Factors associated with pentavalent vaccine coverage among 12-23-month-old children in Afghanistan: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the coverage of the third dose of pentavalent vaccine (Penta3) among children aged 12-23 months in Afghanistan. METHODS: The data of 3,040 children aged 12-23 months were taken from the Afghanistan Health Survey 2018, including characteristics of the children and their households, household heads, and mothers/primary care givers. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a logistic model. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis with forward-selection (Model 1) and backward-selection (Model 2) was performed using variables that showed significant differences by bivariate analysis. RESULTS: The coverage of Penta3 among 12-23-month-old children was 82.3%. Factors associated with Penta3 coverage in the two models of multivariable analysis were 18-23 months old compared to 12-17 months old; having no diarrhea in the last two weeks compared to having diarrhea; no bipedal edema compared to having edema; taking vitamin A supplement; 1-2 children under five years in a household compared to three or more; distance from residence to the nearest health facility ≤2 hours on foot; having a radio; having a TV; educated heads of households; non-smoking of heads of households; and literacy of mothers/primary caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Penta3 coverage among 12-23-month-old children improved but was still lower than the target. Primary education should be provided to all children throughout the country. TV and radio are useful tools for providing health information. Mobile outreach programs and the establishment of new health facilities should be promoted to improve access to health service for all people in Afghanistan.

Successful Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Acute Lower Limb Ischemia Secondary to COVID-19 Infection.

A 49-year-old man was admitted to his local hospital with left leg pain and breathing difficulties. He had negative nasopharyngeal polymerase chain reaction tests for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Chest X-ray and Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram displayed typical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) radiological features as ground-glass opacities and bronchovascular thickening. His respiratory symptoms resolved after four days of supportive treatment, whereas his left leg became more painful and discolored. He was referred to our center with acute left leg ischemia. computed tomography angiogram revealed eccentric mural thrombus at the aortic bifurcation, extending into left common iliac and an abrupt occlusion of left popliteal, tibioperoneal, and posterior tibial arteries. He was treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis for 48-hours that achieved successful revascularization of the ischemic limb with no intervention-related complications. At six-week follow-up, he showed full recovery. Our case demonstrates that catheter-directed thrombolysis is a successful and safe treatment option in a COVID-19 patient with acute arterial occlusion.

The efficacy of the secondary Extension Technique in the management of arterio-venous fistula-associated steal syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Dialysis-associated steal syndrome remains a difficult clinical scenario for vascular access surgeons. The ideal treatment would improve blood flow to the hand without compromising the fistula; however, most treatment options rarely allow for both. The study describes an innovative technique used in clinical practice over a 17-year period for the treatment of dialysis-associated steal syndrome. The procedure and long-term results are discussed. METHODS: 27 patients with dialysis-associated steal syndrome were recruited over 17 years at two large UK University Teaching Hospitals and treated with the extension technique. All patients included were assessed for resolution of their symptoms, patency of the fistula and adequacy of needling. RESULTS: 27 patients were admitted with dialysis-associated steal syndrome and underwent surgery using the extension technique. Complete symptom resolution was seen in 26 of the 27 patients (96%), with improvements in pain, sensori-motor disturbance and temperature. All 26 patients had a patent fistula at 6-months' follow-up. At 12 months, 3 of 27 (11.1%) developed fistula thrombosis which could not be salvaged and 2 of 27 (7.4%) developed thrombosis successfully salvaged by fistulaplasty. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the Extension Technique is an effective treatment method for dialysis-associated steal syndrome and results have demonstrated a high level of fistula patency and a low rate of complications. It has several advantages when compared with other established treatment methods and has the versatility to be used as a method for dialysis-associated steal syndrome prevention in high-risk groups as well as treatment.