Knowledge and Perceptions about Diagnosis, Clinical Management, and Prevention of Dengue Fever among Physicians during the 2023 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study in Peru.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge level and perception of dengue fever management among Peruvian physicians and to determine the factors associated with higher knowledge. We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study based on an online survey. To evaluate the factors associated with a high level of knowledge (≥70% of correct answers), we used crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios by the Poisson regression model. Of 359 respondents (median age: 33 years; male: 56.5%), 78.8% achieved a high level of knowledge. Multivariable analysis showed an independent association with having read the Peruvian clinical practice guidelines for dengue management (aPR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.12-1.49), having experience in treating patients (aPR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.03-1.68), and having treated cases frequently (aPR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.02-1.46). Residing in the eastern macroregion (aPR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71-0.97) was associated with a low level of knowledge. In conclusion, Peruvian physicians had a high level of knowledge about dengue fever. This was associated with having clinical experience in dengue management. However, given the low level of knowledge in the eastern macroregion, educational campaigns are necessary in this area.

Level of Knowledge Regarding Mpox among Peruvian Physicians during the 2022 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Due to the high incidence of mpox in Peru and the poor knowledge about this disease among healthcare workers in non-endemic countries, it is crucial to determine the knowledge status of Peruvian physicians. Methodology: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study based on an online survey from August to September 2022. Physicians who had a medical license and lived and practiced medicine in Peru were included. To evaluate the factors associated with a higher level of knowledge, we used crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using Poisson regression. Results: We included 463 physicians. The mean age was 36.6 (SD: 10.3) years, and most were male (58.1%). Regarding knowledge, the median knowledge score was 14 [IQR: 13 to 15] out of 17 points. In terms of knowledge gaps, only 60.7% of the participants knew that there was an FDA-approved vaccine for mpox, 49.0% of participants knew about mpox proctitis and 33.3% acknowledged that it could be transmitted by the bite of an infected rodent. We found that taking care of patients with mpox (aPR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.13 to 1.72) was associated with higher knowledge (>p50), while living in the eastern macro-region (aPR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.93) was associated with lower knowledge (≤p50). Conclusions: Our study showed a high level of knowledge about mpox among Peruvian physicians. However, educational campaigns may be necessary, especially for physicians from the eastern region and those who do not have clinical experience with mpox.

[Parents' perceptions and intention to vaccinate their children under 12 years of age against COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in Peru]. / Percepciones e intención de los padres de vacunar a sus hijos bajo 12 años de edad contra la COVID-19: estudio transversal en Perú.

BACKGROUND: Despite the proven efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, pediatric vaccination coverage remains low in many countries. There are still doubts and fears in parents about vaccination in their children under 12 years of age. AIM: To evaluate the perceptions and intention of parents to vaccinate their children under 12 years of age. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study based on an online survey that evaluated the parents' perceptions regarding the risk of COVID-19 infection, the need for a vaccine, and the vaccine adverse events in their children under 12 years. We assessed the factors associated with the intention to vaccinate through crude (cPR) and adjusted prevalence rates (aPR), with confidence interval of 95% (CI 95%). RESULTS: 83.5% of respondents had the intention to vaccinate their children under 12 years of age. In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with a decrease in the intention to vaccinate were to believe that the vaccine was not necessary (aPR 0.65; 95% CI 0.44 - 0.94), that it would not protect (aPR: 0.14; 95% CI 0.03 - 0.63), it would not be safe (aPR: 0.80; 95% CI 0.70 - 0.92) and it would cause long-term side effects (aPR: 0.92; 95% CI 0.85 - 1.00). On the other hand, living on the highlands or jungle was associated with an increase in the intention. CONCLUSION: In Peru, 16.5% of parents would not vaccinate their children under 12 years of age, because they perceived that the vaccine was not necessary and would not protect against COVID-19. In addition, they expressed concerns about the development of possible adverse events.

Percepciones e intención de los padres de vacunar a sus hijos bajo 12 años de edad contra la COVID-19: estudio transversal en Perú / Parents' perceptions and intention to vaccinate their children under 12 years of age against COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in Peru

INTRODUCCIÓN: A pesar de la probada eficacia y seguridad de las vacunas contra la COVID-19, la cobertura de vacunación pediátrica sigue siendo baja en muchos países. Aún existen dudas y temores en los padres sobre la vacunación en sus hijos bajo 12 años de edad. OBJETIVO: Evaluar las percepciones e intención de los padres de vacunar a sus hijos bajo 12 años en Perú. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio transversal analítico, a partir de una encuesta que recopiló la percepción de los padres sobre el riesgo de contagio por COVID-19, necesidad de vacunación y desarrollo de eventos adversos por la vacuna en niños bajo 12 años. Evaluamos los factores asociados a la intención de vacunación mediante razones de prevalencia crudas (RPc) y ajustadas (RPa) con intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC 95%). RESULTADOS: El 83,5% de los padres tenían la intención de vacunar a sus hijos bajo 12 años. En el análisis multivariado, los factores asociados a una disminución de la intención de vacunación fueron pensar que la vacuna no es necesaria (RPa: 0,65; IC 95% 0,44 - 0,94), que no protegería (RPa: 0,14; IC 95% 0,03 - 0,63), que no sería segura (RPa: 0,80; IC 95% 0,70 - 0,92) y que ocasionaría efectos negativos a largo plazo (RPa: 0,92; IC 95% 0,85 - 1,00). Por otro lado, residir en la Selva (RPa: 1,09; IC 95%: 1,03-1,15) o en la Sierra (RPa: 1,06; IC 95%: 1,00-1,11) se asoció a una mayor prevalencia de intención. CONCLUSIONES: En Perú, un 16,5% de padres no vacunaría a sus hijos bajo 12 años, ya que perciben que la vacuna no es necesaria y no protegería contra la COVID-19, además de tener la preocupación de posibles eventos adversos.

BACKGROUND: Despite the proven efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, pediatric vaccination coverage remains low in many countries. There are still doubts and fears in parents about vaccination in their children under 12 years of age. AIM: To evaluate the perceptions and intention of parents to vaccinate their children under 12 years of age. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study based on an online survey that evaluated the parents' perceptions regarding the risk of COVID-19 infection, the need for a vaccine, and the vaccine adverse events in their children under 12 years. We assessed the factors associated with the intention to vaccinate through crude (cPR) and adjusted prevalence rates (aPR), with confidence interval of 95% (CI 95%). RESULTS: 83.5% of respondents had the intention to vaccinate their children under 12 years of age. In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with a decrease in the intention to vaccinate were to believe that the vaccine was not necessary (aPR 0.65; 95% CI 0.44 - 0.94), that it would not protect (aPR: 0.14; 95% CI 0.03 - 0.63), it would not be safe (aPR: 0.80; 95% CI 0.70 - 0.92) and it would cause long-term side effects (aPR: 0.92; 95% CI 0.85 - 1.00). On the other hand, living on the highlands or jungle was associated with an increase in the intention. CONCLUSION: In Peru, 16.5% of parents would not vaccinate their children under 12 years of age, because they perceived that the vaccine was not necessary and would not protect against COVID-19. In addition, they expressed concerns about the development of possible adverse events.

Factors associated with the intention to participate in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials: A cross-sectional study in Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors associated with the intention to participate in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials in the Peruvian population. METHODS: Cross-sectional study and secondary analysis of a database that involved Peruvian population during September 2020. The Poisson regression model was used to estimate the associated factors. RESULTS: Data from 3231 individuals were analyzed, 44.1% of whom intended to participate in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. Factors associated with the outcome were being male (RPa: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.15-1.35), being from the highlands region (RPa: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.09-1.28) or jungle (RPa: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.15-1.47), having a relative that is a healthcare professional (PRa: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.06-1.28), using a medical source of information (PRa: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.17-1.41), and trusting in the possible effectiveness of vaccines (PRa: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.29-1.51). The main reason for not participating in the trial was the possibility of developing side effects (69.80%). CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to generate a perception of safety in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, to increase the population's intention to participate in these studies, and to provide evidence-based information about the vaccine.