ABSTRACT
Introduction: This study assesses the severity of mental health problems in healthcare professionals (HCPs) and its associated risk factors during COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary hospital in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was done from November 01 to 15, 2020. Data was col-lected by using a web-based self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis, cross tabs, and logistic regressions were utilized. Results: Out of 238 HCPs, 54.6% of them had a mental health problem. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 44.1%, 48.3%, and 29.0%, respectively. Cigarette smoking was the only factor associated with depression. Being female, a cigarette smoker, and previously diagnosed with COVID-19 were associated with anxiety, while cigarette smoking and previous COVID-19 suspect had a significant association with stress. Conclusion: The burden of mental health problems among HCPs is high. The Federal Ministry of Health should incorporate psychosocial support for healthcare professionals during pandemics. This study highlights the need for developing policies to decrease mental health problems among HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2023 Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The counter effect of COVID-19 preventive measures is believed to affect the health care utilization of many vulnerable populations including pregnant mothers. Because of the newness of the disease, there is a dearth of information regarding maternal health service utilization amid the pandemic. Hence, this study was aimed to assess antenatal care service utilization and associated factors among women who gave birth amid the pandemic in West Ethiopia. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in selected districts of West Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Epi data version 3.1 and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences window (SPSS) version 25.0 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was done. RESULTS: A total of 827 participants were involved in the study with a response rate of 97.87 %. The prevalence of antenatal cares service utilization among mothers who gave birth during the pandemic was 450 (54.4 %) with 95% confidence interval (51.0, 57.6). Age of mother, residence, occupation of mother, educational level of the mother, fear related to spreading of COVID-19 in the community, fear of being infected, following government guidelines, using a facemask, covering face and mouth when coughing, and level of practice towards covid-19 prevention measures had a statistically significant association with antenatal cares service utilization. CONCLUSION: The finding of this particular study revealed that there is a low antenatal care service utilization during the pandemic. Hence, health care providers should strengthen the integration of messages on COVID-19 prevention measures and health education with pregnancy risk, family planning and postnatal care. It is also advisable to start technology-based services to avert the transportation and related problems. © 2022 The authors.
ABSTRACT
Background: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests are increasingly used for sero-epidemiological purposes to provide a better understanding of the extent of the infection in the community, and to monitor the progression of the COVID-19 epidemic. A sero-prevalence study was conducted to estimate prior infections with SARS-CoV-2 in Addis Ababa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 23 to 28, 2020 among 301 randomly selected residents of Addis Ababa;sub-city health offices, health facilities and health extension workers were contacted, to obtain a population profile and to conduct the random selection of study participants. Participants were selected, who had not been in direct contact with people who had contracted COVID-19, to maintain consistency among the study population. Interviews on socio demographic and behavioural risk factors, followed by serological tests were performed for SARS-CoV-2 IgM, and IgG antibodies, using the COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette. Based on the manufacturer information, the test has a sensitivity of 87·9% and specificity of 100% for lgM;and a sensitivity of 97·2% and specificity of 100% for IgG. A Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was also done on combined nasopharyngeal and oropharengeal swabs. Findings: The unadjusted antibody-based crude SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 7·6% and the adjusted (weighted average) SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was estimated at 8·8% (95% CI 5·5%-11·6%) for the study population. Higher sero-prevalence were observed for males (9.0%), age below 50 years (8.2%), students and unemployed (15.6%), as well as those with primary education (12.1%), educated above high school (37·9%), non- smokers (78·7%), with no history of regular alcohol (53·8%), no chat (70·8%), and no shisha use (94·7%). According to the findings, a significantly higher number of individuals had been infected in Addis Ababa as compared to what was being detected and reported by the RT-PCR test, which is suggestive of community transmission.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 is a multisystemic infectious disease that primarily affects the respiratory system. However, the involvement of extra-pulmonary systems has also been reported. We report a 25-year-old female patient who visited the emergency department with a four-day history of severe burning epigastric pain associated with vomiting. The patient was later diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis with concomitant severe COVID-19 based on clinical, biochemical, and imaging findings. The patient was managed with antibiotics, anticoagula-tion, and ventilatory support. Despite aggressive treatment efforts, the patient sustained cardiac arrest in the setting of refractory hypoxemia and passed away on day three of her hospitalization. © 2022 Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus is a respiratory disease that spreads globally. The severity and mortality risk of the disease is significant in the elderly, peoples having co-morbidities, and immunosuppressive patients. The outbreak of the pandemic created significant barriers to diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of chronic diseases. Delivering regular and routine comprehensive care for chronic patients was disrupted due to closures of healthcare facilities, lack of public transportation or reductions in services. The purpose of this narrative review was to update how patients with chronic care were affected during the pandemic, healthcare utilization services and available opportunities for better chronic disease management during the pandemic in resources limited settings. Moreover, this review may call to the attention of concerned bodies to make decisions and take measures in the spirit of improving the burden of chronic diseases by forwarding necessary recommendations for possible change and to scale up current intervention programs.