COVID-19 knowledge among Ukrainian refugees in Poland

Background

The constantly growing refugee population may constitute public health threat in Poland in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. This study objective was to investigate COVID-19 knowledge among Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out between March-April 2022 among Ukrainian refugees registering in Zielona Góra, Poland. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used which included 10 questions related to COVID-19 knowledge. Each correct answer was given 1 point.

Results

Response rate was 96.0%, 190 Ukrainians responded (mean age 37.8±15.7 years; 42.1% males); 52.1% were living in the cities >50,000 inhabitants; 61.6% reported high SES; 39% higher education; 44.2% were married. The mean knowledge score was 3.47 (SD ± 2.2), 15.8% collected >50% points. The knowledge level was higher among those with higher SES (p < 0.0001) and higher education (p = 0.003); 31.7% stated that SARS-CoV-2 is an animal-human transmitted disease (more with high SES, p = 0.004), 55.0% considered COVID-19 as highly contagious disease (more living in bigger cities, p = 0.04), 26.3% reported that SARS-CoV-2 infection ensures lifetime immunity (more unmarried, p = 0.02); 24.7% correctly stated that compared with 18- to 30-year-olds COVID-19 mortality rate is about 10 times higher in those who are >65 years (more with higher education and high SES; p < 0.05, p = 0.01 respectively), 44.4% - that COVID-19 treatments are now available (more with high SES and higher education; p = 0.03 both). Regarding prevention, 37.0% reported that FFP3 is the most protective type of mask, 43.3% that vaccines effectively protect against COVID-19 (more with high SES; p = 0.006, p < 0.001 respectively).

Conclusions

COVID-19 knowledge among Ukrainian refugees in Poland was far unsatisfactory, in particular among those with lower education and lower SES. Educational campaigns are urgently needed to effectively raise the knowledge level in this vulnerable group to better control the pandemic.

Key messages

• This study results may be used by public health experts to expand educational campaigns targeting Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

• COVID-19 education oriented to Ukrainian refugees in Poland should specifically address deficits of knowledge identified in this study.

High school students’ attitudes towards SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an online cross-sectional survey

Background

Adolescents play a major role in SARS-CoV-2 spread. The study objective was to assess COVID-19 attitudes among Polish final year high school students.

Methods

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2020-March 2021; 24 high schools were randomly selected in Lubuskie region, followed by a random selection of 51 classes. Students' attitudes were assessed by an anonymous questionnaire before an online lecture on SARS-CoV-2.

Results

Response rate was 72%, 638 students responded (360 females, mean age 18.4±0.6 years); 438 attended schools in towns with <100,000 inhabitants; 201 were in the science program; 7.4% reported past SARS-CoV-2 infection (5% females vs 10.8% males; p = 0.006). 52.2% believed COVID-19 is a serious disease (more females, those in larger cities and in the science program, p = 0.02; p < 0.001; p < 0.001 respectively). However, 71.3% were not afraid of getting SARS-CoV-2 infection (more males and those not in the science program, p = 0.0007; p = 0.01 respectively); 59.1% were concerned that their parents and 68.7% their grandparents will get COVID-19 (more females, those in larger cities and in the science program, both: p = 0.0004; p = 0.004; p = 0.0005 respectively). Only 16.5% believed that government recommendations effectively control the epidemic (more in the science program; p = 0.01); 44.6% supported lockdown as an effective strategy (more those in larger cities and in the science program; both: p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The findings show low awareness of SARS-CoV-2 infection risk, deficiencies in appropriate attitudes and lack of trust regarding the epidemic management among the high school students. Given attitudes determine people's actions, to limit SARS-CoV-2 transmission and strengthen positive attitudes further investigation into the factors underlying the lack of risk perception is warranted.

Key messages

The study provides perspectives of youth for policymakers that should be taken into account while implementing educational programs related to COVID-19.

We recommend implementing COVID-19 knowledge into school curricula to improve students’ risk perception and attitudes.

Long-term outcomes of the micronet-covered stent system routine use for carotid revsacularization in stroke prevention: PARADIGM-Extend 5 year evidence

Background

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging indicates that micronet-covered embolic prevention stent system effectively minimizes peri-procedural and prevents lesion-related post-procedural cerebral embolism in carotid artery stenting but long-term clinical evidence is missing.

Purpose

To provide long-term clinical and duplex ultrasound evaluation of safety and efficacy of the system use in consecutive carotid revascularization patients.

Methods

PARADIGM-EXTEND is in all-comer, all-referrals-tracked study with no exclusion criteria other than lack of NeuroVascular Team-determined indication. Clinically asymptomatic patients receive revascularization only in case of increased-stroke-risk characteristics. Adverse events are independently adjudicated.

Results

Currently 451 patients (48–87 years, 59% symptomatic, 127 women) with 490 arteries crossed the first follow-up window of 30 days. There has been 100% micronet-covered embolic prevention stent system use (ie, no other stent type/s used throughout study). Proximal/distal intra-procedural neuroprotection use was 38.3%/61.7%. Large balloon/high-pressure stent optimization was routine, leading to a single-digit (mean 6.9%) residual diameter stenosis. Independent neurologist and duplex evaluation are before and after revascularization (48h and 30 days, then yearly).

Peri-procedural death or major ischemic stroke rate was 0%. One event (prior infarct scar asymptomatic extension in prolonged hypotension course) was adjudicated as minor stroke (0.22%), and there was 1 periprocedural MI (type 2, in 2-vessel non-revascularizable CTO; 0.22%).

By 30 days there were no further ischaemic strokes (0%) but there was 1 haemorrhagic transformation that led to death (0.22%) and 1 bleeding-related death (0.22%). Thus total 30-day death/stroke was 0.66%, and total death/stroke/MI was 0.88%.

By 60 months there were 3 contralateral, 1 ipsilateral (device-unrelated), and 2 posterior circulation strokes. Baseline internal carotid artery velocities were 3.72±1.25 and 0.63±0.69 m/s (peak-systolic and end-diastolic). Post-procedural in-stent velocities were normal and remained normal throughout the 60-month follow-up period: 0.78±040 and 0.21±0.10 (1y); 0.75±0.36 0.19±0.09 (2y); 0.75±0,35 and 0.21±0.09 (3y); 0.72±0.27 and 0.20±0.07 (4y); 0.79±0.58 and 0.21±0.11m/s (5y).

There were 2 in-stent restenoses by 1y (including 1 that occurred with de novo neck radiotherapy) and 1 other by 2y (total 2y in-stent restenosis of 1.1%) but no further ones (0% in-stent restenosis at 2–5y).

Conclusions

PARADIGM-Extend long-term clinical and duplex ultrasound evidence is consistent with normal healing and sustained safety and stroke prevention efficacy of the micronet-covered embolic prevention stent system used routinely, on top of optimized medical therapy, for stroke prevention in symptomatic and increased-stroke-risk asymptomatic subjects with carotid stenosis recommended for revasularization by the NeuroVascular Team.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Jagiellonian University Medical College