COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Azuay province, Ecuador : a cross-sectional online survey

We investigated the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance level in Azuay province, Ecuador through an online survey from 12th to 26th February (before the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ecuador). Overall, 1219 respondents participated in the survey. The mean age was 32 ± 13 years; 693 participants (57%) were female. In total, 1109 (91%) of the participants indicated they were willing to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, if the vaccine is at least 95% effective; 835 (68.5%) if it is 90% effective and 493 (40.5%) if it is 70% effective; 676 (55.5%) participants indicated they feared side effects and 237 (19.4%) thought the vaccine was not effective. Older age, having had a postgraduate education, a history of a negative COVID-19 test, a high level of worry of contracting COVID-19, believing that COVID-19 infection can be prevented with a vaccine and understanding there is currently an effective vaccine against COVID-19 were associated with higher vaccination acceptance. A vaccination education campaign will be needed to increase the knowledge of Ecuadorians about the COVID-19 vaccine and to increase their trust in the vaccine. People with a lower education level and living in rural areas may need to be targeted during such a campaign

Aceptación de la vacuna COVID-19 en la provincia de Azuay, Ecuador: una encuesta transversal en línea

Investigamos el nivel de aceptación de la vacuna COVID-19 en la provincia de Azuay, Ecuador, a través de una encuesta en línea del 12 al 26 de febrero (antes del inicio de la campaña de vacunación COVID-19 en Ecuador). En total, 1219 encuestados participaron en la encuesta. La edad media fue de 32 ± 13 años; 693 participantes (57%) eran mujeres. En total, 1109 (91%) de los participantes indicaron que estaban dispuestos a ser vacunados con una vacuna COVID-19, si la vacuna tiene al menos un 95% de efectividad; 835 (68,5%) si tiene una eficacia del 90% y 493 (40,5%) si tiene una eficacia del 70%; 676 (55,5%) participantes indicaron que temían efectos secundarios y 237 (19,4%) pensaron que la vacuna no era eficaz. Edad avanzada, haber tenido una educación de posgrado, antecedentes de una prueba de COVID-19 negativa, un alto nivel de preocupación de contraer COVID-19, creer que la infección por COVID-19 se puede prevenir con una vacuna y comprender que actualmente existe una vacuna efectiva contra COVID-19 se asociaron con una mayor aceptación de la vacunación. Será necesaria una campaña de educación sobre vacunación para aumentar el conocimiento de los ecuatorianos sobre la vacuna COVID-19 y aumentar su confianza en la vacuna. Es posible que las personas con un nivel educativo más bajo y que viven en áreas rurales deban ser seleccionadas durante una campaña de este tipo.We investigated the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance level in Azuay province, Ecuador through an online survey from 12th to 26th February (before the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ecuador). Overall, 1219 respondents participated in the survey. The mean age was 32 ± 13 years; 693 participants (57%) were female. In total, 1109 (91%) of the participants indicated they were willing to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, if the vaccine is at least 95% effective; 835 (68.5%) if it is 90% effective and 493 (40.5%) if it is 70% effective; 676 (55.5%) participants indicated they feared side effects and 237 (19.4%) thought the vaccine was not effective. Older age, having had a postgraduate education, a history of a negative COVID-19 test, a high level of worry of contracting COVID-19, believing that COVID-19 infection can be prevented with a vaccine and understanding there is currently an effective vaccine against COVID-19 were associated with higher vaccination acceptance. A vaccination education campaign will be needed to increase the knowledge of Ecuadorians about the COVID-19 vaccine and to increase their trust in the vaccine. People with a lower education level and living in rural areas may need to be targeted during such a campaign

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Adherence to Preventive Measures in Cuenca, Ecuador, October 2020, a Cross-Sectional Study

A door-to-door survey was organised in Cuenca, Ecuador, to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 infection and adherence of the population to COVID-19 preventive measures. A total of 2457 persons participated in the study; 584 (23.7%) reported having experienced at least one flu-like symptom since the onset of the pandemic. The maximum SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Cuenca was 13.2% (CI: 12–14.6%) (IgM or IgG positive). Considering PCR confirmed infections, the prevalence was 11% (CI: 10–12.4%). There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between rural and urban areas. Participants aged 35–49 years old, living with a COVID-19 positive person, at least six people in a household, physical contact with someone outside the household, a contact with a person outside the home with flu-like symptoms, using public transport, and not having enough resources for living, significantly increased the odds for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Overall, there was good adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Having known someone who tested positive for COVID-19, having a primary or secondary level of education, and having enough resources for living, significantly increased the odds for higher adherence. In conclusion, despite good overall adherence of the population of Cuenca with COVID-19 preventive measures, our study suggests high ongoing COVID-19 transmission in Cuenca, particularly in certain parishes. Prevention should not only focus on behavioural change, but on intensified testing strategies in demographical risk groups

Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers in Brazil between August and November 2020 : a cross-sectional survey

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCW) have been subjected to greater workloads. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Brazilian HCW. Data were collected between 11 August and 1 November 2020. Of the 295 respondents, 95 (32.2%) were medical doctors, 82 (27.8%) administrative staff, 53 (18.0%) nurses, 27 (9.2%) laboratory staff, and 38 (12.9%) were other staff. COVID-19-related restructuring at the health facilities was reported by 207 (70.2%) respondents, and 69 (23.4%) had their tasks changed. Preventive measures were well respected when seeing suspected patients. Overall, 167 (56.6%) HCW screened positive for anxiety and 137 (46.4%) for depression; 109 (36.9%) screened positive for both conditions. Of the 217 (73.6%) HCW who had been tested for COVID-19, at least one positive result was reported in 49 (22.6%). Following a positive COVID-19 test, 45/49 (91.8%) stopped working and stayed home. In conclusion, we found a high incidence of COVID-19 infection among Brazilian HCW with high rates of anxiety and depression despite a good self-reported adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. As such, our study highlights the urgent need for interventions to mitigate the psychosocial risks HCW in Brazil encounter during the COVID-19 pandemic

Seroprevalence of sars-cov-2 infection and adherence to preventive measures in cuenca, ecuador, october 2020, a cross-sectional study

A door-to-door survey was organised in Cuenca, Ecuador, to determine the prevalence ofCOVID-19 infection and adherence of the population to COVID-19 preventive measures. A total of2457 persons participated in the study; 584 (23.7%) reported having experienced at least one flu-likesymptom since the onset of the pandemic. The maximum SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Cuenca was13.2% (CI: 12–14.6%) (IgM or IgG positive). Considering PCR confirmed infections, the prevalencewas 11% (CI: 10–12.4%). There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between rural andurban areas. Participants aged 35–49 years old, living with a COVID-19 positive person, at leastsix people in a household, physical contact with someone outside the household, a contact with aperson outside the home with flu-like symptoms, using public transport, and not having enoughresources for living, significantly increased the odds for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Overall, therewas good adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Having known someone who tested positivefor COVID-19, having a primary or secondary level of education, and having enough resources forliving, significantly increased the odds for higher adherence. In conclusion, despite good overalladherence of the population of Cuenca with COVID-19 preventive measures, our study suggests highongoing COVID-19 transmission in Cuenca, particularly in certain parishes. Prevention should notonly focus on behavioural change, but on intensified testing strategies in demographical risk group

Adherence to COVID-19 Prevention Measures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Results of Two Consecutive Online Surveys

Adherence to preventive measures is essential to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Two online surveys were conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 23 April to 8 June 2020, and from August 24th to September 8th, respectively. A total of 3268 (round 1) and 4160 (round 2) participants were included. In both surveys, there was a moderate level of adherence to regular handwashing (85% and 77%, respectively), wearing of facemasks (41.4% and 69%, respectively), and respecting physical distancing (58% and 43.4%, respectively). The second survey found that, working in private (OR = 2.31, CI: 1.66–3.22; p < 0.001) and public organizations (OR = 1.61, CI: 1.04–2.49; p = 0.032) and being a healthcare worker (OR = 2.19, CI: 1.57–3.05; p < 0.001) significantly increased the odds for better adherence. However, a unit increase in age (OR = 0.99, CI: 0.98–0.99; p < 0.026), having attained lower education levels (OR = 0.60, CI: 0.46–0.78; p < 0.001), living in a room (OR = 0.36, CI: 0.15–0.89; p = 0.027), living in a studio (OR = 0.26, CI: 0.11–0.61; p = 0.002) and apartment (OR = 0.29, CI: 0.10–0.82; p = 0.019) significantly decreased the odds for better adherence. We recommend a multi-sectorial approach to monitor and respond to the pandemic threat. While physical distancing may be difficult in Africa, it should be possible to increase the use of facemasks

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

We investigated the level of willingness for COVID-19 vaccination in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Data were collected between 24 August 2020 and 8 September 2020 through an online survey. A total of 4131 responses were included; mean age of respondents was 35 years (standard deviation: 11.5); 68.4% were females; 71% had elementary or secondary school education. One fourth (24.1%) were convinced that COVID-19 did not exist. Overall, 2310 (55.9%) indicated they were willing to be vaccinated. In a multivariable regression model, belonging to the middle and high-income category (OR = 1.85, CI: 1.46-2.35 and OR = 2.91, CI: 2.15-3.93, respectively), being tested for COVID-19 (OR = 4.71, CI: 3.62-6.12; < 0.001), COVID-19 community vaccine acceptance (OR = 14.45, CI: 2.91-71.65; = 0.001) and acknowledging the existence of COVID-19 (OR = 6.04, CI: 4.42-8.23; < 0.001) were associated with an increased willingness to be vaccinated. Being a healthcare worker was associated with a decreased willingness for vaccination (OR = 0.46, CI: 0.36-0.58; < 0.001). In conclusion, the current willingness for COVID-19 vaccination among citizens of the DRC is too low to dramatically decrease community transmission. Of great concern is the low intention of immunization among healthcare workers. A large sensitization campaign will be needed to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance