Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress amongst healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: An online survey

Background: Understanding the mental health needs of healthcare workers during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with a view of mitigating its impact on occupational functioning is vital. Aim: To determine the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress amongst healthcare workers. Setting: The study was carried out in Nigeria during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study using a convenience sample was conducted amongst healthcare workers. The survey comprised of two Google formatted self-report questionnaires, a 12-item General Health Questionnaire and a questionnaire containing socio-demographic, work related and knowledge of COVID-19 variables. Questionnaires were distributed via closed professional WhatsApp platforms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: There were 313 respondents and prevalence of psychological distress was 47.0%. Females were almost twice as likely to have psychological distress as males (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.21­3.04, p = 0.006). Healthcare workers who had no contact with COVID-19 positive patients had an 87% reduced risk of psychological distress (OR = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.23­0.25, p = 0.018) compared with those who had contact with COVID-19 positive patients. Healthcare workers with poor knowledge of COVID-19 had a 44% reduced risk of psychological distress compared with those with good knowledge (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34­0.93, p = 0.025). Conclusion: Findings revealed that healthcare workers in Nigeria reported psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic. Greater risk was amongst females and those who had contact with COVID-19 positive patients whilst poor knowledge was protective.

In vitro interaction of antimicrobial agents in combination with plant extract against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains

Aims: To evaluate the possible in vitro interaction between methanolic extract of root of Adiantumcapillus-veneris and certain known antimicrobial drugs i.e. Oxacillin, Ceftazimide, Cefriaxone, Ofloxacin, Meropenem, Erythromycin, Cefuroxime, Cefoxitin, Cefotaxime and Ampicillin. Methodology and results: The study was carried out against ten bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniea, Shigella dysentriea, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Providencia species, Citrobacter freundii and Escherichia coli isolated from urine, pus and blood samples. Both disc diffusion and well diffusion methods were used to determine antimicrobial activity of plant extract in combination with antibiotics. Antimicrobial sensitivity showed that Meropenem was the most effective antibiotic with zone of inhibition (ZI) of 25-33 mm among all tested antibiotics followed by Ofloxacin (10-26.5 mm), Ceftriaxone (8-20 mm), while Oxacillin showed no activity against almost all bacterial strains. The study showed that most bacterial strains were resistant to most of the antibiotics used, ranging from 20-60%. The methanolic extract (mEXT) of A. capillus-veneris used alone was active against most of the bacterial isolates with maximum activity against E. coli with 16 mm ZI. The study also indicated that there was an increased activity in case of combination of mEXT with antibiotics. The combined effects of plant extract with antibiotics were synergistic against most of the bacterial strains. The mEXT showed maximum synergistic effect with Ceftazimide with ZI of 42 mm followed by Meropenem (40 mm) and Ceftriaxone (28 mm) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The data suggests that plant extract could be used as alternative to antibiotics. These results give scientific backing that combination between plant extract and antibiotics would be useful in fighting the emerging drug-resistant bacterial pathogens.