Investigating the employee's customer orientation behaviour: a comparison of the circumstances before and after the pandemic from policy perspective

Purpose: The aim of this research is to investigate how jay customer influence service employees' customer orientation behaviour before and after COVID-19 from a policy perspective. This study will also assess whether jay customer or abusive supervision had a greater or lesser impact on service workers' emotional stage and customer orientation during COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach: The research adopted longitudinal approach to collect the data from Indian service employees engaged in various service organisations (such as airlines, hotels and restaurants). The gathered data over a 13-month period, with (T1) November 2019 and (T2) December 2020. A total of 412 employees responded to the T1 survey. Thirteen months later, of the 412 T1 respondents, 381 returned the second survey. The data collected through questionnaire via both personally visiting the hotel restaurants and airport and through online mode. The research used structural equation modelling and ANOVA for the analysis of results. Findings: The results revealed that the indirect adverse effect of jay customer and abusive supervision on customer orientation via burnout has increased since the start of the pandemic. Furthermore, due to burnout, jay customers had a greater indirect influence on CO during the pandemic than abusive supervision. The result also shows that male employees experience the uncivil behaviour by the customer and the supervisor more frequently than that of female and transgender employees. These findings can be used to efficiently manage the stress of frontline service workers and to suggest policies during times of crisis, such as COVID-19. Research limitations/implications: This study contributes to the field of behavioural studies, mainly in the context of Indian hospitality industry. Policymakers and future researchers can use these findings to understand different customer-related issues from perceptive of Indian customer. Originality/value: The originality and value of this study is related to its pioneering study of jay customer and abusive supervision before and after COVID-19 from policy perspective of Indian service sector. The value of such research work is associated with both scholarly and executive implications. Regarding the latter, this study examines the myopic nature of uncivil behaviour and helps service firms to understand and manage its different forms, conclusively also providing practicable executive directions on the problem. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Factors associated with noncompliance of COVID-19 guidelines recommended by Government of Pakistan for international travelers arriving at Islamabad International Airport, 1st June to 30th July 2021

Introduction: Since the start of pandemic new variants have been evolving and moving from one country to another either by air travel or ground crossings. Objective: To find out factors associated with noncompliance of recommended guidelines by international passengers so that we can improve the arrangements at airports where required, improve future preparedness, and give recommendations to concerned authorities for improvement in enforcing guidelines. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Islamabad International Airport during the months of June and July 2021. The study population included international arriving passengers aged 12 years and above. Questions were asked about following guidelines before boarding, on board, and after disembarkation. Twenty questions were asked to assess compliance level. A median cut off value was set for assessment of noncompliance. Results: The male to female ratio was 1:1. The age range was 12 – 75 years. The odds of noncompliance to guidelines were higher in females compared to males. The results revealed a significant association between region of arrival of respondents and noncompliance. Passengers arriving from Afghanistan, the UK and the USA were more likely to be noncompliant to guidelines (p-value = 0.00). There was a significant association between occupation of participants and noncompliance. Housewives and retired were more likely to be noncompliant (p-value = 0.00). A significant association was observed between vaccinated people and noncompliance. Conclusion: Travelers arriving from some specific countries were noncompliant to guidelines. Vaccinated were most noncompliant which indicates still we need to work on awareness and need legislations, fines, or travel restrictions for noncompliant travellers. © 2022 The Author(s).

Blockchain Technology in Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management

The coronavirus pandemic caused global health and economic disruption of an unknown scale. Several issues with the pharmaceutical supply chain such as the counterfeiting of drugs came to light in these dire times. While continual efforts are being applied in order to effectively treat and annihilate the coronavirus, so are the efforts of supply chains to prepare for patient care in case of a recurrence. The requirement of superior quality medicines has sky rocketed, subsequently, so has the influx of counterfeited drugs. The security of the pharmaceutical supply chain is unquestionably necessary due to the large scale increase in demand for drugs. Tampering of the supply chain is not easily detectable when unethical practices are suspected currently. A radical and innovative method that contains the potential to overcome the challenges of securing the pharmaceutical supply chain is the blockchain technology. So, our proposed solution amalgamates blockchain technology into the drug supply chain to make it tamper-proof. This study proposes a system that harnesses blockchain's properties to ensure supply of safe and traceable pharmaceuticals from end to end. The smart contracts designed have been deployed on a local blockchain using Ganache. Results of our experimentation indicate with certainty that not only is this solution feasible but it is more secure than the present day scenario of the pharmaceutical supply chain. © 2022 IEEE.

Health Rights of Prisoners and Prison Law Reforms during COVID-19 Pandemic in India

Background: The National Crime Record Bureau and the Prison Statistics India, 2020 report on the overcrowding and occupancy in jails has ripple effect on the spread of the COVID-19.The protection to health freedoms of detainees and prisoners reflected in the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidance on COVID-19 for Prisons and Detention, 2020. The Indian jails have congestion and inhabitance and prone to contagion disease. The COVID-19 has an expanding transmission among detainees in prisons, jails and detention homes. Objectives: The WHO Guidance on COVID-19 for Prisons and Detention, 2020 standardizes the essential instrument to manage the COVID-19 difficulties in penitentiaries and confinement homes. The direction secures the strength of detainees and convicts living in encased conditions. The ostensible purpose is to contain the COVID-19 disease from spreading to general population and release the under trials for the safe healthy conditions. Methodology: The methodology applied the canons of statutory interpretation of United Nations Principles of the Protection of Prisoners, 1982 and Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners, 1990 alongside the Moscow Declaration on Prisons and Health, 2003 and Nelson Mandela Rules, 2015 in fostering the health equity and criminal justice during COVID-19 pandemic. The mandate of the WHO Interim Guidance on COVID-19 in Prisons and Other Places of Detention, 2020 is straight out in preventive and medicinal measures for the penitentiaries and confinement homes in the virus of COVID-19. Results: The paper tracks the salubrious results of the international legal norms and national precedents of High Courts and Supreme Court in heralding systemic prison reform. The compliance of WHO Interim Guidance on Preparedness, Prevention and Control of COVID-19 In Prisons and Other Places of Detention, 2020 cultivated robust criminal administration during COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown in India.Conclusion: The judgment of High Courts and Supreme Court on prison reform during the COVID-19 pandemic in India has resulted in Health Rights of Prisoners and Prison Law Reforms during COVID-19 Pandemic in India. It also refurbished the medical services in correctional facilities and confinement homes in criminal justice system.

STANDARDIZING HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT AS A STRATEGY TO IMPROVE RATE OF BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL AND REDUCE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN AN URBAN PRIMARY CARE TEACHING PRACTICE

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM/QUESTION: Although hypertension is a leading cause of preventable cardiovascular disease, rates of blood pressure (BP) control remain suboptimal, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM/INTERVENTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to delays in chronic disease management and has exacerbated pre-existing racial disparities in BP control. Our quality improvement project aimed to improve BP control rates in our clinic. Our initial root cause analysis identified several contributors to suboptimal BP control in our clinic: 1) lack of follow up, 2) patient nonadherence, and 3) lack of home BP monitoring capability for telehealth encounters. To address these, we designed a comprehensive intervention which included: 1) a standardized 2 week follow up interval for patients with elevated BPs, 2) a standardized quicktext to be used at BP follow up appointments to reduce variability in provider management, and 3) home BP cuff distribution, free of cost, to those lacking this equipment. We followed the first 200 BP cuff recipients through a 6-month period. MEASURES OF SUCCESS: Our outcome measure was the percent of patients with controlled BP (defined as <140/90) through the 6-month follow up period. Our process measure was the percent of patients who had a BP follow up appointment during this time. Race-stratified data was monitored to ensure we were not worsening racial disparities in BP control. FINDINGS TO DATE: Three patients expired during the 6-month follow up period. Of the remaining 197 patients, the rate of overall BP control was 20% (39/197) at time of cuff distribution. This overall rate of BP control improved to 51% (101/197) at the 6-month time period. 85% (168/197) successfully followed up within the 6-month timeframe. In the initial cohort, 75% (147/197) identified as Black, 14% (27/197) identified as White, and the remaining 11% (23/197) identified as Hispanic/Latinx, Native American/Alaskan, biracial, multiple, or other;each of these groups achieved similar BP control rates during the 6-month follow up period [51% (75/147), 52% (14/27), and 52% (12/23), respectively]. KEY LESSONS FOR DISSEMINATION: Standardization of care and successful follow up are key elements in improving BP control in the outpatient setting. Our results also suggest that standardizing provider workflows and reducing barriers to telehealth visits can also decrease racial disparities in BP control. Our next steps including identifying patients who remain uncontrolled and leveraging additional system resources, including community health workers, for continued support outside of the office setting.

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS LEVEL DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN PATHOLOGISTS WORKING IN TERTIARY HEALTH CARE CENTRES OF PAKISTAN

Objectives: To determine the level of depression, anxiety and stress in pathologists due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: It was a Cross-sectional Analytical Multicenter Questionnaire-based study conducted from April 2020 to June 2020 including Pathologists working in Khyber Teaching Hospital and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islam-abad. Informed written consent was obtained and DASS-21 Questionnaire was administered. Data were analysed by SPSS. Levels of depression, anxiety and stress were determined and analysed by multiple regression mothod to predict depression anxiety and stress levels from demographics. Results: Mean age of the study sample was 25-63 (37±8.75). There were 13(22.4%) males and 45(77.6%) females. Overall DAS score, mean depression, anxiety and stress score were 31.5±22, 8.7±9.1, 7.4±7.1 and 15.3±9 respectively. Females had a higher overall DAS score (U=156.5, p=.011), depression score (U=178.5, p=.032) and anxiety score (U=168.5, p=.029) as compared to males. Anxiety scores were highest in pathologists working in the microbiology section and lowest in those of the chemical pathology section (χ2=8.13, p=.043). Multiple regression analysis showed that the female gender was significantly associated with a higher overall DAS score (β=13.69, p=.047) and stress score (β=6.10, p=.031) as compared to the male gender. Conclusion: Pathologists working in the Covid-19 pandemic have a high level of mental distress and females have a higher level of psychological distress as compared to males. Implementation of mental support programmes for health care workers during pandemic situations is required to provide psychological support to health care workers.

Estimation method of mixture distribution and modeling of COVID-19 pandemic

The mathematical characteristics of the mixture of Lindley model with 2-component (2-CMLM) are discussed. In this paper, we investigate both the practical and theoretical aspects of the 2-CMLM. We investigate several statistical features of the mixed model like probability generating function, cumulants, characteristic function, factorial moment generating function, mean time to failure, Mills Ratio, mean residual life. The density, hazard rate functions, mean, coefficient of variation, skewness, and kurtosis are all shown graphically. Furthermore, we use appropriate approaches such as maximum likelihood, least square and weighted least square methods to estimate the pertinent parameters of the mixture model. We use a simulation study to assess the performance of suggested methods. Eventually, modelling COVID-19 patient data demonstrates the effectiveness and utility of the 2-CMLM. The proposed model outperformed the two component mixture of exponential model as well as two component mixture of Weibull model in practical applications, indicating that it is a good candidate distribution for modelling COVID-19 and other related data sets. © 2022 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press.

States Categorization in India Based on Health Security Capacity with Machine Learning Technique

The rising pandemic, COVID-19, has horrendously shaken the entire world, especially India by indicating an enormous number of deaths, affected cases, and a moderate degree of relieved cases. To fight against the infectious disease, WHO (World Health Organization) has proposed for the intermediate direction of essential health parameters. It is important to comprehend the status of health affairs of each state individually with the goal that obligatory advances can be taken to prevent the deadly ailment in India. In this work, we have introduced a few points of healthcare parameters for each state in India and furthermore demonstrated the degrees of each state on the basis of health measures and arranged them by using the Machine Learning Technique, K-Means Clustering Algorithm. The states are grouped into six categories and the process of measuring the number of clustered groups is done by Elbow Method. These states are presented by scatter-plot graphs based on various health boundaries. The states can be compared by the clustered points, knowing the position at which cluster a particular state belongs to and what is the status of that state according to the health parameters. Altogether, the study will be a controlling uplifting record for the health movement activists everywhere throughout the nation to limit the harm for the current pandemic and for working up a mainstream development to acknowledge health as a primary right for the citizens of India. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Stack-Based CNN Approach to Covid-19 Detection

Covid-19, declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), has infected more than 113 million globally across 221 countries. In this work, we propose a method for automatic detection of coronavirus based on analyzing the Chest X-ray images. The dataset used for the study composes of 1200 Covid-19 infected, 1,345 Viral Pneumonia infected and 1,341 healthy patient X-ray images. We use different CNN architectures pretrained on ImageNet dataset, fine tune them to adapt the dataset and use it as feature extractors. We determine the best feature extractor among them, stack them with fully connected layers and employ different classification approaches such as softmax, XGBoost and Support Vector Machines (SVM). The results show that the stacked CNN model with DenseNet169, fully connected layers and XGBoost achieves an accuracy, recall and F1-score of 99.679% and precision of 99.683%. Hence, the proposed model showcases potential to assist physicians and make the diagnosis process more accurate and efficient. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

The Equality Act (2010)-pre- and post-pandemic historic development on equality and discrimination issues for employers: review of literature

Purpose: This paper is aimed to fulfil two purposes. First, this paper aims to review the literature and examine step by step evolution of the Equality Act 2010. Second, this paper will reflect on the guidelines issued for employers by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to address how to manage the risks arising during the current crisis and as organisations continue with planning for eventual return to the workplace and for those who are currently working remotely. Design/methodology/approach: This paper has incorporated an integrative literature review reviews approach that aimed to synthesises secondary data about the literature to serve the aims of the paper in an integrated way. Findings: The introduction of the Equality Act (2010) has made it much more difficult to discriminate against individuals as its coverage is much wider in comparison to any previous legislation. At that point, there were still many exceptions, which permitted discrimination and unequal treatment towards others. Over time, however, the law has become much more strict and developed to counter any discrimination in its attempt to try and eliminate it. Originality/value: This paper has reflected on both pre- and post-covid developments of The Equality Act (2010) – and discrimination issues for employers. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Assessment Nurses' Knowledge to Distinguishing between Infected and Suspected Patients with Novel Coronavirus Disease in the Holy City of Najaf

Novel coronavirus disease SARS-COV-2, known, as COVID-19, is a rapidly spreading pandemic caused by a novel human coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus (SARS-COV-2). This poses a risk to health care workers (HCWs) and their families in general, and nurses in particular, as they are on the first frontline in the global battle against novel coronavirus disease. The current study aims to assess the nurses' knowledge about distinguishing between infected and suspected patients with novel coronavirus disease and to identify the relationship between nurses knowledge and their demographic characteristics. This study a descriptive (correlation) quantitative was carried out from 1 November 2020 to 1 July 2021 on the three hospitals in AL Najaf Al-Ashraf province. A non-probability sampling technique (convenience sample) accidentally. The study sample includes (200) nurses who work in Al-Sadr Medical City, Al-Hakim General Hospital, and Al-Amal Specialized Hospital for Communicable Diseases. The research instrument is a questionnaire that is tailored to the study's objectives. A team of experts and Cronbach's Alpha respectively established the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. The result showed that (54%) of nurses were males and (41%) for ages (25-29) years old. Overall nurses' knowledge to distinguish between infected and suspected patients with novel coronavirus disease was moderate. Overall knowledge assessment about coronavirus, shows that about (10%) of the nurses have good knowledge, (38 %) of them have moderate knowledge, while (52 %) have poor knowledge. It was found that the nurse's knowledge is significantly associated with (workplace, qualification, years of experience and continuing nursing education courses). The study concluded that the nurses' overall knowledge of the novel coronavirus disease was moderate. Nurses who involved in continuing nursing education courses have the strongest knowledge. The nurses with higher education degree are the ones who have the most knowledge of novel coronavirus disease. The nurses with the most years of experience are the ones who have the most level of knowledge of novel coronavirus disease. The nurses in isolation hospitals are the ones who have the most knowledge of novel coronavirus disease. Recommendation of the study that the ministry of health should hold training courses and seminars for nurses, in cooperation with the ministry of higher education and scientific research, to introduce them to the novel coronavirus disease. In addition, the hospital's management and continuing nursing education unit must implement an educational program for nurses to raise the level of knowledge about novel coronavirus disease.

Forecasting Probable Spread Estimation of COVID-19 Using Exponential Smoothing Technique and Basic Reproduction Number in Indian Context

The ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 has shut down almost everything and it has become troublesome for smooth running of social life. The infections are increasing day by day. It is important to predict and forecast upcoming increase in infections to plan better. Predicting the possible spread can alert the COVID-19 fighters fighting from the front end as well as the common people. This study is about forecasting possible spread of COVID-19 in India using Exponential Smoothing technique and estimated spread based on Basic Reproduction Number (R0 ). R0 is a sign of transmissibility of a virus. It represents the average number of new infections produced by an infectious person in a completely naive population. Also, this study has focused on forecasting the number of future infections to occur in various states of India. The forecasting and estimation has been carried out for 12 (Twelve) days from August 18, 2020 to August 29, 2020. These forecasted and estimated values show that Maharashtra will experience highest number of confirmed cases followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and West Bengal. Mizoram will experience least number of cases. This study can help the government and concerned authorities to make good work plan and prepare them for executing the same as per the requirement of states. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Health care in prisons and detention homes during COVID-19 pandemic in India

The paper deals with the legal framework for the health care in prisons and detention homes during COVID-19 pandemic in India. The World Health Organization has issued Guidance on COVID-19 for Prisons and Detention, 2020 for the health care system to deal with challenges of contagion in the arena of criminal justice system. The National Crime Record Bureau and the Prison Statistics India, 2020 revealed overcrowding and occupancy in jails as formidable threat of infection and transmission. Though the health and human rights envisages highest attainable standard of health among prisoners and detainees, ripple effect on community infection through detainees in detention homes and jails cannot be ruled out. The global outbreak of the COVID-19 has cascading effect on the health of inmates and convicts living in enclosed environments during the pandemic.

Judicial policy for the covid-19 pandemic in comparative legal perspective

The right to health and equity is the paramount concern of the State, especially in times of epidemic and pandemic. The nationwide lockdown and COVID-19 has witnessed a series of judicial inte3rvention in health right and equity. Although there is a settled jurisprudence concerning health right and entitlement, the current streak of judicial innovation represents a novel discourse in the understanding of the public health administration and governance in India. An inquiry into the judicial policy of the epidemic-pandemic in the comparative jurisdiction seems fascinating in deepening our understanding of the state expediency and citizens liberty. The precedents in Gibbons v. Ogden, Louisiana State Board of Health Case, Jew Ho v. Williamson and Wong Wai v. Williamson deepens the understanding of the public health administration and governance. The rulings of Indian Supreme Court in Alakh Alok Srivastava v. Union of India, Shashank Deo Sudhi v. Union of India, suo motu cognizance of COVID-19 Testing and Sachin Jain v. Union of India also open a new vista of health right and justice in India. © 2020, Advanced Scientific Research. All rights reserved.