ABSTRACT
There have been 6,566,610 fatalities and 626,337,158 reported cases of COVID-19 worldwide. Pakistan presently has over 1,573,922 confirmed cases and 30,625 deaths. A survey-based study was performed from January to September 2022 among different university communities to find out their KAP level. Data was collected in Google Forms through a questionnaire. The Independent t-test, Multinomial regressions, and Non-parametric Mann-Whitney test were used to assess the level of significance (p-value ≤0.05). 317 out of 605 participants were male (52.5 %), the majority of participants were 15-29 years old (72.7 %), unmarried/divorced (71.6 %), have no children (82.1 %), residing in the urban area (54.9 %) and possess a college/university degree (59.5 %). The majority of participants correctly answered five out of six knowledge questions (M = 4.96, SD = 1.03) and correctly identified the primary symptoms of COVID-19 (94.4 %) along with the proper identification of mode of transmission (95.2 %) while 1.8% wrongly replied and 2.1 % did not reply. A knowledge test revealed the significant frequency of misconception, with nearly half of the respondents (46.3 %) assuming that illness might be contracted by eating or coming into touch with wild animals. Wearing a facial mask is highly practiced (M = 3.59, SD = 0.91), followed by avoiding crowded places (M = 3.44, SD = 0.95) and practicing hand hygiene (M = 3.36, SD = 1.04). Females, the elderly, and the less educated, on the other hand, have less understanding of COVID-19, making them especially susceptible to the pandemic. It is proposed that further awareness might contribute to a favorable attitude and practice. © Pakistan Academy of Sciences.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Healthcare providers (HCPs) are at the forefront and are at risk of being exposed to suspected cases of COVID-19. The objective of our study was to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices of HCPs about COVID-19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted online among HCPs that included physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and technicians in KPK province. The validated questionnaire (Cronbach alpha= 0.61 & 0.69 respectively for knowledge & practice sections) related to COVID-19 including socio-demographics was asked. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Result: Out of 480 HCPs, 83.8% (n=402) were physicians & dentist, while 12.5% (n= 60) were pharmacist, nurses and technicians. We found that 86% of the HCPs had adequate knowledge. Most common reason for being worried about COVID- 19 was risk to members of family and friends (98%), followed by dangers of disease itself (93%). Fear of infection and carrying it home was as high as 93% and 97% respectively. Around 75% of the HCPs had adequate score about practices. Conclusion: HCPs in Pakistan has good knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19. However, one-fourth of the HCPs did not report good practices, which is alarming. There is a need to reinforce knowledge and monitor practices of HCPs regarding standard infection control practice.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare emergency surgeries under spinal anesthesia in COVID-19 pandemic with pre-COVID period in a tertiary care hospital of a developing country. Study Design: Prospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Main Operation Theatre, Frontier Corps Hospital Quetta, from Mar to May 2020. Methodology: All emergency surgeries done under Spinal Anesthesia, were compared to emergency cases done in the pre-COVID period. Anesthesia notes were reviewed. Emergency cases done under general anesthesia and personal protective equipment worn were also noted. Ages of the patients were from 18-75 years. Spinal anesthesia was performed by consultant anesthesiologist. Result: Among total cases, 260 emergency cases were performed in the main operation theatre during the 3 months of pre-COVID period as compared to only 89 cases in the 3 months duration of COVID-19. Spinal anesthesia was used in 154 (59.2%) cases in the pre-COVID study period, while in COVID-19 pandemic 77 (86.5%) emergency cases were performed under spinal anesthesia. Conclusion: Spinal anesthesia has a significant role in the surgical management of patients in pre-COVID and especially in COVID pandemic. It provides high-quality perioperative care for patients whilst minimizing exposure to staff and utilization of scarce resources of personal protective equipment. © 2021, Army Medical College. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus has attracted a lot of attention due to its ability to cause fatal zoonotic infections. These are the zoonotic viruses of both medical and veterinary importance. The virus spread through respiratory droplets and causes diseases, ranging from colds to more serious illnesses: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Severe Respiratory Syndrome, and Severe Respiratory Syndrome 2. The prevalence rate is high during winter and spring. Genomes of coronaviruses have large enveloped +RNA. First human corona viruses, causing respiratory diseases, were identified in 1960s, but they were not considered highly pathogenic to humans until severe respiratory syndrome broke out in China during 2003. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and novel Corona Virus Disease (nCOVID-19) or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-2 have increased the interest in this viral family. The Coronavirus-19 is a novel strain that was recently discovered in Wuhan (China) in December 2019. Studies revealed that reservoir of all the three fatal coronaviruses was bat with variation in the intermediate host i.e. civet cats for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, dromedary camel for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and bat or pangolin for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2. Numerous well-known corona viruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans, while previously identified viruses could only be the tip of the iceberg, possibly with more novel and severe zoonotic events unfolding. Coronaviruses can be controlled with the global community's special attention and prophylaxis. However, in this review we will talk about the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2.