COVID-19 complicating pregnancy: A retrospective study of nine intensive care unit patients

Background: With the emergence of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it was essential to determine the impact of this disease on pregnant women and neonatal outcomes. In this study, we present a series of nine cases of pregnant women with COVID-19 disease requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Method(s): We retrospectively collected clinical data of pregnant women with COVID-19 disease admitted to ICU between September 2020 and September 2021. Result(s): Most common presenting symptom was cough. Two patients had no respiratory symptoms at presentation. Five of the nine patients required invasive mechanical ventilation. Seven patients required caesarean section, four of whom delivered preterm. There were no maternal or neonatal deaths. Conclusion(s): Although maternal and neonatal outcomes reported in our study are encouraging, it is imperative to emphasize the importance of an individualized, multidisciplinary approach, and good healthcare infrastructure for optimal management of this group of patients.Copyright © The Author(s) 2023.

Coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria among undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A cross-sectional study

Background: Despite widespread rise in anxiety due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a paucity of studies of coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria, which is searching for more health-related information, among medical students. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of coronavirus anxiety and cyberchondria in the context of COVID-19 in undergraduate medical students. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study done between August 24, 2020 and September 5, 2020. A total of 280 students have given consent to participate in the study by filling online self-designed questionnaire, coronavirus anxiety scale, and cyberchondria severity scale-12. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 20 using appropriate statistical tests. Results: Coronavirus-related anxiety was present in 55% of the students. Moderate and severe cyberchondria were seen in 39% and 50% of the students, respectively. Association between coronavirus anxiety and severity of cyberchondria was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Majority of the students spent >2 h in watching or reading COVID-19 related news. Conclusions: As significant number of medical students had anxiety and cyberchondria related to COVID-19, medical colleges have to implement necessary psychological interventions to safeguard the students' mental health. © 2022 by the Author(s).

SPARSH – A novel approach to health education. By the medical students, for the community: reaching out, beyond the classroom

SPARSH (Students of Pinnamaneni to Achieve Awareness and reach out Social and Sustainable Health) is a non-profit voluntary organization started by medical students of Dr.PSIMS &RF, Andhra Pradesh, India. Started by four students who wanted to raise health awareness in the community, nurtured by Dr PSN Murthy, it rose into a dynamic medical student body dedicated to raise awareness on basic health issues through outreach campaigns for the past four years.Raising awareness on specific health issues rampant but generally ignored.Fanning the spark of leadership qualities and communication skills in medic students.ThemesMenstrual hygiene (2016): Menstrual hygiene;Raising awareness on taboos and issues regarding menstruation.Breast Cancer (2017): Busting the myths on breast cancer and raising awareness about self breast examination;Mobilised mass hair donation for cancer survivors.Depression (2018–19): Aim to create a stigma-free society for people with mental illness. On caring for loved ones and seeking help.COVID-19 (2020): Role of hand wash, respiratory hygiene and social distancing in infection prevention.CoverageOrganised events in 110 educational institutions.Involved over 10,000 students and general public.FeedbackThe reflections of medical students from their participation:‘Speaking and communicating to a crowd is much different experience from medical school setting’‘Surprised at the amount of stigma, taboo and ignorance about menstruation’‘Speaking about depression really made us connect with the audience’‘The interaction with community has given us a new perspective of medical practice’Future plansCollaborating with other student bodies and NGOs to complement our work.Aggressive outreach on social media platforms.More structured schedule to balance academics and outreach activities.

Imagining the COVID-19 pandemic through the minds of 9-11 years old: findings from an art exhibition in India.

OBJECTIVES: To understand children's perspectives of COVID-19 and lockdown through art. STUDY DESIGN: Observational; Qualitative study. METHODS: The drawings and descriptive notes along with the drawings were presented in an art exhibition and were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-three documents were created, out of which 134 quotations, 24 codes, 21 themes, and six groups were synthesized. The themes were mainly related to positive experiences, negative experiences, unity, safety, hope, uncertainty, gratitude, faith, and future expectations. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to a better understanding of children's perspectives of the pandemic situation.

COVID 19 pandemic - A need for emerging concern in dental practice

Outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 leading to respiratory symptoms associated with fever, cough, and respiratory distress, has been a major global concern leading to the declaration of worldwide lockdown. This rapid spread poses many challenges to the health-care system and, at the same time, provides innumerable threats for the return to the routine services. A part of the health-care system which would require many reformations in dentistry. Saliva being saturated with COVID-19 virus poses a major risk to dental professionals because of the aerosols being produced during the procedures being contaminated with saliva and blood. The disruption of dental services during the period of the pandemic may increase the burden of treatment requirements at a later period. There is also a need to bring about policies and recommendations that focus toward the modifications in treatment protocols. This article analyses the current situation and provides suggestions for modifications that provide effective infection control strategies in the prevention of nosocomial infection in dental settings.