ABSTRACT
Background: Health-care specialists and clinical researchers worldwide have been concentrating more on the acute and intense phase of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection, but there is an exigency toward the incessant monitoring in the postdischarge period to foresee the long-lasting effects of the disease. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the post-COVID-19 health and functional status (PCFS) and the long-term health implications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection among COVID-19 recovered patients. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, and hospital-based study was conducted among the COVID-19 recovered patients. The PCFS scale was used as a study tool to assess the functional status. Data were entered into Excel spreadsheets 2019, and statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 24.0. Descriptive statistics were used, and the Chi-square test was used to determine the role of sociodemographic characteristics on questions. The statistical significance level was set at P < 0.05 (two-sided). Results: A total of 80 patients were included in the study and the mean age was 37.03 +/- 15.15 years. More than half of the participants (52.5%) showed functional limitations. Fatigue (30%), anxiety (23.75%), and cough (6.25%) were noted to be persistent symptoms reported post-COVID-19 recovery. The majority (88.75%) of the study participants experienced at least one symptom post-COVID-19 and 52.5% have experienced at least one functional limitation. The presence of comorbidities (r = 0.664;likelihood ratio [LR] = 0.968), and vaccination (r = 0.700;LR = 0.611) considerably influenced the PCFS. Conclusion: Our study revealed that there is a significant limitation of PCFS among recovered patients. The presence of comorbidities and vaccination significantly correlated with the PCFS. Standard identification tools, extensive screening, and wide education of consequences related to post-COVID-19 along multicentric and global studies are the need of the hour.
ABSTRACT
The novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that has emerged and spread throughout the world causing CoV disease-19 (COVID-19) has since its discovery affected not only humans and animals but also the environment. Because of the highly infectious nature of the virus, and the respiratory aerosol transmission route, face masks and personal protective equipment have become mandatory for public and healthcare workers, respectively. Also, the complex nature of the pathogenicity of the virus, wherein, it has been associated with mild, moderate, and severe life-threatening infections, has warranted increased laboratory testing and placing the infected people in isolation and under constant observation in quarantine centers or at dedicated hospitals. Some infected people, who are generally healthy, and do not show symptoms have been placed in home quarantines. At this juncture, there has been increased amount of Biomedical Waste (BMW), and infectious general waste along with plastic disposable recyclable and non-recyclable waste. The increased BMW along with the potentially hazardous plastic waste collection, segregation, transport, and disposal has assumed increased significance during the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, this review attempts to investigate the current scenario of BMW management and strategies to minimize BMW and prevent potential environmental pollution. © 2022 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related pandemic has been in existence for almost 2 years now after its possible emergence from a wet market in the city of Wuhan of the Chinese mainland. Evidence of the emergence and transmission of this virus was attributed to bats and pangolins. The causative virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread globally, affecting humans considerably with its current death toll to be over 4.7 million out of more than 233 confirmed cases as of September 2021. The virus is constantly mutating and continuously trying to establish itself in humans by increasing its transmissibility and virulence through its numerous emerging variants. Several countries have been facing multiple waves of COVID-19 outbreaks one after the other, putting the medical and healthcare establishments under tremendous stress. Although very few drugs and vaccines have been approved for emergency use, their production capabilities need to meet the needs of a huge global population. Currently, not even a quarter of the world population is vaccinated. The situation in India has worsened during the ongoing second wave with the involvement of virus variants with a rapid and huge surge in COVID-19 cases, where the scarcity of hospital infrastructure, antiviral agents, and oxygen has led to increased deaths. Recently, increased surveillance and monitoring, strengthening of medical facilities, campaigns of awareness programs, progressive vaccination drive, and high collaborative efforts have led to limiting the surge of COVID-19 cases in India to a low level. This review outlines the global status of the pandemic with special reference to the Indian scenario.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Animals , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/veterinary , Disease Outbreaks , India/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease is highly infectious, and fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, and dyspnea are the main clinical symptoms of the disease. There is a necessity to understand the public's awareness of COVID-19 to facilitate the outbreak management of COVID-19 in India. Collection of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) information regarding outbreaks has long been useful in apprising prevention, control, and mitigation measures during such outbreaks. Objectives: The study objective was to evaluate knowledge levels, prevailing attitudes, and practices among the general population of India about the COVID-19 pandemic and to rule out barriers concerned with practicing risk reduction behaviors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted online among the general population of India during the lockdown period. The KAP toward COVID-19/severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection and prevention were assessed by using a self-administered questionnaire with 32 questions. The KAP assessment was carried out by assigning scores to the variables. SPSS version 24.0 and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 1292 people had participated in the survey, and their mean age was 29.43 years. Overall, 81% of the participants had good knowledge, 77% of the participants had a positive attitude, and 83.5% of the participants were following good practices. Nearly 94% of the participants are confident that India can overcome COVID-19, and 97.7% of the participants wore masks when they went out. Conclusion: Health education campaigns and awareness events targeting the general population can enhance knowledge and attitudes of the people to the pandemic and potentiate better practices in facing the crisis.