ORCID Profile
0000-0002-1919-1340
Current Organisations
University of Antwerp
,
Free University Brussels
,
Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 17-05-2021
Abstract: Vaccination is fast becoming a key intervention against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted cross-sectional online surveys to investigate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance across nine Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs N = 10,183), assuming vaccine effectiveness at 90% and 95%. The prevalence of vaccine acceptance increased from 76.4% (90% effectiveness) to 88.8% (95% effectiveness). Considering a 90% effective vaccine, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and five African countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Uganda, Malawi, and Mali) had lower acceptance odds compared to Brazil. In iduals who perceived taking the vaccine as important to protect themselves had the highest acceptance odds (aOR 2.49) at 95% effectiveness.Vaccine acceptance was also positively associated with COVID-19 knowledge, worry/fear regarding COVID-19, higher income, younger age, and testing negative for COVID-19. However, chronic disease and female gender reduced the odds for vaccine acceptance. The main reasons underpinning vaccine refusal were fear of side effects (41.2%) and lack of confidence in vaccine effectiveness (15.1%). Further research is needed to identify country-specific reasons for vaccine hesitancy in order to develop mitigation strategies that would ensure high and equitable vaccination coverage across LMICs.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 22-12-2021
Abstract: Since emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children aged between 12 and 15 years old was recently obtained in the United States and Europe, we aimed to assess the willingness to vaccinate children with a COVID-19 vaccine in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we launched an online cross-sectional survey in several LMICs. Questions relating to socio-demographic information, knowledge of COVID-19, level of fear/worry of being infected with COVID-19, and willingness to vaccinate children with the COVID-19 vaccine at 50%, 75% and 95% effectiveness levels, were asked. Of the 6571 participants (mean age = 39 ± 14 years), 64.0%, 72.6%, and 92.9% were willing to vaccinate children at 50%, 75%, and 95% effectiveness levels, respectively. Respondents who were undergraduates, who were more worried/fearful about COVID-19, had higher knowledge scores regarding COVID-19, and a higher belief that COVID-19 vaccination is important to protect others, were more willing to accept COVID-19 vaccination of children. COVID-19 vaccination of children will limit the spread of the virus, especially in schools it may decrease the need for school closures which has a negative effect on child development. Findings from this study are useful for health promotion strategies during COVID-19 vaccination implementation among children in LMICs.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 27-07-2021
Abstract: A high worldwide SARS-CoV-2 vaccine coverage must be attained to stop the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we assessed the level of willingness of Mozambicans to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Data were collected between 11 and 20 March 2021, through a self-administered online survey. Of the 1878 respondents, 30.1% were healthcare workers, 58.3% were aged between 18 and 35 years, 60% were male, and 38.5% were single. Up to 43% had been tested for COVID-19 and 29% had tested positive. Overall vaccine acceptability was 71.4% (86.6% among healthcare workers, 64.8% among other respondents p 0.001). Reasons for vaccine hesitancy included: fear of vaccine side effects (29.6%) and the belief that the vaccine is not effective (52%). The acceptability of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine increased with increasing vaccine efficacy. Using logistic regression, determinants for acceptability of the vaccine were: older age, a past COVID-19 test, a concern of becoming (re)infected by COVID-19, having a chronic disease, and considering vaccination important for personal and community health. In conclusion, vaccine acceptability in Mozambique was relatively high among healthcare workers but significantly lower in the rest of the population. This suggests that there is a need to educate the general population about SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and its importance.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 13-03-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-03-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2008
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2014
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 19-06-2012
DOI: 10.1093/CID/CIS577
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 10-2008
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-07-2015
DOI: 10.1111/HIV.12294
Abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the gain in body mass index (BMI) observed immediately after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation on the subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. We analysed data from the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) cohort study. Outcomes were development of (i) CVD (composite of myocardial infarction/stroke/coronary procedure) and (ii) diabetes. The main exposure variable was change in BMI from ART initiation (pre-ART) to 1 year after initiation (continuous variable) in treatment-naïve in iduals initiating ART with no history of CVD or diabetes (for respective outcomes). BMI [weight (kg)/(height (m))(2)] was categorized as underweight ( 30). Poisson regression models were fitted stratified for each pre-ART BMI category to allow for category-specific estimates of incidence rate ratio (IRR). Models were adjusted for pre-ART BMI and CD4 count, key known risk factors (time-updated where possible) and calendar year. A total of 97 CVD events occurred in 43,982 person-years (n = 9321) and 125 diabetes events in 43,278 person-years (n = 9193). In fully adjusted analyses for CVD, the IRR/unit gain in BMI (95% confidence interval) in the first year of ART, by pre-ART BMI category, was: underweight, 0.90 (0.60-1.37) normal, 1.18 (1.05-1.33) overweight, 0.87 (0.70-1.10), and obese, 0.95 (0.71-1.28) (P for interaction = 0.04). For diabetes, the IRR/unit gain in BMI was 1.11 (95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.21), regardless of pre-ART BMI (P for interaction > 0.05). Short-term gain in BMI following ART initiation appeared to increase the longer term risk of CVD, but only in those with pre-ART BMI in the normal range. It was also associated with increased risk of diabetes regardless of pre-ART BMI.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2018
Abstract: The Lablite project captured information on access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) at larger health facilities ('hubs') and lower-level health facilities ('spokes') in Phalombe district, Malawi and in Kalungu district, Uganda. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among patients who had transferred to a spoke after treatment initiation (Malawi, n=54 Uganda, n=33), patients who initiated treatment at a spoke (Malawi, n=50 Uganda, n=44) and patients receiving treatment at a hub (Malawi, n=44 Uganda, n=46). In Malawi, 47% of patients mapped to the two lowest wealth quintiles (Q1-Q2) patients at spokes were poorer than at a hub (57% vs 23% in Q1-Q2 p<0.001). In Uganda, 7% of patients mapped to Q1-Q2 patients at the rural spoke were poorer than at the two peri-urban facilities (15% vs 4% in Q1-Q2 p<0.001). The median travel time one way to a current ART facility was 60 min (IQR 30-120) in Malawi and 30 min (IQR 20-60) in Uganda. Patients who had transferred to the spokes reported a median reduction in travel time of 90 min in Malawi and 30 min in Uganda, with reductions in distance and food costs. Decentralizing ART improves access to treatment. Community-level access to treatment should be considered to further minimize costs and time.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 24-07-2023
DOI: 10.3390/PATHOGENS12070971
Abstract: Onchocerciasis is a neglected tropical disease targeted for elimination using ivermectin mass administration. Ivermectin kills the microfilariae and temporarily arrests microfilariae production by the macrofilariae. We genotyped 436 microfilariae from 10 people each in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Maridi County, South Sudan, collected before and 4–5 months after ivermectin treatment. Population genetic analyses identified 52 and 103 mitochondrial DNA haplotypes among the microfilariae from DRC and South Sudan, respectively, with few haplotypes shared between people. The percentage of genotype-based correct assignment to person within DRC was ~88% and within South Sudan ~64%. Rarefaction and extrapolation analysis showed that the genetic ersity in DRC, and even more so in South Sudan, was captured incompletely. The results indicate that the per-person adult worm burden is likely higher in South Sudan than DRC. Analyses of haplotype data from a subs le (n = 4) did not discriminate genetically between pre- and post-treatment microfilariae, confirming that post-treatment microfilariae are not the result of new infections. With appropriate s ling, mitochondrial haplotype analysis could help monitor changes in the number of macrofilariae in a population as a result of treatment, identify cases of potential treatment failure, and detect new infections as an indicator of continuing transmission.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 07-2008
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 12-2012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2010
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-2015
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 12-09-2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 03-2017
Abstract: We conducted unlinked cross-sectional population-based surveys in Northern Uganda before and after antiretroviral therapy (ART) provision (including Option B+ [lifelong ART for pregnant/breast-feeding women]) at a local primary care facility (Lira Kato Health Centre [HC]). Prior to decentralisation, people travelled 56-76 km round-trip for ART we aimed to evaluate changes in uptake of HIV-testing, ART coverage and access to ART following decentralisation. A total of 2124 adults in 1351 households in two parishes closest to Lira Kato HC were interviewed using questionnaires between March and April 2013 and 2123 adults in 1229 households between January and March 2015. Adults reporting HIV-testing in the last year increased from 1077/2124 (50.7%) to 1298/2123 (61.1%) between surveys (p<0.001). ART coverage increased from 74/136 (54.4%) self-reported HIV-positive adults in 2013 to 108/133 (81.2%) in 2015 (p<0.001). Post-decentralisation, 47/108 (43.5%) of those on ART were in care at Lira Kato HC (including 37 new initiations). Most of the remainder (47/61, 77%) started ART prior to any ART provision at Lira Kato HC the most common reason given for not accessing ART locally was concern about drug-stock-outs (30/59, 51%). HIV-testing and ART coverage increased after decentralisation combined with Option B+ roll-out. However, patients on ART before decentralisation were reluctant to transfer to their local facility.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 15-04-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-09-2018
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 31-03-2015
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 22-06-2021
DOI: 10.3390/PATHOGENS10070787
Abstract: Despite the increasing epidemiological evidence that the Onchocerca volvulus parasite is strongly associated with epilepsy in children, hence the name onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE), the pathophysiological mechanism of OAE remains to be elucidated. In June 2014, children with unprovoked convulsive epilepsy and healthy controls were enrolled in a case control study in Titule, Bas-Uélé Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to identify risk factors for epilepsy. Using a subset of s les collected from in iduals enrolled in this study (16 persons with OAE and 9 controls) plasma, buffy coat, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were subjected to random-primed next-generation sequencing. The resulting sequences were analyzed using sensitive computational methods to identify viral DNA and RNA sequences. Anneloviridae, Flaviviridae, Hepadnaviridae (Hepatitis B virus), Herpesviridae, Papillomaviridae, Polyomaviridae (Human polyomavirus), and Virgaviridae were identified in cases and in controls. Not unexpectedly, a variety of bacteriophages were also detected in all cases and controls. However, none of the identified viral sequences were found enriched in OAE cases, which was our criteria for agents that might play a role in the etiology or pathogenesis of OAE.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-05-2014
DOI: 10.1111/HIV.12162
Abstract: The aim of the study was to statistically model the relative increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) per year older in Data collection on Adverse events of anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) and to compare this with the relative increased risk of CVD per year older in general population risk equations. We analysed three endpoints: myocardial infarction (MI), coronary heart disease (CHD: MI or invasive coronary procedure) and CVD (CHD or stroke). We fitted a number of parametric age effects, adjusting for known risk factors and antiretroviral therapy (ART) use. The best-fitting age effect was determined using the Akaike information criterion. We compared the ageing effect from D:A:D with that from the general population risk equations: the Framingham Heart Study, CUORE and ASSIGN risk scores. A total of 24 323 men were included in analyses. Crude MI, CHD and CVD event rates per 1000 person-years increased from 2.29, 3.11 and 3.65 in those aged 40-45 years to 6.53, 11.91 and 15.89 in those aged 60-65 years, respectively. The best-fitting models included inverse age for MI and age + age(2) for CHD and CVD. In D:A:D there was a slowly accelerating increased risk of CHD and CVD per year older, which appeared to be only modest yet was consistently raised compared with the risk in the general population. The relative risk of MI with age was not different between D:A:D and the general population. We found only limited evidence of accelerating increased risk of CVD with age in D:A:D compared with the general population. The absolute risk of CVD associated with HIV infection remains uncertain.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 22-05-2014
Abstract: In the general population, raised levels of inflammatory markers are stronger predictors of fatal than nonfatal cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) events. People with HIV have elevated levels of interleukin‐6 ( IL ‐6), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs CRP ), and D‐dimer HIV ‐induced activation of inflammatory and coagulation pathways may be responsible for their greater risk of CVD . Whether the enhanced inflammation and coagulation associated with HIV is associated with more fatal CVD events has not been investigated. Biomarkers were measured at baseline for 9764 patients with HIV and no history of CVD . Of these patients, we focus on the 288 that experienced either a fatal (n=74) or nonfatal (n=214) CVD event over a median of 5 years. Odds ratios ( OR s) (fatal versus nonfatal CVD ) (95% confidence intervals [ CIs ]) associated with a doubling of IL ‐6, D‐dimer, hs CRP , and a 1‐unit increase in an IL ‐6 and D‐dimer score, measured a median of 2.6 years before the event, were 1.39 (1.07 to 1.79), 1.40 (1.10 to 1.78), 1.09 (0.93 to 1.28), and 1.51 (1.15 to 1.97), respectively. Of the 214 patients with nonfatal CVD , 23 died during follow‐up. Hazard ratios (95% CI ) for all‐cause mortality were 1.72 (1.28 to 2.31), 1.73 (1.27 to 2.36), 1.44 (1.15 to 1.80), and 1.88 (1.39 to 2.55), respectively, for IL ‐6, D‐dimer, hs CRP , and the IL ‐6 and D‐dimer score. Higher IL ‐6 and D‐dimer levels reflecting enhanced inflammation and coagulation associated with HIV are associated with a greater risk of fatal CVD and a greater risk of death after a nonfatal CVD event. URL: www.clinicaltrial.gov Unique identifier: SMART: NCT00027352, ESPRIT: NCT00004978, SILCAAT: NCT00013611.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2014
No related grants have been discovered for Robert Colebunders.