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Zegeye AF, Tamir TT, Mekonen EG, Ali MS, Gonete AT, Techane MA, Wassie M, Kassie AT, Ahmed MA, Tsega SS, Wassie YA, Tekeba B, Workneh BS. Number of tetanus toxoid injections before birth and associated factors among pregnant women in low and middle income countries: Negative binomial poisson regression. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2352905. [PMID: 38772729 PMCID: PMC11110706 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2352905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In low- and middle-income countries where vaccination rates are low, tetanus is still an important threat to public health. Although maternal and neonatal tetanus remains a major global health concern, its magnitude and determinates are not well studied. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the number of tetanus toxoid injections and associated factors among pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS Data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys, which covered 60 low- and middle-income countries from 2010 to 2022, was used for secondary data analysis. The study included a total of 118,704 pregnant women. A statistical software package, STATA 14, was used to analyze the data. A negative binomial regression of a cross-sectional study was carried out. Factors associated with the number of tetanus vaccinations were declared significant at a p-value of < 0.05. The incidence rate ratio and confidence interval were used to interpret the results. A model with the smallest Akaike Information Criterion and Bayesian Information Criterion values and the highest log likelihood was considered the best-fit model for this study. RESULTS In low- and middle-income countries, 26.0% of pregnant women took at least two doses of the tetanus toxoid vaccine. Factors such as maternal education, primary (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.26), secondary (IRR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.23), higher (IRR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.20), employment (IRR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.13), 1-3 ANC visits (IRR = 2.49, 95% CI: 2.41, 2.57), ≥4 visits (IRR = 2.94, 95% CI: 2.84, 3.03), wealth index (IRR = 1.06; 95% CI: 11.04, 1.08), ≥birth order (IRR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.27), distance to health facility (IRR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.03), and health insurance coverage (IRR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.10) had a significant association with the number of tetanus vaccinations among pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS This study concludes that the number of tetanus toxoid vaccinations among pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries is low. In the negative binomial model, the frequency of tetanus vaccinations has a significant association with maternal employment, educational status, wealth index, antenatal care visits, birth order, distance from a health facility, and health insurance. Therefore, the ministries of health in low and middle-income countries should give attention to those women who had no antenatal care visits and women from poor wealth quantiles while designing policies and strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alebachew Ferede Zegeye
- Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Tarik Tamir
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Enyew Getaneh Mekonen
- Department of Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed Seid Ali
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Almaz Tefera Gonete
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Masresha Asmare Techane
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mulugeta Wassie
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Alemneh Tadesse Kassie
- Department of Clinical Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Medina Abdela Ahmed
- Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Sintayehu Simie Tsega
- Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Yilkal Abebaw Wassie
- Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Berhan Tekeba
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Belayneh Shetie Workneh
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Iqbal S, Ali I. Routine Vaccination During COVID-19: A Case of Maternal Neonatal Tetanus From Pakistan. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 3:790647. [PMID: 36712913 PMCID: PMC9879008 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2021.790647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sehar Iqbal
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Inayat Ali
- Department of Public Health and Allied Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan,Department of Anthropology, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan,Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria,*Correspondence: Inayat Ali
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Maternal Tetanus Toxoid Vaccination in Benin: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Survey. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 11:vaccines11010077. [PMID: 36679921 PMCID: PMC9861428 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetanus toxoid vaccination is critical for improving maternal and child health. Yet, the prevalence and correlates of maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination coverage remain largely underexplored in Benin where infant and child mortality rates are high. Using the 2017−18 Benin Demographic and Health Survey, we apply logistic regression analysis to address this void in the literature. We find that overall maternal vaccination coverage is 69%. A range of demographic, health care, and socioeconomic factors are associated with maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination coverage. Women aged 20−34 (OR = 0.84, p < 0.05) and 35−49 (OR = 0.63, p < 0.01) are less likely to receive tetanus toxoid vaccination in comparison to those aged 15−19. Health care factors are also significantly associated with maternal tetanus toxoid vaccination, indicating that women who deliver at home (OR = 0.20, p < 0.001) and visit antenatal care fewer than eight times (OR = 0.62, p < 0.001) are less likely to receive tetanus toxoid vaccination than their counterparts who deliver in a health facility and visit antenatal care eight times or more. We also find that women with secondary (OR = 0.54, p < 0.05), primary (OR = 0.47, p < 0.01), and no education (OR = 0.47, p < 0.01) are less likely to receive tetanus toxoid vaccination compared to their counterparts with higher education. Based on these findings, we discuss several implications for policymakers.
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Geoghegan S, Shuster S, Butler KM, Feemster KA. Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to Maternal Immunization: A Systematic Narrative Synthesis of the Published Literature. Matern Child Health J 2022; 26:2198-2209. [PMID: 36173503 PMCID: PMC9521012 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-022-03508-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Vaccines are being developed against Group B Streptococcus and respiratory syncytial virus. These vaccines are designed to be given to pregnant women to protect infants; thus, their success depends on uptake in this population. Maternal immunization programs have struggled to achieve target coverage rates. This systematic narrative synthesis aims to define the most important barriers and facilitators for maternal immunization and to identify priority areas for future research. Methods A search strategy was developed in Medline and adapted according to the requirements of additional search engines. Two reviewers independently reviewed the studies, using pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results sections of included studies were coded, and thematic analysis was used to identify prominent themes. Results 321 studies were included in the final review. Most studies came from North America (37%), Europe (26%) or East Asia, Australia and New Zealand (22%). Low-and middle-income countries were under-represented. Five percent of studies came from Sub-Saharan Africa, and 2% came from South Asia. The prominent factors impacting maternal immunization were provider recommendation, perceived risks and benefits of maternal vaccines for the infant, race, birthplace, and access to healthcare. Few studies explored reasons behind racial and socioeconomic disparities in maternal immunization rates. Discussion A strong provider recommendation, equitable access to prenatal care and messaging that focuses on vaccine safety and infant benefits emerged as the key components for optimising vaccine uptake among pregnant women. Research among healthcare providers, minority groups and in low- and-middle-income countries was lacking. In anticipation of the expansion of maternal immunization programmes, focused research is needed to address these gaps and inform a successful public health strategy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10995-022-03508-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Geoghegan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,University College Dublin School of Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Sydney Shuster
- Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Karina M Butler
- University College Dublin School of Medicine, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.,Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland
| | - Kristen A Feemster
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd., Building 421, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Global Medical and Scientific Affairs, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co., Inc, 351 North Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA, 19454, USA
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Ali I, Sadique S, Ali S. Doctors Dealing With COVID-19 in Pakistan: Experiences, Perceptions, Fear, and Responsibility. Front Public Health 2021; 9:647543. [PMID: 34926360 PMCID: PMC8674424 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.647543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to describe the dealings of 20 biomedical doctors with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in the Sindh province of Pakistan. Focusing on physicians from three different hospitals, we describe their challenges, emotions, and views concerning the pandemic. Many regarded the virus from a biomedical standpoint. Yet some also perceived it as a “tool of a proxy war” and a “plot,” without giving agency to anyone for that “plot.” Furthermore, these care providers faced a great fear of infection and an even greater fear of transmitting the virus to their families and friends. A few also feared stigmatization as viral carriers. Whether they experienced fear or not, all of our physician interlocutors emphasized their sense of responsibility to “serve humanity,” yet some also expressed a strong belief in the inevitability of the will of Allah. Some were satisfied with the role of the government in containing the virus, while others expressed concerns and felt that the government should be doing much more. All expressed confidence in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), viewing it as an effective buffer against viral contagion. We conclude with a call for further research especially ethnographic studies on dealings of physicians with COVID-19 across Pakistan as frontline care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inayat Ali
- Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Salma Sadique
- Community Health Sciences, Peoples University of Medical and Health Science Women, Nawabshah, Pakistan
| | - Shahbaz Ali
- Sindh Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (SIOVS), Hyderabad, Pakistan
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Dhir SK, Dewan P, Gupta P. Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination: Where are We Now? Res Rep Trop Med 2021; 12:247-261. [PMID: 34849046 PMCID: PMC8627318 DOI: 10.2147/rrtm.s201989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) program was envisaged by the World Health Organization to overcome the mortality and morbidity caused by maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT). Although preventable by simple cost-effective practices like universal immunization, clean delivery practices, and healthy umbilical cord care, as of date MNT is still prevalent in 12 developing countries of Asia and Africa. Definitive approaches need to be microplanned by these countries to successfully accomplish the three stages of MNTE, ie, achieving, validating, and sustaining. Once a country achieves MNTE, this status is required to be validated and sustained according to the high-risk and low-risk categorization of the districts. The three-pronged strategies for achieving and sustaining MNTE include (a) rigorous immunization of women of reproductive age with tetanus toxoid-containing vaccines, (b) strengthening of clean delivery services for pregnant women, and (c) effective surveillance for MNT. Although the deadlines for achieving MNTE globally have been missed many times, yet there has been a significant progress to date as evident by 80% reduction in countries requiring validation for MNTE (59 countries in 1999 to 12 countries in 2020). Huge strides have been made in the overall coverage of two doses of tetanus toxoid (13.79% to 65.27%), neonates being protected at birth (12% to 88%), global coverage of third-dose DPT (more than doubled), and reduction of 88% estimated deaths due to NT in the last four decades. Identification of the most vulnerable populations, systematic planning at all levels of health care, involvement of local community support, tackling the implementation gap, strong political will, good financial support, and continued robust surveillance will go a long way in achieving MNTE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashi Kant Dhir
- Department of Pediatrics, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Punjab, India
| | - Pooja Dewan
- Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
| | - Piyush Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India
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Touray E, Barrow A, Kinteh B, Badjie M, Nget M, Touray J, Kinteh SLS, Jatta SPS, Ceesay L. Childhood vaccination uptake and associated factors among children 12-23 months in rural settings of the Gambia: a community-based cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1740. [PMID: 34560877 PMCID: PMC8464143 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11810-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, immunization prevents 2–3 million deaths annually from vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, and measles. In developing countries, several immunization programs have made progress, but the coverage remains a standstill in some areas. In order to inform policies and practices, the present study aimed at assessing vaccination uptake and contextual-associated factors among children aged 12–23 months in rural Gambia. Methods A community-based triangulated cross-sectional design was conducted in January 2020, with 200 caregivers with children aged 12–23 months in selected households in rural communities across Upper River Region of the Gambia using multistage sampling technique were recruited. A structured interview questionnaire was developed and Infant Welfare Cards were assessed to elicit information regarding contextual household characteristics towards childhood immunization uptake. Percentages, chi-square/fisher exact test for variables with p-value ≤0.15 were considered for inclusion into logistic regression model. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. The adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were reported to declare significance. Results The proportion of children who received all the required vaccines was 66%. At the level of antigen-specific coverage, about 88.5% received BCG, 71% received OPV 3, 82.5% received Penta 3, while 72 and 71% received Measles-Rubella and yellow fever, respectively. Caregivers who had primary education level 88.8% (aOR = 0.112; 95% CI = 0.029–0.434), secondary & above 87.2% (aOR = 0.128; 95% CI = 0.029, 0. 561) and arabic/madrassa 95.7% (aOR = 0.043; 95% CI = 0.008–1.227) were less likely to be fully vaccinated when compared to those who have never been to school. Farmers are less likely by 88.9% (aOR = 0.111; 95% CI 0.020, 0.635) while children from family size of more than 20 members had reduced odds (aOR = 0.420; 95% CI = 0.197, 0.894) for their children to complete their vaccination schedule as compared to those with at most 20 household members. Conclusion There is moderately a burden of incomplete vaccination in rural Gambia. Vaccination programs should be constantly monitored and evaluated by the Ministry of Health, especially in rural areas. To increase societal awareness and vaccine acceptance, a robust community-based health education efforts are desperately needed as part of initiatives to increase vaccine service utilization for these high-risk classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebrima Touray
- School of Public Health, Gambia College, Brikama, The Gambia
| | - Amadou Barrow
- School of Public Health, Gambia College, Brikama, The Gambia. .,Department of Public & Environmental Health, School of Medicine & Allied Health Sciences, University of The Gambia, Kanifing, The Gambia.
| | - Bakary Kinteh
- School of Public Health, Gambia College, Brikama, The Gambia
| | - Mansour Badjie
- School of Public Health, Gambia College, Brikama, The Gambia
| | - Musa Nget
- School of Public Health, Gambia College, Brikama, The Gambia
| | - Jainaba Touray
- School of Public Health, Gambia College, Brikama, The Gambia
| | | | | | - Lamin Ceesay
- Regional Health Directorate, Upper River Region, Ministry of Health, Basse Santa Su, The Gambia
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Ali I, Sadique S, Ali S. COVID-19 and Vaccination Campaigns as "Western Plots" in Pakistan: Government Policies, (Geo-)politics, Local Perceptions, and Beliefs. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2021; 6:608979. [PMID: 33969047 PMCID: PMC8102740 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2021.608979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination encounters multiple context-specific challenges-socio-cultural, economic, and political-that substantially affect its uptake. Likewise, natural disasters and health emergencies considerably impact immunization endeavors, such as the coronaviurs 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that has overwhelmed the entire world. It was already anticipated that the pandemic would severely affect Pakistan's vaccination programs due to interruptions in routine vaccination and the overstretching of healthcare systems. Consequently, there are anticipations of outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Yet empirical evidence is missing. Drawing on qualitative research, this article focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on routine vaccination programs in Pakistan. Our data come from a small village located in Pakistan's Sindh province where local people refused the routine polio vaccine that was stopped for a while, then resumed in July 2020. They suspected both the vaccine and COVID-19 to be a "Western plot." We argue that these perceptions and practices can be seen against the backdrop of economic, socio-cultural, and (geo)political forces, which are encoded in "societal memory." Not only is there a need to reverse the significant impacts of COVID-19 on routine vaccination by arranging supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), but also the government must deal with other pressing issues that affect the vaccination programs in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inayat Ali
- Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Salma Sadique
- Community Health Sciences, Peoples University of Medical and Health Science Women, Nawabshah, Pakistan
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Okoli GN, Reddy VK, Al-Yousif Y, Neilson CJ, Mahmud SM, Abou-Setta AM. Sociodemographic and health-related determinants of seasonal influenza vaccination in pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence since 2000. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2021; 100:997-1009. [PMID: 33420724 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vaccination is considered to be the most practical and effective preventative measure against influenza. It is highly recommended for population subgroups most at risk of developing complications, including pregnant women. However, seasonal influenza vaccine uptake remains suboptimal among pregnant women, even in jurisdictions with universal vaccination. We summarized the evidence on the determinants of seasonal influenza vaccine uptake during pregnancy to better understand factors that influence vaccine uptake among pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL from January 2000 to February 2020 for publications in English reporting on sociodemographic and/or health-related determinants of seasonal influenza vaccine uptake during pregnancy. Two reviewers independently included studies. One reviewer extracted data and assessed study quality, and another reviewer checked extracted data and study quality assessments for errors. Disagreements were resolved through consensus, or a third reviewer. We meta-analyzed using the inverse variance, random-effects method, and reported the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS From 1663 retrieved citations, we included 36 studies. The following factors were associated with increased seasonal influenza vaccine uptake: Older age (20 studies: OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.20), being nulliparous (13 studies: OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.15-1.38), married (8 studies: OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.07-1.15), employed (4 studies: OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.24), a non-smoker (8 studies: OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.04-1.51) and having prenatal care (3 studies: OR 3.36, 95% CI 2.25-5.02), a chronic condition (6 studies: OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.17-1.44), been previously vaccinated (9 studies: OR 4.88, 95% CI 3.14-7.57) and living in a rural area (9 studies: OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05-1.14). Compared with being black, being white was also associated with increased seasonal influenza vaccine uptake (11 studies: OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.20-1.41). CONCLUSIONS The evidence suggests that several sociodemographic and health-related factors may determine seasonal influenza vaccination in pregnancy, and that parity, history of influenza vaccination, prenatal care and comorbidity status may be influential.
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Affiliation(s)
- George N Okoli
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,George & Fay Yee Center for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Vaccine and Drug Evaluation Center, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Viraj K Reddy
- George & Fay Yee Center for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Yahya Al-Yousif
- George & Fay Yee Center for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Christine J Neilson
- Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Salaheddin M Mahmud
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Vaccine and Drug Evaluation Center, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Ahmed M Abou-Setta
- George & Fay Yee Center for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed multiple substantial challenges, affecting not only public health but also economic systems, socio-cultural patterns, and political institutions. Studies have focused on the relationships between complex emergencies and natural disasters with outbreaks of infectious diseases. However, there is a dearth of relevant literature on the impact of a global pandemic on vaccination programs - an important topic because delays or stops in such programs are likely to result in outbreaks and epidemics of other infectious diseases. Thus, this article discusses the negative and positive impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic may exert on vaccination for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Negative impacts include the increased risk of VPD outbreaks in low-resource countries where vaccination programs must be temporarily halted to prevent the spread of infection. Positive effects include the strong possibility that the universally-recognized need for a coronavirus vaccine may increase people's appreciation for vaccines in general, resulting in improved vaccination uptake once the pandemic passes. Concerned stakeholders, such as governments and the World Health Organization (WHO), should seize this moment to effectively build on these positive impacts by planning renewed and revitalized post-COVID vaccination programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inayat Ali
- Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Vienna , Vienna Austria
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