - Andrea L Maricuto
- Infectious Diseases Department, Caracas University Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Viledy L Velásquez
- Infectious Diseases Department, Caracas University Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela
| | | | - Manuel Figuera
- Infectious Diseases Department, Caracas University Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Melynar Chavero
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
| | - Luisamy Figuera
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
| | | | - David A Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela.,Infectious Diseases Department, Caracas University Hospital, Caracas, Venezuela
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13
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Romero M, Leiba E, Carrión-Nessi FS, Freitas-De Nobrega DC, Kaid-Bay S, Gamardo ÁF, Chavero M, Figuera L, Camejo-Ávila NA, Marcano MV, Lopez-Perez M, Forero-Peña DA. Malaria in pregnancy complications in Southern Venezuela. Malar J 2021; 20:186. [PMID: 33858446 PMCID: PMC8051027 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03728-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to malaria infections, increasing the risk of maternal–fetal complications, mainly in high-endemicity areas. However, few studies of malaria in pregnancy (MiP) have been carried out in Latin America, a region with low endemicity and transmission of both, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Despite the high malaria burden in Venezuela in the last years, no recent studies of MiP have been conducted. Hence, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pregnant women with malaria in southern Venezuela are described herein. Methods A retrospective study in pregnant women attending at the “Ruíz y Páez” University Hospital Complex, Bolivar state, Venezuela, was carried out between February and October, 2019. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory information was analysed. Results Thirty-seven out of 52 pregnant women analysed were infected with P. vivax. Age ranged between 15 and 39 years, and adolescent pregnancies were common. Malaria infection was diagnosed mainly during the third trimester of pregnancy (63.4%). The distribution of symptoms and signs as well as clinical laboratory values was similar among Plasmodium spp. Although uncomplicated malaria was most frequent, 30% (13/52) had severe anaemia. A high proportion of studied women (44%) presented at least one complication during the pregnancy or delivery. Spontaneous abortion was recorded in four women, and three fetal deaths were observed. Six women had preterm delivery without any further complication. Conclusions A high prevalence of maternal–fetal complications was found in the studied population, highlighting the requirement for a careful medical follow up during the prenatal check-ups, which should include routinary malaria tests. Preventive measures as distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito net for pregnant women at risk should also be implemented. Those measures can help to reduce the negative impact of malaria on the newborn and mother.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariestéfany Romero
- "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Elízabeth Leiba
- "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Fhabián S Carrión-Nessi
- "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Diana C Freitas-De Nobrega
- "Dr. Francisco Battistini Casalta" Health Sciences School, University of Oriente - Bolivar Nucleus, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.,Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Serris Kaid-Bay
- Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department, "Ruíz y Páez" University Hospital Complex, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Ángel F Gamardo
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Melynar Chavero
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Luisamy Figuera
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | | | - María V Marcano
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela
| | - Mary Lopez-Perez
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David A Forero-Peña
- Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Vaccines Institute, Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela.
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14
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Forero-Peña DA, Camejo-Ávila NA, Carrión-Nessi FS, Gregorio-Chaviano O, Limaymanta CH, López-Mesa EK. Bibliometric evaluation of Latin American contributions on COVID-19. Biomedica 2020; 40:205-208. [PMID: 33152205 PMCID: PMC7676833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David A Forero-Peña
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica y Vacunas Terapéuticas, Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela; Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Caracas, Distrito Capital, Venezuela.
| | | | | | - Orlando Gregorio-Chaviano
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Información, Facultad de Comunicación y Lenguaje, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia.
| | - César H Limaymanta
- Línea de Estadística, Departamento de Ciencias, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Lima, Perú.
| | - Evony K López-Mesa
- Coordinación de Servicios al Usuario, Biblioteca, Universidad La Gran Colombia, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia.
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