ABSTRACT
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has turned into a worldwide human tragedy and economic devastation. There had an intensive search for an effective drug against the coronavirus but not led to any breakthrough agents. Only one choice was left namely an effective and safe vaccine. Many people are ambivalent regarding corona vaccines because they also fear possible side effects from vaccination. This study was designed to track the side effects after first and second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines used in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. This cross-sectional descriptive type of observational study was conducted in Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during the period of five months from 1 February, 2021 to 30 June, 2021 among 293 purposively selected vaccine recipients who received two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines. Data were collected by face to face interview of the selected vaccine recipients using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were inputted into SPSS version 26.0. Qualitative data were summarized by percentage and quantitative data were summarized by mean and standard deviation. Necessary bivariate and multivariate analysis was done. Mean age of the respondents was 40.3 years with a standard deviation of ±8.7 years. Among the vaccine recipients female were 159(54.3%) and male were 134(45.7%). The most of the vaccine recipients were graduate and master 256(87.3%) and more than half of the vaccine recipients (156, 53.2%) were government service holder. The most of the vaccine recipients (242, 86.0%) were from urban area and 263(89.8%) vaccine recipients were non-smoker. Sixty eight (23.2%) of the vaccine recipients had different types of co-morbidities. It was found that 217(74.1%) vaccine recipients had side effects after first dose while 162(55.3%) had side effects after second dose. The difference in occurrence of side effects of first and second dose was statistically highly significant (p<0.001). Pain on the injection site was present in 172(58.7%) vaccine recipients after first dose and in 142 (48.5%) after second dose. Fever was prevalent in 98 (33.4%) after first dose and in 61 (20.8) after second dose. Headache was in 61(20.8%) and in 22(7.5%) after first and second dose respectively. Thirty one (10.6%) vaccine recipients had loose motion after first dose and 26(8.9%) had this after second dose. First dose of vaccination caused nausea in 28(9.6%) and second dose caused it in 16(5.5%) vaccine recipients. Joint pain was prevalent in 24(8.2%) after first dose and in 15(5.1%) after second dose. Rash was present in 9(3.1%) and in 3(1.0%) after first and second dose respectively. Cough was present in 5(1.7%) after first dose and in 2(0.7%) after second dose. Each 2(0.7%) had history of fainting and bodyache and 1(0.3%) reported intense weakness after first dose only. Side effects of first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine were more prevalent in female (124, 78.0%) than male (93, 69.4%). The side effects of second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine were also more prevalent in female (103, 64.8%) than male (59, 44.0%). The study results revealed that 217(74.1%) vaccine recipients had side effects after first dose while 162(55.3%) had side effects on second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Commonly experienced side effects were pain in the injection site, fever, headache, diarrhoea and joint pain. Most of the people tolerated these side effects and did not use any medicine.
ABSTRACT
This article explores the gendered impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Bangladesh by analysing everyday practices within the household. Conceptually, we have followed R.W. Connell’s model of the structures of gender and Naila Kabeer’s perspective on women’s power to examine how a normative gender order involving heterosexual marital partners tends to be sustained during ‘normal’ times but can often be destabilised in the context of an unprecedented crisis. Based on an analysis of data collected through an online survey and in-depth interviews, our findings show that the COVID-19 crisis has generated an opportunity for challenging gender inequalities by diminishing the public-private divide and expanding the horizon of responsibility sharing between women and men. Facing this ‘new normal’ reality, some women have been able to consider life choices and revise unequal relationships with spouses. In contrast, others have reproduced pre-existing inequalities and continued life ‘as usual’ under the regime of men. © 2021. Journal of International Women''s Studies. All Rights Reserved.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To characterize the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients following discharge from the hospital. Study design: Prospective cohort study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Infectious Diseases, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi from 1st May to 31st August 2020. Methodology: Ninety six patients were included, age over 23 years and had a confirmed COVID-19 on PCR. At the time of admission and on discharge, in-hospital data were recorded. The demographic information, symptoms, complete blood count, inflammatory markers, and chest X-ray noted. Results: Diabetes (50%) and Ischemic heart disease (50%) were the most frequent comorbidities. The majority of patients (75%) improved their X-ray findings after being discharged from the hospital. At the time of discharge, 75% of the patients expressed fatigue;none of the patients developed a fever. There was a substantial significant difference in tiredness reported at discharge and in the fourth week. Significant variations in shortness of breath and oxygen consumption were also found between tiredness indicated at discharge and the fourth week. The majority of lab values were within normal limits. Conclusion: Most patients gradually improved after receiving appropriate treatment and supportive care in the hospital and later at home. The most prevalent and prolonged symptom reported by most patients was fatigue. By the fourth week, most symptoms had ameliorated significantly.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Here, we have shortly reported the recent updates on the disastrous progressions of the deadly delta variant and a virulent coinfection or post-COVID-19 infection of black fungus in India and its neighbouring countries. METHODOLOGY: We searched by utilizing appropriate keywords in Google Scholar, PubMed and other scholarly databases alongside several national and international newspapers to collect the latest data regarding the targeted topic. RESULTS: Recently, the delta variant is wreaking havoc in India, UK, and other countries around the globe and has also exhibited successful infections in around 20 to 55% of the people who have already recovered from COVID-19 originating from the different strains. Besides, a significant catch is the prevalence of 85.5% and 64.11% of Mucormycosis infections being co-morbid with COVID-19 and diabetes, respectively in South-Asian regions. CONCLUSIONS: To avert the emergence of an epidemic amid the pandemic, prompt actions from concerned authorities are warranted. Proper education on black fungus infection and associated risks from the COVID-19 and diabetes, adequate public awareness, and sufficient healthcare assistance to battle such fungal infections effectively should be ensured as quickly as possible.
ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the demographics, comorbidities, presenting complaints, laboratory parameters, and factors associated with patients outcomes of the hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from one of the largest teaching institute of Karachi. Methodology: This was single center retrospective study conducted in Liaquat National Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. Records of all the COVID-19 positive patients who were hospitalized during April, 2020 to June, 2020 were studied. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed based on guidelines issued by WHO and standard laboratory test of real time PCR on a nasopharyngeal swab. Results: Total 208 records were completely retrieved and analyzed. Overall age of study participants was 54.60 13.77 years. Most of the admitted patients were males (68.3%). Majority of the patients were symptomatic (94.2%) and frequent symptoms were fever(75%), shortness of breath (58.7%) and cough (54.3%). Out of 252 patients, In-hospital mortality was observed on approximately quarter of the analyzed sample (26%) patients. Disease severity, presence of comorbid, higher hospital stay, NLR ratio and CRP levels were associated with significantly higher odds of mortality. On multivariable analysis, increasing age (aOR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.08-1.29), ICU admission (aOR=43.44, 95% CI: 5.49 343.8) and increasing creatinine (aOR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.00 2.39) were also independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: The current study provides evidence that increasing age and ICU admission and increasing age were chief predictors of mortality in our settings. Presence of comorbidity and initial diseases severity are also important factors to triage patients.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The most recent global pandemic of COVID-19 has been creating multidimensional damages, including a detrimental impact on the mental health status of individuals. Medical students, a vulnerable cross-section of the population, may have perceived a myriad of psychological stressors during this crisis in the background of their prevailing stressful academic pressure and preexisting higher psychological and mental health issue. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and to elucidate the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Bangladeshi medical students. METHOD: A cross-sectional study design was utilized to conduct this survey. The online survey including demographic questions, COVID-19 related questions, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; higher scores on the subscales indicate higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms), was completed by 425 Bangladeshi medical students. Collected data were statistically analyzed by using SPSS (version 25.0) software. RESULT: The HADS anxiety subscale revealed that 65.9% of the medical students had different levels of anxiety, ranging from mild (27.3%), moderate (26.8%), and severe (11.8%). As per HADS depression subscale, 49.9% of the medical students had varying degrees of depressive symptoms, with 3.3% of the participants had suffered from severe depressive symptoms. Female students had a relatively more anxiety and depressive symptoms when compared with males. The students, who were severely tensed of getting infected by the virus, were at higher risk of suffering from anxiety (3.5-fold) and depressive (2.7-fold) symptoms, when compared with no/minimally stressed students. Besides, fear of getting assaulted or humiliated on the way to hospital or home, not to be able to give maximum concentration on study after COVID-19 pandemic, students' present emotional status (agitation), had statistically significant higher risk of anxiety. CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of Bangladeshi medical students are experiencing pandemic-related adverse psychological impact. Poor mental health conditions of these vulnerable medical students pose important threat to their potential contribution in future health care. Thus, medical colleges and health authorities should focus on addressing their psychological needs and formulate effective strategies to ameliorate medical students' mental health status, particularly during any infectious disease outbreak.