Mental health, quality of life, and COVID-19 fear in Turkish healthcare workers practicing in pandemic hospitals

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) face work-related psychosocial risks. The ongoing pandemic is causing widespread concern in a variety of ways, including COVID-19 fear and anxiety. Objective(s): We aimed to evaluate mental health, quality of life, COVID-19 fear and related factors in Turkish HCWs practicing in pandemic hospitals. Method(s): The data were collected in 13 provinces between 27 September and 11 November 2021 by researchers from the Early Career Task Force of the Turkish Thoracic Society. The study survey included sociodemographic, health- and work-related characteristics, the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) evaluating mental health, the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQoL-BREF) questionnaire and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Result(s): Of 1,556 participants, 522 (33.5%) reported a need for mental health support (MHS) in the previous year. The FCV-19S weakly correlated with the GHQ-12 (r=0.234, p<0.001) and WHOQoL-BREF domains (r=-0.245 for physical health, r=-0.182 for psychological health, r=-0.141 for social relationships and r=-0.183 for environmental health domains;p<0.001). The need for MHS was the common significant variable for all scale scores in univariate analyses and multiple linear regression. After multiple linear regression, the FCV-19S score was significantly related to the GHQ-12 and all WHOQoL-BREF domain scores. Conclusion(s): Our results indicate a remarkable level of need for MHS. The need for MHS and COVID-19 fear are related to mental health and quality of life in Turkish HCWs. The self-reported need for MHS may serve as an alarming characteristic for HCWs' psychosocial burden.

COVID-19: booster(s) vs. hospitalization and Intensive Care Unit admission.

OBJECTIVE: As the pandemic continues, different vaccine protocols have been implemented to maintain the protection of vaccines and to provide protection against new variants. The aim of this study was to assess hospitalized patients' vaccination status and document the efficacy of boosters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients that were hospitalized due to COVID-19 were enrolled from 28 hospitals in Turkey for five months from September 2021. 5,331 confirmed COVID-19 patients from collaborating centers were randomly enrolled to understand/estimate the distribution of vaccination status in hospitalized patients and to compare the efficacy of vaccination/booster protocols. RESULTS: 2,779 men and 2,552 women of which 2,408 (45.2%) were admitted to Intensive Care Units participated in this study. It was found that the highest risk reduction for all age groups was found in groups that received 4 doses. Four doses of vaccination for every 3.7 people under 50 years of age, for every 5.7 people in the 50-64 age group, and for every 4.3 people over 65 years of age will prevent 1 patient from being admitted to intensive care. Regardless of the type of vaccine, it was found that the risk of ICU hospitalization decreased in those who were vaccinated compared to those who were not vaccinated. Regardless of the type of vaccine, the ICU risk was found to decrease 1.25-fold in those who received 1 or 2 doses of vaccine, 1.18-fold in those who received 3 doses, and 3.26-fold in those who received 4 doses. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that the addition of a fourth dose is more effective in preventing intensive unit care even in disadvantaged groups.

Examination of Knowledge and Stress Levels of Patients and Reasons for the Application for Dental Treatments during Covid-19 Pandemic

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the stress levels of individuals who admitted for dental treatment during the normalization process of the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of knowledge about the COVID-19 and the reasons of admission for treatment.Material and Methods: 990 people aged between 18-60+, who admitted to the dentistry faculty, participated in the study. The questionnaire directed to individuals consisted of questions measuring their democratic knowledge, reasons for applying for dental treatment and their stress levels. Analysis of the data in the study was evaluated using the Pearson Chi-Square test (p<0.05). Results: The most common reason for admission was tooth decay (40.1%), followed by toothache (35.6%). While there was no statistically significant difference between gender and COVID-19 knowledge levels, a positive correlation was found between age and education level and knowledge level. While 29.6% of the patients participating in our study stated that they did not have any stress during their dental treatments, 29.1% stated that they were little stressful, 28.3% were stressful, and 13% were very stressful. Conclusion: Although individuals have a high level of knowledge about COVID-19, the stress caused by the risk of transmission can cause individuals to delay their dental treatment.

Evaluation of technicians and nurses working in respiratory function tests, sleep and bronchoscopy laboratories affiliated to the departments of pulmonary diseases in terms of COVID-19 infection

AIM: The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that emerged in 2019 has caused difficult conditions for healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the situation of employees in the Respiratory Function Tests (PFT), polysomnography (PSG) and Bronchoscopy laboratories, which are among the most risky units in terms of droplet infection, in terms of their exposure to COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Permission was obtained from the Scientific Research Board of TC. Ministry of Health. The study is a multicenter, cross-sectional survey study. The questionnaire form was sent to the participants by e-mail by the Turkish Thoracic Society. The study was limited to healthcare professionals working in PFT, PSG and bronchoscopy laboratories, and the data obtained were compared using the chi-square test. RESULTS: 156 employments (71 PFT, 52 PSG and 33 bronchoscopy laboratories) participated. The mean age was 37±8.6 (23-60), 47 (30%) were male. The vaccination rate was 91%, and 14 (9%) participants were not vaccinated voluntarily. Of the 48 (30.8%) participants who had COVID-19, 36 (75%) were diagnosed only with PCR, 3 (1%) only radiologically, and 9 (19%) with both tests. Before vaccination, 36 (73%) people had COVID-19. Two people got COVID-19 right after the first dose of vaccine, 12 (25%) people got COVID-19 after the second dose of vaccine. 4 of them were hospitalized and one person was taken to intensive care. Full compliance with the personal protective equipment of laboratory staff (goggles/visor, N95/FPP2.2 mask, gloves, overalls) is 62%. When the conditions of the laboratories were questioned, 7 (10%) laboratories did not meet any requirements for clean air. When those who had COVID-19 were asked about the sources of transmission, 61.2% answered as hospital/patient, 16.3% family contact, 14.3% social environment, 8.2% did not express an opinion. CONCLUSION: A higher number of COVID-19 infections were detected in PFT and Bronchoscopy units compared to PSG workers. Although they have been educated about health and have taken various preventive measures;The incidence of COVID-19 in those working in this laboratory was found to be 30.6%. This rate is TC. According to the data of the Ministry of Health (3 July 2021, 8%), it is significantly higher than the general population. In a meta-analysis conducted by examining 25 articles and 168,200 healthcare workers in total, the average seroprevalence was shown to be 8%. This value is higher than our findings. Reasons for this may include intense contact with patients, inadequate laboratory conditions, and inadequate personal precautions. This cross-sectional study is a starting point for more extensive and detailed research on this subject. Additional measures should be taken to protect both patients and employees from infection.