ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between student motivation, student mindset, computer competency, and behavioural intention to continue using e-learning in the post-COVID-19 era among students at the community colleges in Kelantan, Malaysia. This quantitative study used a self-administered online survey questionnaire, and a convenience sampling method was employed to reach the respondents. Partial least square structural equation modelling (SmartPLS) 4.0 was then used for data analysis. The results of the current study reveal that community college students have a high behavioural intention to continue using e-learning in the post-COVID-19 era, and that behavioural intention positively correlates with student motivation and computer competency. However, there is limited evidence to support the relationship between student mindset and their behavioural intention to continue using e-learning in the post-COVID-19 era. Practically, the findings from this study can be an essential landmark to the management of Community Colleges in determining the direction of future learning in community colleges. © 2023 by the authors.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious global health problem that was first detected in Wuhan, China. Insufficient level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards the preventive measures of COVID-19 lead to the economic downturn, rise in the number of infected people daily and increase mortality rate. Objective(s): This study was conducted to evaluate KAP towards COVID-19 preventive measures and symptoms among individuals living in Kedah. Material(s) and Method(s): A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing online questionnaires among 388 individuals living in different districts in Kedah. Descriptive frequency analysis was used to summarise the socio-demographic characteristics. Chi-Square Test and Fisher Exact Test were used to identify the association between demographic characteristics and level of KAP. Spearman's correlation was used to assess the relationship between the dependent variables. Result(s) and Conclusion(s): The mean score obtained for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 9.67 +/- 1.64, 20.89 +/- 3.03 and 10.13 +/- 1.12, respectively. A significant association (p< 0.05) was found between respondent's demographic characteristics with the level of knowledge (age, gender, level of education, marital status, occupation), and level of practice (gender, level of education). This study also reported no significant association between respondent's demographic characteristics with the level of attitude. There was a positive correlation between knowledge - attitude (rs =0.103, p<0.05), knowledge - practice (rs =0.111, p<0.05) and attitude - practice (rs =0.207, p<0.05). This study shows that the greater a person's level of knowledge, the higher the level of attitude and practice. This study will provide essential groundwork data to help health officials facilitate the implementation of effective policy regarding COVID-19 preventive measures in Kedah.
ABSTRACT
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection a pandemic in December 2019, observational and interventional studies have been underway to investigate potential therapeutic options to treat and prevent the progression of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Most COVID-19 patients develop mild to moderate symptoms. However, elderly patients suffering from chronic comorbidities and immunocompromised patients are susceptible to more severe life-threatening presentations. Convalescent plasma and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) are two attractive options for managing and preventing severe COVID-19. However, current literature does not confirm nor deny the efficacy of the convalescent plasma and IVIg against COVID-19. Moreover, there is much concern considering the safety of blood-derived immune products. For these reasons, the current clinical guidelines do not recommend for or against the use of blood-derived immune products for managing COVID-19 cases. This article summarizes recent evidence on the safety and efficacy of the convalescent plasma and IVIg in COVID-19 patients.
ABSTRACT
Background and objectives: Children suffering from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) usually present with mild symptoms and show lower mortality rates than adults. However, there have been several recent reports of more severe hyperinflammatory presentation in pediatric COVID-19 patients. This review article aims to summarize the current literature available on the main clinical features and management approaches of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Methods: The authors searched different indexing databases for observational and interventional studies using search terms including "Coronavirus, COVID-19, pediatric, MIS-C, Kawasaki, and inflammation." The retrieved publications were further assessed for relevance to the topic. Only relevant articles were included in writing this review article. Main body: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome temporally related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in pediatrics. It is characterized by persistent fever, rash, elevated inflammatory markers, and multiorgan failure with increasing rates of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal involvement. The exact pathophysiologic mechanisms of MIS-C are still unknown, but it is postulated to be due to an exaggerated immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is diagnosed by exclusion of other underlying causes of organ failure. There is a lack of clinical evidence on the management of MIS-C. The current guidelines depend mainly on expert opinion based on the management of other hyper-inflammatory syndromes in children. Patients suffering from MIS-C are treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), corticosteroids, infliximab, tocilizumab, and anakinra. Conclusions: Despite the growing reports on COVID-19 in children, there is still a lot to elucidate on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and subsequent management of MIS-C. Further trials are needed to investigate new approaches to manage MIS-C. Specific evidence-based guideline for management of MIS-C should be tailored to the current available information on MIS-C.