Browsing by Author "Colebunders, Robert"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Azuay province, Ecuador: a cross-sectional online survey
(2021) Colebunders, Robert; Jaramillo Monge, Julio César; Obimpeh, Michael; Acurio Páez, Fausto David; Boven, Annelies; Vega Crespo, Bernardo José
We investigated the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance level in Azuay province, Ecuador through an online survey from 12th to 26th February (before the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ecuador). Overall, 1219 respondents participated in the survey. The mean age was 32 ± 13 years; 693 participants (57%) were female. In total, 1109 (91%) of the participants indicated they were willing to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, if the vaccine is at least 95% effective; 835 (68.5%) if it is 90% effective and 493 (40.5%) if it is 70% effective; 676 (55.5%) participants indicated they feared side effects and 237 (19.4%) thought the vaccine was not effective. Older age, having had a postgraduate education, a history of a negative COVID-19 test, a high level of worry of contracting COVID-19, believing that COVID-19 infection can be prevented with a vaccine and understanding there is currently an effective vaccine against COVID-19 were associated with higher vaccination acceptance. A vaccination education campaign will be needed to increase the knowledge of Ecuadorians about the COVID-19 vaccine and to increase their trust in the vaccine. People with a lower education level and living in rural areas may need to be targeted during such a campaign.
Mass masking as a way to contain COVID-19 and exit lockdown in low- and middle-income countries
(2020) Colebunders, Robert; Siewe Fodjo, Joseph Nelson; Pengpid, Supa; Vega Crespo, Bernardo José
We read with interest the research work of Cheng and collaborators on community-wide mask use for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) control. 1 Indeed, face masks are now recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent COVID-19 transmission, according to new guidelines published on June 5th 2020. 2. The new recommendations state that in areas with ongoing COVID-19 community transmission, governments should encourage the general public to wear masks in specific situations and settings where physical distancing cannot be achieved, as part of a comprehensiven approach to suppress COVID-19 transmission. 2.
Seroprevalence of sars-cov-2 infection and adherence to preventive measures in cuenca, ecuador, october 2020, a cross-sectional study
(2021) Colebunders, Robert; Acurio Páez, Fausto David; Vega Crespo, Bernardo José; Orellana Vintimilla, Daniel Augusto; Charry Ramírez, José Ricardo; Gómez, Andrea; Obimpeh, Michael; Verhoeven, Veronique
A door-to-door survey was organised in Cuenca, Ecuador, to determine the prevalence ofCOVID-19 infection and adherence of the population to COVID-19 preventive measures. A total of2457 persons participated in the study; 584 (23.7%) reported having experienced at least one flu-likesymptom since the onset of the pandemic. The maximum SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Cuenca was13.2% (CI: 12–14.6%) (IgM or IgG positive). Considering PCR confirmed infections, the prevalencewas 11% (CI: 10–12.4%). There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between rural andurban areas. Participants aged 35–49 years old, living with a COVID-19 positive person, at leastsix people in a household, physical contact with someone outside the household, a contact with aperson outside the home with flu-like symptoms, using public transport, and not having enoughresources for living, significantly increased the odds for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Overall, therewas good adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Having known someone who tested positivefor COVID-19, having a primary or secondary level of education, and having enough resources forliving, significantly increased the odds for higher adherence. In conclusion, despite good overalladherence of the population of Cuenca with COVID-19 preventive measures, our study suggests highongoing COVID-19 transmission in Cuenca, particularly in certain parishes. Prevention should notonly focus on behavioural change, but on intensified testing strategies in demographical risk groups