ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 pandemic has sent serious waves of medical emergency all over the world. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are vulnerable to the infection through various patient care processes. As the pandemic advances, it becomes necessary to screen the asymptomatic HCWs for COVID-19 as they constitute potential sources for the disease transmission. Objectives: To screen for the incidence of COVID-19 among asymptomatic HCWs in the tertiary care centers in the Southern regions of Saudi Arabia using both RT-PCR and serology. Methods: A cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted to determine the incidence of COVID-19 among the asymptomatic HCWs using RT-PCR and serological assays among 186 consented participants. Results: The total number of COVID-19 cases among the participants using all tests was 34 (18.3%). Out of the total participants, 4.8%, 3.2%, 7%, 10.2%, and 11.8% positive COVID-19 cases were detected using RT-PCR, rapid ICT for IgG, rapid ICT for IgM, ELISA for IgG and ELISA for IgM respectively. Significantly higher cases were observed among HCWs in the ICU of Aseer Central Hospital. 100% of the medical students and administrative staff, 40% of respiratory therapists, 31.8% of laboratory specialists, 22.7% of cleaners, 13.5% of physicians, 12.2% of nurses participated were positive to COVID-19. Participants of 18-24 years old showed the highest level of cases. However, considering the total number of positive COVID-19, nurses showed the highest number of cases. Conclusions: Considerable number of COVID-19 cases were detected among HCWs in the Southern region of KSA. Screening of HCWs should have the priority in the preventive interventions.
ABSTRACT
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyze Grameen America's response to COVID-19 pandemic. This is accomplished by identifying and analyzing the key initiatives implemented by Grameen America within the framework of selected United Nations' Sustainability Development Goals (UN's SD Goals). Design/methodology/approach - This study has used qualitative content analysis to analyze financial and nonfinancial information of Grameen Bank. Findings - This study follows a qualitative content analysis method to precisely gauge the shift in Grameen's strategy and focus, as well as to assess the impact of its initiatives on the small business community before and after the pandemic. The findings showcase that Grameen's longstanding mission to alleviate poverty is in line with the UN's SD Goal 1. Also, Grameen's commitment to create partnerships with external organizations to offer credit and noncredit services and support is consistent with UN's SD Goal 17. Research limitations/implications - Notwithstanding the significant contributions of this case study, the findings are limited in some respects. First, this case study focuses on the Grameen America's unique experience regarding its response to COVID-19 pandemic. This may affect the interpretation and generalization of the findings of this study. Performing comparative views across wide range of relevant microlending institutions could help improve the generalization of the findings. Also, this case study examines the impact on women and minority groups who were particularly affected by the pandemic. The results should, therefore, be interpreted with care as circumstances may change over time. Practical implications - The implication for practice is that policymakers should encourage the creation of more member-based financial and non-financial institutions that can help members integrate financially and socially into society. Also, practitioners should increase their ethical duties and responsibilities to their members in society in good and bad times as members tend to value the ethical aspect of financial businesses. Social implications - The social implication of the findings is that helping members of society to cope with the difficulties brought about by COVID increased the sense of belonging among members and made them feel cared for, thereby increasing financial and social inclusion among underserved people. Originality/value - Prior literature addressed the initiatives of microlending institutions such as Grameen Bank to achieve financial inclusion among financially vulnerable women. This case study contributes to the literature on financial inclusion and poverty alleviation by examining Grameen America's response to the pandemic by identifying and assessing Grameen America (GA's) key initiatives and their impact within the framework of the UN's SD Goals in the post COVID-19 world.