Acellular pertussis vaccine use in risk groups (adolescents, pregnant women, newborns and health care workers): A review of evidences and recommendations

Abstract Background Antenatal care (ANC) provided by a trained health care provider is important for monitoring pregnancy thereby reducing potential risks for the mother and child during pregnancy and delivery. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least four ANC visits to all pregnant women. While the proportion of women who attend at least one ANC in low-income countries is high, most pregnant women start their first ANC attendance very late. In Tanzania only 24% of pregnant women start their first ANC attendance before the fourth month of pregnancy. While factors for the utilization of antenatal care in general have been widely studied, there is paucity of studies on the factors affecting timing of the first ANC attendance. This study aimed to understand individual, community, and health system factors that lead to the delay in seeking ANC services among pregnant women in Ilala Municipal in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania. Methods A qualitative exploratory study, using in-depth interviews with 20 pregnant women and five health care workers was conducted in three different health facilities in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. Thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Results Individual perceptions of antenatal care, past experience with pregnancy, fear of pregnancy disclosure, and socio-cultural beliefs were the key individual and social factors for late ANC attendance. Shortage of trained health care workers, lack of spouse’s escort and health providers’ disrespect to pregnant women were the main health system barriers to early ANC attendance. Conclusions This study concludes that community members should be sensitized about the importance of early ANC attendance. Additionally, while spouse’s escort policy is important for promoting PMTCT, the interpretation of the policy should not solely be left to the health providers. District and regional health officials should provide correct interpretation of this policy.

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Why Don't Health Care Workers Screen All Pregnant Women in My Community for HIV?

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care ◽

10.1016/j.jana.2009.06.008 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 426-427

Author(s):

Maithe Enriquez

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Care Workers

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Despite awareness of recommendations, why do health care workers not immunize pregnant women?

American Journal of Infection Control ◽

10.1016/j.ajic.2016.11.025 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 436-439 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Anat Gesser-Edelsburg ◽

Yaffa Shir-Raz ◽

Samah Hayek ◽

Sharon Aassaraf ◽

Lior Lowenstein

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Care Workers

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Barriers and Facilitators of Adherence to Anti-Diabetic Therapy in Pregnant Women with Diabetes: Health Care Workers’ Perspectives

Journal of Diabetes Mellitus ◽

10.4236/jdm.2017.73013 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 07 (03) ◽

pp. 160-174

Author(s):

Doreen Macherera Mukona ◽

Stephen Peter Munjanja ◽

Mathilda Zvinavashe ◽

Babill Stray-Pederson

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Barriers And Facilitators ◽

Care Workers

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SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Survey in People Involved in Different Essential Activities during the General Lock-Down Phase in the Province of Prato (Tuscany, Italy)

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines8040778 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 778

Author(s):

Vieri Lastrucci ◽

Chiara Lorini ◽

Marco Del Riccio ◽

Eleonora Gori ◽

Fabrizio Chiesi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Support Services ◽

Serological Test ◽

Community Support ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Work From Home ◽

Care Workers ◽

Low Incidence ◽

Hospital Transmission

Serosurveys may help to assess the transmission dynamics in high-risk groups. The aim of the study was to assess the SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence in people who had performed essential activities during the lock-down period in the Province of Prato (Italy), and to evaluate the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 according to the type of service. All the workers and volunteers of the Civil Protection, employees of the municipalities, and all the staff of the Health Authority of the Province of Prato were invited to be tested with a rapid serological test. A total of 4656 participants were tested. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were found in 138 (2.96%) cases. The seroprevalence in health care workers, in participants involved in essential support services and in those who worked from home were 4.1%, 1.4% and 1.0%, respectively. Health care workers experienced higher odds of seropositivity (OR 4.38, 95%CI 2.19–10.41) than participants who were assigned to work-from-home; no significant seropositivity differences were observed between support services and work-from-home groups. A low circulation of SARS-CoV-2 was observed among participants performing different essential activities. Findings highlighted the risk of in-hospital transmission in healthcare workers and that community support services may increase the risk of seropositivity to a limited extent in low incidence areas.

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Influenza vaccine coverage: Health care workers and pregnant women

Pharmacy Today ◽

10.1016/s1042-0991(15)31093-8 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (11) ◽

pp. 24

Author(s):

Joe Sheffer

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Vaccine Coverage ◽

Care Workers

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Cost-effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccination in pregnant women, health care workers and persons with underlying illnesses in Belgium

Vaccine ◽

10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.08.085 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 32 (46) ◽

pp. 6075-6083 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Adriaan Blommaert ◽

Joke Bilcke ◽

Yannick Vandendijck ◽

Germaine Hanquet ◽

Niel Hens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Seasonal Influenza ◽

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination ◽

Women Health ◽

Care Workers

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Hepatitis C infection in risk groups

Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences ◽

10.17305/bjbms.2006.3111 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 13-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sead Ahmetagić ◽

Kasim Muminhodžić ◽

Elmir Čičkušić ◽

Vildana Stojić ◽

Jasminka Petrović ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Drug Users ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

Intravenous Drug ◽

Control Group ◽

Hepatitis C Infection ◽

Care Workers

Hepatitis C infection is important global health problem with wide spectrum of health, social and economic consequences. The goal of this research was to estimate prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in risk groups, and to determine association hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and risk factors. Research included 4627 subjects divided in two groups. Test group included 2627 subjects divided in 4 subgroups with risk for HCV infection: those who received blood transfusion without screening on HCV (it was introduced in 1995) (700); intravenous drug users (60); patients on hemodialysis (168) and health care workers (1699). Control group included 2000 healthy volunteer blood donors. In all subjects anti-HCV antibodies were tested with third generation ELISA test. Positive serum samples were tested for presence of HCVRNA, using reaction of reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. In all anti-HCV positive subjects further epidemiological and clinical workup was performed. Prevalence of HCV infection in risk groups was: 4.6% in subjects who have received blood transfusions without HCV blood screening, 35% in intravenous drug users, 58.9% in patients on chronic dialysis, and 0.4% in health care workers. In control group prevalence was low (0.2%). In the group of 158 anti-HCV positive subjects, 73.4% had HCVRNA. The largest number of subjects with HCV infection was in the age group of 30-49 years (45.8%). This study showed that multiple blood transfusions before introducing the blood screening for HCV, longer duration of intravenous drug abuse, longer duration of hemodialysis treatment, larger number of accidental injuries in health care workers are independent and statistically significant risk factors for those groups examined. Results of this study confirm that general screening for HCV infection is recommended in risk groups for HCV infection in order to identify to prevent and to treat it.

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