Browsing by Author "Gomez-Virseda, Carlos"

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    Educational level, gender and health practices regarding COVID-19 in N'Djamena, Chad: A cross-sectional study
    (PAGEPRESS PUBL, 2022) Dzomo, G. Rodrigue Takoudjou; Bernales, Margarita; Gomez-Virseda, Carlos; Deassal, Francis; Lopez, Rodrigo
    COVID-19 is affecting different countries and populations unequally. In this sense, sub-Saharan countries represent a particularly vulnerable context due to their unique demographic and health circumstances. A holistic approach to Covid-19 is urged, one that considers the social-cultural contexts of people's lives. Using Social Determinants of Health (SDH) as framework, we explore which variables could explain the differences in health practices regarding the prevention of COVID-19 in Chad, in order to propose recommendations that allow communities to better face future health crises. The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey conducted in N'Djamena, Chad, using a convenience sampling technique that included 2,330 participants. A regression model was fitted to assess the relationship between educational level, gender, and health practices regarding COVID-19. 2,269 participants completed the survey successfully. Participants mean age was 31.04, 61.52% were male, and 40.55% had precarious jobs. 21.38% of participants answered right all questions regarding knowledge and 37.19% followed all preventive measures. Findings show that safe practices regarding COVID-19 depend on right knowledge. Gender influences knowledge mainly through its influence on education. Vulnerability is given by women's reduced access to education. The SDH approach provide with an exploratory explanation and some recommendations aimed at local authorities. Access to education for all men and women must be improved to increase health practices and better deal with future health crises.
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    Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Chad: A cross-sectional study
    (2023) Takoudjou Dzomo, Guy Rodrigue; Mbario, Edmond; Djarma, Oumaima; Soumbatingar, Ndilbe; Madengar, Mouassede; Djimera, Nadia; Djindimadje, Allarangue; Nguemadjita, Christian; Nassaringar, Guirimadje; Bernales, Margarita; Nangerngar, Togoumbaye; Naissem, Denise; Paningar, Ephrem; Gomez-Virseda, Carlos; Lopez Barreda, Rodrigo; Robbins, Ian; Cournil, Amandine; Visier, Laurent; Tuaillon, Edouard; Mennechet, Franck J. D.
    Vaccination against the COVID-19 virus is currently the best option to combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic worldwide. However, in addition to logistical and economic barriers, hesitancy to be vaccinated threatens to jeopardize efforts to contain the disease. An increasing number of people in Africa are delaying or rejecting recommended vaccines. Since their launch, COVID-19 vaccines have frequently faced rejection worldwide. In this study, we interviewed 5,174 participants from Chad that were representative of the general population, on their perception of COVID-19 vaccines. The survey was conducted from April to May 2021, before the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination. We found that 47.9% of respondents were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, 29.8% were undecided and 22.3% would not accept the vaccine. We found that urban residents were much more likely to refuse the vaccine than rural residents. We also observed that distrust of COVID-19 vaccines and mistaken beliefs played a crucial role in the reluctance to be vaccinated. Hesitancy to vaccinate against COVID-19 was strongly associated with lack of knowledge, and acceptance of vaccination was primarily associated with fear of the disease. Finally, we identified population profiles among the undecided and the refractors, which will help in developing strategies to combat COVID-19 vaccine resistance.