Lifestyle and Dietary Patterns during the COVID-19 Lockdown in Bahrain: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Lifestyle factors such as dietary habits, perceived weight, sleep, and physical activity worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this study, we aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on these lifestyle factors in Bahrain. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1005 adult Bahrainis. Data were collected online using a structured and validated questionnaire for the assessment of eating habits, physical activity, and lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were snowballed through those who agreed to answer the online questionnaire. There was a higher consumption of fast food, and a higher dependence on takeaways during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 63.5% of the participants consumed >4 meals per day, compared to 36.5% before the COVID-19. About 30% reported consumption of sugar sweetened beverages from two to three times a day. Weight loss was predominantly observed in persons exercising 1-3 times a week. The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was also high, with about 19% reporting drinking sweet beverages once every day, 10.6% from two to three times a day, and 40.4% from one to four times a week. A higher proportion of the participants reported poor sleep quality during the pandemic (31.2%) compared to before (12.2%), and 39.7% of the participants reported feeling lazy. Screen time use also doubled during the pandemic, with participants spending more than five hours per day on screens for entertainment, which went from 22.4% before to 51.9% during the pandemic. The lifestyle and dietary habits changed drastically for our study participants during the pandemic. The increased reliance on processed fast food instead of healthier options is a challenge to be tackled in any future pandemic situation. Future research needs to focus on strategies to promote healthier lifestyle modifications during situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Preliminary Study on the Frequency of Influenza Infections during the Early 2022 Amid COVID-19 Epidemic in Libya

Background At the time of conducting this study, we were at the peak of the influenza season, and influenza vaccinations were not readily accessible throughout the country. Thus, predisposing many high-risk individuals to influenza infections in a time when coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was also highly circulating, and the emerging Omicron variant of concern was peaking in many countries worldwide.Methods We conducted a brief survey to prospectively estimate the frequency of influenza A and B and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) in samples received at our laboratories at Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Tripoli, Libya, between December 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022, for patients complaining of respiratory symptoms using a multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-COV-2, influenza A and B, and RSV.Results We analyzed nasopharyngeal swabs in viral transport media from 2,186 samples. About 27% (589/2186) of study patients tested positive for SARS-COV-2, 2.8% (61/2186) were positive for influenza A virus, 0.18% (4/2186) for influenza B virus, and 1.4% (31/2186) tested positive for RSV.Conclusions These results revealed that along with COVID-19, influenza infections were also rising. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the most significant concern is the development of an influenza outbreak in the upcoming months. Therefore, continuing annual influenza vaccination is critical to increasing population immunity. National influenza surveillance and testing should also be conducted. Furthermore, sequencing and antigenic characterization should be performed regularly. There is a need for continuous monitoring in national laboratories to detect any zoonotic cases and substantial viral evolution.

Sleep disorders in healthcare workers

Introduction: COVID-19 has killed more than 5 millions people worldwide. The effects on mental health are also significant, especially among healthcare personnel. Our aim is to determine the prevalence and the factors of sleep disorders on healthcare workers. Method Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study including 87 healthcare workers during February 2022, using an anonymous online questionnaire containing personal data, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Result(s): The average age was 31.71 +/- 5.93 years. Sex ratio was 1.04. The participants were doctors (69.6%) and paramedical staff (30.4%), 23.2% of them had comorbidities: cardiovascular pathologies (27.2%), respiratory pathologies (24.7%) psychiatric pathologies (18.1%), neurological pathologies (13.9%) and immunodeppression (11.2%). 86.3% were working in the public sector. 62.3% had worked in a COVID-19 unit. Severe clinical insomnia was found in 9.7% and moderate severity clinical insomnia in 13.1%. For the PSQI, 41.5% had an overall score>5, which is an indicator of sleep disorders. A sleep latency>30 minutes was observed (22%), nocturnal awakenings (15.9%), a feeling of fatigue at work (61%) and difficulty concentrating was reported in 38%. For behavioral disorders during sleep, participants had nightmares (35.2%), sleep paralysis (17.7%), sleep talking (10.9%), bruxism (1%) and somnombulism (1.2%). Sleep disorders were correlated with the presence of newborns or infants at home (p=0.001), the number of shifts and working hours per week (p=0.034) and the presence of psychiatric comorbidities (p<0.05). Conclusion(s): Sleep disorders among caregivers are quite common, long-term follow-up for better prevention and management is necessary.

Knowledge and Attitude towards Clinical Trials among General Population of Northern Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study

Recruiting and retaining sufficient participants is one of the biggest challenges researchers face while conducting clinical trials (CTs). This is due to the fact of misconceptions and insufficient knowledge concerning CTs among the public. The present cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2021 to May 2022. We evaluated knowledge and attitude among 480 participants using a pretested Arabic questionnaire. The correlation between knowledge and attitude score was tested through Spearman's correlation test, and the logistic regression test evaluated the associated factors for knowledge and attitude. Of the studied participants, 63.5% were male and belonged to the age group less than 30 years (39.6%). Nearly two-thirds (64.6%) of them had never heard of CT. More than half of the participants had poor knowledge (57.1%) and attitude (73.5%) towards CTs. Participants' knowledge scores were significantly associated with education level (p = 0.031) and previous participation in health-related research (p = 0.007). Attitude scores were significantly related to marital status (p = 0.035) and the presence of chronic diseases (p = 0.008). Furthermore, we found a significant positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (p < 0.001, Spearman's rho = 0.329). The present study revealed that most of the study population had poor knowledge and moderate attitudes towards CT. Targeted health education programs at different public places are recommended to improve the public's knowledge of the importance of CT participation. In addition, exploratory and mixed-methods surveys in other regions of KSA is required to recognize the region-specific health education needs.

Pathogenesis and Management of COVID-19.

COVID-19, occurring due to SARS-COV-2 infection, is the most recent pandemic disease that has led to three million deaths at the time of writing. A great deal of effort has been directed towards altering the virus trajectory and/or managing the interactions of the virus with its subsequent targets in the human body; these interactions can lead to a chain reaction-like state manifested by a cytokine storm and progress to multiple organ failure. During cytokine storms the ratio of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory mediators is generally increased, which contributes to the instigation of hyper-inflammation and confers advantages to the virus. Because cytokine expression patterns fluctuate from one person to another and even within the same person from one time to another, we suggest a road map of COVID-19 management using an individual approach instead of focusing on the blockbuster process (one treatment for most people, if not all). Here, we highlight the biology of the virus, study the interaction between the virus and humans, and present potential pharmacological and non-pharmacological modulators that might contribute to the global war against SARS-COV-2. We suggest an algorithmic roadmap to manage COVID-19.

A cross-sectional analysis of the predictors of COVID-19 vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy in Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy poses a significant risk to global recovery from COVID-19. To date however, there is little research exploring the psychological factors associated with vaccine acceptability and hesitancy in Iraq. AIM: To explore attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination in Iraq. To establish the predictors of vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy in an Iraqi population. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 7,778 participants completed an online questionnaire exploring their vaccination status, likelihood of infection, perceived severity infection, benefits of vaccine, barriers to vaccine, anticipated regret, subjective norms, and trust in government. FINDINGS: Vaccination rates increased with age and were greater in males, those who were married, divorced or widowed, those with children and those with underlying conditions. Vaccine hesitancy was widespread with 61.40% of unvaccinated individuals reported an unwillingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In unvaccinated groups, vaccine hesitancy was associated with lower trust in the government, more negative social norms, greater perceived barriers to vaccination and reduced perceived benefits. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Iraq. Public health institutions should be aware of the influence of demographic factors, as well as personal beliefs and social norms, on individuals' decisions to vaccinate. Public health messaging should therefore aim to be tailored to address the concerns of citizens.

Knowledge and Attitude towards Clinical Trials among General Population of Northern Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Recruiting and retaining sufficient participants is one of the biggest challenges researchers face while conducting clinical trials (CTs). This is due to the fact of misconceptions and insufficient knowledge concerning CTs among the public. The present cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2021 to May 2022. We evaluated knowledge and attitude among 480 participants using a pretested Arabic questionnaire. The correlation between knowledge and attitude score was tested through Spearman's correlation test, and the logistic regression test evaluated the associated factors for knowledge and attitude. Of the studied participants, 63.5% were male and belonged to the age group less than 30 years (39.6%). Nearly two-thirds (64.6%) of them had never heard of CT. More than half of the participants had poor knowledge (57.1%) and attitude (73.5%) towards CTs. Participants' knowledge scores were significantly associated with education level (p = 0.031) and previous participation in health-related research (p = 0.007). Attitude scores were significantly related to marital status (p = 0.035) and the presence of chronic diseases (p = 0.008). Furthermore, we found a significant positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (p < 0.001, Spearman's rho = 0.329). The present study revealed that most of the study population had poor knowledge and moderate attitudes towards CT. Targeted health education programs at different public places are recommended to improve the public's knowledge of the importance of CT participation. In addition, exploratory and mixed-methods surveys in other regions of KSA is required to recognize the region-specific health education needs.

A THEMATIC REVIEW ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HEUTAGOGY IN UNIVERSITIES

Smart technology, artificial intelligence and robotics have recently become the focus of the new industrial revolution, which now influences our daily lives. The process of teaching and learning at higher education institutions needs to be updated to meet the challenges of Industry 4.0. Different types of learning spaces and pedagogies, such as heutagogy, are required. Although heutagogy has been practised for a long time, there is a deficiency in studies which review the existing literature about implementing heutagogy. In light of this fact, this article is, therefore, a systematic review of the literature on the application of heutagogical methods in universities worldwide. This study utilized publications from 2016 to 2020 from databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, ACM Library, Science Direct, Emerald Insight, Taylors & Francis Online, as well as from the alternative database Google Scholar. The search efforts resulted in a total of 23 articles that can be systematically analyzed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). By using ATLAS. ti 8 as a tool, this review has five main themes, namely, i) ICT;ii) Blended Learning;iii) Outside Classroom Activities;iv) Distance Learning and;v) Module or Curriculum Related. The results showed that heutagogy is a suitable approach that can be applied in this era and that it is recommended that this approach be implemented during this COVID-19 season. Finally, at the end of this research, a number of recommendations for future scholars will be discussed. © 2022 Little Lion Scientific.

A THEMATIC REVIEW ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HEUTAGOGY IN UNIVERSITIES

Smart technology, artificial intelligence and robotics have recently become the focus of the new industrial revolution, which now influences our daily lives. The process of teaching and learning at higher education institutions needs to be updated to meet the challenges of Industry 4.0. Different types of learning spaces and pedagogies, such as heutagogy, are required. Although heutagogy has been practised for a long time, there is a deficiency in studies which review the existing literature about implementing heutagogy. In light of this fact, this article is, therefore, a systematic review of the literature on the application of heutagogical methods in universities worldwide. This study utilized publications from 2016 to 2020 from databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, ACM Library, Science Direct, Emerald Insight, Taylors & Francis Online, as well as from the alternative database Google Scholar. The search efforts resulted in a total of 23 articles that can be systematically analyzed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). By using ATLAS. ti 8 as a tool, this review has five main themes, namely, i) ICT;ii) Blended Learning;iii) Outside Classroom Activities;iv) Distance Learning and;v) Module or Curriculum Related. The results showed that heutagogy is a suitable approach that can be applied in this era and that it is recommended that this approach be implemented during this COVID-19 season. Finally, at the end of this research, a number of recommendations for future scholars will be discussed. © 2022 Little Lion Scientific.

A Preliminary Study on the Frequency of Influenza Infections during the Early 2022 Amid COVID-19 Epidemic in Libya

Background At the time of conducting this study, we were at the peak of the influenza season, and influenza vaccinations were not readily accessible throughout the country. Thus, predisposing many high-risk individuals to influenza infections in a time when coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was also highly circulating, and the emerging Omicron variant of concern was peaking in many countries worldwide.Methods We conducted a brief survey to prospectively estimate the frequency of influenza A and B and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) in samples received at our laboratories at Libyan Biotechnology Research Center, Tripoli, Libya, between December 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022, for patients complaining of respiratory symptoms using a multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test for SARS-COV-2, influenza A and B, and RSV.Results We analyzed nasopharyngeal swabs in viral transport media from 2,186 samples. About 27% (589/2186) of study patients tested positive for SARS-COV-2, 2.8% (61/2186) were positive for influenza A virus, 0.18% (4/2186) for influenza B virus, and 1.4% (31/2186) tested positive for RSV.Conclusions These results revealed that along with COVID-19, influenza infections were also rising. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the most significant concern is the development of an influenza outbreak in the upcoming months. Therefore, continuing annual influenza vaccination is critical to increasing population immunity. National influenza surveillance and testing should also be conducted. Furthermore, sequencing and antigenic characterization should be performed regularly. There is a need for continuous monitoring in national laboratories to detect any zoonotic cases and substantial viral evolution.

BUILDING A CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INDICATOR IN VIEW OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BASED ON SELECTED INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

Purpose: The focus of the research is to establish corporate social responsibility (CSR) indicator that is compatible with the Iraqi environment in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, based on previous international experiences (Egypt, Sweden, the United States of America, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Theoretical framework: confirming the importance of developing an indicator to disclosure of social responsibility (DSR) that economic units can adopt in light of the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The research sample consists of 32 private Iraqi banks that are listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange and have made contributions to combating the pandemic, whether by financial donations or deferring payment of installments owed to them. The media material of these banks' financial reports for the year 2019-2020 was examined, which are the years when the Covid-19 pandemic's impacts were exposed. Findings: The study finds a discrepancy in DSR among the banks in the research sample, with only (11) banks DSR according to the proposed model, that is to say (34.3 %) of the banks in the research sample, Research, Practical & Social implications: evidenced by extrapolation of the announced indicators in the Iraqi market for securities, the absence of an indicator for DSR despite its importance in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequences on multiple levels, because CSR expresses the extent of an economic unit's ethical commitment to society through participation in social activities. Originality/value: highlight of the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequences on multiple levels through Building a model for DSR. © 2023 Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science. All rights reserved.

Risks of Cardiac Arrhythmia Associated with COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current evidence regarding the association between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and the risk of cardiac arrhythmia. MEDLINE, via PubMed and OVID, Scopus, CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched using the relevant keywords to identify the relevant citations. Comprehensive Meta-analysis and Review Manager 5.4.1 were used for all the statistical analyses. Seventeen studies (n = 567,033,087 patients) were included. The pooled analysis showed that the incidence of cardiac arrhythmia post-COVID-19 vaccination with Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, CoronaVac, and Sinopharm was 0.22%, 95% CI: (0.07% to 0.66%), 0.76%, 95% CI: (0.04% to 12.08%), 0.04%, 95% CI: (0.00% to 0.98%), 0.01%, 95% CI: (0.00% to 0.03%), and 0.03%, 95% CI: (0.00% to 18.48%), respectively. Compared to CoronaVac, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm had a higher incidence ratio rate (IRR; 22-times, 76-times, 4-times, and 3-times higher), respectively. Likewise, Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca showed a higher IRR than Sinopharm (7.3-times, 25.3-times, and 1.3-times higher). The current evidence shows that the incidence rate (IR) of cardiac arrhythmia post-COVID-19 vaccination is rare and ranges between 1 and 76 per 10,000. mRNA vaccines were associated with a higher IR of arrhythmia compared to vector-based vaccines. Inactivated vaccines showed the lowest IR of arrhythmia.

Self-reported and the actual involvement of community pharmacy professionals in the management of acute childhood diarrhea in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia: Simulated patient visits and survey study.

Background: Acute childhood diarrhea is one of the most common causes of dehydration, and if severe, can potentially lead to death as well. The present study was aimed at evaluating the knowledge and attitudes of community pharmacy professionals towards the management of acute childhood diarrhea and comparing them with their actual practices in Jazan Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (K.S.A). Methods: Simulated patient visits and a cross-sectional survey making use of a 27-item self-report questionnaire were conducted amongst a sample of 303 community pharmacy professionals (51.2 % male and 48.8 % female) with an age range of 25-56 years, between August 1 and December 1, 2021, in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. Convenience sampling technique was used for the recruitment of the participants. Results: Significant positive correlations were seen between knowledge score (self-report survey) and practice score (simulated patient visit) regarding patients' history taking (r = 0.65; p < 0.01), drug recommendations (r = 0.71; p < 0.01) and providing information regarding food and fluid intake (r = 0.44; p < 0.01). The alpha coefficients for all the items of the survey instrument were noted to be greater than (or) equal to the 0.70 threshold for almost all sections, hence indicating good reliability and internal consistency of the developed scale. Conclusion: In the present study, even though we observed improved participants' performance during the self report survey, their performance level greatly dropped in actual practice. This warrants for a need for educational programs to improve their actual dispensing practices. The present study has also shown simulated patient visits to be a reliable, simple and a robust method of assessing the actual dispensing practices of community pharmacy professionals.

All-solid-state paper-based potentiometric combined sensor modified with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and molecularly imprinted polymer for monitoring losartan drug in pharmaceuticals and biological samples.

A cost-effective, highly selective and sensitive paper-based potentiometric combined sensor for losartan potassium drug (LOS) is fabricated, characterized and used for the drug monitoring. The sensor consists of 2 strips of filter paper (20 × 5 mm each) as platform, each imprinted with 4 mm diameter circular spot of carbon. One carbon spot is covered by a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for use as a substrate for the recognition sensor and the other without rGO is used for the reference electrode. LOS molecularly imprinted drug polymer (MIP) is applied onto the graphene oxide containing strip to act as a drug recognition sensing material and a solid-state polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is applied onto the second carbon spot to act as a reference electrode. Performance characteristics of the combined sensor are examined with chronopotentiometry (CP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Increase effect of rGO on the interfacial double-layer capacitance of the sensing membrane and consequently on the potential stability is confirmed. The developed combined sensor (strip cell) displays a Nernstian slope of -58.2 ± 0.3 mV/decade (R2 = 0.9994) over the linear range 8.5 × 10-7 - 6.9 × 10-2 M with a detection limit of 2.7 ± 0.3 × 10-7 M. The sensor shows remarkable selectivity toward various related compounds especially those commonly used by the COVID-19 patients such as paracetamol, ascorbic acid and dextromethorphan. The assay method is validated and proved to be satisfactory for direct potentiometric determination of LOS-K in some pharmaceutical formulations and in spiked human urine samples. An average recovery of 96.3 ± 0.3-98.7 ± 0.6% of the nominal or spiked concentration and a mean relative standard deviation of ±0.6% are obtained. The use of an indicating and a reference electrodes combined into a single flexible disposable paper platform enables applications to a minimum sample volume due to the close proximity of the responsive membrane and the liquid junction. The efficiency of the proposed sensor in complex urine matrix suggests its application in hospitals for rapid diagnosis of overdose patients and for quality control/quality assurance tests in pharmaceutical industry.

Health and Hygiene as a Factor of Destination Competitiveness: A Comparative Study Using Synchronic and Diachronic Data

Health and hygiene is a provision of conditions to maintain public health, and make tourists feel safer and tourism destinations become more competitive. The existing research has been conceptual or critical, and scarce empirical studies focus mainly on single-case studies. Therefore, this study came to fill a knowledge gap and analyse the importance and relationship between health and hygiene and destination competitiveness through a case study of the world's most visited tourism destinations. The study employed three techniques to analyse the synchronic and diachronic data of the destinations, i.e. comparative analysis, graphical analysis, and One-way ANOVA. The results show that health and hygiene are the most important of the 14 pillars measuring destination competitiveness. The graphical analysis indicates a positive correlation between the health and hygiene pillar and overall competitiveness. This study should be an impetus for applied scientific research for public health policy and tourism competitiveness.

An Empirical Study of Students' Perception of and Key Factors Affecting Overall Satisfaction in an Intensive Block Mode and Flipped Classroom

Results of recent studies have suggested that intensive methods of delivery might improve engagement, attendance, and achievement for students from diverse backgrounds. Contributing to this area of inquiry, this study assesses how students perceived their experience studying a certificate course that was delivered in an online intensive block mode and flipped classroom (BMFC), pedagogy amidst COVID-19 restrictions. The subjects were students enrolled at Melbourne Institute of Technology between July 2021 and January 2022 across four certificate courses, three at postgraduate and one at undergraduate level. These certificate courses differed from normal degree courses in several aspects: (a) a shorter 4-week (undergraduate) or 5-week (postgraduate), instead of a 12-week duration, (b) subjects were taken sequentially instead of concurrently as in a normal semester, (c) taught using an online flipped classroom rather than the in-class approach, and (d) open to both high-school leavers and mature aged students who did not study full-time. A questionnaire involving 10 perception-based questions was used to survey students' satisfaction with the BMFC delivery, in relation to their learning and engagement experience. The mean, median, and mode calculated from the responses revealed that students regarded the BMFC approach as more satisfied than not on a 5-star rating scale in 7 out of the 10 questions. This is further supported by high correlations among the questions (the lowest at r = 0.48 and the highest at r = 0.87). Multiple regression analysis using the first nine questions as predictors of the 10th question (overall satisfaction) revealed that six of these are statistically significant predictors (p < 0.05) of the overall satisfaction, implying that an increase in the overall satisfaction can potentially be achieved by improving these key factors of the BMFC delivered certificate courses. Our findings correlate with existing research that student learning and engagement might be improved by intensive modes of delivery. Furthermore, the BMFC pedagogy proposed in our study differentiates us from existing research, where block scheduling was used only in a face-to-face delivery in pre COVID-19 environment. Our study, therefore, contributes a novel delivery method for learning and teaching that is suitable for both online and face-to-face mode in a post COVID-19 era.

Diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease patients in Babylon governorate

Ischemic heart disease is the most common cardiovascular disease and causeof death in both males and females. Our study, conducted in Babylon governorate, aim of study To determine association between diabetic millets with risk factors among patients with ischemic heart disease in shaheedAlmuhrab center of cath& cardiac surgery in Hilla city. The method of study A cross-sectional study was conducted in center shaheedAlmuhrab center of cath& cardiac surgery The apparent association of diabetic Miletus with age, gender, and socioeconomic status is highly significant (0.019,0.047 and 0.045) respectively. And family history is not significant with diabetic Miletus p-value 0.142. While diabetes mellitus with hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and COVID-19 are highly significant (0.0001,0.029 and 0.01) respectively, whereas diabetic Miletus, smoking and exercise are significantp-value (0.013 and 0.005) respectively, but drinking alcohol is not significant p-value 0.410. Even though waist circumference and body mass index are linked to diabetes, they are very importantp-value (0.002 and 0.006) respectively. conclusion show result risk factor diabetic highly association between age,gender, socioeconomic status, hypertension and chronic kidney disease and covid-19 can cause ischemic heart disease. Also sedentary exercise smoking and anthropometric measurement.

Online shopping during the Covid-19 crisis: the impact of anthropomorphic virtual agents on consumers’ psychological states

Because of the unpredictability and uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, online shopping and the use of artificial intelligence featured in the e-commerce have helped companies in attracting clients through a better online shopping environment and experience. However, the e-commerce still lacks human warmth to pretend and equalise with in-store human interactions and experience. This paper addresses this issue by examining the anthropomorphic characteristics of the embodied virtual agent and by measuring their impact on the user’s state of flow and telepresence experience. To identify the characteristics that could potentially make virtual agents more ‘humanised’, an exploratory approach was implemented. An experimentation survey with 660 internet users followed to test the relation between the anthropomorphic dimensions of embodied virtual agents and consumers’ psychological states and online word of mouth. Our findings confirm the influence of the anthropomorphic characteristics investigated in improving consumers’ psychological states. Copyright © 2022 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Restrictions: Concerns and Opinions among Individuals in Saudi Arabia.

(1) Background: Recent studies in Saudi Arabia have indicated that a small proportion of the population is hesitant to receive COVID-19 vaccines due to uncertainty about their safety. The objective of this study was therefore to examine concerns about COVID-19 vaccines in Saudi Arabia; (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed Saudi residents aged 14 years and older. The online questionnaire consisted of the following sections: (1) demographics; (2) knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines and sources of information; (3) COVID-19 vaccines worry scale; and (4) opinions about restrictions placed on unvaccinated individuals in Saudi Arabia. An adjusted regression model was computed to examine the relationships between demographic factors and worry about COVID-19 vaccines. All analyses were stratified by age, with those aged 19 years and above considered adults and those aged younger than 19 years considered as adolescents; (3) Results: A total of 1002 respondents completed the survey. Of the study sample, 870 were aged ≥19 years and 132 were aged <19 years. Of the adults in the study sample, 52% either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "I am worried about the potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccinations in children". Among adults, females demonstrated higher levels of worry about COVID-19 vaccines than males (ß = 1.142; p = 0.004) in the adjusted analyses. A high percentage of the participants either disagreed or strongly disagreed with allowing unvaccinated individuals to enter malls, schools, universities or to live freely without restrictions; (4) Conclusions: A high proportion of individuals in Saudi Arabia are concerned about possible side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, and many believe that unvaccinated individuals should not be restricted from participating in public life. It is therefore crucial to provide easily accessible information on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in order to accelerate vaccination and minimize hesitancy regarding any future vaccinations that may be necessary.

The passage of time in Iraq during the covid-19 pandemic.

The covid-19 global pandemic has influenced the day-to-day lives of people across the world. One consequence of this has been significant distortion to the subjective speed at which people feel like time is passing. To date, temporal distortions during covid-19 have mainly been studied in Europe. The current study therefore sought to explore experiences of the passage of time in Iraq. An online questionnaire was used to explore the passage of time during the day, week and the 11 months since the first period of covid-19 restrictions were imposed in Iraq. The questionnaire also measured affective and demographic factors, and task-load. The results showed that distortions to the passage of time were widespread in Iraq. Participants consistently reported a slowing of the passage of time for the day and the week during the pandemic in comparison to normal (i.e. before the pandemic). Participants also reported that it felt like longer than 11-months since the first lockdown began. The passage of time during the day and week were not predicted by any demographic, affective or task-load measures taken in the study. The perceived length of time since the first lockdown was however predicted by stress and change of life due to covid, with greater stress and greater change of life being associated with greater subjective lengthening of the pandemic. The findings indicate that whilst distortions to the passage of time during covid-19 appear to be a global phenomenon, the factors which predict temporal experience during the pandemic differ between countries and cultures.