Publications by authors named "Natasha A Camejo-Avila"
Background: Despite nearly a quarter of Venezuelans remaining unvaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy in the country have not been thoroughly investigated.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 15 to 30, 2022, using a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.
Results: The study analyzed data from 1,930 participants from all 24 states of Venezuela.
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted multiple health services, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, care, and treatment services, jeopardizing the achievement of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 global target. While there are limited studies assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Latin America, there are none, to our knowledge, in Venezuela. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among PLHIV seen at the outpatient clinic of a reference hospital in Venezuela.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Persistent headache is a frequent symptom after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and there is currently limited knowledge about its clinical spectrum and predisposing factors. A subset of patients may be experiencing new daily persistent headache (NDPH) after COVID-19, which is among the most treatment-refractory primary headache syndromes.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Latin America to characterize individuals with persistent headache after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and to identify factors associated with NDPH.
Article Synopsis
- Malaria is a significant global health issue, particularly in Venezuela, where co-infections with other viral and bacterial pathogens complicate malaria diagnosis and treatment, leading to higher mortality rates.
- A study was conducted on 161 malaria patients to assess the prevalence of co-infections with pathogens like dengue virus and hepatitis viruses, using specific laboratory tests for diagnosis.
- Results showed that 34% of the malaria patients had co-infections, with a higher incidence in those infected with the Plasmodium falciparum strain compared to Plasmodium vivax, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic methods in endemic areas.
[COVID-19 in Latin America: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis].
Rev Salud Publica (Bogota)
March 2020
Objective: Describe and analyze scientific activity on COVID-19 in Latin America.
Materials And Methods: Through a systematic review of the literature in PubMed, LILACS, and the preprinted repositories BioRxiv and medRxiv, all available documents on COVID-19 in Latin America from January 1 to April 24, 2020, were retrieved for review and bibliometric analysis.
Results: A total of 29 publications were included in the analysis.
Clinical-epidemiological characteristics and maternal-foetal outcomes in pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19 in Venezuela: a retrospective study.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth
December 2022
Background: In low- and middle-income countries, pregnant women and newborns are more vulnerable to adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, in Venezuela, there are no integrated data in a national surveillance system to identify the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and maternal-foetal outcomes of pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among Venezuelan pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19 seen at the "Ruiz y Páez" University Hospital Complex and the San Cristobal Central Hospital between June 2020 and September 2021.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has particularly affected countries with weakened health services in Latin America, where proper patient management could be a critical step to address the epidemic. In this study, we aimed to characterize and identify which epidemiological, clinical, and paraclinical risk factors defined COVID-19 infection from the first confirmed cases through the first epidemic wave in Venezuela. A retrospective analysis of consecutive suspected cases of COVID-19 admitted to a sentinel hospital was carried out, including 576 patient cases subsequently confirmed for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNumerous reports of neuropsychiatric symptoms highlighted the pathologic potential of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its relationship the onset and/or exacerbation of mental disease. However, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatments, themselves, must be considered as potential catalysts for new-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 patients. To date, immediate and long-term neuropsychiatric complications following SARS-CoV-2 infection are currently unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica, which affects people living in low- and middle-income countries and has intestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. To date, knowledge on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) coinfection with enteric parasites is limited, and E. histolytica coinfection has not been previously described.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The studies on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 help to identify erroneous concepts and inadequate practices related to the disease. This baseline information is essential to design effective strategies and improve adherence to prevention measures.
Objective: To identify the COVID-19-related KAP in Venezuelan patients screened at the Hospital Universitario de Caracas triage tent.
Background: Venezuela accounted for 55% of the cases and 73% of the malaria deaths in the Americas in 2019. Bolivar state, in the southeast, contributes > 60% of the country's Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum cases every year. This study describes the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of clinical malaria patients in this high-transmission area.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe deterioration of Venezuela's health system in recent years undoubtedly contributes to an increased impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) toward COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic could inform their medical training and improve their preparedness. A online national cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 26th and May 30th, 2020, to assess KAPs among HCWs in Venezuela.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - Pregnant women in southern Venezuela are at a high risk for malaria infections, particularly impacted by the low endemicity of both *Plasmodium falciparum* and *Plasmodium vivax*, but recent studies on malaria in pregnancy (MiP) are lacking in this region.
- - A study analyzing 52 pregnant women at a hospital showed that 71% were infected with *P. vivax*, with most infections occurring in the third trimester; complications were common, including severe anemia and fetal deaths.
- - The findings highlight the need for routine malaria testing and preventive measures, like distributing insecticide-treated mosquito nets, to improve maternal and fetal health in these vulnerable populations.