Satisfaction of lower limb amputees with their prostheses and with the clinical services- a cross-sectional survey

Objective: To evaluate the amputees’ satisfaction with their prostheses and with the clinical services. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Medical Rehabilitation Hospital, Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from August 2018 to November 2019, and comprised unilateral, traumatic lower limb amputees. Data was collected using the client satisfaction with the device, and the client satisfaction with service modules of the Orthotics and Prosthetics User's Survey instrument. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Result: Of the 220 subjects, 43(19.54%) were transfemoral amputees; 37(86%) males with a mean age of 51.9±12.7 years, and 6(14%) females with mean age 51.9±12.7 years. There were 168(76.36%) transtibial amputees; 146(87%) males with mean age 51.7±12.9 years, and 22(13%) females with mean age 54.1±12.7 years. Besides, there were 9(4.09%) female partial-foot amputees with a mean age of 36.0± 6.5 years. Overall, 165(75%) subjects were satisfied with the durability of their prostheses, and 213(97%) were satisfied with the service standard. Conclusion: Most of the participants were generally satisfied with their prostheses, and almost all of them were generally satisfied with the clinical services. Key Words: Amputees, Artificial limb, Lower extremity, Patient satisfaction, Rehabilitation centres, Surveys, Questionnaire

Attitudes towards vaccines and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19: a cross-sectional analysis - implications for public health communications in Australia

Objective To examine SARS-CoV-2 vaccine confidence, attitudes and intentions in Australian adults as part of the iCARE Study. Design and setting Cross-sectional online survey conducted when free COVID-19 vaccinations first became available in Australia in February 2021. Participants Total of 1166 Australians from general population aged 18-90 years (mean 52, SD of 19). Main outcome measures Primary outcome: responses to question € If a vaccine for COVID-19 were available today, what is the likelihood that you would get vaccinated?'. Secondary outcome: analyses of putative drivers of uptake, including vaccine confidence, socioeconomic status and sources of trust, derived from multiple survey questions. Results Seventy-eight per cent reported being likely to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Higher SARS-CoV-2 vaccine intentions were associated with: increasing age (OR: 2.01 (95% CI 1.77 to 2.77)), being male (1.37 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.72)), residing in least disadvantaged area quintile (2.27 (95% CI 1.53 to 3.37)) and a self-perceived high risk of getting COVID-19 (1.52 (95% CI 1.08 to 2.14)). However, 72% did not believe they were at a high risk of getting COVID-19. Findings regarding vaccines in general were similar except there were no sex differences. For both the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and vaccines in general, there were no differences in intentions to vaccinate as a function of education level, perceived income level and rurality. Knowing that the vaccine is safe and effective and that getting vaccinated will protect others, trusting the company that made it and vaccination recommended by a doctor were reported to influence a large proportion of the study cohort to uptake the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Seventy-eight per cent reported the intent to continue engaging in virus-protecting behaviours (mask wearing, social distancing, etc) postvaccine. Conclusions Most Australians are likely to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Key influencing factors identified (eg, knowing vaccine is safe and effective, and doctor's recommendation to get vaccinated) can inform public health messaging to enhance vaccination rates