ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the frequency of skin manifestations associated with prolonged mask wearing during the course of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), Karachi. A total of 138 medical students, who gave history of wearing masks were enrolled. The demographic data including age, gender, and their year of education was collected. A total of 20 questions were asked related to the type of mask, duration of wearing mask, associated and underlying skin disorders, etc. All information was carefully recorded on Google forms. Results This study included 138 participants, 124 (89.9%) females and 14 (10.1%) males. The type of masks used by the medical students varied, however 84.8% used surgical masks. The average duration of mask wear was 4 hours for 72.4% of the participants. There was no significant relation between skin changes and the type and duration of mask wear. The common skin manifestations reported in this study were itching (24.6 %), redness (27.5%), rash (10.1%), burning sensation (12.3%), acne (24.6%), pimples (37.7%), pigmentation (8.7), cracked skin (1.4%), scaling of skin (2.9%), and 29.7% reported no changes. The most frequently affected locations were cheeks (41.3%), followed by chin (13.8%), nasal bridge (10.1%) and perioral area (8%). Participants with history of atopic dermatitis were affected slightly more by itching, redness, rash, burning sensation, acne than those without a history of atopic dermatitis however these manifestations had no significant relation (p>0.05). Pressure bruises were reported in 23.9% of the participants and there was no significant relation with the skin manifestations. About 33% of the females who use makeup under the mask found it inconvenient due to pimples and itching. (p<0.05). Relationship between different skin types and use of cleansers for maintaining skin hygiene generally (p=0.006) and after taking mask off is significant (p=0.034). Significant relation exists between people experiencing pimples after taking off masks and using oral/systemic drugs (p=0.003), and other products (ice cubes, day cream, steroids, skincare regime) for management (p=0.012). Significant relation exists between acne after taking off mask and use of topical drugs (p=0.034). Conclusion The increase in skin manifestations is associated with the increased use of face masks during the COVID 19 pandemic among medical students. As mask wearing can't be compromised due to the nature of the working environment, certain guidelines need to be established to prevent or reduce the occurrence of such manifestations.
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OBJECTIVE: The Islamic Republic of Iran has displayed one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infection in the world and the highest rate of mortality in the Middle East. Iran has used a stringent package of preventive health measures to mitigate the spread of infection, which however has negatively affected individuals' physical and psychological health. This study aimed at examining whether physical-activity (PA) behavior, anxiety, well-being, and sleep-quality changed in response to the COVID-19-related public health restrictions enforced in Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An online questionnaire was disseminated to adults residing in Iran from November 17, 2020, to February 13, 2021 (88 days), during Iran's strictest public health restrictions. Main outcome measures included Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: A total of 3,323 adults (mean age 30 +/- 11 years, 54.3% female) participated in the survey. Firstly, the restrictions generally reduced PA behavior: (a) among inactive participants (IPs), 60.6% became less active vs. 5.1% who became more active;and (b) among active participants (APs), 49.9% became less active vs. 22.8% who became more active. Secondly, PA behavior was associated with higher well-being and sleep quality during the restrictions: (a) APs reported higher (or lower) levels of well-being and sleep quality (or anxiety) than did IPs;and (b) among IPs as well Corresponding as among APs, the more active the participants, the greater (or lower) the levels of well-being and sleep quality (or anxiety). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the beneficial role of PA behavior for well-being, anxiety, and sleep quality during the COVID-19 restrictions, whereas such restrictions appeared to decrease PA participation. Active lifestyle should be then encouraged during the COVID-19 outbreak while taking precautions.
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Aim: Efficacy of Methylprednisolone with Dexamethasone in patients with severe COVID pneumonia in term of clinical and biochemical improvement. Methodology: Cross Sectional analytical study conducted among COVID-19 patients admitted in HDU of Sir Sadiq Hospital, Bahawalpur from May, 2021 to June 2021 after taking approval from institutional ethical committee. 82 patients were included in this study after taking informed consent. Patients were divided into two groups A and B i.e. I/V methyl prednisolone and I/V dexamethasone respectively. Each group was containing 41 patients. Primary outcome was measured in terms of decrease or increase in oxygen demand leading to discharge or shifting to Intensive Care Unit. CRP levels were also measured to assess biochemical improvement. Results: 31 (75.6%) patients from group A and 22(53.7%) from group B were improved and discharged and difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Number of patients shifted to ICU were 10(24.4%) and 19(46.3%) from A and B groups respectively. Conclusion: In terms of clinical and biochemical response methylprednisolone outperforms dexamethasone.
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Purpose: Covid-19 pandemic is a unique and extraordinary situation for the globe, which has potentially disrupted almost all aspects of life. In this global crisis, the tourism and hospitality sector has collapsed in almost all parts of the world, and the same is true for India. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the impact of Covid-19 on the Indian tourism industry. Design/methodology/approach: This study develops an appropriate model to forecast the expected loss of foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in India for 10 months. Since the FTAs follow a seasonal trend, seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) method has been employed to forecast the expected FTAs in India from March 2020 to December 2020. The results of the proposed model are then compared with the ones obtained by Holt-Winter's (H-W) model to check the robustness of the proposed model. Findings: The SARIMA model seeks to manifest the monthly arrival of foreign tourists and also elaborates on the progressing expected loss of foreign tourists arrive for the next three quarters is approximately 2 million, 2.3 million and 3.2 million, respectively. Thus, in the next three quarters, there will be an enormous downfall of FTAs, and there is a need to adopt appropriate measures. The comparison demonstrates that SARIMA is a better model than H-W model. Originality/value: Several studies have been reported on pandemic-affected tourism sectors using different techniques. The earlier pandemic outbreak was controlled and region-specific, but the Covid-19 eruption is a global threat having potential ramifications and strong spreading power. This work is one of the first attempts to study and analyse the impact of Covid-19 on FTAs in India. © 2021, Md Ozair Arshad, Shahbaz Khan, Abid Haleem, Hannan Mansoor, Md Osaid Arshad and Md Ekrama Arshad.