From Google Scholar & other sources: Selected Journal Articles, Newsletters, Dissertations, Theses, Commentary

Tropical Medicine and Health
[Advance Publication] Released 2014/04/23
Review
Current Trends of Immunization in Nigeria: Prospect and Challenges
Endurance A. Ophori1) 2), Musa Y. Tula1), Azuka V. Azih1), Rachel Okojie1), Precious E. Ikpo1)
1) Department of Microbiology (Immunology unit), Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin 2) Present address: Novena University
doi: 10.2149/tmh.2013-13
Abstract
Immunization is aimed at the prevention of infectious diseases. In Nigeria, the National Programme on Immunization (NPI) suffers recurrent setbacks due to many factors including ethnicity and religious beliefs. Nigeria is made up of 36 states with its federal capital in Abuja. The country is divided into six geo-political zones; north central, north west, north east, south east, south west and south south. The population is unevenly distributed across the country. The average population density in 2006 was estimated at 150 people per square kilometres with Lagos, Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Akwa Ibom being the most densely populated states. Most of the densely populated states are found in the south east. Kano with an average density of 442 persons per square kilometre, is the most densely populated state in the northern part of the country. This study presents a review on the current immunization programme and the many challenges affecting its success in the eradication of childhood diseases in Nigeria.

Obstetrics & Gynecology
May 2014
doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000447099.00426.85
The Acceptability of a Novel Group B Streptococcus Vaccine in Pregnant Women
Ault, Kevin A. MD; Hurwitz, Julie A.; Zimet, Gregory D. PhD; Omer, Saad B. PhD, MBBS, MPH; Orenstein, Walter MD
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the leading infectious cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Currently, intrapartum antibiotic treatment is the only means to decrease vertical transmission. Studies have shown that a vaccine administered during the third trimester is the most cost-effective option for GBS prevention, but the acceptability of such a vaccine to pregnant women is unknown.
METHODS: Women 18 years of age or older and 20-40 weeks of gestation at the time of their obstetric visit to two university-affiliated clinics were eligible for participation. Participants read an informational handout on GBS and completed a survey rating, on an 11-point scale (0-10), the likelihood they would elect to receive vaccines with five variable characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 17. Conjoint analysis determined importance scores, which reflected the degree to which vaccine dimensions influenced scenario ratings (the sum of importance scores across the five dimensions 100).
RESULTS: One hundred of 120 women approached completed the survey. The mean acceptability rating across all scenarios was 6.7 (standard deviation 2.3). Health care provider recommendation was the most influential (importance score 38.5) followed by vaccine efficacy (importance score 29.1). Vaccine cost (importance score 13.2), percentage of women vaccinated (importance score 11.8), and side effects (importance score 8.3) had less influence on ratings.
CONCLUSIONS: When a GBS vaccine becomes available, health care provider endorsement, and therefore preemptive education will be critical in achieving high levels of vaccination in the pregnant population.

Irish Medical Journal
April 2014 Volume 107 Number 4
http://www.imj.ie/ViewArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleID=12498
Seasonal influenza vaccine uptake in HSE-funded hospitals and nursing homes during the 2011/2012 influenza season.
P O’Lorcain, S Cotter, L Hickey, D O’Flanagan, B Corcoran, M O’Meara
Health Protection Surveillance Centre, 25-27 Middle Gardiner St, Dublin 1
Abstract
Annual seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for all health care workers (HCWs) in Ireland. For the 2011/2012 influenza season, information was collected on influenza vaccination uptake among HCWs employed in Health Service Executive (HSE)-funded hospitals (primarily acute) and of nursing homes (NHs) and also among NH long-term and short-term respite care residents. Forty-five hospitals (80%) and 120 NHs (75%) provided uptake data. Nationally, influenza vaccine uptake among hospital employed HCWs was estimated to be 18% and 14% among HCWs in NHs; in NHs vaccine uptake among long-term care residents was estimated to 88%. These findings highlight the continued low uptake among HCWs of all categories and demonstrate the need for sustained measures to improve uptake rates.

Obstetrics & Gynecology
May 2014
doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000447281.57336.3b
Factors Associated With Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Awareness in a Population-Based Sample of Women in Puerto Rico
Romaguera, Josefina MS, MD, MPH; Caballero-Varona, Daniela MS; Marrero, Edmir MPH; Pérez, Cynthia PhD; Palefsky, Joel B. MD; Ortiz, Ana P. PhD
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Despite the availability of the first human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine since 2006, vaccination rates in Puerto Rico are very low.
METHODS: The objective of this study is to describe awareness and uptake of the HPV vaccine among a population-based sample of women in Puerto Rico. Data analysis was from a population-based, cross-sectional study of anogenital HPV infection among a random sample of 566 women aged 16-64 years living in the San Juan metropolitan area of Puerto Rico (2010-2013). An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on demographics, lifestyles, and HPV knowledge among other covariates.
RESULTS: Overall, 64.8% of women had heard about the HPV vaccine. Of those in the recommended vaccination age range (16-26 years, n=86), 4.7% had been vaccinated, but only one (1.2%) had received the three doses. Among those aware of vaccine availability, only 39.6% had learned about it through a physician, whereas most had learned about HPV vaccine through the media. Nonetheless, 93.0% of women indicated they would consider vaccination if their physician recommended it. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HPV awareness (odds ratio [OR] 8.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.0-14.8) and history of an abnormal Pap test result (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.4) were associated with HPV vaccine awareness (P<.05).
CONCLUSION: Our study shows high unawareness of the HPV vaccine and low vaccine uptake among women in Puerto Rico. Although the media plays an important role in educating the public, active physician participation in HPV vaccine education must be reinforced to improve the vaccination rate in our population.