Evaluation of the Relationship of Fatigue, Anxiety and Depression Levels in Individuals with the Precautions Taken in the COVID-19 Pandemic Process

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 process and the measures taken on fatigue, anxiety and depression levels in individuals, and the factors that may cause this effect. Methods: The study is of cross-sectional type. A total of 281 participants who applied to the pandemic outpatient clinic were included in the study. Data collection form with 27 questions and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) with 14 questions were used in the study. Relationships between data were evaluated with t-test and chi-square test in independent groups. The importance levels of the factors affecting the anxiety and depression scores were determined by the Chaid Analysis. Statistically, cases with p<.05 were considered significant. Results: A total of 281 participants, with a mean age of 40.09±12.35 years and 56.2% women, were included in the study. The mean depression score of the participants in HADS was 7.43±3.85. The mean anxiety score was 8.11±4.04. 61.6% of the participants had depression and 31.0% had anxiety. According to Chaid’s analysis, the most effective factor on anxiety and depression scores was that the fear of contracting the COVID-19 infection exhausted the individual. Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was found that the frequency of depression and anxiety was high in patients who applied to the pandemic outpatient clinic. It was determined that more than half of the participants were afraid of catching an infection and this fear caused fatigue in them. Mental health should not be ignored during the pandemic period and both physical and mental health of people should be protected with holistic approaches.

Epidemiological characteristics of patients with Covid-19 suspicion applying to a university hospital: The first eighty days in a pandemic

Aim: The first COVID-19 case in Turkey was detected on March 11, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic process. Epidemiological studies are needed to be prepared for other outbreaks and to be effective in the disease management process. Based on this reason, in this study it was aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics of Covid 19 possible and definite cases who applied to the university hospital during the pandemic process. Materials and Methods: This retrospective epidemiological study was carried out by analyzing the data of Covid 19 possible and definite cases, who applied to the university hospital operating as a pandemic hospital between 11 March / 01 June 2020. The data were summarized with descriptive statistics, tables and graphs. Results: Of the 1,383 patients, who applied with the suspicion of COVID-19, 55.5% were men and 84.5% were adults. The median age of children is 4.0 (1.5-10) years old;adults were 52.0 (36.0-67.0) years old. The median time between the outset of complaints and the date of admission to the hospital was 2 (1-3) days. 87.4% of adults and 87.9% of children had symptoms that supported COVID-19 infection. Among cases 7.8% were health care workers. The median age of the fatal cases was 71 (64-82) years old, 79.5% were male, 77.7% were retired. The most common comorbide diseases in these cases were hypertension (28.2%) and malignancy (28.2%). The case fatality rate was found as 2.8% in all patients and 48.4% in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Conclusions: As a result, Covid-19 affects all age groups. Hypertension and malignancy were the most common additional diseases in fatal cases. The risk of illness is higher in healthcare workers who have direct contact with the patients. According to our observations, preventive measures, rapid diagnosis and supportive treatment are valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Annals of Medical of Research is the property of Annals of Medical Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Relationship between COVID-19 Severity and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)/ Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure history in healthcare workers: a multi-center study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought countries' health services into sharp focus. It was drawn to our group's attention that healthcare workers (HCWs) had a lower mortality rate against higher COVID-19 incidence compared to the general population in Turkey. Since risk of exposure to tuberculosis bacillus among healthcare workers are higher than the population, we aimed to investigate if there is a relationship between BCG and Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure history with COVID-19 severity in infected HCWs. This study was conducted with 465 infected HCWs from thirty-three hospitals to assess the relationship between COVID-19 severity (according to their hospitalization status and the presence of radiological pneumonia) and BCG and Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposure history. HCWs who required hospital admission had significantly higher rates of chronic diseases, radiological pneumonia, and longer working hours in the clinics. Higher rates of history of contact and care to tuberculosis patients, history of tuberculosis, and BCG vaccine were observed in hospitalized HCWs. HCWs who had radiological pneumonia had a significantly increased ratio of history of care to tuberculosis patients and a higher family history of tuberculosis. The findings from our study suggest that the lower mortality rate despite the more severe disease course seen in infected HCWs might be due to frequent exposure to tuberculosis bacillus and the mortality-reducing effects of the BCG vaccine.

Evaluation of skin problems and dermatology life quality index in health care workers who use personal protection measures during COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the skin problems and dermatological life quality of the health care workers (HCWs) due to personal protection equipment (PPE) use, who are at high risk for COVID-19 infection. A questionnaire about HCWs' PPE use, their skin symptoms, and prevention, management methods and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was fulfilled. The median age of 440 participants was 33.5 (21.0-65.0) years old. Skin problems were found to be 90.2%, the most common were dryness, itching, cracking, burning, flaking, peeling and lichenification. The presence of skin problems (P < .001) was higher in those who did not use moisturizers. Of all, 22.3% (n = 98) stated that the use of PPE increased the severity of their previously diagnosed skin diseases and allergies (P < .01). Only 28.0% (n = 123) stated that they know the skin symptoms that may develop by using PPE. The proper hand washing rate was higher as education level increased (P < .001). Skin problems were higher in those using mask with metal nose bridge (P: .02 and P: .003, respectively). As the mask using period prolonged, acne was more common (P: .02). DLQI was significantly affected in women (P = .003), and with increased skin problems related to PPE (P < .001). It is important to organize trainings on prevention and management of possible skin symptoms due to PPE use according to guidelines.

Experiences of A University Hospital During The COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey

New Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) was identified on January 13, 2020, as a result of first researches conducted in patients who developed similar respiratory symptoms in Wuhan Province, China at the end of December 2019. After the diagnosis of the first case on March 10, 2020 in Turkey, 'COVID-19 Action Plan' was prepared to inform all employees to act in coordination and to define their duties and responsibilities. Although the hospitals function mainly on treatment in the epidemic, screening and preventive measures have to gain momentum during the epidemic process, especially for the staff. For this reason, sharing the occupational health and safety policies carried out in hospitals, will contribute the upcoming period. The aim of this paper is to report the efforts to protect the health of both hospital staff and patients during the Covid-19 pandemic in a tertiary hospital. We think that this will set an example for different pandemic processes that may be experienced in future.