Nansalmaa Khaidav

The SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign began in February 2021 and achieved a high rate of 62.7% of the total population fully vaccinated by August 16, 2021, in Mongolia. We aimed to assess the initial protective antibody production after two doses of a variety of types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in the Mongolian pre-vaccine antibody-naïve adult population. This prospective study was conducted from March-April to July-August of 2021. All participants received one of the four government-proposed COVID-19 vaccines including Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2), AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-S), Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV), and Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac). Before receiving the first shot, anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD human IgG titers were measured in all participants (n = 1833), and titers were measured 21–28 days after the second shot in a subset of participants (n = 831). We found an overall average protective antibody response of 84.8% (705 of 831 vaccinated) in 21–28 days after two doses of the four types of COVID-19 vaccines. Seropositivity and titer of protective antibodies produced after two shots of vaccine were associated with the vaccine types, age, and residence of vaccinees. Seropositivity rate varied significantly between vaccine types, 80.0% (28 of 35) for AstraZeneca ChAdOx1-S; 97.0% (193 of 199) for Pfizer BNT162b2; 80.7% (474 of 587) for Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV, and 100.0% (10 of 10) for Sputnik V Gam-COVID-Vac, respectively. Immunocompromised vaccinees with increased risk for developing severe COVID-19 disease had received the Pfizer vaccine and demonstrated a high rate of seropositivity. A high geometric mean titer (GMT) was found in vaccinees who received BNT162b2, while vaccinees who received ChAdOx1-S, Sputnik V, and BBIBP-CorV showed a lower GMT. In summary, we observed first stages of the immunization campaign against COVID-19 in Mongolia have been completed successfully, with a high immunogenicity level achieved among the population with an increased risk for developing severe illness.

Background: The ratio of the second‐ (2D) to fourth (4D) digit lengths of hand (2D:4D) is a proxy marker of the relative testosterone and estrogen concentration during a relatively narrow period of fetal development that might affect behavioral and personality characteristics.Aim: To estimate the differences in 2D:4D between different religious groups among a sample of young adult males in Mongolia.Methods: Two hundred and sixty‐five Mongolian male students with mean age of 20.5 (SD = 1.7) years from different universities in Ulan Bator, were included in the study. Information on age, religious affiliation, marital status and parental education were obtained directly from each study participant. Digit lengths were measured from scanned images by using the ImageJ software 1.53 K. One‐way analysis of variance was employed to evaluate whether they were significant differences in 2D:4D ratio between groups, along with Scheffe's post hoc comparison.Results: Study participants significantly differed in 2D:4D across religion. Left 2D:4D, but not the right, showed a significant difference between religions, with Muslims exhibiting the highest 2D:4D mean and the lowest D_R−L.Conclusion: Our study suggests that the 2D:4D ratio is related to the participants' religion. However, the distinctiveness of the Muslim students from study participants belonging to other religious groups in this study could also be related to ethnic differences, given that the students were Kazakhs. This is, to our knowledge, the only study looking at the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and religious affiliation and, thus, further research is needed to confirm its results.

Mongolia is located at 45° north latitude in the center of the Asian continent, and about 80% of the territory is at 1000 m above sea level. Epidemiologically, multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been investigated in Mongolia, although there have been a few MS case reports. We investigated the characteristics of MS in Mongolia for the first time, focusing on the association between MS-related parameters and depression levels. We initiated cross-sectional analyses, using data from 27 MS patients aged 20 to 60 years in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The patients completed a questionnaire on their lifestyles and clinical information. We classified the MS patients on the basis of disability levels using the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores: 11.1% mild disability and 88.9% moderate to severe disability (median EDSS score, 5.5). We also classified the patients on the basis of depression levels using the 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores: 44.4% mild depression, 40.7% moderate depression, and 14.8% severe depression (mean PHQ-9’s score, 9.96 ± 5.05). We used multivariate logistical regression analyses to identify predictors of EDSS or PHQ-9 scores. Disability levels were associated with vision and balance problems. Depression levels were associated with corticosteroid treatment; no patients were treated with disease-modifying drugs (DMDs). The odds ratios for disease onset age and treatment duration were associated with EDSS scores. In conclusion, MS onset age and treatment duration were independent predicting factors influencing the level of disability. Appropriate DMD treatment would lower the disability and depression levels.

Vaccine acceptance in the general public is essential in controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The study aimed to assess the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the adult population of Mongolia, and determine the associated factors. A total of 2875 individuals from urban and rural areas were recruited, and completed an online survey. Older age, urban residence, previous vaccination, high education, good knowledge of side effects, and a personal view of the importance of vaccines were associated with vaccine acceptability, whereas gender and religion were not. Receiving COVID-19 vaccine information from official government pages was related to a higher acceptance rate. Reliance on social media as a source of COVID-19 vaccine information was associated with high level of vaccine hesitancy. The side effects and the type of the COVID-19 vaccine were a major reason for hesitation. Countering false information regarding COVID-19 vaccines on social media, and promoting vaccine importance on general news websites is necessary. Moreover, providing clear and direct educational materials through official communication channels on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines alongside information on COVID-19 symptoms, vaccine side effects, and location of vaccine administration centers among the younger populations, rural residents, and those with lower education is needed.