ABSTRACT
Objective: To find the frequency of intentions and it's affecting factors of readiness and reluctance for COVID-19 vaccination and their association with demographic attributes in Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Civil Hospital, Karachi and included participants whose age was >= 18 years. The people who were previously infected with COVID-19 or already vaccinated were excluded from the study. Purposive sampling was applied to enrol 400 participants and a self-developed questionnaire was administered to gather data. Data were analysed using SPSS 20. Result(s): Out of 400 participants, 260 (65%) were willing and 140 (35%) were reluctant to have COVID-19 vaccination. Willing participants were affected by three factors such as vaccination is the 55 (21.1%) the best way to avoid from serious illness, doctors' suggestion 45 (17.5.0%), and self and family protection 40 (15.4%). Reluctant participants were also affected by three factors including 22 (15.8%) unforeseen side effects, 25 (18.0%) belief in conspiracy theory for vaccination, and 26 (18.5%) development of a vaccine is too quick. Age and education showed a significant association with the intentions of COVID-19 vaccination (p < 0.5). Conclusion(s): This study highlighted that65% of participants were willing, and 35% were reluctant to have COVID-19 vaccination. Three factors were affected on willingness and three factors on reluctance of participants for COVID-19 vaccination. Age and gender were found significantly associated with the intentions of COVID-19 vaccination. Copyright © 2022, Pakistan Medical Association. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To assess the role of chest computed tomography for management of Covid-19. Study design: Prospective study Place and duration of study: Department of Radiology, Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women, Nawabshah, Shaheed Benazirabad from 1st August 2020 to 30th September 2021. Methodology: Two hundred patients were enrolled within the age range of 18-70 years. The clinical/medical record of all those patients who were moderately to critically ill assessed in detail. These patients visited the hospital with symptoms of cough, fever, hypoxia, dyspnea, diarrhoea, flu, headache and other related symptoms. All patients underwent chest reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction as well as chest computed tomography scan. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed through nasopharyngeal swab. Results: The mean age of the patients was 64.5±5.6 years with 120 (60%) males and 80 (40%) females. The specificity was 75%, sensitivity 100%, positive predictive value 79%, negative predictive value 66.67% and diagnostic accuracy 75%. Conclusion: Computed tomography scan imaging is a most reliable with high sensitivity and non-predictive value
ABSTRACT
Aim: To assess the role of computed tomography for management of Covid-19. Study design: Prospective study Place and duration of study: Department of Radiology, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Teaching Hospital Sukkur from 1st November 2020 to 31st December 2021. Methodology: One hundred cases within various ages 5-55 years for analyzing their risk for CT scanning on them by highlighting the facts related to CT scan, patient perceptions and uncertainties regarding it. A 50 radiologist and 50 emergency doctors were also asked questions regarding their knowledge about CT scan risks and their responses were also documented. However previous CT record of patients suffering from carcinoma was also analyzed for understanding the fact related with CT imaging. Results: The mean age of patients undergoing CT scan was 39.5±5.6 years. There were 55% males who underwent CT scans while 45% females. The usual dosage for various radiological procedure shows that highest dose deliverance was given to the patients of CT pulmonary angiogram and coronary angiography. Only 50% of radiologists knew that CT scan is associated with high risk of malignancies. There were only 10% emergency medical doctors who also knew CT imaging relation with malignancy risk. Only 54% patients considered abdomen pelvic scan to be associated with increasing lifetime risk of cancer while 23% of the patients considered chest scan to be associated with escalating the risk of cancer. Conclusion: Computed tomography scan is related with a high risk of radiation exposure. There is a dire need of perception development and risk understanding with medical professionals and general public for minimizing this risk.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess facts and myths of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) among patients in tertiary care hospital Karachi, Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive study was carried out at Out Patients Department from October 2020 to February 2021 in Dow hospital Karachi. A total of 200 participants were recruited from those who came outpatient department for their follow-up and whose age was>18 years, using the non-probability purposive method. Exclusion criteria of the study involved those patients who were not willing and had any history of serious illness. Data was collected through a questionnaire, which has 02 parts. 1st part is about demographic information, and 2nd part includes 23 items (facts=12 items and myths=11 items) related to realities and misconceptions of Coronavirus. SPSS 21 was used for data entry and data analysis. RESULTS: Out of 200 participants, 136(68%) were unaware of facts, the highest percentage 22(16.2%) about the age and comorbidities, 20 (14.7%) social distance, and 18 (13.2%) wearing a mask. While: 159 (79.5%) had myths, the highest prevalent myths were about conspiracy 22(13.8%), home remedies 26 (16.3%), and warm water 21(13.2%).A majority of the participant’s (32.0%) age lies between 31 to 40 years and, male (71.0%), married (64.0%), Post-graduated (63.0%), own business (32%), income lies between 16000-30000 and Sindhi culture(61.5%). CONCLUSION: Present study highlighted, a vast majority were not aware of the facts and myths of Covid-19.For instance: facts about old age and co-morbidities, social distance, wearing mask, and myths regarding conspiracy, home remedies, and warm water.