Attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine hesitancy and vaccine literacy among unvaccinated young adults

Background Herd immunity is necessary to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Unfortunately, attaining herd immunity is a significant challenge for current healthcare systems worldwide, and the prevalence of hesitancy toward COVID-19 remains high. The aim of this study was to determine pandemic vaccine hesitancy, attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine literacy level in vaccination period among unvaccinated young adults. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out in the province of Çorum in Turkey. Unvaccinated young adults (n=860) between the ages of 18-30 studying medicine and non-medical sciences of a university were included in the study. Socio-demographic form, and the scales on Pandemic Vaccine Hesitancy, Attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine literacy were used to collect the research data. The data were analyzed using percentages, median values, regression analysis. Results The study was completed with 860 participants. In the group, 73.8% were 18-24 years 67.7% were women and 68.0% were infected with the virus. The median scores from the pandemic vaccine hesitancy scale, vaccine literacy and vaccine attitudes were 33, 27 and 30 respectively. Use of social media in daily, vaccine literacy and COVID-19 vaccine attitude were effective factors on pandemic vaccine hesitancy (p<0.05). Negative attitude to vaccines was the most influenced risk factor of vaccine hesitancy (Beta = 0.248). Conclusion Pandemic vaccine hesitancy is a phenomenon that coincides with low vaccine literacy and negative attitudes towards vaccines. COVID-19 vaccination information campaigns should promote group strategies, focusing on emphasising the safety of the vaccine and offer reassurance

The association of functional mitral regurgitation and anemia in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

Background: We investigated the association between anemia and functional mitral regurgitation (MR) in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with sinus rhythm and normal renal function. Methods: Sixty non-ischemic DCM patients with sinus rhythm and left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% were recruited. Functional MR was quantified with the proximal isovelocity surface area method. MR was graded according to the mitral regurgitant volume (Reg Vol) or effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) area. The clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic correlates of functional MR severity were investigated in patients with DCM. Results: Hemoglobin degrees were significantly different between various MR levels (mild MR 13.9 &#177; 1.7 mg/dL, moderate MR 12.3 &#177; 1.5 mg/dL, moderate to severe MR 10.8 &#177; 0.9 mg/dL). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the utility of hemoglobin levels to predict moderate or severe functional MR. A hemoglobin level less than 12.5 mg/dL predicted moderate or high MR with 80% sensitivity and 58% specificity (AUC: 0.789, 95% CI: 0.676&#8211;0.901, p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors of moderate or severe levels of MR. The left atrium diameter (OR: 19.3, 95% CI: 1.4-27.1, p = 0.028) and presence of anemia (OR: 11.9, 95% CI: 1.22-42.5, p = 0.0045) were independent predictors of moderate or severe functional MR. Conclusions: The presence of anemia and enlarged left atrium are independent predictors of moderate or severe functional MR in non-ischemic DCM patients with normal renal function. Hemoglobin levels less than 12.5 mg/dL should alert the physician for the presence of moderate or severe MR in patients with DCM. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 3: 274-280