Factors associated with the perceived impact of the Peruvian hospital internship during COVID-19

Introduction: The pandemic affected the internship of health sciences students when they attended the hospital. Objective: To determine the factors associated with the perceived impact of the Peruvian hospital internship during COVID-19. Methods: Cross-sectional;descriptive, bivariate analytical and multivariate statistics were obtained based on an exploratory survey conducted as part of a larger investigation, to which variables such as age, sex, type of university, stress, anxiety, depression, and repercussions of the internship were associated. Results: Of 121 respondents, most of them thought that family would have supported if they have gotten a severe disease. Also, they thought that they could have infected their families or friends/acquaintances if they have gone to the hospital. Many of them disagreed on the statement about the hospital or university providing them safety implements. There was an association between thinking that they could have gotten COVID-19 if they have gone to the hospital versus anxiety score (p= 0,030), being a male according to the perception that the university provided materials to take care of themselves (p= 0,029), and having studied in a private university according to perceiving that the hospital would not have supported them if they have gotten seriously ill (p= 0,049). Conclusion: The factors associated with the perception of repercussions of the boarding school are family support, being able to infect their acquaintances, lack of materials provided by universities and hospitals, anxiety, being male, and coming from private universities. © 2023, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Factors associated with fear of pandemic information received by Peruvian police and military personnel

Introduction: For police and military, access to suitable and truthful information has always been important, during the pandemic the need was even greater due to the tasks assigned to them as part of the front line against the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To determine the factors associated with fear of pandemic information received by Peruvian police and military personnel. Methods: Cross-sectional study with analytical procedures, 1 017 Peruvian police and military were surveyed, through surveys conducted during the pandemic, a validated test was used to measure the perception of fear or concern transmitted by the media, the frequencies and analytical results were reported. Results: The respondents perceived a lot of fear of social networks (22% strongly agree and 36% agree) and television (20% strongly agree and 32% agree). In the multivariate model, the military perceived less fear compared to the police (aPR: 0.65;CI95%: 0.49-0.88;value p= 0.004), in addition, the Internet was the medium that generated a greater frequency of perception of fear among the respondents (aPR: 1.65;CI95%: 1.04-2.61;value p= 0.032), adjusted for 3 variables. Conclusion: Television and social networks are the main media that generate fear among police and military;in addition, being scared was more associated with being informed through the Internet. © 2023, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Physical exercise and cognitive-psychology health in COVID-19 recovered-patients

Introduction: Identifying protection factors that preserve cognitive-psychology health in COVID 19 recovered-patients is important. Specifically, those that mitigate subjective mem-ory complaints, punctually physical Exercise helps to maintain a healthy weight and much more benefits. Objective: To determine the association between psycho-logical distress and subjective memory complaints in COVID 19 recovered-complaints and physical exercise as a moderate variable. Methodology: Correlational multivariable study, with an online form. Results: In 299 recovered-patients, negative associations between physical exercise and psychological distress are found in terms of anxiety (r=-0.21**) and depression (r=-0.13**), additionally the moderate effect of both variables in the subjective memory complaints is significant (Anxiety /Physical Exercise = beta = -0.08, p < 0.05;Depression /Physical Exercise = beta = -0.08, p < 0.05). Conclusion: independent moderation role of physical ex-ercise and mindfulness was tested and determined. Both vari-ables could be identified as protection factors.

FINANCIAL STRESS AS PERCEIVED JOB LOSS POTENTIAL IN PERU DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused insecurity in many aspects, mainly because of the possibility of losing one's job. Objective(s): To determine whether financial stress was associated with the perception of losing one's job in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s): Analytical cross-sectional study, in which 507 respondents participated. The main variable was obtained from a validated survey measuring job insecurity, which was crossed with financial stress and other socio-labor variables. Result(s): In the multivariate analysis, those with financial stress had greater job insecurity (RPa: 2.46;95%CI: 2.20-2.75;p-value<0.001), while the younger the age, the greater the job insecurity (RPa: 0.992;95%CI: 0.985-0.999;p-value=0.024), adjusted for marital status and type of work. Conclusion(s): The strong association between financial stress and job insecurity is confirmed. This finding may have repercussions on the occupational health of workers, generating an inadequate work environment.Copyright © 2022, Accion Medica S.A.. All rights reserved.

RISK FACTORS FOR EXPOSURE TO SARS-COV-2 DURING THE PANDEMIC IN PERU IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

Introduction: Occupational health professionals (OHP) have played an important role in surveillance, prevention and control against COVID-19 at the workplace. Objective(s):To determine the risk factors associated with exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during the first and second waves of the Pandemic in Peru. Material(s) and Method(s): A cross-sectional study and secondary data analysis were made. OHP were virtually asked about exposed to COVID-19 at work and its social, educational and labor factors. Result(s): Of the 2,863 answers, we found in the multivariate analysis: there was more frequency of exposure to COVID-19 in the mining (p value=0.046);nutrition sector (p value=0.009);in the public sector (p value <0.001), manufacturing (p value<0.001);if the professional performs care work (p value<0.001);if they perform occupational medical evaluations (p value=0.001), who are nursing technicians (p value=0.016) and who are medical technologists (p value<0.001);On the other hand, there were less exposure when they were older (p value=0.006) and among those who had a specialty in occupational health (p value=0.025). Discussion(s): Important factors were associated with occupational exposure of OHP professionals, which can serve to prioritize professionals who should take care of themselves and to include into complete vaccination schedule.Copyright © 2022, Accion Medica S.A.. All rights reserved.

Mouthwashes and the Effect on the Viral Load of SARS-CoV-2 in Saliva: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND: At present, several active ingredients have been investigated in mouthwashes having certain virucidal properties, which could reduce the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 to avoid contamination in medical or dental practice. AIM: The objective of this review is to analyze the available evidence regarding mouthwashes and their effect on the salivary viral load of SARS-CoV-2. METHOD(S): Records were retrieved from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Virtual Health Library up to June 21, 2022. Randomized or non-randomized clinical trials were included where saliva samples and laboratory or in vitro studies were used in the presence of saliva. RESULT(S): After a systematic selection process, 11 clinical studies that evaluated at least one mouthwash within clinical protocols and three laboratory studies that evaluated the virucidal efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in the presence of saliva were finally included. CONCLUSION(S): There are oral disinfectants with virucidal action in saliva samples, under clinical and laboratory conditions, capable of reducing the viral load of SARS-CoV-2. Cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, and povidone-iodine present the best results so far. However, it was also possible to find active principles of recent appearance that, based on favorable exploratory results, needs further investigation on their efficacy and possible adverse events. Copyright © 2022 Mariano Ortiz Pizarro, Christian R. Mejia, David R. Rodriguez-Diaz, Ygnacio Moreno Herrera, Alexander Bustamante Cabrejo, Victor Serna-Alarcon.

Analysis of the search for COVID-19 vaccines in South American countries

Introduction: Since the development of COVID-19 vaccines, the world population has been increasingly interested in learning about them. Objective: To perform a search analysis on COVID-19 vaccines in South American countries. Methods: Observational, descriptive, and retrospective study;of data obtained from the Google Trends tool. The use of 6 terms ("COVID-19 vaccine", "Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines", "Pfizer vaccine", "Sinopharm vaccine", "side effects of Pfizer vaccine", "side effects of Sinopharm vaccine") was compared in nine Spanish-speaking South American countries. Results: The country with the highest search result for the term "COVID-19 vaccine" was Bolivia. Regarding the search for the term "COVID vaccine effectiveness" in South American countries, there is a strong trend in Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile, between January and July 2021. Conclusion: There was no decrease in the general interest regarding the 6 terms used for this study;however, the general interest in coronavirus vaccines among Google search engine users has presented changes in the trend, while the popularity of COVID-19 vaccine side effects has increased, showing significant variation according to the context of each country. © 2022, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Socio-occupational factors associated with psychological distress in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Psychological distress due to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has become very common, especially in health care workers, who have been one of the most affected populations. Objective: To determine the socio-occupational factors associated with psychological distress in health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Peruvian highlands. Methods: Cross-sectional design study, where 3 previously validated scales measuring psychological distress, fear of being infected with COVID-19 and workload were applied (alpha values: 0.79, 0.91 and 0.83, respectively). These were added to other socio-occupational variables;descriptive and analytical statistics were obtained. Results: When multivariate analysis was performed, it was found that those who had a higher score of fear of contagion by COVID-19 (RPa: 1.45;IC95%: 1.12-1.87;valor p= 0.005) and those who had a higher perception of work overload (RPa: 1.45;IC95%: 1.12-1.87;valor p= 0.005) were those who had greater perception of psychological distress, moreover, compared to physicians, psychologists had more psychological distress (RPa: 2.73;IC95%: 1.67-4.46;valor p< 0.001). Conclusion: Significant associations were found, with the predominant finding being that there is a strong association between psychological distress and fear of possible infection with COVID-19, as well as with the perception of work overload, mainly in professional psychologists. © 2022, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Frequency and time trend of drug search for COVID-19 in South America

Introduction: A variety of drugs have been used throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but the search trend during the period 2020-2021 is unknown. Objective: To determine the frequency and time trend in the search for drugs to combat COVID-19 in 5 South American countries. Methods: A secondary data analysis study was carried out, obtaining the information through the Google Trends platform, with the search for 4 drugs and 1 substance during the entire period of the pandemic. Descriptive results were obtained. Results: The term "paracetamol" had the highest search trend in April-May in Peru, maintaining high percentages to date in all five countries. For the term "hydroxychloroquine", the search reached 100% on 15 March 2020 in Brazil. For the search term "ivermectin", Peru reached 100% of searches with the appearance of the first case reports, Brazil reached 65% only in the fifth week. In the case of "azithromycin", there was a high search trend in Peru with a peak of 100% in April-May 2020. For "chlorine dioxide", the country with the highest search rate was Argentina, in August 2020 it reached 100%. Conclusions: Some of the drugs had a similar search trend during the beginning of the pandemic, such as paracetamol, but others followed different trends, decreasing in recent months. © 2022, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

ANALYSIS OF LEISURE TOURISM IN PERU DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

This study analyzes the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on leisure tourism in Peru, in terms of tourist services such as means of transportation, accommodation, city tours and restaurants. The analysis is based on the application of a survey. The cross-sectional analytical study evaluated 2,443 potential tourists of legal age from the 25 regions of Peru who intended to engage in leisure tourism during the quarantine period. Likewise, potential tourists who intended to make a trip culminating the quarantine (in the remaining time of the year 2020) were evaluated. Based on the study of people who were going to carry out local leisure tourism until the end of 2020, the estimated losses in tourist services amounted to approximately $203 dollars millions (based on a budget less than or equal to $83.00, the amount that most respondents were willing to pay for tourist services). An increase in the demand for domestic leisure tourism is expected associated with the reduction in prices of each tourist service in order to reactivate this sector economically. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.

KNOWLEDGE OF COVID-19 IN THE ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE POPULATION OF PERU:VALIDATION STUDY (KNOW-PER-COV)

Introduction: COVID-19 continues to be a global health problem, as it is a virus that continues to evolve and vaccination continues to present obstacles. It is necessary to evaluate the knowledge about COVID-19 of the working population, since these allow supporting decision-making in favor of prevention. Objective(s):Validate a scale that measures knowledge about COVID-19 that the working population of Peru has. Material(s) and Method(s): A scale of 10 questions was made, submitted to expert judgment, evaluated in a pilot, and a survey of 663 workers was carried out. Result(s): Aiken's V was greater than 0.7 in all items. A total of 9 items were obtained. Item 3 was found to be the most difficult (ID = 63%). Cronbach's alpha was 0.701 (0.65-0.74). Conclusion(s): An instrument was validated, which can effectively measure workers' knowledge about COVID-19. Copyright © 2022, Accion Medica S.A.. All rights reserved.

Perception and use of products by topical route for the prevention of COVID-19 in Peruvian inhabitants: prevalence and associated factors

BACKGROUND: During the pandemic, the use of multiple products for disinfection and prevention of COVID-19 transmission was widespread, many of them topically administered. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with the perception and use of topical products for the prevention of COVID-19 in Peruvian populations., MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study of secondary data analysis was done applying a survey to Peruvian adults, who were asked about the belief or use of different products, according to whether they believed in or used at least one of them. In addition, the association was sought according to socio-educational and occupational characteristics. RESULTS: There were included 3509 participants. The product that they perceived the most that could prevent COVID-19 was the mixture of 4% sodium hypochlorite, vinegar and alcohol (37%), but the one they used the most was 4% sodium hypochlorite (11%). In the multivariate analysis, it was found that women were those who had a positive perception of the topical use of these products (p value < 0.001), adjusted for the marital status of the respondents. However, when the use was analyzed, women were the ones who used these products the least (p value = 0.028), those who were working used these products the most (p value = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the Peruvian population does not perceive or use topical products to prevent COVID-19.

Factors associated with the perception of knowledge of COVID-19 and mental health in resident doctors

Introduction: Health personnel represent the first response of the health system in the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to assess their knowledge about the identification and care of patients with COVID-19. Objective: To identify the factors associated with the perception of knowledge of Peruvian resident physicians regarding the care of patients with COVID-19 and to describe the perception of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional study, carried out in 2020 in hospitals in Peru. The "Perception of Knowledge in Health Workers" scale was used (Cronbach's Alpha: 0.77). And also, the "Mental Health COVID-19" scale was used (Cronbach's Alpha: 0.88). Bivariate and multivariate statistics were performed. © 2022, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Knowledge about COVID-19 infection and associated factors in a Cuban population sample

Introduction: COVID-19 is considered a biological risk due to its high contagiousness. In the measure in that people possess knowledge on the illness they will be able to be more protected. Objective: To characterize the level of knowledge about general aspects of COVID-19 infection and to identify some factors associated in a Cuban population. Methods: Cross-sectional and analytic study performed with people belonging to “Edor de los Reyes Martínez Áreas” polyclinic, Jiguaní municipality, Granma province. The sample was constituted by 326 people. A validated scale was used and it was considered as appropriate knowledge the punctuation located in the higher global tertil. Frequencies and percentages are described, and generalized linear models were used to establish statistical associations. Results: In the 326 participants, mean age was 52.47 years and 63.50% were female. The better responded question was the related with the behavior in case of symptoms of a cold and suspicions for SARS-CoV-2 infection (98% success). In the multivariate analysis, had an appropriate level of knowledge those of smaller age (cPR: 0.995;CI 95%: 0.994-0.995;p< 0.001), the university graduates (cPR: 1.230;CI 95%: 1.141-1.327;p<0.001), the state workers (cPR: 1.100;CI 95%: 1.054-1.148;p< 0.001), as well as, those that had been informed by television (cPR: 1.331;CI 95%: 1.233-1.436;p< 0.001). Conclusions: The majority of the people had an adequate level of knowledge and it is associated to had less age, university studies, being state worker and have been informed through television. © 2021, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

Perception of Peruvian university students about the academic repercussions generated by COVID-19

The main objective of the research was to try to see the perception of virtual classes and the possible academic repercussions that university students had in Peru, and their associated factors, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analytical cross-sectional study in Peruvian university students during the first wave of the pandemic, the variable that mediates perception was obtained through a validated scale. In the analytical statistics, it was found that women had a higher frequency of perception of academic repercussions (PRa: 1.37;95% CI: 1.18-1.59;p value <0.001), this adjusted for age, study career and university. Women were the ones who perceived the most repercussions. Although an association was only found with the sex of the respondents, larger studies should be carried out and in more advanced stages of the pandemic, since our results can be taken as baseline, but the influence of others should be followed up and determine the influence of other variables.

Infodemia in Peru after the first wave of COVID-19: characteristics and associated factors

One of the main causes of deterioration in mental health in the pandemic was the mishandling of information. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of fear or perception of misinformation transmitted by the media and its influence on the mental health of the Peruvian population after the first wave. Analytical cross-sectional study. Which measured in almost 10,000 Peruvian inhabitants the perception of fear or exaggeration of the news with a previously validated instrument (global Cronbach's Alpha: 0.92), but this was post-first wave. The main perceptions were shown and it was associated with sex, age and educational level. Television broadcast more fear (12% strongly agree and 27% agree) and exaggeration (13% strongly agree and 26% agree);followed by social media. Men had a higher fear score in general (Coefficient: 1.83;95% CI: 1.01-3.31;p value = 0.047);Furthermore, according to the level of education, compared to those who had up to primary school, those who had secondary school had a higher overall score (Coefficient: 4.53;95% CI: 1.93-10.64;p value = 0.001), of exaggeration (Coefficient: 1.73;95% CI: 1.31-2.28;p value < 0.001), of fear (Coefficient: 1.73;95% CI: 1.31-2.28;p value < 0.001) and communication by friends / health personnel (Coefficient: 1.72;95% CI: 1.29-2.30;p value < 0.001);adjusted for age and department of residence. In general, it was observed that those with only secondary education were more afraid and were influenced by relatives and acquaintances.

Sacrifice of patients with severe COVID-19 during the first weeks of the pandemic in Peru: attitudes and associated factors

There was a lot of confusion and fear when COVD-19 arrived to the country, so much so that some were of the opinion that extreme measures should be taken for confirmed cases, however, this had not been evaluated. The objective of the research was to determine the factors associated with agreement to sacrifice people with severe COVD-19 during the first weeks of the pandemic in Peru. Cross-sectional analytical study, using secondary data, the dependent variable was the perception of agreement that if someone has a severe case of coronavirus they should be sacrificed/euthanized or similar, to avoid contagion;this was crossed with other influential variables. Of the 3331 respondents, 8% (269) strongly agreed and 9% (297) agreed that people with severe COVID-19 should be euthanized. In multivariate analysis, agreeing with culling was associated with sex (women were less in agreement with sacrificing, aPR: 0.73;95%CI: 0.62-0.86;p<0.001), also according to religious orientation (atheists were more in agreement with culling, aPR: 1.40;95%CI: 1.16-1.69;p<0.001), and to the scores they obtained in the fatalism test's (aPR: 1.09;CI95%: 1.07-1.11;p<0.001), level of knowledge (aPR: 0.85;CI95%: 0.81-0.88;p<0.001) and the perception of fear or exaggeration by the media (aPR: 1.02;CI95%: 1.01-1.03;p<0.001). A significant percentage agreed with sacrificing the sick people, being this associated with fear, fatalism and a low level of knowledge.

Fatalities associated with pre and post SARS-CoV-2 infection in Peru

Having been previously infected does not guarantee that one is safe in this pandemic, therefore, it is important to estimate the change in perceptions. The aim was to determine the fatalistic perception of patients recovered from COVID-19 in Peru and to identify the sociodemographic differences that influence the fatalistic perception of recovered and uninfected patients. Observational, retrospective cohort. The exposure variable was whether the patient had already been infected by COVID-19, the dependent variable was the fatalistic perception in the event of becoming ill with COVID-19 (in the case of those who had already been ill, the question was asked in the event of reinfection);this was measured with a validated test and being fatalistic was defined as those who were in the upper third of the scores;analytical statistics were obtained. Of the 8957 respondents, 37% reported that they had already been infected by COVID-19. In bivariate analysis, there was no difference in fatalism according to having been previously infected (p=0.426). In multivariate analysis, there was a lower risk of fatalism among men (aRR: 0.85;95%CI: 0.80-0.90;p-value<0.001), but an increased risk among those who believed they could be reinfected (aRR: 1.39;95%CI: 1.23-1.56;p-value<0.001), adjusted for three variables. Un conclusion, there is no association between fatalistic perception of the pandemic and having been infected with COVID-19 in Peru. However, being a woman and believing in a possible reinfection were risk factors for presenting fatalistic ideas.

Basic knowledge associated with fatalism generated by COVID-19 in Bolivian medical students

Fatalism prevents a person from responding adequately to different stressful life situations, but this has not been assessed in a COVID-19 informed population, such as medical students. The objective was to determine whether basic knowledge is associated with fatalism that was generated by COVID-19 in Bolivian medical students. Analytical cross-sectional study, generated through a virtual survey, with validated scales to measure knowledge and fatalism before the possibility of getting sick by COVID-19, this in 4 medical schools in Bolivia. Descriptive and analytical results were obtained for this association, adjusted for other variables. In the multivariate analysis it was found that there was a higher level of knowledge as the academic year increased (3rd year p=0.012, 4th year p=0.031, 5th year p=0.001 and internship p=0.013;all compared to 1st year), on the other hand, there was more knowledge among students who were less fatalistic (RPa: 0.76;95%CI: 0.68-0.85%;p-value<0.001) and among those who studied at some universities (UNIFRANZ p<0.001 and UNITEPC p<0.001, both as compared to UMSS);adjusted for gender and age of respondents. In conclusion, the fact that students had fatalistic perceptions was inversely associated with the knowledge they had regarding the disease;in addition, there was an association according to the year of studies and the university where they studied.

Impact on the mental health of undergraduate students and their parents at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

It is very likely that if a child is anxious, stressed or depressed, someone at home is also anxious, stressed or depressed. That is why the objective was to determine the association between the mental health of parents according to that of undergraduated students in a Peruvian population during the first wave of COVID-19. An analytical, multicenter, cross-sectional research was carried out, where parents and children were surveyed with the DASS-21 scale, making crosses and adjusting for some other variables. Of the 1832 students and 1832 heads of family surveyed, according to having a severe presentation, 35% of the parents had stress (p<0.001) and 25% had depression (p<0.001), if their children had severe stress, anxiety or depression, respectively. If the head of the family presented moderate/severe depression it was associated with their children having depression or anxiety;the father of the family having moderate/severe anxiety was associated with the children also having depression or anxiety and the heads of the family presenting moderate/severe stress had an association with the children having anxiety and stress (up to here all values p<0.002);as well as, that the heads of the household were women (p=0.034). An evident association was found between the mental health problems of the children and those of their parents, which should alert us to the fact that there are entire households with mental problems, and that they are related to the pathologies they suffer from.