ABSTRACT
Transmission prevention is important to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although most cases are transmitted through droplets and aerosols, several studies have shown the possibility of transmission through fecal material. It is important to identify which patients are more likely to shed SARS-CoV-2 to raise awareness of the virus transmission via their feces. This study aims to determine the association of clinical and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 patients with the SARS-CoV-2 detection in feces. From May to December 2020, fecal specimens from confirmed COVID-19 patients were collected, processed, and tested for the SARS-CoV-2 RNA presence. Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 RNA in their feces. Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher's Exact test, whereas non-categorical variables were analyzed using Independent T test and Mann-Whitney U test. From 51 COVID-19 patients of whom fecal specimen were collected, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was found in the feces of 26 (50.9%). The SARS-CoV-2 presence in the feces was associated with cough (p=0.002), dyspnea (p=0.017), bilateral pneumonia (p=0.011), lower SARS-CoV-2 CT-values in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs (p=0.015), and clinical severity (p=0.0023). In conclusion, several clinical characteristics contributing to the COVID-19 severity and higher SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the respiratory tract were associated with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in feces. © 2023 by SPC (Sami Publishing Company).
ABSTRACT
This second-term research examined the dynamics of Bancakan Salak cultural tourism after being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowing how the tourism strategy was implemented in the times of pandemic and what were the tips to be able to survive in this limited condition were two interesting things this article studied. Like many other tourist attractions, Bancakan Salak cultural tourism was also affected by the pandemic. Yet, as previous research has concluded, Galengdowo's local society had three essential traditional values reflected in Bancakan Salak cultural tourism that helped them to get through this situation. These three values were collectivism, gratitude, and almsgiving. These three values also created further key concepts in responding to the pandemic, the importance of resilience, and innovation. Using qualitative method (in-depth interview) combined with the observation participatory method, and also ABCD (asset-based community development), this article highlighted the crucial role of human basic needs resilience and socio-cultural resilience. Because in the era of globalization nowadays, connectivity had proven could be substituted by collectivism, gratitude, almsgiving, and other traditional values that hold tight the element of togetherness. This article also highlighted the role played by cultural assets and personal assets to build villages' capacity. In the end, Bancakan Salak and its tourism industry in Galengdowo was hit by the pandemic and Galengdowo's local society responded with resilience and innovation.
ABSTRACT
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spread across Indonesia, good knowledge, proper attitude, and appropriate practices among undergraduate students must be achieved before starting a face-to-face lecture. These are also important since most students are active in social media and can spread true or false rumors regarding COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical and non-medical undergraduate students toward COVID-19. A 51-item online questionnaire was developed and sent to random undergraduate students from different faculties in Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia. A total of 482 students completed the survey. The Chi-square test showed significant associations in the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards the COVID-19 between medical and non-medical students, where medical students have better knowledge, attitudes, and practices than non-medical students. This study's findings may become the basis for an awareness campaign planning among students in particular and the public in general, which at this time most student activities are still carried out online and to prepare face-to-face lectures and also to deepen the material regarding COVID-19 among students, especially non-medical students, and furthermore, help to guide the efforts and plans of state health authorities for better containment of COVID-19. © 2022, Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the effects of a teleconference on nurses’ knowledge and attitudes in the prevention and control of COVID-19 infection. The present study employed a pre-post experimental design without a control group with a total of 60 nurses as participants. The study was conducted in three hospitals in Semarang city. The inclusion criteria were nurses who worked in the emergency unit, COVID-19 isolation units, and ICU, as well as those who were permanent nurses and were not on duty while receiving the intervention. Meanwhile, the exclusion criteria were nurses who had less than two-year work experience and were apprentice nurses. This study was conducted by providing the intervention on the prevention and control of COVID-19 infection via teleconferences. Data were collected using the knowledge and attitude questionnaire that had been tested for its validity and reliability. The data on knowledge and attitudes were analysed using the paired t-test, while the participants’ characteristics were presented descriptively in the frequency and percentage tables. The results indicated that there was an increase in the participants’ knowledge and attitudes. The paired t-test showed a significant value in the knowledge (p=0.000) and attitudes (p=0.005) after the provision of teleconferences for infection control (TIC). This research is a part of the communication and information technology research in nursing. Teleconferences can expand the understanding of information about infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2021 by SPC (Sami Publishing Company)