ABSTRACT
Background: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has been having a huge impact on physical, mental and psychological well-being of people all over the world especially Healthcare Workers (HCWs). Aim and Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among HCWs. Material(s) and Method(s): A cross sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South Kerala among 200 HCWs (doctors, interns and nurses). Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS 21) was used to estimate levels of depression, anxiety and stress among HCWs and Perceived Stress Score-10 (PSS 10) was used for assessing level of stress among study participants. Result(s): Mean age of study participants was 32.3+/-2.4 years, 67% participants were females and average working hours per day among study participants were 10 hours. DASS scoring showed, extremely severe depression among 29(14.5%) and severe anxiety among 35(17.5%). PSS scoring showed, majority 162(81%) experienced moderate level of stress, high stress among 23(11.5%) study participants. DASS questionnaire showed severe stress was higher among nurses (28%);moderate stress was higher among interns (40%) and no stress was observed more among doctors (44%). On the other hand, PSS questionnaire results showed higher stress among doctors (12%). Conclusion(s): Covid-19 pandemic had significant impact on mental health of HCWs, hence psychological counselling and attention need to be given to HCWs in improving their mental health.Copyright © Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: A booster dose of messenger RNA vaccine protects against severe COVID-19 outcomes. This study examined the incidence of COVID-19 booster vaccination among active-duty U.S. military servicemembers between August 2021 and January 2022, factors associated with vaccination uptake, and trends over time. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of active-duty military personnel using data from the Defense Medical Surveillance System. Participants were included if they served in the active component from August 2021 through January 2022 and were eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster dose by January 2022. Adjusted hazard ratio estimates of time to booster vaccination were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Lower booster vaccine uptake was seen in the U.S. military (25%) than among the general U.S. population at the same time (45%). Booster vaccination increased with older age, with greater education, with higher income, among women, and among those stationed overseas; it decreased with previous COVID-19 infection and use of the Janssen vaccine. There were no significant racial or ethnic disparities in booster vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of a compulsory vaccination policy, lower booster vaccine uptake was seen among servicemembers than among the general U.S. population, particularly among members who were younger, were male, Marines, and had a previous history of infection. Low vaccination rates not only increase the risk of acute and long-term health effects from COVID-19 among servicemembers, but they also degrade the overall readiness of the U.S. military.
ABSTRACT
All over the world new and fast spreading disease have been affecting human health. This led to degradation of the living being's health immunity, support system, mental and physical stability. So the need of assistance requirement for all bed ridden patients is an increasing demand on daily basis. In our present situation the COVID-19 virus's crisis have caused a drastic change to the world. An enormous number of fields such as destruction of employment, economic losses, pandemic growth, food supplies and etc. have been affected. In this paper, an initiative step towards the replacement of man power supply to take care of COVID-19 patients have been proposed. A flex sensor glove wore by a patient would be able to communicate commands to the nurse or a care taker. The system consists of a 2.2 and 4.5 inches' flex sensors fixed over the right hand of the patient, connected with a microcontroller and wireless transmission unit. A corresponding receiver unit would be placed in the nurse station or to the care taker. The movement of patient's hand is associated to different commands. This reduces the need of the nurse to accompany a patient for 24 hours, in this crisis situation and also supports them with an electronic assistance. This flex controlled assist device have been designed and tested with an accuracy of 82.85%. © 2022 Author(s).