ABSTRACT
Since the coronavirus COVID-19 was identified as an international public health emergency in 2020, many studies on the perceptions of students in higher education have been published concerning it. Although young students' perceptions also influence decision making and actions, their perceptions of COVID-19 have, so far, been little studied. Therefore, to increase knowledge about their understanding of COVID-19, a cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted as a drawing survey in two schools in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Morocco. The participants were 94 high school students (aged 14-19). The drawings were analyzed by inductive and deductive content analysis. The findings show that the majority of the students knew the archetypal representation of COVID-19. They had a good grasp of the COVID-19, how it spreads, and how to stop it from spreading. Some students were aware of the potential dangers associated with COVID-19. Admittedly, misrepresentations related to fear and unfamiliarity with COVID-19 lead to mental health issues that undermine the key factors in students' academic success. Younger children's representations were dominated by magical thinking that reduces COVID-19 to preventive measures. Overall, the results made it possible to deduce that COVID-19 is strongly associated with terms that are both characteristic and socially valued (disease, prevention, barrier measures, etc.) and, conversely, with rather negative terms (fear of dying, anxiety, sadness, helplessness, etc.). The identification of these representations is very useful because they make it possible to apprehend and understand the attitudes and behaviors of these students, which, therefore, implies the need to define the appropriate teaching methods to try to align these behaviors with the behaviors desired.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Health care personal working in digestive endoscopy unit is exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 risk of transmission via aerosols and contact with contaminated surfaces. Aim: To establish recommendations for the practice of digestive endoscopy during the different phases of the COVID-19 epidemic, applicable for our country in a context of limited resources, expensive equipment and absence of mass screening. Methods: A review of the medical literature was performed using the Medline® database, using various combinations of the following keywords: SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemics, endoscopy, digestive system endoscopy, Real-time polymerase chain reaction, infection control, personal protective equipment. The more relevant articles were selected. In a second time the digestive endoscopy club issued recommendations taking into account local conditions. Results: In order to reduce the virus transmission risk, a stratification of the patient’s infection risk and the urgency of endoscopic examinations is recommended before the procedure. During phase 4 of the epidemic, all patients should be considered at high risk of infection, only urgent or high priority endoscopies are performed, and enhanced personal protective equipment must be worn in the endoscopy and disinfection rooms. During the other phases, some measures must be respected depending on the epidemic period, and the patient’s infection risk. Conclusion: The application of the proposed recommendations will allow staff in digestive endoscopy units to work safely and prevent virus transmission to the patients during the COVID-19 epidemic.
ABSTRACT
Somatic or psychological sequelae after a SARS-CoV-2 infection are common. Specific organ damage should be investigated to explain persistent symptomatology and propose a treatment. A specialized consultation for the follow-up of patients after a SARS-CoV-2 infection is useful to clinically assess the patient, organized further investigations, offer treatment options and refer the patient to other specialists or to a rehabilitation program. Such a consultation is also intended to reduce the public health burden of long Covid and to collect data that can improve our management in the future.