1
|
Bethke N, O'Sullivan JL, Keller J, von Bernuth H, Gellert P, Seybold J. Increasing vaccinations through an on-site school-based education and vaccination program: A city-wide cluster randomized controlled trial. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2024. [PMID: 38299711 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12528] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Vaccination rates for mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) and tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio (Tdap-IPV) fall short of global targets, highlighting the need for vaccination interventions. This study examines the effectiveness of a city-wide school-based educational vaccination intervention as part of an on-site vaccination program aimed at increasing MMR and Tdap-IPV vaccination rates versus on-site vaccination alone among sociodemographically diverse students from Berlin, Germany. The study was a 1:1 two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial, with schools randomly assigned to either the Educational Class Condition (ECC) or the Low-Intensity Information Condition (LIIC). Both received an on-site vaccination program, while students in the ECC received an additional educational unit. Primary outcomes were MMR and Tdap-IPV vaccination rates. In total, 6512 students from 25 randomly selected urban area secondary schools participated. For students providing their vaccination documents on the day of the intervention (2273, 34.9%), adjusted Poisson mixed models revealed significant between-group differences in favor of the ECC (MMR: logRR = 0.47, 95%CI [0.01,0.92], RR = 1.59; Tdap-IPV: logRR = 0.28, 95%CI [0.10,0.47], RR = 1.32). When adjusting for socioeconomic and migration background, between-group differences became non-significant for MMR but remained significant for Tdap-IPV. Findings suggest that educational, school-based on-site vaccination appears to be a promising strategy for increasing vaccination uptake in adolescents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Norma Bethke
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julie L O'Sullivan
- Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Berlin/Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jan Keller
- Division of Health Psychology, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Horst von Bernuth
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Labor Berlin GmbH, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Gellert
- Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Berlin/Potsdam, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Brandt A, Breucker L, Keller J, Corman VM, Bethke N, Seybold J. Seropositivity and flight-associated risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection among asylum seekers arriving in Berlin, Germany - a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1134546. [PMID: 37377551 PMCID: PMC10291620 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1134546] [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: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Refugees and asylum seekers might be at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection due to precarious living conditions during flight. Methods Between March 24th and June 15th 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study among adult asylum seekers arriving in Berlin. Each participant was tested for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection with a nasopharyngeal swab using reverse transcriptase PCR (rt-PCR), and for anti-SARS-CoV-2-S1 IgG antibodies using ELISA. Seropositivity, antibody avidity, and data on flight history were used to categorize individuals into two groups according to the estimated time of infection before or during flight. Sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 related symptoms, hygiene behaviors, and living conditions during transit were assessed using two self-report questionnaires. Results Among 1041 participants (34·5% female, mean age 32·6 years), most frequently reported countries of origin were Moldova (20·5%), Georgia (18·9%), Syria (13·0%), Afghanistan (11·3%), and Vietnam (9·1%). Seropositivity rate was 25·1% and incidence rate of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection was 2·8%. A higher likelihood for seropositivity was observed in women (OR [95%CI]=1·64 [1·05-2·57]) but reduced by frequent hygiene behaviors (OR [95%CI]=0·75 [0·59-0·96]) or traveling by plane (OR [95%CI]=0·58 [0·35-0·96]). Other associated factors were lower educational level, accommodation in refugee shelters, traveling with children or by foot, and COVID-19 information seeking. Conclusion Flight-associated risk factors such as accommodation in a refugee shelter and poor hygiene behaviors are associated with an elevated risk of infection, which should be addressed by public health interventions. Clinical trial registration [https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17401860], identifier [17401860].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariadne Brandt
- Medical Directorate, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lena Breucker
- Medical Directorate, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Keller
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Max Corman
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Charité, Berlin, Germany
- Labor Berlin – Charité Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Norma Bethke
- Medical Directorate, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Theuring S, van Loon W, Hommes F, Bethke N, Mall MA, Kurth T, Seybold J, Mockenhaupt FP. Psychosocial wellbeing of Berlin school children during the COVID-19 pandemic, June 2020-March 2021. Eur J Public Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckac130.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have affected the wellbeing of school children worldwide. Specific problems evolving during the pandemic, their extent and duration haveńt been sufficiently explored yet. We aimed at describing school childreńs psychosocial and behavioral parameters and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Berlin, Germany.
Methods
Our longitudinal study included students from 24 randomly selected Berlin primary and secondary schools, assessing psychosocial wellbeing and behaviors at four time points between June 2020 and March 2021. We analyzed temporal changes in the proportions of anxiety, fear of infection, reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical activity and social contacts, as well as sociodemographic and economic factors associated with anxiety, fear of infection and HRQoL.
Results
Of initially 384 recruited students, 324 still participated in the fourth study round after nine months. During the observation period, presence of anxiety symptoms increased from 26.2% (96/367) to 34.6% (62/179), and fear of infection from 28.6% (108/377) to 40.6% (73/180). The proportion of children with limited social contacts (<1/week) increased from 16.4% (61/373) to 23.5% (42/179). Low physical activity (<3 times sports/week) was consistent over time. Low HRQoL was observed among 44% (77/174). Factors associated with anxiety were female sex, increasing age, secondary school attendance, lower household income, and presence of adults with anxiety symptoms in the student's household. Fear of infection and low HRQoL were associated with anxiety.
Conclusions
A substantial proportion of school children experienced unfavorable psychosocial conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021. In particular, students from households with limited social and financial resilience require special attention.
Key messages
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Theuring
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin , Berlin, Germany
| | - W van Loon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin , Berlin, Germany
| | - F Hommes
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin , Berlin, Germany
| | - N Bethke
- Medical Directorate, Charité-Universitätsmedizin , Berlin, Germany
| | - MA Mall
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Charité- Universitätsmedizin , Berlin, Germany
| | - T Kurth
- Institute of Public Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin , Berlin, Germany
| | - J Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité-Universitätsmedizin , Berlin, Germany
| | - FP Mockenhaupt
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin , Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Theuring S, van Loon W, Hommes F, Bethke N, Mall MA, Kurth T, Seybold J, Mockenhaupt FP. Psychosocial Wellbeing of Schoolchildren during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Berlin, Germany, June 2020 to March 2021. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph191610103. [PMID: 36011738 PMCID: PMC9407732 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions have affected the wellbeing of schoolchildren worldwide, but the extent and duration of specific problems are still not completely understood. We aimed to describe students’ psychosocial and behavioral parameters and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Berlin, Germany. Our longitudinal study included 384 students from 24 randomly selected Berlin primary and secondary schools, assessing psychosocial wellbeing at four time points between June 2020 and March 2021. We analyzed temporal changes in the proportions of anxiety, fear of infection, reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical activity and social contacts, as well as sociodemographic and economic factors associated with anxiety, fear of infection and HRQoL. During the observation period, the presence of anxiety symptoms increased from 26.2% (96/367) to 34.6% (62/179), and fear of infection from 28.6% (108/377) to 40.6% (73/180). The proportion of children with limited social contacts (<1/week) increased from 16.4% (61/373) to 23.5% (42/179). Low physical activity (<3 times sports/week) was consistent over time. Low HRQoL was observed among 44% (77/174) of children. Factors associated with anxiety were female sex, increasing age, secondary school attendance, lower household income, and the presence of adults with anxiety symptoms in the student´s household. Fear of infection and low HRQoL were associated with anxiety. A substantial proportion of schoolchildren experienced unfavorable psychosocial conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021. Students from households with limited social and financial resilience require special attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Theuring
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-450-565767
| | - Welmoed van Loon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Hommes
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Norma Bethke
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus A. Mall
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Kurth
- Institute of Public Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank P. Mockenhaupt
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bethke N, Gellert P, Knoll N, Weber N, Seybold J. A school-based educational on-site vaccination intervention for adolescents in an urban area in Germany: feasibility and psychometric properties of instruments in a pilot study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:60. [PMID: 35012511 PMCID: PMC8744022 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12443-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vaccination rates for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio (Tdap-IPV) are not optimal among German adolescents. Education in combination with easy access to vaccination may be a promising approach to improve vaccination rates. The present paper describes a pilot study of a planned cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) in which we aim to improve MMR and Tdap-IPV vaccination rates together with knowledge and self-efficacy in a school setting. Methods The study covered 863 students from 41 classes of four schools. The optimization and feasibility of access to schools, recruitment strategies, intervention, and assessment procedures were examined. The course and content of the educational unit were evaluated with a mixed-methods approach. A pre-post measurement design was tested for the vaccination rate in all schools. Additionally, at two schools, improvement in vaccination-related knowledge and perceived self-efficacy were measured by questionnaire pre-educational unit (n=287) and post-educational unit (n=293). The remaining two schools provided only postintervention data. Finally, we evaluated the psychometric properties (i.e., reliability, retest reliability, and change rates) of the questionnaire, applying Cronbach’s alpha, factor analyses, generalized estimating equations and linear mixed models. Results The findings of the pilot study indicated good feasibility. Of the total sample, 437 students (50.9%) brought their vaccination cards to school, 68 students received Tdap-IPV vaccinations, and 11 received MMR vaccinations. Out of six knowledge questions, on average, the students had M=2.84 (95% CI [2.69, 3.10]) correct answers before and M=4.45 (95% CI [4.26, 4.64]) after the class. Ranging from 1 to 4, the self-efficacy scale changed by 0.3 points (p <.001); Cronbach’s alpha was 0.67 and 0.76 pre- and post-educational unit, respectively, and a one-factor solution was found. Content analysis of the five semistructured group interviews (n=12, 58.3% female) showed that all students found the length of the intervention to be appropriate. The teaching methods, including interactive and social media components, were perceived as very good. Conclusions A school-based educational and on-site vaccination intervention appears to be feasible in terms of procedures and the adequacy of the instruments for the adolescent target group. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN18026662. Pilot study for main trial registered 8 December 2017. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-12443-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Norma Bethke
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Paul Gellert
- Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nina Knoll
- Division of Health Psychology, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Niklas Weber
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.,Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hommes F, van Loon W, Thielecke M, Abramovich I, Lieber S, Hammerich R, Gehrke-Beck S, Linzbach E, Schuster A, von dem Busche K, Theuring S, Gertler M, Equihua Martinez G, Richter J, Bergmann C, Bölke A, Böhringer F, Mall MA, Rosen A, Krannich A, Keller J, Bethke N, Kurzmann M, Kurth T, Kirchberger V, Seybold J, Mockenhaupt FP. SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Risk Perception, Behaviour and Preventive Measures at Schools in Berlin, Germany, during the Early Post-Lockdown Phase: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18052739. [PMID: 33800392 PMCID: PMC7967466 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Briefly before the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Berlin, Germany, schools closed in mid-March 2020. Following re-opening, schools resumed operation at a reduced level for nine weeks. During this phase, we aimed at assessing, among students and teachers, infection status, symptoms, individual behaviour, and institutional infection prevention measures. Twenty-four primary and secondary school classes, randomly selected across Berlin, were examined. Oro-nasopharyngeal swabs and capillary blood samples were collected to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection (PCR) and specific IgG (ELISA), respectively. Medical history, household characteristics, leisure activities, fear of infection, risk perception, hand hygiene, facemask wearing, and institutional preventive measures were assessed. Descriptive analysis was performed. Among 535 participants (385 students, 150 staff), one teenager was found to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 (0.2%), and seven individuals exhibited specific IgG (1.3%). Compared to pre-pandemic times, screen time (e.g., TV, gaming, social media) increased, and the majority of primary school students reported reduced physical activity (42.2%). Fear of infection and risk perception were relatively low, acceptance of adapted health behaviors was high. In this post-lockdown period of low SARS-CoV-2 incidence in Berlin, individual and school-level infection prevention measures were largely adhered to. Nevertheless, vigilance and continued preventive measures are essential to cope with future pandemic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Hommes
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Welmoed van Loon
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
| | - Marlene Thielecke
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
| | - Igor Abramovich
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (I.A.); (S.L.)
| | - Sascha Lieber
- Clinic for Anesthesiology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (I.A.); (S.L.)
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (N.B.); (M.K.); (V.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Ralf Hammerich
- Clinical Quality and Risk Management, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Sabine Gehrke-Beck
- Institute of General Practice, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.G.-B.); (A.S.)
| | - Elisabeth Linzbach
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
| | - Angela Schuster
- Institute of General Practice, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (S.G.-B.); (A.S.)
| | - Katja von dem Busche
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Stefanie Theuring
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
| | - Maximilian Gertler
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
| | - Gabriela Equihua Martinez
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
| | - Joachim Richter
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
| | - Clara Bergmann
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
| | - Alisa Bölke
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
| | - Falko Böhringer
- Labor Berlin—Charité Vivantes Services GmbH, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Marcus A. Mall
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.A.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Alexander Rosen
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (M.A.M.); (A.R.)
| | - Alexander Krannich
- Clinical Study Center, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Jan Keller
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Norma Bethke
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (N.B.); (M.K.); (V.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Marco Kurzmann
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (N.B.); (M.K.); (V.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Tobias Kurth
- Institute of Public Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Valerie Kirchberger
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (N.B.); (M.K.); (V.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (N.B.); (M.K.); (V.K.); (J.S.)
| | - Frank P. Mockenhaupt
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany; (W.v.L.); (M.T.); (E.L.); (S.T.); (M.G.); (G.E.M.); (J.R.); (C.B.); (A.B.); (F.P.M.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Childhood vaccination programmes have been established in all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries; however, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) as well as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio (Tdap-IPV) vaccination rates are not optimal in adolescents. Education in combination with easy access vaccination may be a promising approach to improve vaccination rates. We aim at improving MMR and Tdap-IPV rates in a school setting in the context of a planned cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT), the present paper describes the detailed protocol of this trial. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will conduct a school-based cRCT, where schools will be randomised to either an educational condition addressing knowledge, risk communication and enhancing self-efficacy regarding vaccination or a low-intensity information condition. In both conditions, a bus equipped with medical staff and materials, will be delivering MMR and Tdap-IPV vaccine directly after the intervention. Schools in the city centre of Berlin, Germany, will be stratified by percentage of migration and type of school. Primary outcome is the number of students who receive vaccination in the bus. Secondary outcomes are knowledge and self-efficacy. An estimated sample size of 355 school classes with approximately 25 students per class is required. The planned analyses will take the nested structure of students, classes and schools into account. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study will be performed according to the principles of Good Clinical Practice and the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was obtained by the local ethics committee. Parents of all students will be informed in advance. Their written consent will be obtained, in case students are underage. For dissemination, we will engage with governmental organisations to create potential of our educational unit to be included in future public health prevention schemes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN18026662;Pre-results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Gellert
- Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Norma Bethke
- Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Seybold
- Medical Directorate, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
|