Misconceptions Regarding COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy, an Obstacle in the Light of Pandemic in Rural Community Lahore, Pakistan

Introduction: Instantly after declaring COVID-19 as a pandemic, many conspiracy theories sprouted through word of mouth and social media. Pakistan is vulnerable to such conspiracy narratives and has experienced failures of polio vaccination programs due to such claims. Recently, two well-known political figures raised voice against COVID-19 vaccines in Pakistan, stating that COVID-19 is a grand illusion by non-Muslims and a great agenda against Muslim countries. This theory is much discussed in the local community, supporting COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The current crises created by the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting all dimensions of life. Vaccines have been developed to fight the pandemic and prevent the corona virus. Misperceptions about vaccines persist despite the evidence of vaccine safety. The study aims to identify the misconceptions of the general public of Malikpur community towards COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and also different conspiracy theories, acceptance, and preference for the COVID-19 vaccine. This study is conducted in Malikpur a rural Community Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out through an adaptive questionnaire on a representative random sample of 98 resident of above 18 years old from Malikpur community, Lahore Pakistan. The SPSS software was utilized for statistical data analysis. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion: This study revealed the existence of conspiracy beliefs regarding the COVID-19 vaccine spread by the social media and word of mouth in Malikpur Community Lahore, Pakistan. These beliefs are posing a major threat to the upcoming immunization program for the control of COVID-19 in Pakistan. We urge healthcare authorities in Pakistan to take measures against such claims before they penetrate to the general community. Anti-vaccine actions could undermine efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that ethical and responsible conduct of mass media, a careful advisory from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, measures from healthcare authorities, practical maneuvers to increase public awareness and publication of beliefs and opinions from health professionals will help in neutralizing such misleading claims. Because Pakistan is experiencing an overload of disease, with a rise in confirmed cases, immediate action is important to eradicate any possible barriers to a future COVID-19 vaccination program. Results: Many people of Malikpur Community has misconception regarding COVID-19 vaccine that is need to be eradicated as soon as possible otherwise pandemic will not end. Keywords: Pandemic, Corona Virus, Polio vaccination, Conspiracy theories, Vaccine, Health authorities, Regulatory authorities, Anti-vaccine, Covid-19, pandemic. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/102-05 Publication date:October 31st 202

Comparison Among QuinoloneMICs for Resistant Escherichia coli, S.aureusand P. aeruginosa

Background: To compare the efficiency of second generation fluoroquinolones, i.e., ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and enoxacin with third generation fluroquinolones, i.e, sparfloxacin .Method: Four fluoroquinolones(FQs), ciprofloxacin(CIP) enoxacin(ENX), ofloxacin(OFX), sparfloxacin(SPX) and three prevalent human pathogens were studied in clinical isolates of pus, urine and high vaginal discharge. Susceptibility to CIP, ENX, OFX and SPX was determined. These isolates were E.coli (203), S.aureus (194) and P.aeruginosa (106). From this pilot project the isolates which showed resistance to all FQs were chosen.The MICs of fluoroquinolones were determined by agar dilution method for these isolates.They were E.coli(n=79), S.aureus(n=34) and P.aeruginosa(n=20). The concentrations at which 50% and ,90% isolates were inhibited, (MIC50 & MIC90) were calculated. Also percentage of isolates inhibited at specific concentration of antibiotics was noted.Result. Lowest MICs were found by sparfloxacin (MIC50/ MIC90, E. coli > 64/512 μg/ml, S. aureus 64/ < 1024 μg/ml, P. aeruginosa = 64/256 μg/ml) and highest MICs, were of enoxacin among all the three isolates (MIC50/ MIC90 E. coli > 512 / < 2048 μg/ml, S. aureus 512/<2048 μg/ml. P. aerugionsa 512/>1024).Conclusion:Although the fluoroquinolones can be considered equivalent with regard to clinical susceptibility or resistance, fluoroquinolone MICs differ dramatically for fluoroquinolone-resistant because of differences in drug structure. Resistance was highest against enoxacin and was least against sparfloxacin. P. aeruginosa particularly showed low level of resistivity

Evaluation of Resistance in Clinical Isolates of E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa against β-lactam Antibiotics and Gentamicin

Background: To study the susceptibility pattern of β-lactam antibiotics and gentamicin in pathogenic clinical isolates with reference to the site of infection. Methods: In this descriptive study three prevalent clinical isolates were selected i.e., Escherichia coli, (n = 203) Staphylococcus aureus (n = 194) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 106). These were isolated from urine, pus, high vaginal swabs, and a miscellaneous group, comprised of blood and fluid. The antibiotics included in the study were from β-lactam group and gentamicin. Results: E. coli was mostly isolated from urine (n = 124), while S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were mostly isolated from pus samples. Among β-lactams the activity of imipenem was highly sensitive against all isolates as only 2.66 % of E. coli, 5.8% of S. aureus and none of P. aeruginosa isolates were resistant to imipenem. Highest resistance in these isolates was against ampicillin, where S. aureus was rather sensitive to this drug (44% ) as compared to E. coli (15% sensitivity) and P. aeruginosa (13%). Staphylococcus aureus isolates were more sensitive to amoxicillin/clavulanate (75%) as compared to E. coli (58%) & P. aeruginosa (41%). Pipracillin/tazobactam and 3rd generation cephalosporins were also comparatively more sensitive (10-20% resistance). Staphylococcus aureus isolates showed 76% sensitivity against gentamicin while 72% of P. aeruginosa isolates and 65% of E. coli isolates were sensitive to this drug