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Objectives Previous research has documented significant associations between the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, various mental health problems, and coping strategies. However, literature on the moderating role of gender on the relationship between distress and coping strategies during COVID-19 is almost nonexistent. Hence, the main objective of this study was two folds. To examine gender differences in distress and coping strategies, and to test the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between distress and coping among university faculty members and students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A cross-sectional web-based study design was used to collect data from the participants. A sample of 649 participants (68.9% university students and 31.1% faculty members) was selected. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) were used to collect data from the participants. The survey was sent out during the COVID-19 lockdown from May 12th to June 30th, 2020. Results The results showed significant gender differences in distress and the three coping strategies. Women consistently scored higher on distress (p < 0.01), task-focused (p < 0.05), emotion-focused (p < 0.001), and avoidance coping (p < 0.01) compared to men. Gender moderated the relationship between emotion-focused coping and distress (p < 0.001) but not the relationship between distress and task-focused or avoidance coping. Conclusion Increased emotion-focused coping is associated with decreased distress among women while the use of emotion-focused coping by men predicted more distress. Workshops and programs focused on providing skills and techniques on how to cope with stressful situations induced by the COVID-19 pandemic are recommended.
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Introduction: in order to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, people must have adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and practice basic preventive procedures towards the disease. This study aims to determine the KAP towards COVID-19 among PLHIV undergoing clinical-outpatient follow-up at SSHM. Methods: a hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted to determine knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards COVID-19 among 344 participants, who were selected using a simple random sampling technique from 4th January to 25th February 2022. A pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Results were summarized in frequencies and percentages. The Chi-square test was used to determine factors influencing KAP. Results: among the 344 participants that were enrolled in the study, adequate knowledge and positive attitude scores (≥75 correct answers) towards COVID-19 were reported in 72.4% and 62.5% of the participants, respectively. Most of the respondents (82%) were not practicing basic preventive procedures against COVID-19. Knowledge and attitude scores were significantly associated (p<0.05) with gender, age, marital status and educational status, while practice score was significantly associated (p<0.05) with gender, marital status, educational status, employment status and time since HIV diagnosis. There was a moderate positive correlation (r=0.60) between knowledge and attitude scores, while there was a low positive correlation (r=0.23) between knowledge and practice scores and attitude and practice scores, respectively. Conclusion: people living with HIV have adequate knowledge, a positive attitude and poor practice towards COVID-19. Therefore, in order to mitigate coronavirus infection among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), health talks at ART service delivery points should incorporate information on COVID-19 preventative strategies. © Muktar Musa Shallangwa et al.
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Objectives: Previous research has documented significant associations between the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, various mental health problems, and coping strategies. However, literature on the moderating role of gender on the relationship between distress and coping strategies during COVID-19 is almost nonexistent. Hence, the main objective of this study was two folds. To examine gender differences in distress and coping strategies, and to test the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between distress and coping among university faculty members and students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A cross-sectional web-based study design was used to collect data from the participants. A sample of 649 participants (68.9% university students and 31.1% faculty members) was selected. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) were used to collect data from the participants. The survey was sent out during the COVID-19 lockdown from May 12th to June 30th, 2020. Results: The results showed significant gender differences in distress and the three coping strategies. Women consistently scored higher on distress (p < 0.01), task-focused (p < 0.05), emotion-focused (p < 0.001), and avoidance coping (p < 0.01) compared to men. Gender moderated the relationship between emotion-focused coping and distress (p < 0.001) but not the relationship between distress and task-focused or avoidance coping. Conclusion: Increased emotion-focused coping is associated with decreased distress among women while the use of emotion-focused coping by men predicted more distress. Workshops and programs focused on providing skills and techniques on how to cope with stressful situations induced by the COVID-19 pandemic are recommended.
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OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 has spread rapidly throughout the world, which has highlighted the importance of collaboration between countries to prevent further transmission of the virus. This review aims to identify the factors that influence international collaboration between policymakers for COVID-19 prevention and consider strategies to manage pandemics in the future. STUDY DESIGN: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework for scoping reviews. METHODS: A literature search was performed across PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Embase databases using relevant keywords. The initial search identified 1010 articles; after selection criteria were applied, 28 studies were included in the review. RESULTS: Most of the selected articles were literature reviews, and China had the greatest contribution of articles to this study. The following seven key categories influencing international collaboration were identified: political, structure, infrastructure, leadership and governance, knowledge and information sharing, community engagement, and process/action. CONCLUSION: Leadership and governance was the most important factor identified in international collaboration between countries. In addition, knowledge and information sharing were seen to help avoid repetition of negative situations experienced in other countries. Moreover, controlling COVID-19 on a global scale is more likely to be achieved when there are sufficient structures and resources and when appropriate communication between countries, health systems and communities is used. This collaboration can also greatly benefit low- and middle-income countries where resources and expertise are often limited.
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COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/prevention & control , Pandemics/prevention & control , Medical Assistance , Communication , China/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Objective: Our review aims to study the significance of the association between the manifestations of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and COVID-19 immunization, as well as provide medical practitioners with relevant clinical information through a detailed summary of the current cases of GBS related to the COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, we will shed light on the impact of associated demographic risk factors such as age, gender, and comorbid conditions in the development of GBS post-vaccination. Background: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare and potentially fatal post-infectious, immune-mediated neuropathy characterized by rapidly progressive weakness and ascending paralysis. As an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccines, GBS is becoming an arising catastrophe increasingly reported as a complication of the COVID-19 vaccines. Design/Methods: A literature search was conducted across four databases: PubMed, PubMed Central, Medline (through PubMed), and Google Scholar using predefined keywords. These keywords included “Guillain Barre Syndrome, ” “COVID-19 vaccination”, “COVID-19”. The search criteria were set to filter cases of GBS in post-COVID-19 vaccination, reported between March 2020 to October 2021. Results: A total of eighteen articles were selected from peer-reviewed journals which documented twenty-eight patients (ages ranged between 20-82 years old) that had developed GBS after receiving COVID-19 vaccinations;fifteen males and thirteen females. GBS side effects were reported with five COVID-19 vaccines including Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen, AstraZeneca (now called Vaxzevria), and a vector-based vaccine. In addition, the average duration between COVID-19 vaccine administration and GBS symptoms onset was noted to be 12.46 days. Conclusions: Although it is too early to draw conclusions concerning GBS following COVID-19 vaccination, we recommend monitoring for cases suggestive of GBS following vaccination and implementing post-vaccination surveillance to ensure adequate data gathering of this outcome, as well as to determine its cause. Additionally, we encourage even further large-scale research into this area.
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BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has affected all dimensions of day to day life across the world and medical education was no exception. With this study, we aimed to understand the effect of nationwide restrictions on medical education in Qatar, the models of education adopted during this period and perceptions of participants to the same. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing an online questionnaire distributed via convenience sampling between April-October 2020. Study participants were faculty and trainees in governmental undergraduate and postgraduate medical education institutes. Two sets of questionnaires were designed for each group. They were asked a series of questions to assess pre- and post-COVID pandemic educational practices, their preferred teaching methods, and their familiarity with electronic teaching platforms. Faculty respondents were asked about their perceived barriers to delivery of medical education during the pandemic and their agreement on a 5-point Likert scale on specific elements. Trainees were asked a series of multiple-choice questions to characterize their pre- and post-COVID pandemic educational experiences. Both groups were asked open-ended questions to provide qualitative insights into their answers. Data were analysed using STATA software version 12.0. RESULTS: Majority of trainees (58.5%) responded that the pandemic has adversely affected medical education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Trainees (58.5%) and faculty (35.7%) reported an increased reliance on e-learning. Trainees preferred face-to-face education, while faculty preferred a combination of models of education delivery (33.5% versus 37.1%, p = 0.38). Although 52.5% of the faculty had no previous experience of delivering education through e-learning modalities, 58.9% however felt confident in using e-learning software. CONCLUSIONS: Faculty and trainees agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the provision of medical education and training in Qatar, with an increased dependence on e-learning. As trainee's prefer face-to-face models of education, we may have to consider restructuring of medical curricula in order to ensure that optimum learning is achieved via e-learning, while at the same time enhancing our use, knowledge and understanding of the e -learning methods. Further research is warranted to assess if these changes have influenced objective educational outcomes like graduation rates or board scores.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Education, Medical , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Pandemics , Qatar/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been an uncertain, challenging time that has placed numerous strains on the Canadian health care system. A crucial yet sometimes overlooked aspect of this has been the mental health impact on health care workers. Surgeons, in particular, have faced unique stressors because of the cancellation of elective procedures, uncertainty regarding future management of urgent patient conditions such as oncologic operative procedures, and fear of infectious transmission to family and friends because of exposure from aerosolgenerating procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on general surgeons mental health across British Columbia, Canada. Methods: An online survey was distributed to BC general surgeons to gather demographic and mental health data related to the pandemic period, including 2 validated burnout and psychological distress tools, the abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Results: Sixty-three of 198 surgeons (32%) across BC responded to the survey;44% and 59% felt that the pandemic negatively affected their job performance and personal relationships outside the hospital, respectively. In addition, 64% felt more stress or anxiety because of decreased access to operating rooms. From the aMBI results, 33% of surgeons felt emotionally exhausted from work, and the average K10 score was consistent with moderate psychological distress. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected general surgeons mental health across BC, both professionally and personally. This should be acknowledged by hospital leaders with specific efforts to mitigate the short- and long-term impacts on surgeons well-being.
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown instigated serious mental health conditions. So far, the UAE data on mental health problems due to this pandemic outbreak is still scarce. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalent psychological difficulties experienced by university students, faculty members, and staff during COVID-19 lockdown and the coping strategies used. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 737 participants using an online electronic survey. Participants included students, faculty members, and staff from universities in the UAE. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to measure general distress, Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ-16) was used to measure worry, and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS-48) was administered to measure coping strategies used by participants during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Data were collected during May to June 2020. Results: The results indicated that 60.4% of students, 57.4% of the faculty members, and 52.3% of the staff experienced mild psychiatric problems. About 32.9% of students, 33.7% of the faculty members, and 25% of the staff experienced high levels of worry during the COVID-19 lockdown. Changes in eating patterns, worsening chronic health problems, change in sleep patterns, and concentration difficulties were reported. Furthermore, significant differences were observed in worry and coping strategies among participants. Women use more avoidance and emotion-focused coping compared to men. Conclusion: It was concluded that COVID-19 lockdown has negatively impacted university faculty, staff, and students in terms of health behavior, psychological and physical health.
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Background: With the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, in the UK guidance on shielding to protect vulnerable individuals included minimising face-to-face (FTF) contact and visits to hospital for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). We undertook a UK-wide survey to study how CF centres adapted their practice during this time. Method: We contacted CF nurses to explore service changes to routine outpatient care, emergency consultations, annual reviews (AR), and use of remote monitoring between March - July 2020. Results: Nineteen centres (13 adult) caring for 34% of the UK CF population replied (response rate 35%). Eleven (58%) ceased routine FTF appointments until virtual clinics were implemented, in 1 centre solely by telephone. Six centres suspended AR, the remainder integrating them into virtual or emergency FTF appointments. All noted reduction in hospital admission rates, citing better treatment compliance, reluctance to admission, effect of shielding and initiation of CFTR modulators. Twelve centres (63%) reported increased demand for psychology input. Departmental spirometry was only performed at F2Fclinics and all centres distributed remote spirometry devices to suitable pwCF, with training delivered F2F or remotely. Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings continued virtually at all centres. Fourteen (73%) reported an increase in home visits for blood tests and IV antibiotic management. To cope, 20% reduced support visits and extended TIVAD flush duration intervals. Nine continued existing research activity. Most centres reported initial technical issues with virtual clinics that were subsequently addressed and have incorporated virtual appointments into their care. Conclusions: Despite need for rapid service change, all centres continued to support their pwCF. Virtual clinics and MDT meetings were adopted by all centres within the UK and this service will strengthen in time.
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COVID-2019 has led to the greatest world menace of livelihood communities. This is a catastrophic epidemic that is basically known for SARS-CoV-2 which is expanded as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Meanwhile, the Coronavirus disease that emerged from China had lots of devastating effects on society and exhausted the ultra modern health-care systems worldwide. Now, it's remarkable to assist ML to identify, detect and predict pandemic immense nature. The entire society is posing their phenomenal attempts to oppose the challenge of fatal disease in conditions with economic frameworks, data origins, shielding gears, life-hazard treatments, medicines and numerous resources. This article mainly focuses on the Machine Learning model techniques that are comprehensively used for Screening, Predicting, Forecasting, Tracing and Drug managing based on the allied outbreak. The highly demanded ML methods point towards wireless infrastructure, real-time collections and end-to-end user devices. This evaluation suggests machine learning is a powerful aid for pandemics cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research (09752366) is the property of Association of Indian Pharmacist 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.)
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The COVID-19 pandemic had a catastrophic impact on world health and economic. This is attributed to the unavoidable delay in the diagnosis process, due to limitation of COVID-19 test kits. Thus, it is urgently required to establish more cheap and affordable diagnostic approaches. Chest X-ray is an important initial step towards a successful COVID-19 diagnose, where it is easily to detect any chest abnormalities (e.g., lung inflammation). Furthermore, majority of hospitals have X-ray devices that can be used in early COVID-19 diagnosis. However, the shortage of radiologists is a key factor that limits early COVID-19 diagnosis and negatively affects the treatment process. This paper presents an artificial intelligence based technique for early COVID-19 diagnosis from chest X-ray images using medical knowledge and deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). To this end, a deep learning model is built carefully and fine-tuned to achieve the maximum performance in COVID-19 detection. Experimental results on recent benchmark datasets demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed technique in identifying COVID-19 with 96% accuracy. © 2020 IEEE.
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SESSION TITLE: Late-breaking Abstract Posters SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 PURPOSE: COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic of international concern caused by a newly discovered Novel corona virus. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China and has spread throughout the world causing a global health crisis. Wide range of clinical presentations of COVID 19 has been demonstrated in the literature. We present a case of isolated pleural effusion in a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: A 52-year-old male patient, presented with three weeks history of right sided chest pain, dyspnea, and fever. On examination, patient was comfortable with normal vital signs during admission and chest examination was remarkable for decreased breath sound on the right side. Investigations showed high C-reactive protein, raised ferritin, hyponatremia and increased liver enzymes. Chest x -ray and CT scan demonstrated moderate right sided pleural effusion and pleural thickening with normal lung parenchyma. Diagnostic pleural analysis was consistent with an exudative effusion with pleural fluid PH of 7.5, glucose of 6.8 mmol/L and very high LDH of 1185U/L. The pleural fluid differential white cell count had 45% lymphocytes, 41% neutrophils, 9% eosinophils with cytology negative for malignant cells. Pleural fluid stains and culture were negative for bacteria and tuberculosis. RESULTS: In view of significant community spread of SARS-COV2, nasopharyngeal swab for COVID 19 PCR was performed, and came back positive. Nonetheless patient underwent medical thoracoscopy and pleural biopsy to rule out common causes based on epidemiology mainly tuberculosis and malignancy. Parietal pleura was inflamed with few thin adhesions. Histopathological examination revealed acute inflammation and reactive spindle cell proliferation with no evidence of granulomas or malignancy. Patient received hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for 5 days based on local guidelines for COVID 19. At 6 weeks follow up, patient is clinically well with minimal pleural thickening on chest X-ray. CONCLUSIONS: COVID 19 exhibits a diverse range of clinical presentations and our knowledge about this disease is constantly evolving. The hallmark findings of COVID 19 include bilateral patchy ground glass opacities with a predominantly peripheral distribution. The most common pleural change in COVID 19 patients is pleural thickening while pleural effusion is extremely uncommon. Our patient had an exudative effusion with high LDH and normal pleural fluid PH and glucose. Elevated pleural fluid LDH levels (greater than 1000 IU/L) suggest empyema, malignant effusion, rheumatoid effusion, or pleural paragonimiasis. As all relevant pleural fluid microbiology was negative and the patient improved on the COVID 19 guideline based treatment, we attribute the pleural effusion to be secondary to SARS Cov-2 and highlight that the effusion in COVID 19 has a high pleural LDH. Our assumptions need further confirmation with more studies. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: – DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Mona Allangawi, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Anam Elarabi, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Mansoor Hameed, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Irfan Ul Haq, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Mousa Shaher Hussein, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Merlin Thomas, source=Web Response
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SESSION TITLE: Global Case Report Posters SESSION TYPE: Global Case Reports PRESENTED ON: October 18-21, 2020 INTRODUCTION: The ongoing outbreak of corona virus disease has affected more than 6 million people in the world. COVID 19 affects people in dramatically different ways. Pneumothorax is an uncommon complication of COVID 19. We present a case of COVID pneumonia complicated with bilateral pneumothoraces CASE PRESENTATION: A 49 years old non smoker patient with no chronic illnesses presented to the emergency department with a dry cough and low-grade fever. His physical examination and initial chest radiograph were normal. He tested positive for COVID 19 and was advised home isolation. One week later he re-presented with a high grade fever, worsening cough and dyspnea. He was found to have hypoxemia with oxygen saturations of 85% on room air. Chest radiograph revealed multiple bilateral lower zone infiltrates consistent with a diagnosis of COVID pneumonia. Lab investigations showed a lymphocyte count of 0.5 x103 /uL, D- dimer of 1.27, CRP of 133 and a ferritin of 8352 mcg/L. He required 15 liters of oxygen and was treated with Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin and cefuroxime. In view of risk of rapid deterioration, he received IV tocilizumab, convalescent plasma and IV methylprednisolone. He didn’t require mechanical ventilation and his clinical condition gradually improved. He was weaned off from oxygen over a period of 12 days. Two days later he complained of right sided chest pain and increasing shortness of breath. Chest x-ray identified a large right sided pneumothorax with mediastinal shift towards the left. A right sided chest drain was placed, and patient’s symptoms improved. The chest drain continued to have an air leak for the next four days. On the fifth day the patient complained of left sided chest pain and a chest radiograph this time confirmed a large left sided pneumothorax. Subsequently a left sided chest tube was inserted. The patient is currently undergoing the above treatment for the pneumothoraces. DISCUSSION: A wide variety of radiological findings in Covid 19 have been reported in different studies. Sana S et al. reviewed imaging findings in 919 Covid-19 positive patients and concluded that predominantly radiological findings in COVID pneumonia include bilateral multilobar ground-glass opacification (GGO) with a peripheral or posterior distribution, mainly in the lower lobes and less frequently within the right middle lobe. None of the patients encountered pneumothorax.1 In a retrospective single center study of 99 patients conducted at Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital only 1 % had pneumothorax.2 We present the first case of bilateral pneumothoraces secondary to COVID 19. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID pneumonia may develop pneumothorax and suspicious cases with any new or worsening dyspnea need to be evaluated promptly for it. Reference #1: 1.Sana Salehi, Aidin Abedi, Sudheer Balakrishnan. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Systematic Review of Imaging Findings in 919 Patients. American Journal of Roentgenology (2019): 1-7 Reference #2: 2.Nanshan Chen, Min Zhou, Xuan Dong,et al.Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study. Lancet, 2020, 395(10223) : 507-513 DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Mushtaq Ahmad, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Shakeel Ahmed, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Mansoor Hameed, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Irfan Ul Haq, source=Web Response