Publications by authors named "Rocio B Morales"

Risk perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are considered important as they impact community health behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 and to assess the factors associated with such risk perceptions among community members in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia, and South America. An online cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 LMICs in Africa, Asia, and South America from February to May 2021.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Vaccine hesitancy is considered one of the greatest threats to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programs. Lack of trust in vaccine benefits, along with concerns about side effects of the newly developed COVID-19 vaccine, might significantly contribute to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study was to determine the level of vaccine hesitancy among communities in particular their belief in vaccination benefits and perceived risks of new vaccines.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Hematological side effects are not generally expected due to radiotherapy involving limited radiation fields; however, patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCH and N) receiving radiation therapy frequently have chronic intraoral infections. Xerostomia has been implicated as a cause of it, but local or systemic immune alterations are not usually considered.

Methods: With the purpose of evaluating the impact of radiotherapy treatment to different anatomic sites on immune function, 70 patients were evaluated during and after radiotherapy: 50 cases with SCCH and N, 10 with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (SCCUC) and 10 patients with central nervous system tumors (CNS).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF