Factors associated with early uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers in Azerbaijan, 2021.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated uptake and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination among health workers (HWs) in Azerbaijan. RESULTS: Among 1575 HWs, 73% had received at least one dose, and 67% received two doses; all received CoronaVac. Factors associated with vaccination uptake included no previous COVID-19 infection, older age, belief in the vaccine's safety, previous vaccination for influenza, having patient-facing roles and good or excellent health by self-assessment. CONCLUSION: These findings could inform strategies to increase vaccination uptake as the campaign continues

Methodology and implementation of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI)

Establishment of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI)has resulted in a surveillance system which provides regular, reliable, timely, andaccurate data on children's weight status—through standardized measurement ofbodyweight and height—in the WHO European Region. Additional data on dietaryintake, physical activity, sedentary behavior, family background, and schoolenvironments are collected in several countries. In total, 45 countries in the EuropeanRegion have participated in COSI. The first five data collection rounds, between 2007and 2021, yielded measured anthropometric data on over 1.3 million children. In COSI,data are collected according to a common protocol, using standardized instrumentsand procedures. The systematic collection and analysis of these data enables inter-country comparisons and reveals differences in the prevalence of childhood thinness,overweight, normal weight, and obesity between and within populations. Furthermore,it facilitates investigation of the relationship between overweight, obesity, and poten-tial risk or protective factors and improves the understanding of the development ofoverweight and obesity in European primary-school children in order to supportappropriate and effective policy responses.The authors gratefully acknowledge support through a grant from the Russian Government in the context of the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of NCDs. The ministries of health of Austria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Malta, Norway, and the Russian Federation provided financial support for the meetings at which the protocol, data collection procedures, and analyses were discussed. Data collection in countries was made possible through funding from the following: Albania: WHO through the Joint Programme on Children, Food Security and Nutrition “Reducing Malnutrition in Children,” funded by the Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund, and the Institute of Public Health. Austria: Federal Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection of Austria. Bulgaria: Ministry of Health, National Center of Public Health and Analyses, and WHO Regional Office for Europe. Bosnia and Herzegovina: WHO country office support for training and data management. Croatia: Ministry of Health, Croatian Institute of Public Health, and WHO Regional Office for Europe. Czechia: Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, grant number 17-31670A and MZCR—RVO EU 00023761. Denmark: Danish Ministry of Health. Estonia: Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and Research (IUT 42-2), WHO Country Office, and National Institute for Health Development. Finland: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. France: Santé publique France (the French Agency for Public Health). Georgia: WHO. Greece: International Hellenic University and Hellenic Medical Association for Obesity. Hungary: WHO Country Office for Hungary. Ireland: Health Service Executive. Italy: Ministry of Health. Kazakhstan: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, WHO, and UNICEF. Kyrgyzstan: World Health Organization. Latvia: Ministry of Health and Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Lithuania: Science Foundation of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and Lithuanian Science Council and WHO. Malta: Ministry of Health. Montenegro: WHO and Institute of Public Health of Montenegro. North Macedonia: Government of North Macedonia through National Annual Program of Public Health and implemented by the Institute of Public Health and Centers of Public Health; WHO country office provides support for training and data management. Norway: the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Poland: National Health Programme, Ministry of Health. Portugal: Ministry of Health Institutions, the National Institute of Health, Directorate General of Health, Regional Health Directorates, and the kind technical support from the Center for Studies and Research on Social Dynamics and Health (CEIDSS). Romania: Ministry of Health. Russian Federation: WHO. San Marino: Health Ministry, Educational Ministry, and Social Security Institute and Health Authority. Serbia: WHO and the WHO Country Office (2015-540940 and 2018/873491-0). Slovakia: Biennial Collaborative Agreement between WHO Regional Office for Europe and Ministry of Health SR. Slovenia: Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia within the SLOfit surveillance system. Spain: Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition. Sweden: Public Health Agency of Sweden. Tajikistan: WHO Country Office in Tajikistan and Ministry of Health and Social Protection. Turkmenistan: WHO Country Office in Turkmenistan and Ministry of Health. Turkey: Turkish Ministry of Health and World Bank.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Joining Forces to Enhance Evidence Informed Decision-Making in Eurasian Countries: a SWOT analysis

Background: Rapid development in health technologies affects health policies of countries. Thus goverments try to provide high quality, equal and accessible health care to public while managing health care budgets. Health technology assessment (HTA) has shown remarkable growth over the last 30-40 years and has been used as a basis for health care policy decisions in European and North American countries and in recent years it has rapidly become widespread in regions such as Latin America and Asia. Countries also contributed to the regional/global development of HTA by establishing networks according to their cultural and geographical proximity, or the commonality of systems. In 2015, Eurasian HTA Initiative was established with the leadership of Turkish Evidence Based Medicine Society and included the countries extending from Balkans to Central Asia that are thought to be new, but promising for development of HTA. The objective of this study was to analyze common strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) in the enhancement of evidence-informed decision making for the members of this initiative. Methods: The initiative has organized two meetings in March and November, 2015, with participation of Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Krygyzstan and Turkey with Tunisia as an observer country. Both meetings included workshops for facilitating interactive discussions and brain storming to facilitate a SWOT analysis. Results: Lack of adequate number of certified/licensed EBM/HTA courses, absence of EBM related courses/lectures in curricula of undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate schools are some of weaknesses, but availability of web-based resources, and courses on critical appraisal, quality assessment and/or pharmacoinformatics-based courses for doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses in different countries in the region could be seen as some of the strengths. Although lack of regional expertise and some reliance on out of region expertise and/or professionals in EBM are major weaknesses, availability of trained personnel and some international educational activities on EBM in the region, potential for relevant information/experience exchange among the partners in the region are some of the oppurtunities. Conclusion: The SWOT analysis has shown common challenges and opportunities for the member countries towards evidence-informed decisionmaking and the initiative is thought to be a major opportunity for a permanent network and a knowledge-sharing platform in the region

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the eating habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviours of school-aged children in 13 countries within the WHO European Region: “COSI COVID” Study, 2020-2022

Introduction: In 2020, the world population was hit by a global pandemic caused by a new coronavirus (SARS-Cov2), with rapid human-to-human transmission. To limit the spread of the virus and minimize its impact, governments around the world implemented containment measures, leading to many changes in the lifestyle of millions of people. Although children and adolescents were, generally, at low risk of infection and less affected by mortality1, this unprecedented situation led to significant impacts in their daily routines/habits and had a profound effect on their health and well-being2-3. We aimed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the daily routine and behaviours of school aged children, within the WHO/COSI European study. Methods: 13 COSI countries participated in the study: Azerbaijan, Croatia, Georgia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Malta, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia and Uzbekistan. Countries could decide to implement the study together with the 6th round of COSI/WHO Europe in the 2021/2021 school year. A common methodological protocol was designed for this study. Information on children’s behaviors regarding eating habits and physical activity/inactivity before and during the COVID-19 confinement periods, was collected through the “Family COSI-COVID Form” with 12 questions. This form was completed on a voluntary basis by the parents/care givers of participating children. Results: This study included 42 731 children (6-10 years old). Preliminary results suggested that sweets and savory snacks increased during the pandemic in comparison to pre-pandemic period (15.7% and 13,2%, respectively). As for children’s sedentary behaviours, 36.7% of the children increased their time spent watching TV, playing video/computer games, or using social media for non-educational purposes on weekdays and 34.4% on weekends, during the pandemic period. In addition, the time spent learning at home also increased (35.5%). Regarding physical activity, the opposite was reported, showing a decrease in the time children spent being active outside school hours, both on weekdays (26.6%) and weekends (22.0%). Conclusion: These preliminary results are important to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on children’s lifestyles behaviours. These findings may be useful for future public health interventions as countries recover from the pandemic and take measures to address childhood obesity.This study was supported by the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of NCDs and selected Member States from WHO/EURO.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Methodology and implementation of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI)

Establishment of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) has resulted in a surveillance system which provides regular, reliable, timely, and accurate data on children's weight status-through standardized measurement of bodyweight and height-in the WHO European Region. Additional data on dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behavior, family background, and school environments are collected in several countries. In total, 45 countries in the European Region have participated in COSI. The first five data collection rounds, between 2007 and 2021, yielded measured anthropometric data on over 1.3 million children. In COSI, data are collected according to a common protocol, using standardized instruments and procedures. The systematic collection and analysis of these data enables intercountry comparisons and reveals differences in the prevalence of childhood thinness, overweight, normal weight, and obesity between and within populations. Furthermore, it facilitates investigation of the relationship between overweight, obesity, and potential risk or protective factors and improves the understanding of the development of overweight and obesity in European primary-school children in order to support appropriate and effective policy responses