RESUMO
This multicenter, cross-sectional study provides evidence on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-associated emergency department visits and hospitalizations in pediatric wards and intensive care units after school reopening during the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant spread in Israel. Study findings suggest that school reopening was not followed by an increase in SARS-CoV-2-related pediatric morbidity.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Hospitalização , Humanos , Israel/epidemiologia , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Instituições AcadêmicasRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are considered an important target group for the COVID-19 vaccines. The current study assesses the knowledge and attitudes of Israeli HCWs regarding COVID-19 immunization, and how various occupational and demographic factors may underlie COVID-related knowledge and attitudes differences. METHODS: Following a pre-test to validate measures, a cross-sectional online anonymous survey was distributed to HCWs using a snowball sampling method. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 714 participants (mean age 39.9; range 18-74; 447 female), 52% doctors, 32% nurses, and the remainder by paramedical staff. Of the respondents, 553 (77.4%) answered the question are you in favor of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, 105 (14.7%) were not sure, and 56 (7.8%) were not in favor. Doctors had higher odds of agreement as compared to both nurses (p < .025) and paramedical staff (p < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that increased age (OR: 1.075; 95% CI: 1.04-1.11, p < .001), profession (physician vs. nurse; OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.32-5.65; p < .007), and getting the current influenza vaccine (OR: 4.96; 95% CI: 2.47-9.95) were significant predictors of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of HCWs knowledge and in favor attitudes were observed. Yet negative attitudes were also noted, particularly among nurses, paramedical staff, and young employees.
