The impact on education of university students in COVID-19 pandemic period: A factor analysis

The educational sector of Bangladesh is severely affected due to the sudden outbreak of novel Corona virus (COVID-19). Bangladesh which is one of the densely populated countries has a significant improvement in the education sector along with the others in last some decades but this pandemic has played a serious setback to almost all the sectors of this small country. As all the educational institutes of Bangladesh are closed since 17th March 2020 till 30th June 14, 2021 and this may lead to many detrimental effects. To measure these, a survey was conducted and collected data was analyzed by SPSS Statistics v 25.0. This paper highlighted the mental stress, socio-economic crisis of the students that badly affected their education. It is observed in this study that around 80% of the students are going through mental stress particularly for internet facilities and financial crisis in pandemic period.

An econometric analysis of 'hotel-hospital tie up' for wellness promotion and related tourism in Indian health cities with reference to Kolkata

The scope for wellness promotion and related tourism has increased manifold amidst this global crisis exhibited through COVID 19 pandemic that results in formation and popularity of medical hotels, patient hotels and such other new types through partnerships and alliances in many cities in Asia. Severely affected hospitality industry and their professionals are in search for new avenues and scopes now. This present study is an understanding of perceptions and attitudes of hospitality professionals in two diverse sectors with relatively new expertise and skills. This study includes the finding of determinants from the perspective of hospitality professionals by employing an ordered probit model and expressing its implications for future industry and academia.

Field level experiences in delivering COVID-19-related services by accredited social health activists in a block of Purba Bardhaman District, West Bengal: A qualitative study

Background: Health-care workers at all levels are putting their best efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In resource-poor country like India, the community health workers are given primary responsibility for prevention and control measures at the village level. Learning from their experiences and addressing constraints will ensure improved service delivery in the face of further waves of pandemic. Aim: The aim of the study is to explore the field level experiences of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), working in Bhatar block of Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal, while delivering COVID-19 response services and to elicit the nature of constraints faced by them. Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative study with phenomenological approach conducted among ASHA workers from December 2020 to January 2021. Convenient sampling was done to select 8 participants for data collection by focused group discussion (FGD) using FGD guide. A total of four FGDs with 32 participants were conducted. Data were analyzed using thematic framework approach to identify codes and themes. Results: The experiences are presented under five broad themes and in subthemes. ASHAs were engaged in extensive work amidst various challenges, though they received ample support and cooperation from society and general administration. ASHAs faced issues with inadequate supply of protective equipment and were in need for refresher trainings. Events of social stigma and ostracizations had also surfaced. Limited financial incentives, increased susceptibility to COVID-19, and detachment from family were the main source of stress among ASHAs. Conclusion: The issues identified in this study can be addressed to further utilize ASHAs in delivering services in pandemic context. © Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth 2022.

Isoniazid preventive therapy among child contacts of TB patients, India.

BACKGROUND: Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for child contacts of TB patients, a globally accepted intervention, needs to be evaluated in diverse geographical regions.OBJECTIVES: To assess the extent of IPT coverage and adherence, to ascertain its sociodemographic and programmatic correlates and to explore existing constraints from service providers and beneficiaries´ perspectives.METHODS: A mixed-method study was conducted in January-June 2021 in Paschim Bardhaman District, West Bengal, India. Quantitative assessment was done among 280 child contacts of TB cases registered between January and December 2020 in all TB units in the district. Primary caregivers were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire. Two focus group discussions with all senior treatment supervisors of the district and in-depth interviews with 12 purposively selected caregivers of the children were undertaken. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.RESULTS: Only 48.9% (137/280) of child contacts were screened; 58.9% (165/280) were initiated on IPT and 40% (66/165) adhered to a full course. Coverage of the full 6-month IPT among total study participants was 23.6% (66/280). Household visits by health personnel and initial screening significantly predicted increased coverage. Programmatic inadequacies, poor understanding, social stigma and COVID situation were major constraints.CONCLUSION: Coverage of IPT remains unacceptably low and requires health system strengthening for effectively implementing current recommendations of TB preventive treatment.

Modelling the risk of COVID-19 based on major clinical factors: A fuzzy rule approach

In this article, a Mamdani type fuzzy inference system is formulated in order to identify possible COVID-19 infected individuals based on three major clinical factors namely body-temperature, body-immunity level and vaccination efficacy. Measurements of the system's input and output parameters are considered as linguistic variable and assumed to follow trapezoidal type membership functions. The system based on total 27 fuzzy If-Then rules and called as Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) of Mamdani type. The system is analyzed using the Fuzzy Logic Toolbox of MATLAB. It has been found that with highly efficient vaccine a person with low body-immunity can escape the disease. On contrary, high body-temperature with high body-immunity power is not sufficient to exclude a person from the risk of having COVID-19.

Advancement in Nanomaterials for Rapid Sensing, Diagnosis, and Prevention of COVID-19

During last two decades, the biggest global epidemic had been associated with middle east respiratory syndrome, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and novel coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) with clinical symptoms of bronchitis, pneumonia, and fetal respiratory illness. Infection caused by COVID-19 initially assumed to be milder in nature but consequently spreading across the globe and devastating mortality rate rapidly made it a pandemic. Having enormous challenges, many significant issues are yet to be addressed. Scientific community is engaged in designing and developing effective nano-biosensors for the quick detection of COVID-19, easy diagnosis as well as absolute tracking of infected population in order to prevent pandemic outbreak further. In this paper, key stages like suppressing the immune response of COVID-19 patients, diagnosis of COVID-19, and prevention of COVID-19 using nanomaterials have been discussed. Further, the unresolved challenges and drawbacks toward treatments and vaccine development at the earliest to win over this war have also been critically discussed.