Influence of the Olfatín Project on the reduction of pain related to intranasal influenza vaccination, as part of a school influenza vaccination program.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of viewing the Olfatín Project video on the assessment of school LAIV-associated pain in three and four-year-old children through the Wong Baker Faces® pain classification scale. DESIGN AND METHODS: A three-arm randomized multicenter clinical trial with a placebo control group was carried out. The main variable measured was pain, assessed through the score on the Wong Baker Faces® Pain Rating Scale. There were a total population of 4591 children three and four-year-olds (born in 2019 and 2020) and who attended the 1st and 2nd year of early childhood education. Before the school vaccination, researchers randomly assigned participant schools corresponding to each of the basic health areas to each of the three study groups: Olfatín's video viewing, a control video viewing not related to influenza and no video viewing. RESULTS: No significant differences according to sex, age or the minor's grade according to the assigned intervention were detected. 72.3% of those vaccinated assigned a 0 from the Wong Baker Faces® scale: 75.4% of those who watched Olfatín's video, 68.3% for those in Drilo's group and 72.8% for those who didn't watch any video, but without significant differences (p = 0.08). There were no significant differences either stratifying by sex. CONCLUSION: LAIV is a painless vaccine for children, which has to be taken into account by the health authorities when planning the pediatric influenza vaccination campaign. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Olfatín's cartoon video can be used by professionals to create a greater experience for children and therefore a better acceptance.

Epidemiological profile and vaccination coverage in splenectomy patients in a health area of Murcia (1993-2012). / Perfil epidemiológico y cobertura vacunal en pacientes esplenectomizados en un área sanitaria de Murcia (1993-2012).

OBJECTIVE: Splenectomy patients have a high risk of suffering severe infections, many of them preventable by vaccination. The aim of the study was to analyse the clinical epidemiological characteristics and vaccine coverage of these patients in Health Area III of the Region of Murcia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of patients that were splenectomised during the period 1993-2012, according to the Register of the Basic Minimum Data Set. Patients were classified on the basis of splenectomy (neoplasm, haematological diseases, trauma, and others), vaccination, and vital status, using official records of health data. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 statistics program. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 196 patients, of which 68.4% (n=134) were male. The mean age at which they underwent splenectomy was 50.1 years (SD: 22.2). The most common reason for removal of the spleen was neoplasia in 39.1% (n=59). Splenectomy due to trauma reasons was associated with lower patient age (p<.001) and male gender (p=.03). Vaccination coverage for Streptococcus pneumoniae was 23.8%, 5.7% for Neisseria meningitidis C, and 8.6% for Haemophilus influenzae B. Only 2.9% of patients were correctly vaccinated for all three. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination coverage was insufficient for this fragile patient profile. It should be taken into account in the early detection and counselling in this group so susceptible to disease, with nurses being a decisive part in the process.

Vaccination campaign at a temporary camp for victims of the earthquake in Lorca (Spain).

Outbreaks in temporary camps are an important risk for the health of the displaced population. The town of Lorca (Murcia, Spain) suffered 2 earthquakes on May 2011 that required the re-housing of 1,424 victims in a temporary camp. Following 4 cases of chickenpox control measures were adopted among the displaced population. These measures included vaccination against chickenpox; due to the existence of cases of measles in adjacent regions, it was decided to offer measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination as well. The immunization campaign was performed during 2 d (3 to 4 d after the first case). The immunity status of 1,041 (73,1%) of the residents was reviewed. Being vaccinated 523 (67%) against chickenpox and MMR, 133 (17%) against only MMR and 124 (16%) against only chickenpox. We consider the action taken was a success, as only 4 additional cases of chickenpox were subsequently recorded in the campsite, being avoidable only one of them. There is a major risk of outbreaks in a disaster situation. Because of this, conducting preventive actions are indicated to avoid doing worse this critical.

Influence of migration on tuberculosis in a semi-urban area.

AIMS: To describe the epidemiology of tuberculosis and analyzing the differences among native and immigrant patients in Area III of the Region of Murcia. METHODS: Cohort study of tuberculosis cases reported to the Epidemiological Surveillance Service from 2004 to 2009. Data collection was performed through the System of Notification Diseases, reviewing clinical files and epidemiological surveys. RESULTS: One hundred sixty two cases were detected; 110 (67.9%) were immigrants, whose incidence rates ranged from 43.4 to 101.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Ecuador (42.7%), Bolivia (30%) and Morocco (18.2%) were the main nationalities. Immigrants were younger than Spanish population (P<.001). The overall diagnostic delay was 50.5 days: 59.5 in Spanish and 47 in foreigners. Moroccans had higher proportions of extrapulmonary TB (P=.02). Mainly, immigrant population took treatment with four drugs (P<.001). Natives had better treatment adherence (P=.04). Spanish cases tuberculosis were associated with smoking (P<.001), the same as alcohol consumption (P=.01) and injection drug use (P<.001), nevertheless in the foreign-born population the most relevant risk factor was overcrowding (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence tuberculosis rates are higher among immigrant population, whose the main risk factor is overcrowding. In contrast, Spanish cases are associated with toxic substances consumption and increasing age.

Perfil epidemiológico y cobertura vacunal en pacientes esplenectomizados en un área sanitaria de Murcia (1993-2012) / Epidemiological profile and vaccination coverage in splenectomy patients in a health area of Murcia (1993-2012)

OBJETIVO: Los pacientes asplénicos tienen un elevado riesgo de infecciones graves, muchas prevenibles mediante vacunación. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar las características clinicoepidemiológicas y cobertura vacunal de estos pacientes en el Área III de Salud de la Región de Murcia. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal cuya población de estudio fueron pacientes esplenectomizados durante 1993-2012, según el Registro del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos. Los pacientes se clasificaron por motivo de esplenectomía (neoplasias, enfermedades hematológicas, traumatismos y otras), estado vacunal y estado vital. Para ello se utilizaron los registros oficiales de datos sanitarios. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa estadístico SPSS 21.0. RESULTADOS: La muestra se constituyó por 196 pacientes. El 68,4% (n=134) eran hombres. La edad media a la que se les practicó la esplenectomía fue a los 50,1 años (DE: 22,2). El motivo más frecuente de la extirpación del bazo fue la neoplasia en un 39,1% (n=59). La esplenectomía por motivos traumatológicos se asoció a una menor edad del paciente (p < 0,001) y género masculino (p = 0,03). La cobertura de vacunación para Streptococcus pneumoniae fue del 23,8%, 5,7% para Neisseria meningitidis serogrupo C, y 8,6% para Haemophilus influenzae B. Solo el 2,9% de los enfermos se encontraban correctamente vacunados para las tres. CONCLUSIONES: Las coberturas vacunales fueron insuficientes para este perfil de paciente frágil. Se debe incidir en la captación precoz y asesoramiento en este colectivo tan susceptible a la enfermedad, siendo los profesionales de enfermería piezas determinantes en el proceso

OBJECTIVE: Splenectomy patients have a high risk of suffering severe infections, many of them preventable by vaccination. The aim of the study was to analyse the clinical epidemiological characteristics and vaccine coverage of these patients in Health Area III of the Region of Murcia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of patients that were splenectomised during the period 1993-2012, according to the Register of the Basic Minimum Data Set. Patients were classified on the basis of splenectomy (neoplasm, haematological diseases, trauma, and others), vaccination, and vital status, using official records of health data. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 statistics program. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 196 patients, of which 68.4% (n=134) were male. The mean age at which they underwent splenectomy was 50.1 years (SD: 22.2). The most common reason for removal of the spleen was neoplasia in 39.1% (n=59). Splenectomy due to trauma reasons was associated with lower patient age (p<.001) and male gender (p=.03). Vaccination coverage for Streptococcus pneumoniae was 23.8%, 5.7% for Neisseria meningitidis C, and 8.6% for Haemophilus influenzae B. Only 2.9% of patients were correctly vaccinated for all three. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination coverage was insufficient for this fragile patient profile. It should be taken into account in the early detection and counselling in this group so susceptible to disease, with nurses being a decisive part in the process