Attitudes, Practices and Knowledge of Honduran Physicians in the Prescription of Antibiotics in Covid-19

Intro: Antimicrobial resistance has been considered a global health problem, being one of the 10 most important public health problems worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of antibiotics were used without any control, both on an outpatient basis and in hospitalization, which can have serious consequences. Method(s): Prior informed consent, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 322 physicians. A survey was carried out in Google forms, and it was shared by telephone messages and social networks. Finding(s): 322 physicians, 60.9% women and 39.1% men, mean age 33.4 years, 85.9% general practitioners, 11.5% specialist physicians. 47.2% work in private institutions, 36% in public centers. Antibiotic policies in institutions: 50.3% do not have regulations for the use of antibiotics in COVID-19, only 29.5% work with policies to control the use of antibiotics and control measures against antibiotic resistance, 73.9% lack a committee for infection control and prevention of antibiotic resistance. Use of antibiotics: only 20.8% never used antibiotics in COVID-19, 45.6% used antibiotics in severe COVID-19, 40.4% hospitalized patients, and 33.5% outpatients. The most used antibiotics were azithromycin (67.1%), levofloxacin (53.4%), ceftriaxone (53.4%), and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid (34.8%). 43.2% consider that using antibiotics can reduce mortality in moderate and severe COVID-19, 50.3% believe antibiotics should be suspended if there is clinical improvement, 96.3% believe there is an increase in self-medication of antibiotics, 59.8% consider that they used antibiotics inconrrectly at some point, 58.1% consider antibiotic resistance to be a problem in their workplace. 86.3% currently make less use of antibiotics in patients with COVID-19. Conclusion(s): In Honduras, there are deficiencies in policies for the use of antibiotics and control of antimicrobial resistance. Most doctors consider that they have used antibiotics incorrectly, including antibiotics that can generate resistance.Copyright © 2023

COVID-19 in the eyes of an environmentalist

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) is the official name given by the World Health Organization (WHO) to the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan, China in 2019. They classified the disease as a pandemic. People are forced to stay indoors to avoid the spread and infection of deadly viruses. As a result, all types of transportation have ceased. It has been reported that the pandemic has killed and brought about many changes in the economy and other human activities, but it has given the opportunity to restore the affected environment. For one, it decreased the very big source of environmental pollution and the atmospheric particles drastically dropped. The once smoggy sky in the metropolis became blue. Although air pollution has decreased, marine life is at risk due to the disposable face masks that were found piled up in the ocean, as stated in an article by TheGuardian.com, wherein conservationists warned that the pandemic could lead to a greater risk ofocean pollution. As solutions are being crafted to finally flatten the curve, they must be vigilant for the environment because our survival is not only about people`s health but also the wellbeing of the Earth. They must take a holistic approach to this pandemic for us to live in a sustainable planet that the future generations can enjoy.

Covid-19 laryngectomized patients care, on field experience, and considerations

Laryngectomized patients showed an unconventional response to SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. Here, we describe five different patient cases along with our interpretation of the phenomena and suggestions for their safe management.