ABSTRACT
Background: Vaccine-hesitancy is an important obstacle to attain herd-immunity against COVID-19. Undue fears about adverse effects like allergic reactions may be an important reason for vaccine-hesitancy. Objectives: To assess the online information-seeking behavior of Indian internet users regarding 'allergies' and determine its association with COVID-19 vaccine-hesitancy. Methods: We conducted a Google trend analysis to obtain the relative search volume (RSV) for keywords-'skin allergy,' 'drug allergy,' 'food allergy,' 'vaccine allergy,' 'contact dermatitis,' and 'allergy' using a public domain https://trends.google.com/trends. We further obtained state-wise data and statistically analyzed it to assess any association with vaccine-hesitancy. Results: Higher RSV was found for 'vaccine allergy' after the advent of COVID-19 vaccines, showing the steepest peak. 'Skin allergy' showed two peaks. The first peak was after the advent of COVID-19 pandemic and second peak was after introduction of vaccines. RSV of 'contact dermatitis' remained unchanged. Eastern and North-Eastern states showed the highest RSV for 'skin' and 'vaccine' allergies. Literacy rate showed a significant positive correlation with vaccination, whereas vaccine-hesitancy was inversely proportional to RSV for 'allergy. Conclusion: Increased online information-seeking behavior is demonstrated by Indians regarding various 'allergies,' particularly after the advent of COVID-19 vaccines. Literacy was directly proportional to vaccination status, whereas vaccine-hesitancy was inversely proportional to search-volume for 'allergy.'
ABSTRACT
Background: Consumer-grade pulse oximeters are used to monitor blood oxygen levels (SpO2) at home. Sharing a pulse oximeter with family members in isolation centers or home isolation due to COVID-19 may increase the chances of cross-infection. Aim: We aimed to find if using commonly available disposable polyethylene covers either on the finger and/or on the pulse oximeter provides the same reading of SpO2 or not. Methods: Two operators measured SpO2 on 10 healthy subjects with three randomly selected pulse oximeters. Six types of commonly available polythene bags (transparent, translucent, and opaque) were used to cover the fingers and/or device. After measuring the baseline SpO2 (i.e., without using covers), the measurements were taken with a covered finger, and/or covered oximeter probe. Results: The mean age of the research participants (five male, five female) was 23.9 ± 5.11 years. Perfusion index was 9.12 ± 1.63 (males 9.6 ± 1.42, females 8.64 ± 1.85, P = 0.38). Black opaque polyethylene bag as finger or probe cover did not detect any signal. There was no difference in SpO2 reading when a pulse oximeter probe is covered, and/or a finger is covered. There was excellent inter-observer and inter-device agreement. Conclusion: Commonly available transparent and translucent polyethylene plastic bags may be used as finger or pulse oximeter cover without compromising the SpO2 reading. However, an opaque black plastic bag is not suitable for finger or probe cover. These easily available and cheap pulse oximeter covers may be used by multiple patients or family members in an emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic with the potential to prevent cross-infection.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: During the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic, due to restricted health-care access, patients may not get hands-on training for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) from physicians. YouTube is a popular video-sharing web platform that can be used as a source of information for SMBG. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of YouTube videos on SMBG. Material and Methods: We searched the keywords blood glucose self-monitoring, home blood glucose monitoring, blood glucose test, and blood sugar test on YouTube. The first 40 videos of each search were listed. After the two-stage screening, 49 videos were included for final data analysis. General characteristics and SMBG-specific characteristics (namely, strip handling, lancing device handling, measurement, and post- measurement action) were observed with pre-defined criteria having yes and no closed option. Data were tested statistically by the binomial test.