Association of funding and conflicts of interest on outcomes reported in published studies of Covid-19.

BACKGROUND: An outbreak of the Covid-19 has led to substantial mortality globally. The entire world is carrying out studies to understand the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of Covid-19. We investigated the possible association of type of funding, corporate or academic, and conflict of interests on the outcomes reported in clinical trials on Covid-19.
Methods: Studies containing the keywords "clinical trial" AND "Covid 19" or "Corona" were located by a search on PubMed published between September 2019 to August 2021. Filters were used to select only papers in the English language and on "humans". The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test.
Results: We found a significant association between the existence of a conflict of interest and reporting of a positive outcome (X2 value = 18.751, p<0.001). We also found a significant association between industry funding and reporting of a positive outcome (X2 value = 18.041, p<0.001).
Conclusion: We conclude from this study that the presence of conflict of interest and pharmaceutical industry funding is associated with reporting a positive outcome.
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Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among paramedical staff in Central India: A cross-sectional, online survey.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of a disease can influence paramedic's attitudes and practices, and incorrect attitudes and practices directly increase the risk of infection. Understanding paramedic's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) and possible risk factors helps to predict the outcomes of planned behavior. To assess KAP regarding COVID-19 through Google form among paramedical staff at tertiary care teaching institutes of central India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicentric, questionnaire-based study was conducted from May 2020 to August 2020 among 230 paramedical staff from two tertiary care teaching institutes through Google form. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test and parametric test using GraphPad prism software version 5.0. RESULTS: All participants had knowledge about symptomatology of COVID-19. However, significantly more participants in nursing cadre know about definition of close contact. The mean knowledge score was 4.84 ± 0.6. The mean score for attitude was 4.48 ± 0.83. Overall, 54.78% of paramedical staff follow correct prevention strategies. Of them, significantly more nursing staff correctly practice infection control measures upon arrival of COVID-19 patients (P = 0.033). There was a significant difference among both groups regarding wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment while transporting/accompanying patients who are confirmed with COVID 19 (P = 0.009). The overall score for practice is 3.97 ± 1.03. The practice score was significantly better in nursing cadre as compared to nonnursing cadre (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Majority of the participants had good knowledge and positive attitude. Nursing cadre follows better preventive practices as compared to nonnursing cadre while performing COVID-related duties. Considering these facts, dodges responsible for poor practices should be identified and resolved so that India will be able to conquest the battle against the disease.