Identifying predictors of university students? mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has been widely examined to be both an economic crisis and health with updates of increasing the mental health and well-being of university students. This study examines the relationships between physical health, social support, and mental health literacy with the mental well-being of Malaysian university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study population comprised 199 students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with self-administered questionnaires that used the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support instrument, and the Mental Health Literacy Scale. The survey also included items from the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). The results of this study showed that physical health had a positive and strong relationship with mental well-being. Similarly, the results indicated that social support had a significant and positive relationship with mental well-being. However, mental health literacy was not significantly associated with mental well-being. The results of this research might provide policymakers, practitioners, and university management with useful insights that foster the positive outcome of conducting intervention programs to improve the mental well-being of students.

Tracing Some Salivary Immune Elements in Iraqi SARS-2 Patients

Saliva is one of the most significant components in maintaining oral homeostasis and symbiosis. It contains antimicrobial proteins and peptides, such as mucins, lactoferrin, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, Catherine, statins, and antibodies (secretory immunoglobin A [sIgA]). Early defenses against respiratory infections rely heavily on mucosal immunity, especially secretory sIgA, which has several features and functions that make it suitable for mucosal defense. Salivary testing has been utilized to define mucosal immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Lysozyme has muramidase, with antimicrobial activity, and high concentrations in body fluids, such as saliva and tear. This research aimed to offer an update on how saliva components suppress viral infection and sustain health. A total of 50 individuals, including 30 SARS-2 patients and 20 non-infected subjects, in the age range of 32-54 years were enrolled in this study. Saliva specimens were obtained from polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and non-infected participants. To collect saliva, the subjects were advised to swirl water over their lips three times, and 5.0 ml of saliva was collected. Samples were centrifuged at 800 x g for 10 min. Saliva was diluted at 1:2,000 with 1 × Diluent N. The immunoglobulin A (IgA) titer in saliva was detected. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the solution's change in absorbance at 550 nm. Measurements (salivary IgA and lysozyme) were made after 7, 30, and 60 days of confirmatory PCR COVID-19 test. The mean scores of salivary IgA levels were obtained at 17.85, 15.26, and 10.73 mg/dl in patients and 9.53, 10.33, and 9.21 mg/dl in healthy individuals after 7, 30, and 60 days, respectively. The salivary lysozyme activity levels in SARS-2 patients compared to controls were 9.7, 7.3, and 4.2 mg/dl versus 2.9, 3.4, and 3.77 mg/dl, respectively. The salivary IgA level was significantly higher in patients of a confirmatory test for COVID-19 compared to healthy individuals.

Strategic Alliances, Innovation Capability, Cost Reduction, Customer Loyalty and Competitive Advantage in B2B Alliances

Disruptive business environment such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent high volatility in commodity prices has changed the way businesses were conducted. The heavy equipment industry is one of many industries affected by such an environment, especially those who are related to the mining industry where the volatility of the commodity prices has a significant impact on their business performance. Alliances are commonly formed by heavy equipment distributors and their customers to create a mutual benefit to sustain their performance. Strategic alliances have attracted substantial attention from industry as well as academia as a way to stay competitive. They mostly focus on the partner-to-partner alliances in serving their customers. Consumer behaviour has changed due to changes in the environment that make firms' strategic focus more on human-centric business approaches. This study looks at the roles of the partner-to-customer alliances, innovation capability, and cost reduction toward customer loyalty and competitive advantage. Data was collected from 335 respondents from the firms that have entered into alliances. This study finds strategic alliances have the highest association with cost reduction, followed by their association with innovation capability. They enhance customer loyalty through innovation capability. Cost reduction is not a lever to develop customer loyalty in the partner-to-customer relationship. The study also confirms that operational efficiencies are necessarily the source of competitive advantage, but strategic alliances are. © 2022, Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited. All right reserved.

Systematic Literature Review: Machine Learning Prediction Model for Covid-19 Spreading

The dataset, methods, and machine learning prediction framework on the Covid-19 theme have been published widely and complex. Special publications on the spread of virus infection 19 in the form of a time series need to be mapped more comprehensively. This literature review aims to identify and analyze research trends, datasets, and methods used in predicting Covid-19 with Machine Learning Engineering research between 2019 and 2021. Identifying the need, specifying the research question evaluating review protocol, searching for papers, scanning papers, and reporting results are the eight major steps of this systematic literature review. The most critical aspect of systematic analysis is defining the research questions. The PICOC techniques are used to identify research questions. Journal candidates were filtered out using inclusion and exclusion criteria techniques to shrink the SLR scope area. based on a literature study it was found that research in 2019-2021 on the Covid-19 distribution prediction system used variables: susceptibility, infection, mortality, geography, weather, and patient clinical data to be processed into ANFIS machine learning prediction models and neural networks are several models. A classification model that is widely used for hybrid processing in calculating covid-19 infection prediction. The datasets that are often used do not fully meet the epidemiological aspects that trigger the spread of COVID-19 infections. ANFIS and NN are several classification methods that are widely used for hybrid processing in calculating predictions of the spread of COVID-19 infection. © 2022 IEEE.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON IBS IMPLEMENTATION IN HOUSING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Industrialized Building System (IBS) implementation is one of the best practices to enhance, which contributes to the overall development and economy of the Malaysian construction industry. The advent of COVID-19 has disturbed all aspects of life and the Malaysian construction industry is no different including housing projects. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to examine the impacts and new practice approaches of IBS implementation in the housing construction projects due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study conducted the quantitative approach and distributed the questionnaires for data collection. The respondents involved in this study are the G7 contractors in the area of Johor. A number of 140 responses were received and were analysed using SPSS version 22.0. The descriptive analysis was used to describe the respondents' background while the mean, standard deviation, and ranking were used to achieve the objectives of this study. The significant findings showed that the most impacts of the IBS implementation in the housing projects due to COVID-19 were the new safety regulations, improving the supply chain, and reducing the unskilled foreign worker. In addition, the respondents recommend some new practice approaches for IBS implementation including new incentives allocation, up-to-date technology implementation, and skillful workers utilization. In conclusion, this study has been established the impact of COVID-19 through identification of the impacts and suggested new practice approaches, which will help the contractors in managing housing construction projects effectively. © 2022, Construction Research Institute of Malaysia. All rights reserved.

Restocking of small water bodies for a post COVID recovery and growth of fisheries and aquaculture production: socioeconomic implications. (Special Issue: Technology and innovation for a post COVID recovery and growth: the contribution of industry and academia.)

Restocking of fish in Small Water Bodies (SWBs) is one of the technologies that can be used to enhance fish-food production for post Covid recovery and growth in food security, and national development. The current study aimed at assessing the socioeconomic impact and stock performance of restocked Nile tilapia fingerlings in SWBs in 15 counties in the Western and Central regions where the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) is implemented. The study employed both primary and secondary data from socioeconomics, environmental characteristics and fisheries and aquaculture aspects. There was no restocked dam with a low (<1.66) socioeconomic impact, indicating the potential for restocking. The majority (n = 27;79%) of the restocked SWBs had a moderate (1.66-2.33) impact, owing to the inherent constraints of adoptability by the local community. Twenty one percent (n = 7;21%) of the SWBs had a high (2.34-3.00) impact and with better environmental conditions. The average condition factor (K) of tilapia in restocked SWBs was 1.24 +or- 0.53 SD, suggesting excellent fish growth condition. Notably, restocking the SWBs could benefit riparian fishing communities by improving their livelihoods and providing food and nutritional security. Given the limited exploitation of fish in most SWBs in the developing countries, additional community awareness and capacity building interventions are needed to enhance optimal use of SWBs in post Covid era.

How the pre and post COVID-19 era have shaped system understanding of the socioeconomic impact of small-scale inland fisheries

The current study provided a socioeconomic quantification of small-scale inland fisheries in East Africa using fish market information data for major markets in the pre (2009–2017) and post COVID-19 containment (Jan–May 2022) eras. The socioeconomic status index (SEI) incorporated 6 dimensions: access to fresh fish, access to market, available fish processing (drying) infrastructure, favourable price range, high quantity range traded, and high seasonal profit margins;using three major commercial fishes (Nile perch, Tilapia and Dagaa) and the season (pre and post COVID-19) as the main independent variables. The SEI was calculated using a segmented sociometric scale interval as: ≥ 4.21Very High ≤5.00;≥3.41 High ≤4.20;≥2.61 Moderate ≤3.40;≥1.81 Low ≤2.60;and ≤1.00 Very Low ≤1.80. The socioeconomic quantification was highly dependent on COVID-19 containment periods that reflected very high (pre COVID-19 = 4.67, post COVID-19 = 4.06) impacts on small-scale inland fisheries. This suggested a negative impact of COVID-19 on small-scale inland fisheries attributed to various factors such as disrupted value chains, reduced purchasing power among the customers, struggles by businesses to compensate for losses incurred during the pandemic, and diversion of economic focus. The impact had a lower proportion on Dagaa, given its low value compared to the other two major commercial species. The quantification of fish data during a pandemic is useful to provide mitigation measures for shocks that could be anticipated in the sector for sustainable fish-food systems. © 2022 The Author(s)

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among people living with HIV/AIDS: a single-centered study

Introduction: as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are distributed and administered globally, hesitancy towards the vaccine hinders the immunisation of a significant number of vulnerable populations, such as people living with HIV/AIDS. Hence, this study aims to assess COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) attending clinical-outpatient follow-up at State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri (SSHM), Borno State, Nigeria. Methods: a hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted to assess COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among 344 PLHIV receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the United States President´s Emergency Plan for AIDS (PEPFAR) clinic in SSHM from 4th January to 25th February 2022. Data were collected using a structured and pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. The results were presented using frequencies and percentages. The factors that are associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were identified using the Chi-square statistical test. Results: among the 344 respondents of the study, only 88 (26.6%) received the COVID-19 vaccine. Out of the 256 respondents that did not receive the vaccine, only 10.5% (27/256) are willing to be vaccinated, while the majority;57.8% (148/256) are not willing to be vaccinated and 31.7% (81/256) of the respondents are uncertain, thus resulting in a hesitation rate of 89.45%. There was no statistically significant association between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the study´s independent variables;where p-value is greater than 0.05. Conclusion: hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccine is high among PLHIV and there is no any statistically significant association between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and the independent variables of the study where p-value is greater than 0.05. Hence, it is necessary to develop targeted strategies to boost vaccine uptake among this vulnerable population. © Muktar Musa Shallangwa et al.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 among people living with HIV/AIDS attending State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Introduction: in order to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19, people must have adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and practice basic preventive procedures towards the disease. This study aims to determine the KAP towards COVID-19 among PLHIV undergoing clinical-outpatient follow-up at SSHM. Methods: a hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted to determine knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards COVID-19 among 344 participants, who were selected using a simple random sampling technique from 4th January to 25th February 2022. A pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Results were summarized in frequencies and percentages. The Chi-square test was used to determine factors influencing KAP. Results: among the 344 participants that were enrolled in the study, adequate knowledge and positive attitude scores (≥75 correct answers) towards COVID-19 were reported in 72.4% and 62.5% of the participants, respectively. Most of the respondents (82%) were not practicing basic preventive procedures against COVID-19. Knowledge and attitude scores were significantly associated (p<0.05) with gender, age, marital status and educational status, while practice score was significantly associated (p<0.05) with gender, marital status, educational status, employment status and time since HIV diagnosis. There was a moderate positive correlation (r=0.60) between knowledge and attitude scores, while there was a low positive correlation (r=0.23) between knowledge and practice scores and attitude and practice scores, respectively. Conclusion: people living with HIV have adequate knowledge, a positive attitude and poor practice towards COVID-19. Therefore, in order to mitigate coronavirus infection among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), health talks at ART service delivery points should incorporate information on COVID-19 preventative strategies. © Muktar Musa Shallangwa et al.

Audit committee characteristics and corporate philanthropic donations before and during COVID-19

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effects of audit committee attributes on corporate philanthropic donations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The study targets Nigeria's listed firms between 2019 and 2020. We hand-collected the data from the available published annual reports of 141 and 128 firms for 2019 and 2020, respectively. Therefore, the authors used a total of 269 firm-year observations for the study. The authors used ordinary least square regression to analyze the data and Tobit regression to establish the robustness of the results. Findings: The results indicate that the frequency of audit committee meetings has a significant positive relationship with corporate philanthropic donations before and during COVID-19. In the case of audit committee independence, it has only a significant positive relationship with corporate philanthropic donations during the pandemic. However, the findings reveal that audit committee size and foreign directors on the audit committee do not influence corporate philanthropic donations before and during COVID-19. Research limitations/implications: The study considers audit committee characteristics out of the corporate governance mechanisms that can influence the philanthropic donations of the listed firms in Nigeria over two years from 2019 and 2020. Practical implications: The findings have practical implications for encouraging the audit committee to support philanthropic donations for the welfare of the poor and the needy, particularly in difficult times like the COVID-19 period. The results could also help regulators and policymakers to provide regulations and policies that can encourage firms to participate actively in philanthropic activities to their best ability. Social implications: Motivating firms to provide philanthropic donations for the welfare of underprivileged persons could strongly support the government's effort to minimize the socioeconomic problems caused by COVID-19. Originality/value: The study contributes to the scant literature that establishes the impact of audit committee attributes on firm philanthropic donations toward helping the poor and the needy in difficult periods. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Restocking of small water bodies for a post Covid recovery and growth of fisheries and aquaculture production: Socioeconomic implications

Restocking of fish in Small Water Bodies (SWBs) is one of the technologies that can be used to enhance fish-food production for post Covid recovery and growth in food security, and national development. The current study aimed at assessing the socioeconomic impact and stock performance of restocked Nile tilapia fingerlings in SWBs in 15 counties in the Western and Central regions where the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) is implemented. The study employed both primary and secondary data from socioeconomics, environmental characteristics and fisheries and aquaculture aspects. There was no restocked dam with a low (<1.66) socioeconomic impact, indicating the potential for restocking. The majority (n = 27;79%) of the restocked SWBs had a moderate (1.66–2.33) impact, owing to the inherent constraints of adoptability by the local community. Twenty one percent (n = 7;21%) of the SWBs had a high (2.34–3.00) impact and with better environmental conditions. The average condition factor (K) of tilapia in restocked SWBs was 1.24 ± 0.53 SD, suggesting excellent fish growth condition. Notably, restocking the SWBs could benefit riparian fishing communities by improving their livelihoods and providing food and nutritional security. Given the limited exploitation of fish in most SWBs in the developing countries, additional community awareness and capacity building interventions are needed to enhance optimal use of SWBs in post Covid era. © 2022 The Author(s)

COVID-19, local food system and digitalisation of the agri-food sector

Purpose: This paper aims to evaluate the responses taken during the pandemic of COVID-19 in sustaining agricultural activities and safeguarding local food supply via digital platforms by applying the case study method. Design/methodology/approach: This paper uses a case study approach due to its systematic way of collecting data, analysing information and reporting results to understand the particular problem. For this study, secondary data consisting of government reports and documents are used to give a broader understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on the local food system and digital platform for agricultural produce. Findings: The impact of COVID-19 on the agri-food sector is the move towards a more resilient and sustainable local food system, whereby nations emphasise food security by encouraging local food production. This is done by boosting micro, small and medium enterprises' (MSME) output, "supporting local” initiatives and leveraging digital platforms and FinTech in business transactions. Research limitations/implications: This study highlights that MSMEs' adoption of digital platforms, particularly in the agri-food sector, demonstrates their willingness to embrace new business models that leverage technological advancements while maintaining the personal touch that attracts customers. Practical implications: This study implies that although the pandemic outbreak created prolonged uncertainties with an immediate impact on the economy and ways of doing business transactions, digital platforms and FinTech ensured continuous food supply during the period. Originality/value: This paper provides initial valuable insight to academics, practitioners and policymakers in agriculture and innovation management. It can be observed that digital platform and FinTech plays an essential role in ensuring safety and undisrupted food supply, especially in the case of fresh produce grown by local small-scale farmers and MSMEs. This creates a more resilient agri-food system and reduces the pressure from the conventional model of food purchase and social distancing requirements. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Burden of road traffic injuries in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina – fifteen-year survey : Šeila Cilović Lagarija

Introduction Road traffic injuries (RTI) are among the ten leading causes of death worldwide, and they are the leading cause of death among young adults aged 15-29 years. In Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), with population of 2,1 million, around 380 people die every year and additional 11.000 get seriously injured in RTI. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and fatality rate of RTI in FBiH in the period of 2006 until the end of 2020. Methods Data source of RTI (ICD-X) incidence and fatality rate was Statistical book for Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which includes all injuries and deaths reported through Ministry of internal affairs. Fatality rate was calculated as number of confirmed deaths in total number of reported RTI. To compare frequencies of reported deaths Chi square test was used. YLD were calculated based on information on injury that was caused in road traffic accidents. Results In the last 15 years, in FBiH, total 39,455 injuries related to road traffic were reported. According to the official data, over the period 2006-2020 the peak of fatality rate (8.52% deaths among all cases with RTI) was in 2016, while it had a statistically significant decline in 2018: 6.51%;2019: 6.35%;and 2020: 6.32% (x2=7728,584;p < 0,0001). It is estimated that young adults (in the age group 30 to 39 years) injured in the road traffic accidents have 197.01 patient-years of total 881.17 years to live with disabilities just based on serious RTI in 2020. Conclusions RTI pose a significant burden on the health of the population in FBiH. After implementing strict laws in the year 2017, and 2018, a significant decrease of RTI was registered, including the number of deaths due to RTI (fatality rate). This is support and sponsorship by ‘BoCO-19 - The Burden of Disease due to COVID-19'. Project is coordinated/led by Robert Koch Institute and supported by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Key messages • RTI are significant burden for health of population in FBH. Strict laws and stronger punishments and fees are decreasing number of RTI. • This is support and sponsorship by ‘BoCO-19 - The Burden of Disease due to COVID-19'. Project is coordinated/led by Robert Koch Institute and supported by the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Mortality before and during COVID-19 outbreak in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina : Šeila Lagarija

Background Mortality data are essential for monitoring population health and is one of the most important data for evaluation and comparison of health status at the local, national, and international level. Objective: We analysed all-cause mortality data in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) for the period 2016-2021 and compared it with mortality occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 and 2021. Methods Using data on all-cause deaths for the period 2016-2021, obtained from the Institute for Statistics of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we compared annual number of deaths (all-ages) and death rates during the 2020 and 2021 to pre-pandemic years. Results In 2016 the reported number of death was 21,146, in 2017 was 21,942, in 2018 was 21,691, and in 2019 was 22,024, and during the pandemic period in 2020 and 2021, 26,026 and 29,086 deaths were reported respectively. In 2020, 4,115 more deaths has been reported (15,8%), and in 2021 more 6,438 death (22,1%) compared with period 2016-2019. In FBiH in 2021, the death rate per 100,000 inhabitants was 1,341.2 and it is recorded an increase compared to 2020 when it had a value of 1,208.3 while in 2016 the value was 951.7. Conclusions A large proportion of increased mortality during pandemic was probably caused directly by COVID-19. However, the pandemic also resulted in deaths that would otherwise not have occurred (indirect deaths) due lack of access to medical services when hospitals were overwhelmed and changes in health seeking behaviour. An in-depth investigation of the underlying causes of the high excess mortality should be conducted to inform changes in the health care system and efforts to prevent severe COVID-19 through vaccination of vulnerable groups should be a priority. *This is support by ‘BoCO-19 - The Burden of Disease due to COVID-19'. Project is coordinated/led by Robert Koch Institute and supported by the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Key messages • During the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, population in FBiH had a significant increase in all-cause mortality. • The direct standardized death rate for all causes and age groups per 100,000 inhabitants in 2020 for FBiH was 818.0 and it is slightly higher compared to the EU average.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Pediatric Cases Managed during the First Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria

Context: Over 161 million cases of COVID-19 have so far been confirmed globally with over 3.3 million deaths. An understanding of the local epidemiological characteristics in the pediatric population is necessary to enable proper planning of mitigation strategies. Aim: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients with COVID-19. Setting and Design: We conducted a retrospective study on cases of COVID-19 diagnosed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal samples and oropharyngeal swabs managed during the first wave of the pandemic at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. The severity of illness was graded based on clinical features as classified by the World Health Organization. Statistical Analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Version 23 (California, USA). Results: Forty-six children met the above criteria. The median age was 7 yrs (IQR = 3.75-12). There were more females than males with Covid-19 infection (M:F = 1:1.55). A third (32.6%) of children were asymptomatic while half (50%) had only mild symptoms. Although school-aged children aged 6-11 years were the most infected (30.4%), more severe disease was seen in infants (25%) and those with co-morbidities. Nasal discharge, cough, and fever were the most common presentation occurring in 34.8%, 32.6%, and 26.1%, respectively. The case fatality rate was 6.5%, all occurring amongst those with comorbidities. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection in children is largely mild or asymptomatic. Symptoms when present are indistinguishable from symptoms of other common viruses causing upper respiratory tract infections. Severe disease and mortality were observed among infants and children with co-morbidities.

Tracing Some Salivary Immune Elements in Iraqi SARS-2 Patients.

Saliva is one of the most significant components in maintaining oral homeostasis and symbiosis. It contains antimicrobial proteins and peptides, such as mucins, lactoferrin, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, Catherine, statins, and antibodies (secretory immunoglobin A [sIgA]). Early defenses against respiratory infections rely heavily on mucosal immunity, especially secretory sIgA, which has several features and functions that make it suitable for mucosal defense. Salivary testing has been utilized to define mucosal immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Lysozyme has muramidase, with antimicrobial activity, and high concentrations in body fluids, such as saliva and tear. This research aimed to offer an update on how saliva components suppress viral infection and sustain health. A total of 50 individuals, including 30 SARS-2 patients and 20 non-infected subjects, in the age range of 32-54 years were enrolled in this study. Saliva specimens were obtained from polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and non-infected participants. To collect saliva, the subjects were advised to swirl water over their lips three times, and 5.0 ml of saliva was collected. Samples were centrifuged at 800 x g for 10 min. Saliva was diluted at 1:2,000 with 1 × Diluent N. The immunoglobulin A (IgA) titer in saliva was detected. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the solution's change in absorbance at 550 nm. Measurements (salivary IgA and lysozyme) were made after 7, 30, and 60 days of confirmatory PCR COVID-19 test. The mean scores of salivary IgA levels were obtained at 17.85, 15.26, and 10.73 mg/dl in patients and 9.53, 10.33, and 9.21 mg/dl in healthy individuals after 7, 30, and 60 days, respectively. The salivary lysozyme activity levels in SARS-2 patients compared to controls were 9.7, 7.3, and 4.2 mg/dl versus 2.9, 3.4, and 3.77 mg/dl, respectively. The salivary IgA level was significantly higher in patients of a confirmatory test for COVID-19 compared to healthy individuals.

The effect of COVID-19 on the implementation mandatory vaccination of children and adolescents in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Introduction. The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a lockdown resulting in an 85% reduction in the compulsory immunization of children in 82 countries in May 2020 compared to January and February 2020. The World Health Organization states that during the first four months, for the first time in 28 years, the vaccination coverage of children with the third dose of gout, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines dropped significantly. The objective of the research is to determine the effect of COVID-19 on the implementation of mandatory vaccination of children and youth in the FBiH in 2020 compared to 2019. Subjects and methods: Data for vaccination coverage for children and youth in FBiH were extracted from the official records of the Institute for Public Health of the FBiH, in 2019 and 2020. The percentage of children vaccinated through mandatory vaccination processes was analyzed, expressed as a percentage in primary vaccination and revaccination by FBiH counties in 2020 and 2019 in relation to the planned number of children. Results. The study found a decrease in vaccination with the first doses of vaccine in FBiH, with the exception of the BCG vaccine, which has an increase of 2.3% compared to 2019. In particular, there is a decrease in vaccination with the third dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine and the DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine third dose. In 2020, in the FBiH, there was a decrease of 26.7% in vaccination with the first dose of MRP vaccine. Conclusion. The research found a significant decline in the vaccination of children and youth for almost all vaccines in all FBiH counties in 2020, which indicates an increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases.Vaccination improvement activities in the FBiH need to be intensified in order to reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. © 2022 Hrvatski Lijecnicki Zbor. All rights reserved.

SARS-CoV-2 Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction Positivity and Seroprevalence among Health Care Workers in a Referral Cancer Institute: A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: During the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) are presumed to be at increased risk of infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), transmitting the infection to vulnerable patients if they are not timeously isolated. AIM: This study aimed to determine the point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of HCWs providing oncology services. METHODS AND RESULTS: HCWs in a large referral cancer hospital in Egypt were tested using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swabs, and immunochromatography-based rapid serological test (RST). Clinical and epidemiological data were collected. In 2020, 999 HCWs were screened, of whom 86 tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR (8.6%) and 127 subjects were seropositive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 by RST (12.8%). Immunoglobulin M seroprevalence demonstrated considerable concordance with RT-PCR positivity (sensitivity 82.14% and specificity 96.71%). Most HCWs (>95%) reported adherence to personal protective equipment. Patient transporters/cleaner were the group with the highest frequency of positive RT-PCR (19%) whereas laboratory and radiology technicians displayed the lowest frequency. Fever, dry cough, rhinorrhea, shortness of breath, fatigue and diarrhea were significantly associated with RT-PCR positivity, with increased likelihood of being positive with the presence of five or six simultaneous symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in screened HCWs is 8.6% by RT-PCR and seroprevalence is 12.8% by RST. Strict measures should be implemented to minimize transmission within healthcare settings and to the community. Our data support the importance of HCWs screening for SARS-CoV-2, taking in account the significant proportion of asymptomatic carriers. © 2022 Abdel-Rahman Zekri, Ola S. Ahmed, Noha Asem, Sherief Musa, Mohamed Ibrahem, Hany K. Soliman, Mohammed M. Hafez, Margrit S. Nessim, Hatem Aboelkasem, Abeer A. Bahnassy.