Vaccine Awareness Research Articles

HPV Vaccine Awareness and Uptake Among Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic Users: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bologna, Italy

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection poses a significant health risk, particularly for high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM), people living with HIV (PLHIV), and transgender individuals. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, uptake among these groups remains suboptimal due to various social and behavioral barriers (BeSD). A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) clinic in Bologna, Italy, from 8 April to 12 April 2024 using a paper questionnaire, investigating HPV vaccine uptake and BeSD factors influencing vaccination decisions. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. Among the 236 respondents, PLHIV and transgender individuals demonstrated lower uptake rates (60.0% and 15.6%) if compared to women under 30 years old (72.7%). Concern about HPV infection varied significantly across groups, with MSM showing the highest worry (48.7%). Perceptions of vaccine safety and access were mixed, influencing vaccination decisions. Multivariate analysis indicated that age inversely correlated with infection worry (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91–0.98), while being a woman under 30 (OR: 164.0, 95% CI: 17.2–1560.18) or MSM (OR: 3.53, 95% CI: 1.37–9.11) was positively associated with vaccine uptake. The study identifies disparities in HPV vaccine uptake among STI clinic users in Bologna, Italy, emphasizing the need for targeted public health campaigns. These campaigns could engage STI clinics and address awareness, safety perceptions, and access barriers to enhance vaccination coverage among sexual and gender minorities.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding dengue vaccine: a baseline study of community members and health providers in Indonesia.

Despite recent behavioral interventions aimed at reducing the burden of dengue, persistent unfavorable related behaviors in the Indonesian community suggest that vaccination could be effective. However, before this is implemented nationally, public perception and acceptance of the vaccine should be assessed in addition to health providers' points of view. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of community members and health providers in Indonesia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six districts of three Indonesian provinces. Respondents included both community members and health providers living within the territory of the selected primary health care centers. Pretested questionnaires were used to gather information on the sociodemographic characteristics and KAPs regarding dengue vaccines. An independent t-test was performed to compare the mean KAP scores between community members and health providers, while a logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors in each domain. Only 18.5% of health providers possessed high knowledge of the dengue vaccine versus only 12.5% of community members. Approximately one-third of the health providers versus one-fourth of community members displayed a high to moderate score for attitudes about dengue vaccines. Dengue vaccination practices demonstrated a more favorable score for both health providers and community members at 59.1% and 41.1%, respectively. No individual sociodemographic characteristics were associated with KAPs; rather, only education was correlated with better dengue vaccination practices. We also found that good knowledge of dengue was the only factor associated with all domains. Our findings highlight the urgent need to deliver educational interventions to health providers and community members in Indonesia to improve their awareness of dengue vaccines.

Awareness and Knowledge of Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Newly Enrolled First-Year Medical Undergraduates in South India: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Hepatitis B poses a significant public health risk, particularly for healthcare professionals who face heightened exposure in clinical settings. This study assesses the awareness and knowledge of hepatitis B vaccination among first-year medical undergraduates in their preclinical stage before transitioning to clinical phases. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among newly enrolled first-year medical undergraduate students at a medical college before the commencement of a planned vaccination drive, allowing the institution to assess baseline knowledge and logistical needs for the drive. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate students' awareness and understanding of hepatitis B transmission, vaccination, and the occupational risks associated with healthcare work. The data gathered from this survey provided critical insights for optimizing the logistics and educational components of the upcoming vaccination program for the incoming cohort. Among the 126 respondents, there was a slightly higher representation of male participants (53.17%, n=67), while 46.83% (n=59) were females. Awareness of hepatitis B as a highly contagious liver infection was high, with 88.9% of students agreeing or strongly agreeing. The knowledge that hepatitis B is a public health concern and can lead to severe conditions such as liver cancer was similarly prevalent (97.6% and 90.4%, respectively). Most respondents (80.2%) were aware of the heightened risk for healthcare professionals and viewed vaccination as an effective preventive measure (96.1%). Awareness of transmission routes, including contact with infected blood (96%) and unprotected sexual contact (97.6%), was also strong. However, fewer students were informed about the recommended vaccination schedule (63.4%) or the necessity of booster doses for high-risk individuals (70.6%). Additionally, 93.7% believed healthcare workers should be vaccinated, while 88.9% recognized the need for immunity status checks in healthcare settings. Only 16.66% (n=21) reported receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, with 14.28% having completed the full three-dose series, while 2.38% received only one or two doses. A significant portion (62.69%) reported not being vaccinated, and 20.63% were unsure of their vaccination status. Key reasons for incomplete vaccination included lack of awareness about the full series (58.73%), fear of side effects (6.34%), and perceived lack of necessity (7.93%). Access challenges were also noted by 2.38% of students. Only 1.58% of respondents had checked their immunity status through anti-hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) testing. Newly enrolled medical undergraduates show substantial foundational knowledge of hepatitis B and its prevention. However, targeted educational and peer-led initiatives are recommended to bridge the remaining gaps, ensuring future healthcare professionals have comprehensive knowledge for effective hepatitis B prevention. The findings also underscore the need for improved vaccination awareness and accessibility to achieve comprehensive immunization among medical undergraduates.

Factors Impacting Vaccine Uptake Among Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract Vaccine uptake is suboptimal among adult Medicaid beneficiaries. To evaluate factors affecting vaccine uptake among adult Medicaid beneficiaries and/or affecting healthcare providers who vaccinate adult Medicaid beneficiaries, we conducted a systematic literature review in Embase, Medline, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and the Cochrane Library for articles published from January 2005 through July 2022 and relevant conferences. For included studies, data were extracted on the study characteristics, patient and provider cost barriers, patient and provider perceived risks/benefits, and other barriers faced by patients and providers. Quality assessments were conducted using a checklist from the Joanna Briggs Institute. 21 studies analyzing patient-related factors (14 studies) and/or provider-related factors (8 studies). Reviewed studies indicate that vaccine uptake is influenced by insurance benefit and cost-coverage policies, including cost-sharing; access to vaccination services; and vaccine education and awareness. Financial factors, including reimbursement for vaccine acquisition and administration, influence providers’ vaccination practices for Medicaid beneficiaries. Our findings suggest that reducing or eliminating vaccination cost-sharing, promoting vaccine education and awareness about the importance and safety of vaccines, increasing access, and exploring reimbursement rates equivalent with other public or private insurance plans could mitigate barriers to vaccination for the adult Medicaid population.

Experiences and perceptions of migrant populations in South Africa on COVID-19 immunization: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Migrant populations (asylum seekers, permit holders, refugees, and undocumented migrants) living in South Africa face various individual, social, and physical circumstances that underpin their decisions, motivation, and ability to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. We conducted a qualitative study to explore the experiences and perceptions of migrant populations in South Africa on COVID-19 vaccines to inform recommendations for improved COVID-19 immunization. We conducted an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) with 20 asylum seekers, permit holders, refugees, and undocumented migrants living in South Africa. We applied a maximum variation purposive sampling approach to capture all three categories of migrants in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded electronically with consent and permission from the study participants. The recordings were transcribed and analyzed thematically following the IPA using Atlas.ti version 9. Four major reflective themes emanated from the data analysis. (1) While some migrants perceived being excluded from the South African national immunization program at the level of advertisement and felt discriminated against at the immunization centers, others felt included in the program at all levels. (2) Skepticism, myths, and conspiracy theories around the origin of SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 vaccine are pervasive among migrant populations in South Africa. (3) There is a continuum of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance/hesitancy ranging from being vaccinated through waiting for the chance to be vaccinated to refusal. (4) Accepting the vaccine or being hesitant follows the beliefs of the participant, knowledge of the vaccine's benefits, and lessons learned from others already vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccine inclusiveness, awareness, and uptake should be enhanced through migrant-aware policies and actions such as community mobilization, healthcare professional training, and mass media campaigns.

ATTITUDES AND AWARENESS OF THE POPULATION OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGIONS OF UKRAINE TOWARDS VACCINATION

In the modern world, vaccination is the most eff ective and evidence- based method of preventing the onset and severity of infectious diseases. Today, the WHO has identifi ed vaccine hesitancy as a global public health threat [25]. The social and cultural background of people infl uences their perception of vaccines, which prompted us to investigate this problem. Aim. To study the infl uence of sociodemographic factors on vaccination attitudes of children and adults in the central and western regions of Ukraine.Materials and methods. A cross- sectional study was conducted, which included a survey of the population of diff erent social status. The study was conducted in accordance with the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the bioethics committee. We also analyzed literature data from PubMed, Medscape and CSC. The work was performed within the framework of the research project 0122U000039 «Improvement of methods of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the most common diseases of childhood». No confl icts of interest exist.Research results and discussion. 1000 respondents were interviewed by questionnaire from Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kirovograd, Khmelnytsky, Zhytomyr, Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Rivne, Volyn, Ivano- Frankivsk, Lviv regions. The data obtained indicate that barriers to vaccination are caused by low awareness of vaccination, excessive negative infl uence of opinion leaders, prevalence of myths and falsifi cations about vaccination, lack of health care resources and low supply of recommended vaccines, and forced migration. Low awareness and low vaccination coverage are also associated with low awareness among health workers who do not work directly with vaccines, falsifi cation of vaccination data, and the presence of anti-vaccine health workers. The negative attitude of parents towards vaccination is also very important, as it aff ects their children.Conclusions.1. Fear of side eff ects, long-term complications, and doubts about the quality of vaccines have been identifi ed as factors in vaccine refusal.2. The most common groups of vaccine refusers are the elderly (53.3 %) and men (16.8 %).3. The high cost of vaccines that are not included in the list of mandatory vaccines is one of the reasons for the decrease in vaccination rates.4. Improved communication between the doctor and the patient is one of the factors increasing the vaccination rate among the population.5. Information about the availability of vaccines and places of vaccination, peculiarities of the post-vaccination period and information about the possible consequences of ignoring vaccination should be provided in the media (television, radio), especially among the elderly.

Viral hepatitis knowledge and vaccination awareness among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 43 countries of the WHO European Region: results from the European MSM Internet Survey, EMIS-2017.

BackgroundRecent hepatitis A virus outbreaks in Europe affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) and ongoing hepatitis B virus transmission among MSM underscore the ongoing need for viral hepatitis prevention in this population.AimTo describe viral hepatitis knowledge and associated factors among MSM in the WHO European Region to inform targeted prevention.MethodsIn the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS-2017), basic knowledge was defined as correctly identifying at least 4 of 5 statements about viral hepatitis and vaccination. We described basic knowledge by country. In a multilevel logistic regression model, we estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for having basic knowledge and explanatory variables: sociodemographic characteristics, history of hepatitis C and/or HIV diagnosis, sexual orientation disclosure at last sexually transmitted infections (STI) test and outness.ResultsOf 113,884 participants across 43 WHO European Region countries, 68% demonstrated basic knowledge, ranging from 50% in Israel to 80% in the Netherlands. Basic knowledge was significantly associated with older age (≥ 40 years vs < 25 years, aOR: 2.9, 95% CI: 2.7-3.0), a history of hepatitis C and/or HIV diagnosis (aOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.7-1.9) and sexual orientation disclosure at last STI test (aOR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.2-1.3), among other factors.ConclusionsWe found a knowledge disparity regarding viral hepatitis and hepatitis vaccination awareness among MSM across Europe, highlighting a need to address these gaps. A non-judgemental, accepting climate that allows individuals attending medical services to safely disclose their sexual orientation is fundamental to enable healthcare professionals to target information and preventative measures more effectively.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among individuals living in a peri-urban area in Uganda: A cross-sectional study.

The Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that is caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. This virus was first reported in China in December 2019. It then spread to all countries and from March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. In Uganda, the disease was first reported in March 2020 and COVID-19 vaccines became available by January 2021. Although COVID-19 vaccines were available in Uganda, uptake remained low. The aim of this study was to establish COVID-19 vaccine uptake awareness in a peri-urban setting in Entebbe City, Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 127 men and 263 women who reside in Entebbe City, Uganda. Data was collected on socio-behavioral characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about COVID-19 vaccine using interviewer administered questionnaires. Uptake of COVID-19 vaccine was defined as the proportion of participants who had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. We used descriptive statistics to estimate awareness of COVID-19 vaccines. The 'chi-square test' and 'modified Poisson regression' were used to assess variations in uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among respondents and their socio-demographics as well as other characteristics. Ninety-nine percent (388 out of 390) of the study population were aware of at least one brand of COVID-19 vaccines in the country. Thirty-five percent (138 out of 390) knew that the vaccine immunity was achieved 14 days after the 2nd dose and 98.7% (385 out of 390) admitted that observing the standard operating procedure for COVID-19 infection prevention was necessary after vaccination. There was a gap in knowledge on vaccine safety reported by 74.6% (291 out of 390) participants. Some participants 37.2% (145 out of 390) had concerns about the vaccine. Of these, 57.9% (84 out of 145) believed that the vaccines were not helpful; and 30.3% (44 out of 145) feared serious side effects. Sixty-six percent (257 out of 390) believed that vaccines were not working and 79.0% (308 out of 390) admitted that vaccines were promoted for financial gain. At the time of performing the study, 36.2% and 22.3% had received the 1st and 2nd dose respectively. The main sources of information on COVID-19 vaccine were television (TV) and social media (p-value 0.001). In a multivariate model, COVID-19 vaccine acceptability was associated with salaried and self-employment (p-value 0.046). The other predicative factors were awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine (p-value <0.001) and having vaccine concerns (p-value 0.013). Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in Entebbe community was low, partly attributed to knowledge gaps and concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness. This highlights the need to enhance dissemination of information about COVID-19 vaccine. The lessons learnt in this study would be relevant for other emerging infections by informing vaccination implementation programs in similar settings.

Overcoming Barriers of Cervical Cancer Elimination in India: A Practice to Policy Level Advocacy.

India's ambitious goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030 faces significant challenges due to the high burden of disease, low screening rates, and sociocultural barriers. Despite the Government's focus on vaccination, addressing cervical cancer requires a more comprehensive approach that is multisectoral and consider practice to policy engagement. Addressing not only vaccination but also social barriers, healthcare infrastructure, and research is key to preventing and controlling this preventable disease. Fragmented health policies with limited coverage for cervical cancer, coupled with societal issues like stigma and limited access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas, pose significant challenges. Moreover, limited awareness of HPV and vaccines hinders progress. To effectively combat cervical cancer, India must prioritize a readiness assessment to evaluate past interventions, economic feasibility, and social issues before launching new programs. Improving healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and utilizing innovative models like mobile clinics can expand access to care. Public-private partnerships with incentives can also play a crucial role in mobilizing resources. Investing in culturally appropriate public awareness campaigns is essential to educate the population about HPV, cervical cancer, and prevention strategies. A robust pharmacovigilance program is necessary to ensure vaccine safety. Additionally, India should invest in science and technology to support long-term research efforts, while increasing understanding of population-specific predisposing factors for broader-spectrum vaccines and personalized approaches. A dedicated national policy with clear objectives, strategies, and accountability mechanisms is crucial for successful cervical cancer control. Learning from the experiences of other countries can inform policy development.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Awareness and Uptake among Healthcare Students in Japan

BackgroundThe vaccination rate for HPV (Human Papillomavirus) has remained significantly low in Japan because of the administrative suspension of active recommendation. This study investigates the awareness and uptake of the HPV vaccine among healthcare students in Japan following the reinstatement of active recommendation for young women in April 2022. MethodsA web-based survey was administered to 2,567 healthcare students from Okayama and Shujitsu Universities in Japan in July 2023. The survey assessed participants' backgrounds, immunization status, awareness of vaccine recommendations, and knowledge of cervical cancer across various demographics, including sex, academic year, and department (Medicine, Health Science, Pharmaceutical, and Dentistry). ResultsThe response rate was 36.3% (933 students; 181 male, 739 female, and 13 unspecified gender). The overall immunization rate among female students was 55.6%, with higher rates observed in medical (73.8%) and dental (63.0%) students. Awareness of the government's change in vaccine recommendation was notably high among female and senior male students. Over half of the female students (54.7%) reported receiving vaccinations based on their parents' advice. Among those unvaccinated but interested in future immunization, concerns about adverse reactions (47.4%) and challenges in scheduling vaccinations (29.1%) were predominant. ConclusionHealthcare students exhibited a higher HPV vaccination rate than the general population. Ongoing education to improve vaccine literacy is crucial for augmenting HPV vaccination rates in Japan.

Häufigkeit von sexuell übertragbaren Infektio-nen in deutschen Facharztpraxen

The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in dermatological, urological, and gynecological practices in Germany. Data from the nationwide IQVIA Disease Analyzer database was used for this study. This cross-sectional study included 6,535 patients in 2014 and 6,491 patients in 2023 with an insured diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease in 69 dermatology, 148 gynecology and 55 urology practices. The number of patients treated for sexually transmitted diseases in these practices changed only minimally between 2014 and 2023. On average, each dermatology practice treated 31 patients with STIs in 2023, each gynecology practice treated 21 patients and each urology practice treated 23 patients. Anogenital warts were the most commonly diagnosed STI in all specialties, with prevalence varying by specialty. Interestingly, the number of patients per practice with anogenital warts increased slightly in dermatology and urology practices between 2014 and 2023, while it decreased in gynecology practices. The average age of patients treated for STDs increased between 2014 and 2023 In summary, this study highlights that despite vaccination efforts and awareness campaigns in various medical specialties, STI patient numbers remain almost the same and thus STI continues to be a persistent and increasing challenge in the ageing patient population. The findings call for further initiatives in the public health sector and an adjustment of everyday practice to the special needs of these patient groups.

Health Behavior Frameworks Describing HPV Vaccine Uptake in Adults: A Scoping Review

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States, and it has been shown to cause a number of different cancers, namely cervical. Fortunately, there is a highly efficacious vaccine that is available to adolescents and adults up to age 45. Vaccination rates in adults have increased over the years but are still low, especially in men. There is a need to understand HPV vaccine-seeking behaviors in adults to better address their concerns, beliefs, and barriers. The purpose of this scoping review is to provide a synthesis of the current literature on health behavior frameworks that have been used to describe HPV vaccine uptake in adults. This review also covers the socioeconomic barriers of adults getting the vaccine. For this review, 33 articles were found and included. The theory of planned behavior, health belief model, and social cognitive theory were the most commonly seen frameworks in the literature. Theoretical constructs that significantly predicted HPV vaccine behavior across the included studies were social norms, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, perceived benefits, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy. Major socioeconomic factors that were described were provider recommendation, knowledge, age, gender, race, awareness, and marital status. This information is critical for public health efforts to better target the adult population with HPV vaccine information and awareness. It is also necessary for providers to better understand patients and their potential barriers to getting the HPV vaccine.

Vaccine awareness and hesitancy among Ukrainian refugee mothers in Bulgaria

Abstract Issue Migration carry out risk of disrupting the epidemiological well-being among refugees and host populations. Since the beginning of Ukraine crisis over 50 000 refugees remain in Bulgaria; 92% are women and children. There is suboptimal childhood immunization coverage among Ukrainian refugee community prior to arrival in Bulgaria. Description of the problem Childhood vaccination is mandatory in Bulgaria for TB, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, measles, mumps, Haemophilus influenzae B and pneumococci. Refugees with uncertain immunization status are vaccinated according to the national immunization schedule and receive personal immunization card. As of March 2024, we conducted cross-sectional study to assess knowledge and attitudes of Ukrainian mothers through an interview. Results Of 105 mothers interviewed, 72.38% were with higher education. Arrived women were not familiar with Bulgarian health system and especially with vaccination. Absence of language barrier and presence of doctors among them facilitated our study.56.19% believe that migration has disrupted their children’s vaccinations. 56.19% consider that migration has disrupted their children’s vaccination. Aware of benefits of vaccines were 91,43%, they mainly trust doctors-84.76%, they pay attention to the positive discussion in the media-55.77%.Mothers realize the importance of herd immunity, considering that vaccinated children protect the others-68.57%.Leading reasons for mistrust of vaccines, mothers indicate - doubt in favor of vaccine-24.76%, medical contraindications for child-21.90% and doubts about quality of the vaccine-19.05%.They pay attention to positive discussion in the media-55.77% and have confidence in Bulgaria’s institutions. Lessons The Government of Bulgaria provided significant support and medical care for the prevention of vaccinepreventable diseases among Ukrainian children. Institutions and volunteers work for successful integration of refugees. Key messages • Need to know the immunization status of Ukrainian children admitted to Bulgaria. • Increasing trust in vaccines and the health system in general in Bulgaria requires additional explanatory campaigns among refugees.

Formalizing the role of community key individuals in Utrecht, the Netherlands

Abstract Issue The disconnect between (underserved) communities and governmental bodies in Utrecht, The Netherlands, has led to uneven access to (essential) healthcare services, increasing health inequalities. This gap is often bridged by key community individuals, whose roles have historically been informal. Key individuals are often seen as volunteers who are necessary to gain access to certain communities but are rarely seen as equals in a project team, resulting in mistrust and reduced collaboration on the long term on the side of the key individuals. Description of the problem This practice describes the start of a new foundation in Utrecht that formalizes and compensates key individuals’ roles in public (health) projects. The aim was to empower them and to encourage continued participation. Effects In 2024, the foundation supported key individuals in three government projects, including a childhood vaccination awareness campaign. Interviews revealed that key individuals felt more empowered and equally valued compared to other project members. They also felt a strong responsibility for project success. However, some noted that formal structures could be restrictive. The government felt more convenience working with a formal foundation. Lessons Empowering key individuals is crucial for effective collaboration in public health. There needs to be a balance between formal structures and the flexibility of informal approaches to prevent barriers for key individuals to participate in government projects. Key messages • Formalizing key individual roles enhances public health interventions. • Fair compensation to key individuals fosters sustainable collaboration.

Assessing Vaccine Intentions, Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, and Trust: A Cross-Sectional Study on Perceptions of Monkeypox Vaccination and Public Health Risk Awareness in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

Introduction The global emergence of monkeypox has heightened public health concerns, particularly in regions with limited vaccine uptake. In Nigeria, understanding the factors influencing vaccination intentions is essential for developing effective public health strategies. Despite vaccine availability, hesitancy and varying degrees of acceptance persist, driven by factors such as self-efficacy, vaccine trust, and overall attitudes toward vaccination. Previous research highlights the importance of these factors in shaping health behaviors, particularly in vulnerable populations. In Benue State, where distinct health challenges affect key demographic groups such as people living with human immunodeficiency virus(PLHIV) and men who have sex with men (MSM), addressing vaccination intentions is critical for public health efforts. Objectives The objective was to assess the intention to receive the monkeypox vaccine, self-assessed knowledge levels, self-efficacy, and risk perception among the PLHIV, MSM, and the healthcare populationin Benue State, Nigeria. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate public trust in vaccines and health authorities and to understand how these factors influence attitudes toward vaccination and overall perceptions of monkeypox-related health risks. Methodology A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 377 participants in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, focusing onPLHIV, MSM, and healthcare workers. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling technique, which leveraged social media platforms (WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram) and the Federal Medical Center in Makurdi. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed to assess self-efficacy, trust in vaccines, vaccination attitudes, and prior vaccination experiences. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the study population. Bivariate analyses, including chi-square tests and independent t-tests, were employed to explore the relationships between socio-demographic characteristics and vaccination intentions. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 for all analyses. Results The study revealed a significant positive relationship between self-efficacy and vaccination intention (p = 0.001). Trust in vaccinations and health authorities was also found to be a significant predictor of vaccination intention (p < 0.05). Furthermore, participants who had previously received the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine were more likely to express intention to receive the monkeypox vaccine (p = 0.000). However, the perception that the threat of monkeypox was exaggerated did not significantly impact vaccination intention (p = 0.4). Conclusion This study highlights the critical role of self-efficacy, trust in vaccines, and prior vaccination experiences in shaping the intention to receive the monkeypox vaccine in Benue State, Nigeria. The findings suggest that public health policies should prioritize enhancing trust in vaccines and health authorities, as well as boosting self-efficacy, to improve vaccination uptake. Addressing these factors may lead to more effective public health interventions against monkeypox and other infectious diseases.

Factors affecting human papillomavirus vaccine acceptance among parents of Primary 4 to 6 boys and girls in Hong Kong.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) poses a substantial but underestimated healthcare burden in Hong Kong. This study investigated factors affecting parental acceptance of HPV vaccination after the introduction of an immunisation programme for primary school girls. We assessed parental perceptions and related factors concerning HPV vaccination for both boys and girls. We conducted a cross-sectional survey between December 2021 and February 2022 among parents of Primary 4 to 6 students in Hong Kong. Our self-administered online survey collected data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, awareness and knowledge of HPV vaccination, attitudes towards HPV vaccination, and acceptance of HPV vaccination. Characteristics were compared between boys' parents and girls' parents. Factors associated with vaccine acceptance were analysed by multivariate logistic regression. We observed high awareness of HPV vaccination among boys' parents and girls' parents; however, they demonstrated relatively poor knowledge of HPV and the HPV vaccine. An alarming low HPV vaccination uptake rate was also observed. Attitudes towards the HPV vaccine were similar between parent groups. A majority of parents believed that the HPV vaccine was safe and effective in preventing infection. Parents of boys showed lower HPV vaccine acceptance. Factors associated with acceptance differed between parent groups. High awareness of HPV and HPV vaccine is predictive of vaccine acceptance. Boys' parents are less likely to accept HPV vaccination and emphasis should be placed on addressing potential HPV vaccine hesitancy in this group. Public education should also aim to raise awareness of government vaccination programme, and implementation of catch-up vaccination programme to school children beyond primary school should be considered.

Assessment of the Knowledge Level of COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccine Hesitancy amongst Final-Year Medical Students in Southeast Nigeria

Background: Despite how ravaging and deadly COVID-19 infection is, vaccine hesitancy is high among the uneducated, medical students, and health workers, who as frontline workers, should lead by example and drive COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Objectives: This research aims to assess the knowledge level of COVID-19 vaccines among final-year medical students in Southeast-Nigeria universities and determine the factors responsible for the hesitancy of this vaccine among them. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of final-year medical students in six medical schools in Southeast Nigeria using an electronically distributed structured, validated online Google form amongst final-year medical students from which 125 of them responded. Results: Out of a sample of 125 final-year medical students, 123 (98.4%) are aware of COVID-19 vaccines while 2 (1.6%) lack knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines. The demographics of the final year medical students comprised 68 (58%) males and 57 (45.6%) females, 74.4% (93/125) of the respondents do not have a preference for any vaccine while 25.6% (33/125), shows a preference for various vaccine types. 95 (76%) final year medical students have not been vaccinated as against 30 (24%) who have received the vaccine for the Covid-19 virus, this large gap in the vaccination ratio accounted for many factors ranging from safety, availability, side effects, etc. Conclusion: The level of awareness of COVID-19 vaccines is very high among final-year medical students but it is not equivalent to the level of uptake of the vaccines. Despite being future healthcare professionals, medical students' vaccination rates remain suboptimal, highlighting a significant vaccine hesitancy and a large gap between knowledge and practice. Understanding and addressing these underlying factors is crucial to improving vaccine uptake and ensuring that medical students, as future healthcare leaders, are equipped to promote evidence-based public health practice.

Provider and community perceptions of integrated COVID-19 and routine childhood immunisation programmes in Nigeria: a qualitative exploratory study

BackgroundIn Nigeria, COVID-19 vaccines were delivered through outreach activities, as well as integrated within routine immunisation. However, evaluations of integrated approaches for novel vaccines are scarce. We aimed to understand the perceived benefits and challenges of integrating the COVID-19 vaccine within routine immunisation in Nigeria, and identify ways to strengthen this approach.MethodsWe conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with community members and healthcare workers in primary healthcare facilities (PHCs) in Jigawa (n = 16) and Oyo (n = 14) states, Nigeria from 08 August to 13 September 2022. Participants were selected purposively from PHCs. We obtained information on participants’ perception about routine immunisation, and perceived benefits and challenges associated with integrated COVID-19 vaccine delivery. Healthcare worker and community interviews were analysed separately following a thematic analysis approach.ResultsWe identified four themes that describe the community and healthcare workers’ responses, perceived impact, and the health system adaptions to the challenges associated with the integrated vaccine delivery approach. Community members expressed concern that children might be given COVID-19 vaccines instead of routine immunisations, while others appreciated the integrated approach due to their trust in the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, government, and healthcare providers. Healthcare providers perceived the integrated approach as improving vaccination coverage and awareness but noted additional problems of increased workload, vaccine scarcity, and prolonged clinic visits. Insufficient resources were subsisting barriers to effective integration in both states, but the provider’s gender was also a challenge in Jigawa state. Additionally, the use of incentives to generate demand had ambiguous effects in Jigawa state.ConclusionTaking an integrated approach to deliver COVID-19 vaccines was acceptable by healthcare providers but community members expressed concerns. Given existing vaccination programmes have persistent challenges, it is pertinent to address these barriers to enhance effectiveness of an integrated approach.

Gender Differences on the Awareness of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Vaccination.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is implicated in causing several types of cancer, including cervical cancer. In Brazil, the quadrivalent HPV vaccine is provided free of charge for children between the ages of 9 and 14. Nevertheless, the vaccination coverage rate has remained below 60% since its implementation in 2014. This study aimed (i) to assess the knowledge of parents/guardians on HPV infection and vaccine prophylaxis and (ii) to test the association between having a "higher degree of knowledge" (HDK) and the sociodemographic characteristics. A total of 388 parents/guardians of children of vaccination age were enrolled. Questions assessing sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes toward HPV infection and vaccination were administered to participants via a self-answered questionnaire. Questionnaires of 343 participants were considered for analysis. Participants who answered at least 70% of the questions correctly were classified as presenting HDK. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the associations between population characteristics and HDK. This study occurred prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; thus, the pandemic was not considered in our analysis. A total of 212 (61.8%) participants showed HDK. Participants who were male (OR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.22, 0.70) and lived in larger households (OR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.25, 0.95) were less likely to present HDK. Participants who reported having an acquaintance with prior/concurrent HPV infection were more likely to have HDK (OR = 3.78; 95% CI = 2.02, 7.05). These findings suggest the importance of developing novel strategies for raising parental awareness of HPV, particularly targeting males.

Rapid Lifestyle Recommendations to Improve Urologic, Heart and Overall Health.

This literature review is intended to highlight recent correlations between urologic, heart and overall health by emphasizing healthy eating patterns, physical activity, alcohol minimization and tobacco elimination, healthy sleep, weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure management, and mental health awareness. Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and clinical studies espouse a unified message for prevention, reducing the risk of disease recurrence, progression, complementing conventional medical intervention efficacy, and mitigating treatment side effects. Limiting or eliminating alcohol consumption could be considered an independent recommendation and adding a mental health and miscellaneous (genetic risk and lifestyle, planetary health, HPV or other vaccination awareness, spirituality, etc.) category could allow for individualized educational opportunities, synergism appreciation, and self-improvement. Urologic healthcare professionals have the potential to strengthen the collective public health goal of improving the quality and quantity of the lives of patients able to adhere to these heart healthy recommendations.