ABSTRACT
Background/objectives: COVID-19 has affected 521 million people worldwide since March 2020. Disease outbreaks increase fear and anxiety. Stress, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. Various tools have been created to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19. Corona Anxiety Scale is among the reliable tools. This study examined the relationship between gender and location (urban/rural) and corona anxiety. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Physiology department university of Sindh Jamshoro from December 2020 to January 2021. After informed consent, a total of 479 participants completed 5 item corona anxiety scale questionnaire. Result(s): Among 479 individuals 10.2% (49) were suffering from corona anxiety. 12% (43) females were suffering from corona anxiety as compared to 5% (6) males. 10.2% of residents of both urban and rural areas were suffering from corona anxiety. Pearson's chi-square correlation revealed a positive association between the female gender and corona anxiety p-value (.016). Conclusion(s): Corona Anxiety is more prevalent among the female gender. Residence in rural or urban areas has no association with corona anxiety.Copyright © 2023 Japan University of Health Sciences & Japan International Cultural Exchange Foundation.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate behavioral attitude and compliance of employees in adhering to COVID-19 preventive strategies. Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted in CMH Kharian Medical College in the month of September 2020. Convenient sampling was used 442 employees of CMH Kharian Medical College, including faculty, students and administrative/technical staff were included in the study. Prochaska model of behavior change (PMBC) was used to access behavior pattern. Questions were asked about adhering to WHO advised COVID-19 preventive strategies. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Out of 442 participants, 9.7%, 6.8% and 6.6% belonged to a category that didn't see any benefit of using face mask, washing hands for 20 seconds and keeping advised social distancing of minimum 3-6 feet in preventing COVID-19, and they did not have any intention to use these p r e v e n t i v e s t r a t e g i e s (b e l o n g t o P r e-contemplation phase of PMBC). Almost 1.3%, 1.8% and 0.8% of staff belonged to contemplation phase and were of opinion that they were enjoying their own way of life, and they were little concerned that if they continue like this, it might be hazardous to their health. Still they did not adhere to preventive strategies, owing to lack of motivation-hall mark of contemplation phase of PMBC. Conclusion: Majority of personnel (70%) of our medical school were found in maintenance phase once it comes to compliance of preventive strategies. There is dire need to work on remaining 30% of individuals so that those pertaining to pre-contemplation and other three phases do realize the significance of above mentioned preventive strategies in halting the prevention of COVID-19. (Rawal Med J 202;46:698-701).
ABSTRACT
Background: The lockdown due to Covid-19 has impacted certain aspects of cognition among medical students. Aim: To explore the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on metamemory among medical students studying in a private medical college in Pakistan. Study design: Experimental study. Methodology: This study with enrolled students (n=233) was carried out after ethical review committee's (ERC) approval at CMH Kharian Medical College (CKMC), Physiology Department, Kharian-Pakistan. Both male and female medical students were enrolled. In phase 1, the students reported to the Physiology laboratory where age and gender were recorded. Metamemory was measured using the Multi-factorial Memory Questionnaire (MMQ)Satisfaction scale using the Baycrest Centre protocols for its administration and scoring. Data was analyzed by SPSS software, version 21. MMQ-Satisfaction score was presented as mean +/- SD. Statistical significance was taken at p value <0.05. Results: Among males mean +/- SD for Pre Covid-19 MMQ was 43.24 +/- 9.58 while mean +/- SD for Post Covid-19 MMQ males was 55.32 +/- 6.01. Significant difference was seen between Pre & Post Covid-19 MMQ scores with p-value of <0.000. Conclusion: We concluded that significant difference was seen between Pre & Post Covid-19 MMQ scores with p-value of <0.000. However, means among all age groups were significantly equal with the others in Pre & Post COVID-19 MMQ. Similarly, means were significantly equal among both genders for Pre & Post COVID19 MMQ.
ABSTRACT
The whole world is facing one of the biggest health related disasters of the century. As a novel disease, Covid-19 has so many parameters yet to explore. Objectives: To explore any correlation between atopy and Covid-19 among residents of Gujrat and Kharian, Punjab, Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methodology: This study with enrolled subjects (n=206) was carried out after ethical review committee’s (ERC) approval at Life Diabetes Centre, Gujrat and CMH Kharian Medical College (CKMC), over a period of 3 months, Kharian-Pakistan. Both male and female medical subjects were enrolled. Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed by SPSS software, version 17. Parameters like gender, allergy and treatment taken were presented as frequency and percentage. Chi square was applied to see the correlation with p-value <0.05 as significant. Results: Total 206 patients were randomly selected, 89 male and 117 females. Among 206, only 13 patients had allergy from different allergens. Only 2 patients required hospitalization and injectable treatment. Conclusion: We concluded that there is strong affiliation between atopy and Covid-19 presentations.
ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc throughout the world, with 150 million cases to date and over 3 million lives claimed worldwide. Objectives: To explore the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on psychological health parameters i.e. depression, anxiety and stress as well as on body mass index among medical students studying in a private medical college in Pakistan. Study Design: Experimental study. Methodology: This study with enrolled students (n=233) was carried out after ethical review committee’s (ERC) approval at CMH Kharian Medical College (CKMC), Physiology Department, Kharian-Pakistan. Both male and female medical students were enrolled. In phase 1, the students reported to the Physiology laboratory where age and gender were recorded. The pre-lockdown readings of BMI and DASS-21(Depression, Anxiety, Stress) scale were taken. In phase-2, the post-lockdown readings of BMI and DASS-21 scale were taken once the students returned to campus. Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed by SPSS software, version 21. BMI and DASS-21 score were presented as mean + SD. Statistical significance was taken at p value <0.05. Results: In present study, results showed that there was a decrease in level of depression post-Covid-19-lockdown among enrolled subjects with significant p-values (0.019*) in the pre and post covid-19-lockdown comparison. Conclusion: We concluded that significant difference was seen between Pre & Post Covid-19-lockdown depression with p-value of <0.019. However, insignificant difference was seen between Pre & Post Covid-19-lockdown anxiety and stress with p-value of >0.05. Key Words: Covid-19 lockdown, Medical students, Depression, BMI and Anxiety.