Investigating the Influence of Vaccine Literacy, Vaccine Perception and Vaccine Hesitancy on Israeli Parents’ Acceptance of the COVID-19 Vaccine for Their Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccination is currently the most effective strategy for combating COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines were introduced to the adult population in Israel in early December 2020 and have been available for children aged 12–15 since June 2021. Our study aimed at assessing the influence of vaccine literacy, perception, hesitancy, and behavior on Israeli parents’ intentions to have their children vaccinated. Using an anonymous online questionnaire, we recruited 520 parents; 70.4% of the parents indicated that they would get their children vaccinated. The participants’ COVID-19 vaccination status was the only socio-demographic factor significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination acceptability (OR = 32.89; 95%CI = [13.11, 82.54]). The most common sources of information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine were health-care providers and the Internet. Parents who intend to vaccinate their children had higher mean levels of vaccine literacy (2.99 ± 0.47 vs. 3.07 ± 0.44 respectively, p = 0.06), more positive perception of the vaccine (mean scores of 2.26 ± 0.75 vs. 3.44 ± 0.68 respectively, p < 0.001), and lower perceived vaccine hesitancy (7.53 ± 2.37 vs. 4.68 ± 2.71 respectively, p < 0.001) than parents who do not intend to do so. Vaccine behavior was measured using the 5C model of psychological antecedents. All 5C components were significantly correlated with parents’ willingness to vaccinate their children. Understanding of parents’ willingness to have their children receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the barriers to and facilitators of the vaccination is crucial, as vaccination of children aged 5–11 has recently been approved by the FDA. Providing the population with reliable information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is an important measure in the attempt to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance

Development and Appraisal of a Web-Based Decision Aid for HPV Vaccination for Young Adults and Parents of Children in Israel—A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of two web-based decision aids designed to help parents of children aged 10–17 years and young adults aged 18–26 years make informed decisions about the HPV vaccine. Methods: The decision aids were developed according to the International Patient Decision Aid Standards (IPDAS) criteria and included information about the vaccine, probabilities of benefits and side effects, personal narratives, and values clarification. The study utilized a quasi-experimental design and included 120 Hebrew-speaking parents and 160 young adults. Participants completed baseline surveys and, two weeks after using the decision aid, completed a follow-up survey. Results: Both parents and young adults experienced a reduction in decisional conflict, an increase in self-efficacy, and greater confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. The proportion of participating parents deciding to vaccinate their children against HPV increased from 46% to 75%, and the proportion of participating young adults leaning towards receiving the HPV vaccine increased from 64% to 92%. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of using decision aids to support informed decision making about vaccination and suggests that web-based decision aids may be a useful tool for supporting Israeli parents and young adults to make HPV vaccination decisions

COVID-19-Related Anxiety Symptoms among Quarantined Adolescents and Its Impact on Sleep Pattern Changes and Somatic Symptoms

Background: Home-quarantine due to COVID-19 may have negative psychological effects on vulnerable sub-groups such as children and adolescents. We aimed to explore the prevalence of anxiety among adolescents who were in home-quarantine and its impact on onset of sleep disturbance and somatic symptoms, and on the level of agreement between adolescent and parent perceptions. Methods: Five hundred adolescents (ages 10–17) and 500 parents participated in the study. Adolescents filled out PROMIS Anxiety, PROMIS Sleep Disturbance, and PHQ-15 Physical-Symptom forms, while their parents completed proxy questionnaires containing the same domains. Results: 38% of the adolescents reported experiencing anxiety during home-quarantine period, 29% suffered from sleep disturbance, and 48% reported somatic symptoms. Addition of one day in home-quarantine was significantly associated with sleep disturbance (OR = 3.78, 95%CI: 1.09–8.45) and somatic symptoms (OR = 1.80, 95%CI: 1.01–3.08); female gender was associated with increased risk for somatic symptoms (OR = 2.15, 95%CI: 1.07–4.55); poor agreement in levels of anxiety, sleep disturbance and somatic symptoms was found between adolescent and parent reports (ICCs of 0.197–0.262). Discussion: Total isolation from household members during home-quarantine may cause anxiety, sleep disturbance, and somatization among adolescents. Achieving the appropriate balance between infection control and mitigation of the potential adverse psychological effect of home-quarantine among children and adolescents should be immediate priorities for policymakers

Investigating the Influence of Vaccine Literacy, Vaccine Perception and Vaccine Hesitancy on Israeli Parents’ Acceptance of the COVID-19 Vaccine for Their Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vaccination is currently the most effective strategy for combating COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines were introduced to the adult population in Israel in early December 2020 and have been available for children aged 12–15 since June 2021. Our study aimed at assessing the influence of vaccine literacy, perception, hesitancy, and behavior on Israeli parents’ intentions to have their children vaccinated. Using an anonymous online questionnaire, we recruited 520 parents; 70.4% of the parents indicated that they would get their children vaccinated. The participants’ COVID-19 vaccination status was the only socio-demographic factor significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination acceptability (OR = 32.89; 95%CI = [13.11, 82.54]). The most common sources of information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine were health-care providers and the Internet. Parents who intend to vaccinate their children had higher mean levels of vaccine literacy (2.99 ± 0.47 vs. 3.07 ± 0.44 respectively, p = 0.06), more positive perception of the vaccine (mean scores of 2.26 ± 0.75 vs. 3.44 ± 0.68 respectively, p p < 0.001) than parents who do not intend to do so. Vaccine behavior was measured using the 5C model of psychological antecedents. All 5C components were significantly correlated with parents’ willingness to vaccinate their children. Understanding of parents’ willingness to have their children receive the COVID-19 vaccine and the barriers to and facilitators of the vaccination is crucial, as vaccination of children aged 5–11 has recently been approved by the FDA. Providing the population with reliable information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine is an important measure in the attempt to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance

The Communication Challenges and Strength of Nurses&rsquo; Intensive Corona Care during the Two First Pandemic Waves: A Qualitative Descriptive Phenomenology Study

Intensive care nurses working with patients with severe COVID-19 illness are at the center and frontline of the dynamic pandemic, which poses communication challenges and demands of unusual strength on their part. The study aim was to capture the lived experience of intensive care COVID nurses&rsquo; communication challenges and strengths as they cared for COVID-19 intensive care patients during the two first pandemic waves. The study used qualitative descriptive-phenomenology research designs. Twenty-two nurses were selected using snowball sampling, and online interviews were conducted with them. Data were recorded and transcribed, then reflexively double-coded for increased rigor. Four major themes emerged from the data. The first two expressed the communication challenges and difficulties communicating with patients due to the extreme protection needed and/or their medical condition. However, the other two themes expressed the nurses&rsquo; strengths&mdash;sharing feelings with other caregivers and family. Accordingly, we recommend using simple language and ensuring patient comprehension, as well as creating an optimistic environment for fostering caregiver bonding

Vigilance in the Decision-Making Process Regarding Termination of Pregnancy Following Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease&mdash;Application of the &lsquo;Conflict Decision-Making Model&rsquo;

The decision-making process regarding termination of pregnancy following prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease is a stressful experience for future parents. Janis and Mann&rsquo;s conflict decision-making model describes seven ideal stages that comprise vigilant information-gathering as an expression of the qualitative decision-making process. In our study, we attempted to determine whether parents who face the decision regarding termination of pregnancy undertake a qualitative decision-making process. Data were collected over 2-year period using structural questionnaires. The sample consisted of two hundred forty participants; sixty-nine (28.75%) declared that their decision was to terminate the pregnancy. A significant difference in the quality of the decision-making score was noted between parents who decided to continue with the pregnancy vs. parents who opted for termination (mean score of 10.15 (5.6) vs. 18.51 (3.9), respectively, p &lt; 0.001). Sixty-two (90%) participants within the termination of pregnancy group went through all seven stages of vigilant decision-making process and utilized additional sources for information and consultation. Parents who decided to continue with the pregnancy made swift decisions, often without considering the negative and positive outcomes; this decision-making pattern is considered non-vigilant and ineffective. Identification of future parents at risk of going through an ineffective decision-making process may help health professionals to determine the best way to provide them with information and support

Dynamic Hyperinflation While Exercising—A Potential Predictor of Pulmonary Deterioration in Cystic Fibrosis

Background: Lung function deterioration in cystic fibrosis (CF) is typically measured by a decline in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%), which is thought to be a late marker of lung disease. Dynamic hyperinflation (DH) is seen in obstructive lung diseases while exercising. Our aim was to assess whether DH could predict pulmonary deterioration in CF; a secondary measure was the peak VO2. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of people with CF who performed cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) during 2012–2018. The tests were classified as those demonstrating DH non-DH. Demographic, genetic, and clinical data until 12.2022 were extracted from patient charts. Results: A total of 33 patients aged 10–61 years performed 41 valid CPETs with valid DH measurements; sixteen (39%) demonstrated DH. At the time of the CPETs, there was no difference in the FEV1% measurements between the DH and non-DH groups (median 83.5% vs. 87.6%, respectively; p = 0.174). The FEV1% trend over 4 years showed a decline in the DH group compared to the non-DH group (p = 0.009). A correlation was found between DH and the lung clearance index (LCI), as well as the FEV1% (r = 0.36 and p = 0.019 and r = −0.55 and p = 0.004, respectively). Intravenous (IV) antibiotic courses during the 4 years after the CPETs were significantly more frequent in the DH group (p = 0.046). The peak VO2 also correlated with the FEV1% and LCI (r = 0.36 and p = 0.02 and r = −0.46 and p = 0.014, respectively) as well as with the IV antibiotic courses (r = −0.46 and p = 0.014). Conclusions: In our cohort, the DH and peak VO2 were both associated with lung function deterioration and more frequent pulmonary exacerbations. DH may serve as a marker to predict pulmonary deterioration in people with CF