Changes in Personal Protective Equipment Usage Among Healthcare Personnel From the Beginning of Pandemic to Intra-COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand.

Objectives: Personal protective equipment (PPE) use is associated with reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare personnel (HCP). There are limited data on the impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the PPE use of HCP. We describe the changes in PPE use from just before the widespread of community outbreaks ('pre-pandemic') to intra-pandemic time points, and examine factors associated with not changing in PPE use behavior among HCP in four Thai hospitals.

Influenza-Like Symptom Incidence, Illness-Associated Expenses, and Economic Impact Among Healthcare Personnel in Thailand: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study (2020-2021).

Objectives: We estimated influenza-like symptom (ILS) incidence among healthcare personnel (HCP) in four hospitals and the economic impact due to ILS in the Thai HCP population during July 2020-June 2021 (Thailand's expected 2020 influenza season), which also coincided with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Methods: We followed HCP, in a prospective observational cohort, weekly for ≥1 of: muscle pain, cough, runny nose/nasal congestion, sore throat, or difficulty breathing. We fitted population-averaged Poisson regression models to identify factors associated with acquiring ILS and to calculate ILS incidence.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels among Thai healthcare providers receiving homologous and heterologous COVID-19 vaccination regimens.

Background: We examined SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike 1 IgG antibody levels following COVID-19 vaccination (AstraZeneca [AZ], Sinovac [SV], Pfizer-BioNTech [PZ]) among Thai healthcare providers.

Methods: Blood specimens were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We analyzed seven vaccination regimens: (1) one dose of AZ or SV, (2) two doses of homologous (2AZ, 2SV) or heterologous (1AZ + 1PZ) vaccines, and (3) three doses of heterologous vaccines (2SV + 1AZ, 2SV + 1PZ).

Sero-surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare providers in four hospitals in Thailand one year after the first community outbreak.

Background: Thailand was the first country outside China to report SARS-CoV-2 infected cases. Since the detection of the first imported case on January 12th, 2020 to the time this report was written, Thailand experienced two waves of community outbreaks (March-April 2020 and December 2020-March 2021). We examined prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among healthcare providers (HCPs) in four hospitals approximately one year after SARS-CoV-2 first detected in Thailand.

Antibodies against measles and rubella virus among different age groups in Thailand: A population-based serological survey.

Measles and rubella are highly contagious viral diseases transmitted via respiratory secretions and aerosolized droplets. Thailand has implemented universal vaccination against measles using the monovalent measles (M) or the trivalent measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine for the past 30 years. Nevertheless, incidence of measles and rubella remains in some parts of the country.

Do Thai Physicians Recommend Seasonal Influenza Vaccines to Pregnant Women? A Cross-Sectional Survey of Physicians' Perspectives and Practices in Thailand.

Background: Physicians play a major role in influencing acceptance and uptake of vaccines. However, little is known about physicians' perspectives on influenza vaccination of pregnant women in Thailand, for whom vaccine coverage is estimated at <1%.

Method: In 2013, a self-administered questionnaire on physicians' perceptions, attitudes and practices related to influenza vaccination for pregnant women was distributed to 1,134 hospitals with an antenatal care clinic (ANC) in Thailand.

Correction: Decreasing Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Thailand in the Past Decade: Evidence from the 2014 National Survey.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Declining Trend of Hepatitis A Seroepidemiology in Association with Improved Public Health and Economic Status of Thailand.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted via the fecal-oral route from contaminated food or water. As part of the most recent survey of viral hepatitis burden in Thailand, we analyzed the current seroprevalence of HAV in the country and compared with data dating back to 1971. From March to October, 2014, a total of 4,260 individuals between one month and 71 years of age from different geographical regions (North = 961; Central = 1,125; Northeast = 1,109; South = 1,065) were screened for anti-HAV IgG antibody using an automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.

The Success of a Universal Hepatitis B Immunization Program as Part of Thailand's EPI after 22 Years' Implementation.

Hepatitis B vaccination for newborns was introduced in two provinces in 1988 as part of Thailand's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), and extended to the whole country in 1992. Our previous studies showed that children and adolescents who were born after the implementation of this program had a carrier rate of less than 1%, compared with 5-6% before implementation. In 2014 we performed hepatitis B serosurveys among 5964 subjects in the different geographic regions of the country to evaluate the long-term immunogenicity and impact of universal hepatitis B vaccination in newborns as part of the 22-year EPI program, by assessing HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs seropositivity status.

Decreasing Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Thailand in the Past Decade: Evidence from the 2014 National Survey.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects ≥ 180 million individuals worldwide especially those living in developing countries. Recent advances in direct-acting therapeutics promise effective treatments for chronic HCV carriers, but only if the affected individuals are identified. Good treatment coverage therefore requires accurate epidemiological data on HCV infection.

Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to seasonal influenza vaccine among pregnant women in Thailand.

Background: In 2009, Thailand recommended pregnant women be prioritized for influenza vaccination. Vaccine uptake among Thai pregnant women is lower than other high-risk groups.

Methods: During December 2012-April 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of Thai pregnant women aged ≥ 15 years attending antenatal clinics at public hospitals in 8 of 77 provinces.

Seasonal influenza vaccine coverage among high-risk populations in Thailand, 2010-2012.

Background: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice of Thailand prioritizes seasonal influenza vaccinations for populations who are at highest risk for serious complications (pregnant women, children 6 months-2 years, persons ≥65 years, persons with chronic diseases, obese persons), and healthcare personnel and poultry cullers. The Thailand government purchases seasonal influenza vaccine for these groups. We assessed vaccination coverage among high-risk groups in Thailand from 2010 to 2012.

Diphtheria outbreak in Thailand, 2012; seroprevalence of diphtheria antibodies among Thai adults and its implications for immunization programs.

An age distribution shift in diphtheria cases during a 2012 outbreak in northeastern of Thailand suggests adults are increasingly at risk for infection in Thailand. Data regarding immunity against diphtheria among the adult Thai population is limited. We review a 2012 diphtheria outbreak in Thailand and conducted a nationwide seroepidemiological survey to determine the prevalence of diphtheria antibodies among Thai adults in order to inform immunization programs.

Effectiveness of mouse brain-derived inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine in Thai National Immunization Program: a case-control study.

Mouse brain-derived, purified inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine (MB JEV) has been locally produced and introduced into Thai National Immunization Program (NIP) since 1990. However, MB JEV effectiveness has been concerned, since 30-40% of JE cases received JE vaccines were recently reported in two descriptive studies. Therefore, in 2010, a case-control study was designed to assess effectiveness of the MB JEV used in the NIP, among children aged 1 to <6 years.

Seroprevalence of tetanus antibody in the Thai population: a national survey.

Tetanus is a disease with high mortality and the most important measure for effective prevention is vaccination. Tetanus immunization has been introduced to Thailand's national immunization program for 30 years. Yet, the coverage and seroprevalence of tetanus antibody in vast parts of the population has not been assessed.

Seroepidemiology and genotypes of hepatitis C virus in Thailand.

HCV can be classified into 6 major genotypes based on the phylogenetic analysis of the genomic sequences. The 3 major genotypes found in Thailand are 3, 1 and 6, respectively. In 2004, an epidemiological survey was carried out to evaluate the seroprevalence of HCV infections among populations aged 2-60 years in four provinces of Thailand, representing the North, Northeast, Center and South of the country, respectively.

Molecular epidemiological study of hepatitis B virus in Thailand based on the analysis of pre-S and S genes.

Aims: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, antigen subtypes, "a" determinant variants and pre-S gene mutations circulating on a large scale in Thailand.

Methods: The sequences of the Pre-S1, Pre-S2 and S regions were determined in serum samples of 147 HBsAg and HBV DNA-positive subjects who had been enrolled from the nationwide seroepidemiological survey conducted on 6213 individuals in 2004.

Results: The results showed that genotypes C, B and A accounted for 87.

Hepatitis B seroprevalence in Thailand: 12 years after hepatitis B vaccine integration into the national expanded programme on immunization.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the universal hepatitis B (HB) vaccination programme on the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers and immunity to HB virus infection among children <18 years and to determine the HB seroprevalence in the Thai population.

Methods: We enrolled people in four provinces, including Chiangrai, Udon Thani, Chonburi and Nakhon Si Thammarat to geographically represent populations in the North, Northeast, Center and South of the country respectively. Serology for HBsAg, anti-hepatitis B surface (anti-HBs), and anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) was tested using ELISA commercial kits.