Social Media Usage in Health Communication and Its Implications on Public Health Security: A Case Study of COVID-19 in Zanzibar

Although social media are extensively employed in health communication promotion, their online and offline connection has rarely tested. This qualitatively study used a sample of 30 communication experts and health professionals to explore the role of social media in mitigating COVID-19 infections and its implications to people's health in Zanzibar. The findings revealed that social media are powerful platforms in providing health awareness information for mitigating COVID-19 and these platforms have enabled people to understand local medicines used to reduce the COVID-19 infections. In addition, there is high connection between online health information and offline people's health actions. Furthermore, Social media usage poses no threat to peoples' health during pandemic, however, there is high risk to affect those who lack Internet media literacy. Although social media poses no threat to some Internet media literate users, digital media literacy should be provided to all people in order to use these platforms more useful in mitigating infected diseases without compromising public health in Zanzibar and Africa at large.

TCT CONNECT-221 Primary PCI for STEMI During the COVID-19 Pandemic in London: A Systematic Analysis of Pathway Activation and Outcomes

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) poses a risk for health care workers necessitating modifications to existing medical pathways. In particular, managing patients with suspected COVID-19 represents a risk to the delivery of a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) pathway where time-dependent revascularization is key. Methods: We sought to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on an established ambulance-triggered PPCI program involving 2 high-volume heart attack centers in London, United Kingdom. A systematic analysis was performed in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing PPCI comparing the COVID-19 pandemic period March 1, 2020, to April 30, 2020, with a control group from the previous year. Results: During the study period, admissions through the PPCI pathway decreased by 34%. The time from symptoms onset to first call for help (2020: 11 min vs. 2019: 12 min;p = 0.90) and from symptom onset to arrival at PPCI center (2020: 183 min vs. 2019: 178 min;p = 0.99) were comparable;however, the time from arrival at PPCI center to revascularization decreased (2020: 44 min vs. 2019: 53 min;p = 0.0004). In-hospital mortality during the study period was significantly lower (5% vs. 15%;p = 0.04). COVID-19–positive patients (n = 8) had higher rates of cardiogenic shock (25%), intensive care unit admission (50%), and inpatient mortality (38%). [Formula presented] Conclusion: Our data show that the modifications to the existing PPCI pathway were not associated with treatment delay or adverse outcome. The reduction in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction presentations raises concern that patients may not be seeking appropriate medical attention for chest pain. Importantly, we demonstrate that PPCI can be delivered safely and efficiently during the COVID-19 pandemic. Categories: OTHER: COVID-19