ABSTRACT
Introduction. The introduction of COVID-19 screening through rapid antigen tests has become a key mechanism to ensure the continuity of the learning process and safety of school environment during pandemic. The objective of the study was to investigate and analyse the attitudes and beliefs of students, teachers, and parents regarding the rapid antigen test as a method to limit COVID-19 spreading in school environment. Material and methods. An online anonymous survey was conducted among 228 participants, 11th and 12th grade high school students (n=114), teachers (n=44) and parents (n=70) in November 2021. Results. 43.9% of students and 52.9% of parents agree with rapid antigen testing for COVID-19, while over 63.3% of teachers disagree with it. Students (45.6%) and parents (48.6%) shared optimistic expectations that testing for COVID-19 would reduce the spread of the virus in schools, while 59.1% of the teachers surveyed remained sceptical about this prevention measure. The interruption of school classes does not find support among students and parents, as well as among members of the teaching staff. Conclusions. According to students and parents, rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 seems a more acceptable solution than closing school completely. Given the concern of teachers to conduct antigen tests in the school environment, it is necessary to adequately plan the participation of medical professionals in this process, instead of delegating these activities to teachers.Copyright © 2022 Balkan Medical Union.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Based on the WHO statistical overview of the past year the overall mortality rate across the EU showed a significant upward trend compared to the preceding three-year period, i.e. excessive mortality rates. In Bulgaria, during the COVID-19 pandemic, over the last year mortality rates peaked by 61.4% compared to the average rates observed in the period from 2017 to 2019. Data from official sources show that in the region of Plovdiv the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is 36,484, of them - 1579 fatalities. Aim. An attempt to investigate and analyze the mortality rates due to COVID-19 and the most common related underlying medical conditions over a year period at St. George Hospital in Plovdiv was made. Materials and methods. The study is a retrospective analysis of descriptive design;a review of patient's medical records was applied for the last year. Results. In the study period registered deaths due to COVID-19 in the hospital were 492. The mortality rate in males was approximately twice, exceeding that of females - 316 (64.2%). The average age of diseased patients was 70.40 (SD +or-11.93), the youngest and oldest were 31 and 97 years of age, respectively. Deaths are more frequent in the age group over 65 (70.1%), compared to the 18 to 64.99 age group (29.9%). Conclusions. Hospital mortality rate due to COVID-19 is higher in men. The most frequent underlying medical conditions in deceased patients with COVID-19 are cardiovascular disorders, followed by endocrine diseases.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly affected all aspects of the spiritual and material worlds' but it had a significant impact on the health and lives of people with chronic illnesses such as the rheumatological ones. The specific course of the rheumatological diseases' as well as medication used for them influence the course of all infections' including COVID-19 in this population. The data presented so far on the frequency of COVID-19 infection in patients with various rheumatological diseases are contradictory depending on the underlying rheumatological disease' the underlying basic therapy and the studied population. A study on the incidence of COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic diseases in Bulgaria has not been conducted so far and the data obtained would help to better monitor patients and optimize treatment algorithms in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: With the help of a specially created standardized questionnaire and electronic platform' an online survey was conducted for the period March-July 2021. 1205 patients with rheumatological diseases were interviewed' with a mean age of 47 ± 12.74 years' in the range of 18 to 82 years of age. The majority of respondents (93%) reside in Bulgaria and 7% abroad. Among the respondents' women significantly prevail (77.60%)' P < 0.001. Results: The results of the survey show 28.80% incidence of COVID-19 infection among respondents with a rheumatological diagnosis. The majority of patients (85.60%) were treated at home and only 1.20% were in intensive care units. Among the drugs for rheumatological diseases' the most commonly taken are corticosteroids (n = 345)' NSAIDs (n = 332)' methotrexate (n = 253)' antimalarial/hydroxychloroquine (n = 193) and biological drugs with JAK inhibitors (n = 537). People with mild or moderate infection accounted for 81% of patients' 13.50% had severe and 3.50% very severe form of the disease. These facts largely explain the lack of a significant relationship between the severity of COVID-19 disease' the types of rheumatological drugs' access to them' and the visit to a rheumatologist during the pandemic. Conclusion: From the conducted survey only the presence and number of concomitant diseases showed a significant association with the severity of COVID-19 infection. Ischemic heart disease' heart failure' lung disease and hypertension have emerged as the most common comorbidities in patients with very severe form of the COVID disease.