ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the perceptions of undergraduate pharmacy students towards online assessments used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, validated and pre-tested online questionnaire. The data were collected from December 2020 to January 2021 and analysed using descriptive and inferential tests. Results: Of the 233 respondents (response rate: 72%), approximately 45% strongly disagree or disagree that online assessment is better than the conventional method of assessment. Only 23.6% were very satisfied or satisfied with online assessment, while 28.8% were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied. About 80% experienced problems with online assessment including failure of portal/online server (63.5%), slow or failure of internet connection (45.5%) and a problem with laptop/gadget (40.8%). Females, final year students, and those who have access to very fast internet speed had significantly better perceptions towards online assessment. Conclusion: Undergraduate pharmacy students have negative perceptions towards online assessment used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the students experienced difficulties with online assessment and this may affect their performances. The challenges identified should be addressed in order to improve the use of online assessment in the future.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: There is limited data describing the role of asymptomatic carriers in the transmission of COVID-19. This review describes the characteristics of asymptomatic carriers, potentials for asymptomatic transmission and its implications on mitigation strategies. Methods: PubMed database was searched to identify studies conducted in humans and published in the English language. Snowball search was also conducted on Google Scholar and the reference list of selected studies was checked to identify additional studies. Articles published from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 to September 2020 were considered for inclusion. Results: Three types of asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers were identified including pre-symptomatic cases, asymptomatic carriers with normal chest radiographs and asymptomatic carriers with abnormal chest radiographs. Pre-symptomatic cases are older and have abnormal chest radiograph and abnormal biochemical parameters including abnormal white blood cell and lymphocyte counts at the time of diagnosis compared to those who remain asymptomatic. Asymptomatic carriers with normal chest CT images constitute about one-third of all asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers. They are younger and have normal biochemical parameters at the time of diagnosis. Asymptomatic patients with abnormal chest radiograph represent about two-thirds of asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers. Limited data indicate that asymptomatic COVID-19 transmission is possible. Asymptomatic transmission has been reported among familial contacts of carriers. Asymptomatic transmission occur in both cases with normal and abnormal chest radiograph as well as those who have no obvious changes in biochemical parameters. Asymptomatic COVID-19 transmission varied in severity ranging from mild to severe infection. Conclusions: Evidence demonstrates that asymptomatic carriers contribute to the transmission of COVID-19 and have potential implications on community and healthcare transmissions including dialysis and long-term care facilities, as well as blood transfusion-related transmission. Mitigation measures should take into consideration the potential role of asymptomatic transmission.