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Background: The ubiquitous elixir for mortality and morbidity inflicted by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2) has been a vaccine. These vaccines were approved for emergency use authorization by health authorities based on limited data from clinical trials. Hence, there was a need for active surveillance of vaccinees to monitor for safety. Objective(s): This study reports adverse events following immunization with Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine (COVISHIELD). Material(s) and Method(s): The present study is an observational follow- up study to assess any adverse event occurrence following immunization (AEFI) within 7 days of vaccination among all eligible participants who were vaccinated. A structured safety surveillance questionnaire was administered consecutively to 714 participants. Vaccinees were observed for thirty minutes and followed telephonically for adverse events. Result(s): The overall incidence of any AEFI within 7 days was found to be 136/1000 vaccinations for the first dose. Out of total, 97 recipients reported with adverse events, 76.3% had AEFI within 24 h with fever as the most common symptom reported. The incidence of AEFI's was found to be associated with gender (P<0.02), age group (P<0.05) and occupation (P<0.05). No cases of hospitalization, disability or death were reported. Conclusion(s): Most of the adverse events were short-lived and observed in the first 24 h of vaccination. Incidence decreased in subsequent days and as no significant life-threatening adverse event was observed, this study might help reduce hesitancy for vaccination among the population and thus help reduce transmission of this highly contagious disease.
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Introduction: COVID-19 is now deemed as the global health burden. As of 24 july 2022, over 567million confirmed cases and over 6.3 million deaths have been reported. Symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, body ache and shortness of breath, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a major role as antioxidant and as co-factor of various biosynthetic pathways in the immune system. Objective(s): In this study we aimed to summarize the current evidence regarding the use of vitamin C in the prevention or treatment of patients with SARS-CoV2 infection, based on available publications between January 2020 and July 2022. Material(s) and Method(s): In this comprehensive literature review two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) were searched from 1 January 2020 to 1 July 2022. Result(s): Numerous researchers and clinicians hypothesised that ascorbic acid could help prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection by boosting immune response and reducing the severity of the viral-mediated inflammatory response. Preliminary observational studies indicate low vitamin C status in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Conclusion(s): While some studies have found no correlation between vitamin intake and mortality, others have discovered that this vitamin c is beneficial in lowering the death rate. In summary, vitamin C possesses positive impacts on curing of infection and this may play a protective role in the current COVID-19 pandemic through boosting the immune system.
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Introduction: Corona virus disease (COVID-19) was declared as a Pandemic by WHO on March 11, 2020. Since health care workers play an important role in providing care to infected patients, they are exposed to unprecedented levels of risk. At the initial phase of this pandemic, no definitive treatment was available, the only way to combat this disease was prevention. A number of prophylactic drugs were being studied during that time for use by health care workers. On 23rd March 2020, Government of India issued recommendation through National Task Force for Covid-19, for using Hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis for SARS COV-2. Preclinical studies of Azithromycin have shown immunomodulation and in vitro activity against SARS-COV-2, that has led to its widespread usage during COVID-19. Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug was reported to have an in vitro activity against SARS-COV-2. This orally administered drug was included in India's revised National COVID-19 treatment protocol for people with mild infection. Vitamin C, a water soluble vitamin has been considered for potential beneficial effects in COVID-19 disease. Many animal studies have indicated that a daily intake of vitamin C may prevent infections. Aim(s): To evaluate the pattern of drugs (HCQ, AZITHROMYCIN, IVERMECTIN,and VITAMIN C) used for COVID-19 prophylaxis among health care workers at GMC, Srinagar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is being conducted by using a survey questionnaire. A survey questionnaire in English has been developed after literature review. The responses will be analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentage.
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Background: Hand hygiene has been long been acknowledged as one of the most simple and cost-effective method to prevent the spread of many infections. Hand hygiene is defined as the cleaning of hands to reduce microbial load. Hand hygiene can be performed either by hand washing with soap and water or by using alcohol based hand rubs. The ongoing pandemic has further stressed the importance of hand hygiene in prevention of infections including the COVID 19 infection. In fact, hand hygiene along with use of face mask and social distancing are recommended as the first-line interventions in the prevention of COVID 19. WHO has come forward with certain recommendations pertaining to hand hygiene practices to be followed in this regard. The Government of India has also organized various campaigns for the general public regarding the importance of hand hygiene and the correct techniques to be followed in doing so. Our study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices among medical students regarding hand hygiene since non-compliance on their part to adhere to such practices could lead to further transmission of infections. Method(s): This study will be questionnaire based and is being conducted among the students of Government Medical College, Srinagar to evaluate their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding hand hygiene.
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Background: A number of research articles has been published evaluating safety and efficacy of drugs against COVID-19. Objective(s): This study was undertaken to collate and review the information regarding common proposed antiviral drugs for easy reference. Method(s): The literature search was done using terms like severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS-CoV-2 or 2019-nCoV or SARSCoV or COVID-19 in combination with drugs or treatment or pharmacotherapy using PubMed and google scholar to identify relevant articles. Result(s): Despite showing good early results, hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir-ritonavir has not shown clinical benefit in randomized controlled trials. However lopinavir in combination with other drugs specially interferon is being investigated. Remdesivir has shown positive effect in terms of clinical improvement and continued to being investigated alone or in combination with other drugs. Favipiravir has shown mixed results and more data from adequately powered study is needed to prove its efficacy. Conclusion(s): Many drugs which showed positive effect in initial studies could not replicate the same benefit in large randomized controlled trials. There is need to evaluate efficacy and safety of drugs based on high quality evidence before allowing it to be used in general population.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Orientia tsutsugamushi , Scrub Typhus , Humans , Scrub Typhus/epidemiology , Cytokines , IndiaABSTRACT
This research analyzes from three indicators the impact suffered by the automotive sector in Ecuador after the pandemic and proposes a generic model for the design and creation of strategic planning that helps companies in the sector to adapt to the new context and reactivate their activities in the face of new consumption habits,o maintain its validity in the market. The methodology used was quantitative, the method was deductive of explanatory scope with a non-experimental cross-sectional design, since historical documentary sources published by the Association of Automotive Companies of Ecuador (AEADE) were used. According to the results obtained with this study, it was determined that in 2022, after the pandemic, there was an increase in the number of imported vehicles, a decrease in the number of vehicles sold that were assembled in the country, and there is no significant difference in the number of imported vehicles marketed in the country. In any of these cases, the implementation or updating of appropriate strategic planning in organizations that develop activities in the automotive field will allow the best performance of these and their greater validity in the market. Given these effects, the Government needs to support policies for the preservation of capacities and resources, as well as their subsequent strengthening to promote post-pandemic recovery. The model proposed as a product of the study is composed of 9 phases that allow to develop and apply strategic planning in companies in the automotive sector, this model arises from the review and adoption of the best practices found in four of the most used modelsto the global novel.Copyright © 2023, Anka Publishers. All rights reserved.
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Background: Medical and dental students are among the frontline workers in the battle against COVID 19. As such their vaccination is mandatory. We conducted this study to assess perception and attitude of medical and dental students towards COVID-19 disease and its vaccination. Method(s): A total of 185 medical and 170 dental students were included in our study. A questionnaire based on previous studies was prepared. The respondents were interviewed telephonically and appropriate responses were recorded. Result(s): Among 355 students enrolled in our study, higher percentage of dental students were infected with COVID-19 (26%) as against only 20% medical students. 60% dental students had been tested for COVID-19 as against 70% medical students. Majority students in both the groups had done rapid antigen test (RAT). Academic loss was the major COVID-19 disease related concern among medical students, while in dental group there were two major concerns i.e academic loss and fear of passing the infection to family. Both the groups feared anaphylaxis the most as a sequel of vaccination. The other vaccination concerns in both the groups were fever, myalgias, infertility, thrombus formation while few female students feared that vaccination may disturb their menstrual cycles. The preferred vaccine in both the groups was Covishield. Conclusion(s): Our study concluded that there are many hurdles in the path of vaccination even among medical and dental students. It is important to address these hesitancies especially among health care workers since their opinion and recommendation is held supreme by common masses. Copyright © RJPT All right reserved.
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Objective: to assess mental health issues in pediatric nurses during coronavirus pandemic in 2019. Method: cross-sectional study was conducted with pediatric nurses at the Instituto da Criança e do Adolescente based on online self-rated survey about clinical practice and mental health impact during COVID-19 pandemic. Validated self-reported scales for anxiety, depression and burnout were used for assessing these professionals. Results: 107/298 (36%) nurses answered, 90% were female, median age was 41(23-64) years, 68% worked with adolescents, 66% in frontline. Burnout, anxiety and moderate/severe depression occurred in 65%, 72% and 74%, respectively. Lack of standardized treatment protocol for nurses (27%vs.10%, p=0.049), moderate/severe depression (74% vs. 16%, p=0.002) and burnout (82% vs. 58%, p=0.01) were significantly higher in pediatric nurses with anxiety compared to those without. Pediatric nurses that worked with adolescents compared to those that did not showed higher frequency of burnout in the former group (77% vs. 32%, p=0.0001). Multivariable analysis revealed that adequate quarantine adherence increased the presence of anxiety in 4.6 times [OR4.6(CI 1.1-20.2), p=0.04]. Conclusion: most pediatric nurses who had worked in the frontline of COVID-19 were under precarious conditions, working with reduced team, and with an expressive changes in their monthly income. Current anxiety was a relevant issue, burnout was also an important mental condition for these professionals, reinforcing culture of good teamwork, collaboration practices and psychological/psychiatric approach. © 2022 Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.
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Study Objective: To determine if COVID-19 markers of severity, positive test, and hospitalization, differ among racial groups. Additionally, to examine whether these differences are associated with mortality and to identify predictive variables for potential prevention and intervention. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort design studying those tested for COVID- 19. A multistate model was created using Trinity Health electronic health records in the US (January 1 - June 30, 2020). The primary outcome variable was mortality and secondary outcomes were COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization. Predictive variables included age, sex, race, insurance, income status, BMI, zip code population density and measures of comorbidities using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Adjusted treatment effects were estimated using logistic regression. Results: The data included 181,199 patients of which 18,083 patients (9.95%) were Black and 133,452 (73.2%) were White. COVID-19 testing was positive in 13.7% of African Americans (AA) and 4.97% of Whites. AA patients had higher rates of comorbidities (p < 0.001), lower rates of commercial insurance (p < 0.001) and higher population densities (p < 0.001) as compared to White patients. Unadjusted logistic regression shows that AA patients have higher odds of infection (OR = 3.033, p < 0.001), mortality (1.3% vs 0.8%, OR = 1.656, p < 0.001), and hospitalization (OR = 1.165, p = 0.031) compared to white patients. After adjusting for predictors, the odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection are higher for AA (OR = 1.744, p < 0.001). There is no significant difference in the odds of mortality between AA patients and White patients who were COVID positive (OR = 0.740, p = 0.09), after adjusting for the other predictive variables. Conclusion: In this large multi-state study of COVID-19 tested patients, African Americans were infected much more often and had greater mortality than Whites before adjusting for covariates. The rate of hospitalization was lower for COVID positive AAs than Whites, and mortality was nearly the same as Whites after adjusting for predictors such as comorbidities. Our study identifies variables associated with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, highlighting the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the African American community. This analysis may provide opportunities to employ preventive medicine approaches and mitigate systemic inequities to improve the health of vulnerable populations. [Formula presented]