Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38221

Browse

Browsing Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters) by Keyword "COVID-19"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Off-label evaluation of alternative specimen types: Cobas® plasma separation card for HIV viral load and dried blood spots for COVID-19 serology testing
    (2024) Mampa, Thabiso Mmammitsi
    Plasma is the preferred specimen for HIV viral load (VL) monitoring and COVID-19 serology testing but poses a challenge in resource-limited settings due to the need for venous blood, skilled phlebotomy, and cold storage for specimen integrity. In this study dried blood spots and novel plasma separation devices (PSC, HSSE, and VLPlasma) versus plasma were investigated as alternative specimen types. The plasma separation devices (PSD) were compared to DBS to determine if eliminating cellassociated nucleic acids could improve HIV VL performance. Paired PSD (n=72), DBS (n=72) and plasma (n=72) were prepared from HIV positive residual whole blood. Similarly, paired PSC, DBS (n=91) and plasma (n=91) were prepared from HIV positive prospective whole blood to assess PSC as an alternative specimen for use on the Abbott m2000. The eluates were processed on the GeneXpert (residual blood), Abbott m2000 (residual and prospective blood) and Roche cobas® 68/8800 (prospective blood). Using plasma as reference, residual blood: DBS outperformed PSC, HSSE and VLPlasma in terms of accuracy 91.8%, compared to 87.8%, 79.1% and 75%. Prospective blood: PSC had improved performance over DBS in terms of sensitivity (92.2% and 87.1%), specificity (65% and 61.9%), and accuracy (86.9% and 80.7%). Additionally, the performance of DBS was evaluated for COVID-19 serology testing in 45 PCR-confirmed, COVID-19 positive individuals by preparing laboratory paired DBS-plasma samples. DBS were eluted using two diluents followed by manual ELISA and results compared to reference plasma testing. DBS-PBS and DBS-manufacturer’s diluent showed the same accuracy (93.6%). Kappa values (0.817 and 0.845) and sensitivity (100% and 91.4%) were similar, but DBS-PBS showed low specificity (75%) compared to DBS-diluent (100%). Off-Label use of the cobas® PSC for HIV VL and DBS for COVID-19 serology testing provides expanded options for testing in resource-limited settings. Further evaluation on capillary blood and automated laboratory workflow optimisation would still be required prior to scaled implementation.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Understanding barriers and motivators of Covid-19 vaccine uptake among young people in Soweto, South Africa
    (2024) Nkhata, Bernadette
    The SARS-CoV-2 novel human coronavirus is the cause of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) Covid19 is coupled with common symptoms such as fever or chills, dry cough, and tiredness. Less common symptoms include muscle or body aches, the new loss of taste or loss of infection. Vaccines are the most effective public health intervention that could protect individuals and the community from the severity of Covid-19. Several vaccine candidates have shown good safety and efficacy during recent randomized clinical trials, and seven of which have been rolled out to different African counties with over 1 million doses administered. In south Africa there has been a low uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine particularly among the youth, despite studies showing positive attitudes towards vaccination. The youth play an important role in the pandemic as they are a crucial source for the spread of the virus to more vulnerable populations. Understanding the barriers and motivations towards vaccine uptake in this population group will assist in implementing interventions targeted specifically for the youth. Aim The aim of this study is to understand the barriers and motivations towards vaccine uptake among the youth aged 18-35 in Soweto, South Africa. Methodology This is a qualitative exploratory study approach employing focus group discussions. Eight focus group discussions with both male and female participants between the ages of 18 and 35 took place in two study sites, Themb’Elihle and Meadowlands South Africa. A total of 62 participants were enrolled in the study. The Health Belief Model theoretical framework served as a guide for this investigation. Themes were developed through thematic qualitative analysis and the data collected was examined and interpreted with the use of qualitative software ATLAS.ti. Results The study found that young adults do experience barriers and motivations that determine their decision to get vaccinated against Covid-19 or not. Misinformation was among the strongest barriers to vaccination. The spread of rumors and conspiracies of the vaccines left participants feeling scared to be vaccinated. This led to the lack of trust in health care professionals, and the lack of trust in governmental authorities leading the vaccines rollout. Motivation to vaccinate came as a result of the need to protect themselves and loved ones. Participants were also willing to vaccinate as a means to reintegrate back into society and to access basic means that were previously restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that motivations and barriers that young adults in Soweto, South Africa encounter have a significant impact on their decision to get immunized. Policymakers are encouraged to look into the challenges faced by this group, with a focus on how social media can be used as a useful tool for reaching out to young adults and spreading correct information.