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Introduction: Few studies have explored the correlations between personality traits and mental health during the outbreak period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students' academic success, interpersonal interactions, and propensity for mental illnesses are all impacted by their sleep quality. One of the recognised elements influencing a person's sleep design is their personality. Medical students' personality and academic success are both negatively impacted by poor sleep quality. Aim(s): The current research looked into the connection between personality traits and sleep quality among medical students in Post Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Erode, Tamil Nadu. Material(s) and Method(s): 288 undergraduate medical students participated in a cross-sectional study that was performed on an institutional level. Structured questionnaires that were administered by interviewers were used to gather the data. Medical students learning in Erode had their personality and sleep quality evaluated using the NEO personality inventory (NEO-PI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Result(s): 226 (78.5%) of the 288 medical students said they had poor sleep. The results of our study demonstrate a significant correlation between neuroticism and the global PSQI score (P< 0.05). Students who slept poorly scored more highly on the neuroticism scale. The findings show that, among students during the COVID-19 outbreak, personality characteristics were risk factors for psychological disorders. Our findings might serve as a guide for those conducting psychological disorder screenings. Conclusion(s): In the Post Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown, medical students who don't get enough sleep become neurotic. Medical students' mental health and academic success are impacted by COVID-19. The findings show that, among students during the COVID-19 outbreak, personality characteristics were risk factors for psychological disorders. Future research on these personality traits may help to better understand how sleep disorders affect academic achievement.Copyright © 2023, Dr Yashwant Research Labs Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Background: The fear of COVID-19 has become a social problem during the pandemic. Fear is a reaction that has the power to impact many aspects of one's life and health. There have been severe physical, social, behavioural, and psychological effects connected to fear during the Covid-19 pandemic. Aim and Objectives: The present study to find out the prevalence of fear of COVID-19 among members of the general public and examines various factors associated with the fear of COVID-19. Methodology: Data were gathered from cross-sectional population-based studies conducted in June to July 2021 with adults from Tamilnadu from south India. The Fear of Covid-19 scale was used to evaluate fear of Covid19. Exposure variables were socioeconomic, demographic, health and pandemic-related factors. Result(s): A total of 937 subjects were assessed. Higher fear of Covid-19 was found among 69.48% (651) of young adults. The mean score of fear on the Covid-19 scale was 16.91+/- 6.90., 40.34% & 7.36% of them having moderate & high level of fear score respectively. Family member who died due to Covid19 infections are having more fear than others (p<0.05). Conclusion(s): Greater fear of the COVID-19 among the young adults in Tamilnadu, south Indian suggests that during unprecedented times such as the current pandemic, the psychological needs of younger adults should be prioritized. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
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Background and aim: Trans-oral surgery is an accepted management strategy for treatment of appropriate patients with upper aerodigestive tract malignancy. The majority of patients undergoing trans-oral surgery (either laser microsurgery or robotic surgery) will receive adjuvant non-surgical treatments post operatively. However, certain patients with favourable histological outcomes can be managed with surgery alone. Here we present our series of consecutive patients treated with primary surgery without any adjuvant non-surgical treatments. Method(s): Prospective patient data capture with retrospective chart review. Result(s): n = 27, 19 males, 8 females. HPV positive (n = 23), negative (n = 2), n/a (n = 2). Surgery comprised;oropharyngectomy n = 20 (lateral n = 15, posterior hemiglossectomy n = 4, overlapping lesion n = 1), MALTectomy for unknown primary n = 5, and supraglottic laryngectomy n = 2. All patients underwent either ipsilateral or bilateral neck dissection. 1 patient suffered recurrence (previous MALTectomy no tumour found, local recurrence at BOT). 2 patients died from other causes (metastatic renal cell carcinoma, Hospital acquired pneumonia related to Covid-19). Excluding patients with FU < 9/12 shows median disease free survival and overall survival were both 29.6 months. Further data relating to disease stage and pathological outcomes from primary surgery and neck dissection will be presented. Conclusions and discussion: Case selection is critical when considering 'surgery only' as a treatment modality for patients with H&N SCC. However, these data demonstrate validation of our case selection given the low recurrence rate and high overall survival. Copyright © 2022
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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the public health authorities to impose a lockdown as an epidemiological containment strategy. Due to COVID-19, the world is facing an unprecedented challenge that has changed people's lifestyles. This study aimed to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown affected students in Tamilnadu in terms of changes to their eating habits, sleeping patterns, and level of physical activity. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random representative sample of 263 undergraduate students (mean age 19.63+ 1.86 years, males 33.46%) from Tamilnadu voluntarily filling out an online questionnaire. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and The International Physical Activity Questionnaires, Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) were used to assess sleep quality, Physical Activity, and Eating Attitude disorder, respectively. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among participants was 43.3% (males: 44.32% and females: 42.86%). The mean score of the participants' EAT-26 score was found to be 10.92 +/- 8.63. Students' high body weight and BMI risk factors for eating disorders (chi(2)=9.68 p=0.02, chi(2)=9.59 p=0.02). 46% of students did not do any physical activity. There is no significant correlation between sleep and Eating attitude scores (p=0.21). 66.16% of participants experienced Psychological stress due to lock down. Findings from this study indicate that a lockdown period due to COVID-19 negatively impacted young undergraduate adults' physical activity levels and sleep quality. Finally, body weight, BMI, monthly family income, and poor physical activity with excess eating during the COVID 19 lockdown were the common exposures that are significantly associated with a higher risk of developing sleep disturbances and eating disorders. Several efficient strategies, programs, and coordinated efforts must be rigorously executed to encourage a seamless transition between school and daily life.
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Background: All government and private educational institutions around the world have adopted online learning. There are a few advantages and disadvantages of this online learning. There are different level groups of students and instructors in the educational system. Objectives: To investigate the advantages and disadvantages of online learning among the various groups of undergraduate students. To statistically analyze the response obtained from the students to identify the significant and non-significant variables related to online learning.
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COVID-19 caused by the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus taking a huge toll on global health and caused life-threatening medical complications and elevated mortality rates, especially among older adults and people with existing morbidity. Current evidence suggests that the virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets emitted by infected persons when breathing, coughing, sneezing, or speaking. These droplets can reach another person through their mouth, nose, or eyes, resulting in infection. The "gold standard" for clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 is the laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification test, which includes the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on nasopharyngeal swab samples. The main concerns with this type of test are the relatively high cost, long processing time, and considerable false-positive or false-negative results. Alternative approaches have been suggested to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus so that those infected and the people they have been in contact with can be quickly isolated to break the transmission chains and hopefully, control the pandemic. These alternative approaches include electrochemical biosensing and deep learning. In this review, we discuss the current state-of-the-art technology used in both fields for public health surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and present a comparison of both methods in terms of cost, sampling, timing, accuracy, instrument complexity, global accessibility, feasibility, and adaptability to mutations. Finally, we discuss the issues and potential future research approaches for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus utilizing electrochemical biosensing and deep learning.
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Introduction: The new Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has put a strain on healthcare workers, and the virus offers major personal and professional threats. Mental health has been affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, causing them to be fear of becoming sick. During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care professionals have been psychologically impacted including fear, anxiety, and depression. Aim: To determine the level of COVID-19 fear among hospital nurses in tertiary hospital care hospital, Erode dristrict, Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted among employees of Government Erode Medical College Hospital and nearby Hospitals in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India, from July 2020 to August 2020, to evaluated the fear of COVID-19 using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). It used a self-administered questionnaire (online Google form survey). It consisted of two parts, first was socio-demographic details and second was fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). The inclusion criteria of participants were all staff nurses working in COVID-19 ward, for minimum of three months in Erode district and willingness to participate. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) F-test and student Independent t-test analysis was performed to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics and fear levels. results: The study included a total of 277 staff nurses. The participant's mean age was 32.25±6.45 years, with females accounting for 93.5% of the total. The scale's internal reliability was excellent, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.902. Overall, the mean COVID-19 fear score was (59.3%) 20.8 out of 35. The maximum fear score was for the statement "I am most afraid of Corona" (65%) and the minimum fear score was for "I cannot sleep because I am worried about getting Corona" (51.8%). Fear levels were higher in females (p-value=0.02), overweight people (p-value=0.001), those living in joint families (p-value=0.01), married individuals (p-value=0.03), participants with two children (p-value=0.001), and Primary Healthcare Center (PHC) staff (p-value=0.001). conclusion: The survey found a high level of fear in staff nurses who work in COVID-19 wards. Steps must be taken to preserve their health, by providing adequate resources to relieve their worries and anxiety, enabling them to carry out their frontline duties in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic.
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Background: Home-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) primary prevention (HBPP) and cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) programs which occupied a small proportion of the overall Preventive Cardiology work in the past have become mainstream during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose: This study aims to analyse the effectiveness of a home-based CVD prevention program implemented during the pandemic in India. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on pre-pandemic and pandemic enrolees. Health behaviour, CVD risk factors, physical and mental component score (PCS, MCS) from SF-12 questionnaire, body mass index (BMI), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed. A multidisciplinary team consisting of Physician, Physiotherapist, Dietician and Counselling Psychologist provided the program using tele-health platforms. Results: Of the 66 subjects (55 ± 13 years, 73% male), 17 (26%) enrolled pre-pandemic and 49 (74%) enrolled during-pandemic, 28 (42%) were HBPP and 38 (58%) were HBCR participants. Majority of the subjects (n = 51, 77%), with significantly more HBCR than HBPP participants, harboured 4 or more risk factors (p = 0.04). In the 60 (91%) program completers, BMI, 6MWD, PCS and MCS had improved significantly. SBP, DBP, LVEF, HbA1c, total cholesterol and LDL had improved significantly in affected subjects. Completely home-based participants (n = 44, 67%) who never had any in-person contact with the team during the program also showed significant improvement. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Comprehensive home-based CVD prevention programs are effective in improving anthropometric, clinical, biochemical and psychosocial parameters, are a safe alternative to conventional programs and could potentially become the standard-of-care in the post-pandemic era. (Figure Presented).
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Medical students have found distance learning to be a difficult challenge as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study investigated the correlation between academic performance, sleep quality, and burnout among Medical students who participated in distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 154 Medical students at Government Erode Medical College in Tamilnadu, data were collected in June 2021. The survey was conducted using a Google Forms containing informed consent along with Demographic Details, self-rated sleep quality, academic performance, and The Maslach Burnout Inventory –Student Survey burnout questionnaire. Correlation between academic performances, sleep quality, Emotional Exhaustion, Cynicism, and Academic Efficacy was analyzed using Karl Pearson correlation method. 18% of students experienced severe burnout during distance learning. 60% of students don’t like online classes. More than 60 % internal mark scored students (P=0.02) are having significantly high Academic Efficacy Scores. Cronbach’s Alpha is 0.7498. Distance learning was reported a significant negative impact on their academic performance. To develop a favourable learning environment for medical students, medical instructors should consider creative learning methodologies.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging respiratory infection caused by a novel corona virus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The symptoms of COVID-19 illness range from very mild fever and cough to severe pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome with a mortality rate around 4%. Assessment of the knowledge and information sources of COVID-19 infection among adults. A total of 560 participants were included in the study, with a gender ratio of 3:1 (females: males). 55.5% of people Age between 30-40 Years, 64% of school educated, 70.6% of unskilled workers and 66.7% Upper Class people are having Inadequate knowledge about Covid 19. Association of knowledge with age (p<0.05) educational qualification (p<0.01), employment status and monthly family income (p<0.001) are significant. Policymakers must implement strategies to keep the common people informed about the emerging public health emergencies. People should be properly guided to use reliable sources of information such as government websites and scientific literature for up-to-date information.
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Background: The use of optical coherence tomography−angio co-registration (OCT-ACR) in routine clinical practice is evolving with limited reporting of clinical outcomes. We conducted this study to evaluate the impact of OCT-ACR on clinician decision making during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Patients with clinically significant stenosis of >70% in at least 1 coronary artery were enrolled in the study. The pre- and post-PCI procedural strategies were prospectively assessed after angiography, OCT, and ACR with data analyzed by an independent core lab. We enrolled 500 patients from 9 centers in south Asia. Twenty-eight patients had inadequate imaging, whereas data from 75 patients are yet to be analyzed by core lab due to COVID-19. Results: The interim results included 397 patients with a mean age of 57.8 ± 10.8 years. Pre-procedural OCT resulted in a change in PCI strategy in 76% of lesions including change in stent length (57%), diameter (34%), strategy (10%), and landing zone (57%) (Figure). The use of ACR additionally altered treatment strategy in 23% lesions. Postprocedural OCT demonstrated edge dissections (3%), underexpansion (18%), malapposition (17%), tissue/thrombus prolapse (8%), and incomplete coverage (1%), thereby requiring additional interventions for optimization in 36% lesions. No change in strategy was observed with post-procedural ACR. [Formula presented] Conclusion: This is the first South Asian study reporting outcomes of OCT-ACR−guided PCI in patients with coronary artery disease. The use of OCT resulted in overall pre-procedural change of PCI strategy in 76% lesions compared with angiography. Real-time ACR had an additional significant impact with change in strategy in 23% of lesions. Categories: IMAGING: Imaging: Intravascular
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In December 2019, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19, previously known as 2019-nCoV) was determined to be transmitted via respiratory droplets. Thus, health agencies have recommended the use of facemasks as a protective measure. The current study investigated the prevalence and factors contributing to incorrect facemask use among individuals visiting high risk public locations. A cross-sectional observational study of facemask use among individuals visiting high risk public facilities was conducted during a local COVID-19 outbreak from end of April to middle of May 2020 in Sitiawan, Perak, Malaysia. Enrolment in the study included any individuals entering the selected study facilities via a dedicated entry point. Suitable study locations were identified as a local wet market selling freshly slaughtered animals and a district specialist hospital.Trained data collectors were stationed at the entry points to observe individuals entering the selected facilities for the type, category, and correct facemask use. Individuals were categorized into two groups, correct and incorrect facemask users, based on visual observation of facemask use. The Pearson chi-square test was used for differences in investigated variables. Both binary and multiple logistic regression models were used in this study. The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board. The main outcome measure was facemask use (either correct or incorrect).A total of 3322 individuals with a high prevalence of facemask use (98.2%) consisting of a large proportion of medical-grade face masks (75.5%) were included in this study. Male individuals, Malay ethnic people, high-risk age groups, and those wearing a medical grade facemask were more likely to present incorrect facemask use. A high prevalence of facemask use among individuals visiting public facilities was observed. However, incorrect facemask use raises the need for of targeted public health strategy to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 epidemic. © 2020, Mahidol University - ASEAN Institute for Health Development. All rights reserved.