Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Hospitalizations Among Young Children: 2015-2016.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of hospitalized acute respiratory illness (ARI) among young children. With RSV vaccines and immunoprophylaxis agents in clinical development, we sought to update estimates of US pediatric RSV hospitalization burden. METHODS: Children <5 years old hospitalized for ARI were enrolled through active, prospective, population-based surveillance from November 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016, at 7 US pediatric hospital sites. Clinical information was obtained from parent interviews and medical records. Midturbinate nasal and throat flocked swabs were collected and tested for RSV by using molecular diagnostic assays at each site. We conducted descriptive analyses and calculated population-based rates of RSV-associated hospitalizations. RESULTS: Among 2969 hospitalized children included in analyses, 1043 (35%) tested RSV-positive; 903 (87%) children who were RSV-positive were <2 years old, and 526 (50%) were <6 months old. RSV-associated hospitalization rates were 2.9 per 1000 children <5 years old and 14.7 per 1000 children <6 months old; the highest age-specific rate was observed in 1-month-old infants (25.1 per 1000). Most children who were infected with RSV (67%) had no underlying comorbid conditions and no history of preterm birth. CONCLUSIONS: During the 2015-2016 season, RSV infection was associated with one-third of ARI hospitalizations in our study population of young children. Hospitalization rates were highest in infants <6 months. Most children who were RSV-positive had no history of prematurity or underlying medical conditions, suggesting that all young children could benefit from targeted interventions against RSV.

Factors influencing HPV vaccine delivery by healthcare professionals at public health posts in São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between Brazilian healthcare providers' characteristics and their knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding the HPV vaccine. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at five public health posts in São Paulo between July 28 and August 8, 2014. Healthcare professionals directly involved in patient care were asked to complete a written survey. Factors associated with routine verification of HPV vaccination status were evaluated using Poisson regression. RESULTS: Among 200 participants included, 74 (38.5%) reported never and 70 (36.5%) reported always asking about HPV immunization status. Doctors were significantly less likely to report always asking than were community health agents (5/39 [12.8%] vs 32/60 [53.3%]; adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 0.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.91]). Knowledge about the correct dosing schedule was associated with always rather than never verifying vaccination status (aPR 2.46 [95% CI 1.06-5.70]). CONCLUSION: Knowledge and attitude played secondary roles in influencing HPV vaccine verification. Community health agents were crucial for vaccine promotion; continued education and support of this group is essential for the sustained success of HPV immunization efforts in Brazil.

Paving pathways: Brazil's implementation of a national human papillomavirus immunization campaign.

In 2014, Brazil introduced an HPV immunization program for girls 9-13 years of age as part of the Unified Health System's (SUS) National Immunization Program. The first doses were administered in March 2014; the second ones, in September 2014. In less than 3 months more than 3 million girls received the first dose of quadrivalent HPV vaccine, surpassing the target rate of 80%. This paper examines three elements that may influence the program's long-term success in Brazil: sustaining effective outreach, managing a large technology-transfer collaboration, and developing an electronic immunization registry, with a focus on the State of São Paulo. If these three factors are managed, the Government of Brazil is primed to serve as a model of success for other countries interested in implementing a national HPV vaccination program to decrease HPV-related morbidity and mortality.

Paving pathways: Brazil's implementation of a national human papillomavirus immunization campaign / Allanando el camino: implementación de una campaña nacional de vacunación contra el virus del papiloma humano en Brasil

In 2014, Brazil introduced an HPV immunization program for girls 9-13 years of age as part of the Unified Health System's (SUS) National Immunization Program. The first doses were administered in March 2014; the second ones, in September 2014. In less than 3 months more than 3 million girls received the first dose of quadrivalent HPV vaccine, surpassing the target rate of 80%. This paper examines three elements that may influence the program's long-term success in Brazil: sustaining effective outreach, managing a large technology-transfer collaboration, and developing an electronic immunization registry, with a focus on the State of São Paulo. If these three factors are managed, the Government of Brazil is primed to serve as a model of success for other countries interested in implementing a national HPV vaccination program to decrease HPV-related morbidity and mortality.

En el 2014, se introdujo en Brasil un programa de vacunación contra los VPH dirigido a niñas de 9 a 13 años de edad como parte del Programa Nacional de Vacunación del Sistema Unificado de Salud (SUS). Las primeras dosis se administraron en marzo del 2014; las segundas, en septiembre del 2014. En menos de tres meses, más de tres millones de niñas recibieron la primera dosis de vacuna tetravalente contra los VPH, superando la tasa prevista de 80%. En este artículo se analizan tres elementos que pueden influir en el éxito a largo plazo del programa en Brasil: el mantenimiento de actividades de extensión eficaces, la administración de una amplia colaboración en materia de transferencia de tecnología, y la creación de un registro electrónico de vacunaciones, con hincapié en el Estado de São Paulo. Si se gestionan estos tres factores, el Gobierno de Brasil está dispuesto a servir como modelo exitoso a otros países interesados en introducir un programa nacional de vacunación contra los VPH con objeto de disminuir la morbilidad y la mortalidad relacionadas con los VPH.

"Those who love, vaccinate": parental perceptions of HPV vaccination

In March 2014, Brazil began its national HPV immunization campaign targeting girls ages 9-13 OBJECTIVE: Describe determinants of parental decisions to vaccinate their daughters against HPV METHODS: In this qualitative study, thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted at five health posts in São Paulo, Brazil. Interview questions explored parental opinions of disease prevention methods, vaccines in general, and the HPV vaccine. Interviews were analyzed using grounded theory RESULTS: Overall, parental knowledge about HPV and the vaccine was low, yet most eligible daughters had been vaccinated. Parents perceived the HPV vaccine to be normal, preventative, and protective. Parents viewed themselves as accountable for their children's health, and saw the vaccine as a parenting tool for indirect control. Trust in healthcare professionals and an awareness of the dangers of "nowadays" (uncertainties regarding disease and sexual behavior) were also important in vaccine decision-making. These factors held more explanatory power for decisions to vaccinate than parental knowledge levels. This was the first study to qualitatively examine the perception of publically provided HPV vaccination among parents with eligible daughters in Brazil. The findings help interpret the greater than 90% coverage for the first HPV vaccine dose in Brazil. The results indicate that attempts to understand, maintain, or modify vaccination rates require the consideration of context specific factors, which influence both parent perspectives and vaccination decisions CONCLUSION: HPV knowledge levels are not predictive of parental decisions to vaccinate daughters. Context specific factors from the sociocultural dimensions of parenting, sexuality, gender, and the healthcare system are more influential in vaccine decision-making...

Em Março de 2014 o Brasil lançou uma campanha nacional de vacinação contra o HPV para meninas de idades 9 a 13. : Descrever determinantes das decisões dos pais para vacinar as filhas contra HPV MÉTODO: neste estudo qualitativo foram realizadas trinta entrevistas semi-estruturadas em cinco UBSs em São Paulo. A entrevista examinou as opiniões dos pais sobre métodos de prevenção de doença, vacinas em geral e a vacina contra o HPV. As entrevistas foram analisados utilizando grounded theory RESULTADOS: no geral os pais demonstraram baixo conhecimento sobre HPV e a vacina contra o HPV. Apesar disso a maioria das meninas elegíveis foram vacinadas. Os pais consideraram a vacina contra o HPV normal, preventiva e protetora e se identificaram como os responsáveis pela saúde dos filhos e descreveram a vacina como uma forma indireta de controle dos pais. Confiança em profissionais de saúde e os perigos de "hoje em dia" (dúvidas em termos de doenças e relações sexuais) mostraram-se importantes nas decisões de vacinação. Estes fatores tiveram maior poder explicativo para as decisões de vacinação do que os níveis de conhecimento dos pais.Este foi o primeiro estudo que examinou qualitativamente o propósito da vacinação contra o HPV entre pais de meninas elegíveis no Brasil. Os resultados ajudam a interpretar a cobertura superior a 90% para a primeira dose da vacina contra o HPV no Brasil. Estes resultados indicam que esforços direcionados a entender ou modificar taxas de vacinação exigem a consideração destes fatores que são específicos ao contexto e direcionam perspectivas e decisões de vacinação CONCLUSÃO: conhecimento dos pais sobre HPV talvez não seja preditivo para a vacinação das filhas. Fatores específicos ao contexto sociocultural de parentalidade, sexualidade, gênero e o sistema de saúde influenciaram na decisão de vacinação...

"Those who love, vaccinate": parental perceptions of HPV vaccination

INTRODUCTION: In March 2014, Brazil began its national HPV immunization campaign targeting girls ages 9-13 OBJECTIVE: Describe determinants of parental decisions to vaccinate their daughters against HPV METHODS: In this qualitative study, thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted at five health posts in São Paulo, Brazil. Interview questions explored parental opinions of disease prevention methods, vaccines in general, and the HPV vaccine. Interviews were analyzed using grounded theory RESULTS: Overall, parental knowledge about HPV and the vaccine was low, yet most eligible daughters had been vaccinated. Parents perceived the HPV vaccine to be normal, preventative, and protective. Parents viewed themselves as accountable for their children's health, and saw the vaccine as a parenting tool for indirect control. Trust in healthcare professionals and an awareness of the dangers of "nowadays" (uncertainties regarding disease and sexual behavior) were also important in vaccine decision-making. These factors held more explanatory power for decisions to vaccinate than parental knowledge levels. This was the first study to qualitatively examine the perception of publically provided HPV vaccination among parents with eligible daughters in Brazil. The findings help interpret the greater than 90% coverage for the first HPV vaccine dose in Brazil. The results indicate that attempts to understand, maintain, or modify vaccination rates require the consideration of context specific factors, which influence both parent perspectives and vaccination decisions CONCLUSION: HPV knowledge levels are not predictive of parental decisions to vaccinate daughters. Context specific factors from the sociocultural dimensions of parenting, sexuality, gender, and the healthcare system are more influential in vaccine decision-making.(AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: em Março de 2014 o Brasil lançou uma campanha nacional de vacinação contra o HPV para meninas de idades 9 a 13. : Descrever determinantes das decisões dos pais para vacinar as filhas contra HPV MÉTODO: neste estudo qualitativo foram realizadas trinta entrevistas semi-estruturadas em cinco UBSs em São Paulo. A entrevista examinou as opiniões dos pais sobre métodos de prevenção de doença, vacinas em geral e a vacina contra o HPV. As entrevistas foram analisados utilizando grounded theory RESULTADOS: no geral os pais demonstraram baixo conhecimento sobre HPV e a vacina contra o HPV. Apesar disso a maioria das meninas elegíveis foram vacinadas. Os pais consideraram a vacina contra o HPV normal, preventiva e protetora e se identificaram como os responsáveis pela saúde dos filhos e descreveram a vacina comouma forma indireta de controle dos pais. Confiança em profissionais de saúde e os perigos de "hoje em dia" (dúvidas em termos de doenças e relações sexuais) mostraram-se importantes nas decisões de vacinação. Estes fatores tiveram maior poder explicativo para as decisões de vacinação do que os níveis de conhecimento dos pais.Este foi o primeiro estudo que examinou qualitativamente o propósito da vacinação contra o HPV entre pais de meninas elegíveis no Brasil. Os resultados ajudam a interpretar acobertura superior a 90% para a primeira dose da vacina contra o HPV no Brasil. Estes resultados indicam que esforços direcionados a entender ou modificar taxas de vacinação exigem a consideração destes fatores que são específicos ao contexto e direcionam perspectivas e decisões de vacinação CONCLUSÃO: conhecimento dos pais sobre HPV talvez não seja preditivo para a vacinação das filhas. Fatores específicos ao contexto sociocultural de parentalidade, sexualidade, gênero e o sistema de saúde influenciaram na decisão de vacinação.(AU)

Paving pathways: Brazil’s implementation of a national human papillomavirus immunization campaign / Allanando el camino: implementación de una campaña nacional de vacunación contra el virus del papiloma humano en Brasil

In 2014, Brazil introduced an HPV immunization program for girls 9–13 years of age as part of the Unified Health System’s (SUS) National Immunization Program. The first doses were administered in March 2014; the second ones, in September 2014. In less than 3 months more than 3 million girls received the first dose of quadrivalent HPV vaccine, surpassing the target rate of 80%. This paper examines three elements that may influence the program’s long-term success in Brazil: sustaining effective outreach, managing a large tech¬nology-transfer collaboration, and developing an electronic immunization registry, with a focus on the State of São Paulo. If these three factors are managed, the Government of Brazil is primed to serve as a model of success for other countries interested in implementing a national HPV vaccination program to decrease HPV-related morbidity and mortality.

En el 2014, se introdujo en Brasil un programa de vacunación contra los VPH dirigido a niñas de 9 a 13 años de edad como parte del Programa Nacional de Vacunación del Sistema Unificado de Salud (SUS). Las primeras dosis se administraron en marzo del 2014; las segundas, en septiembre del 2014. En menos de tres meses, más de tres millones de niñas recibieron la primera dosis de vacuna tetravalente contra los VPH, superando la tasa prevista de 80%. En este artículo se analizan tres elementos que pueden influir en el éxito a largo plazo del programa en Brasil: el mantenimiento de actividades de extensión eficaces, la administración de una amplia colaboración en materia de transferencia de tecnología, y la creación de un registro electrónico de vacunaciones, con hincapié en el Estado de São Paulo. Si se gestionan estos tres factores, el Gobierno de Brasil está dispuesto a servir como modelo exitoso a otros países interesados en introducir un programa nacional de vacunación contra los VPH con objeto de disminuir la morbilidad y la mortalidad relacionadas con los VPH.