A cross-sectional study on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in peri-urban areas in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Vaccination is a potential public health solution for the prevention of infection. It reduces the severity of symptoms in the case of COVID-19. Despite the availability of vaccines, some people are hesitant to be vaccinated. The objectives of this study were to measure the proportion of vaccine hesitancy among the peri-urban population and identify its determinants. An adult population of 303 from two peri-urban areas in the field practice area of the Urban Health Training Center, Rama Medical College, was interviewed from February 22 to March 25, 2021. Epicollect 5 was used for collecting data, and STATA 16 was used for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to compute the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) (95% confidence interval) to find out the determinants of vaccine hesitancy. The 3Cs model-guided tools were used for data collection and analysis. More than one-fourth (28%) of the participants were vaccine-hesitant, whereas 34.6% had no confidence in the vaccine. Other reasons were complacency (40.6%) and convenience (35.9%). Vaccine hesitancy was significantly associated with gender [AOR=2.40 (1.12-5.16)] and trust in government [AOR=0.18 (0.08-0.45)], but there was no association with age group, political affiliation, or source of information about the vaccine. It is important to build people's trust in vaccines, make them convenient, and resolve the issues that are making them complacent. The health system needs to involve non-governmental organizations to reach out to those for whom there are issues of availability and approach.

COVID-19 vaccination: Is it a matter of concern?

Background: COVID-19 vaccination is still a matter of concern among the public since its inception. Primary care physicians being in prime position can share accurate and ample information about COVID-19 vaccination so we estimated proportion and determinants of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with Covishield vaccine, vaccination and reasons of non-vaccination. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2021. Data collection was done by using data capture tool Epicollect-5. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of AEFI and vaccine acceptance with various demographic variables. Results: Of 520 subjects, 408 got vaccinated, and of these 125 (30.6%) developed AEFI. Females without AEFI had lower median age than females having AEFI. Only religion (aOR = 5.311; 95% CI: 1. 216-23.1) was significantly associated with AEFI. Education (aOR = 0.399; 95% CI: 0. 199-0.799), marital status (aOR = 0.459; 95% CI: 0. 245-0.858), and religion (aOR = 3.874; 95% CI: 1. 96-7.648) were significantly associated with vaccination. Most common local AEFIs were inflammation (46; 36.8%) followed by lump (10; 8%) at the site of injection. Most common systemic AEFI were fever (87; 69.6%), feeling unwell (65; 52%), generalized weakness/fatigue (30; 20%), tiredness (26; 20.8%), flu-like symptoms (12; 9.6%), dizziness (10; 8%), headache (8; 6.4%) and gastrointestinal events (7; 5.6%). Conclusion: Most of the AEFI were mild and transient, resolved without any medical management. This study warrants active reporting of AEFI, public release of safety, and efficacy data. Primary care physicians can play a pivotal role by targeted awareness campaigns and trust-building activities to alleviate fear and anxiety related to vaccine.

Dietary behaviour and anthropometric parameters across the spectrum of pregnant and lactating mother, infant, young children, adolescent girls and reproductive age group females: An assessment of undernutrition among KOL tribe.

INTRODUCTION: The Kol is an ancient tribal community, who resides in the backward Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand regions bordering UP and MP. Reports claim the high level of exploitation and marginalisation of them by feudal landed landlords. Due to the dearth of studies on Kol community their plight hasn't been addressed effectively so far. Thus, this study was undertaken to assess the dietary behaviour and anthropometric parameters across the spectrum of Maternal, Lactating, Infant, Young Children, Adolescent girls, and reproductive-age women (MIYC-AR) of Kol Community. METHODOLOGY: It was a descriptive observational cross-sectional study, conducted over a period of 6 months; in hard to reach area of Manikpur block, Mangawa, in Chitrakoot district. Pregnant, lactating mothers, infant, young children, adolescent and reproductive age females who were found eligible, were included in the study. A total of 180 participants (30 from each group) were recruited by non-probability purposive sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding Iron folic acid and calcium intake, frequency of major meals and snacks, feeding history of infant and young child. Weight, height, head circumference and mid upper arm circumference were noted and the participants were classified accordingly. Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 13 software. RESULTS: Only 36% and 30% of the pregnant and lactating mother, respectively, consumed IFA and calcium. The mean diet diversity score was inadequate for all the groups. Maximum among adolescents (70%) and half of the reproductive age group female (50%) were underweight. More than half of the infants (57%) were found to be malnourished on MUAC measurement, while the similar proportion among young children were found to be normal (p < 0.001). Half of the young children had timely initiation of complimentary feeding. But, none among young children received Vitamin A syrup. CONCLUSION: Significant higher prevalence of malnutrition was found among infants, adolescents, and reproductive age group females. Strengthening the public distribution system and rigorous supplementary nutrition services through ICDS are the priority intervention needed to address the poor nutritional status of tribe.