ABSTRACT
The consumption of organic food is increasing globally due to heightening awareness of its benefits in terms of nutrients such as antioxidants and minerals as compared to conventional food. Organic food is also safer to consume as it is farmed without using human-made or artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones or regulators and feed additives. Nevertheless, very few studies have been conducted to understand the demand side in purchasing organic foods, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the underlying factors that drive consumers' willingness to purchase organic foods during the inevitable challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the two underpinning theories;Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). A questionnaire-based survey was distributed using WhatsApp messaging to 100 respondents as this method was deemed safer compared to the face-to-face method during the pandemic. PLS-SEM was employed to test the structural relationship of the constructs proposed in the model. The results indicated that response efficacy, attitudes, and subjective norm had a significant influence on consumers' willingness to purchase organic food. The remaining constructs based on the PMT model had no impact on willingness. Further investigation revealed that response efficacy was the most important factor driving consumers to purchase organic food during the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Rynnye Lyan Resources.
ABSTRACT
Catatonia is a common, highly treatable but often unrecognized neuro-behavioral condition that is associated with a wide range of psychiatric and medical etiologies. We present a case report of a 41-year-old female with no prior medical, substance use, or psychiatric history who was brought to the emergency department due to bizarre behavior. History revealed she had fever and cough 1 week prior to onset of the symptoms and was tested positive for COVID-19 infection. She was admitted for COVID-19 infection with encephalopathy. During admission, the patient was found to be in a stuporous state with mutism and slow in response. Physical examination revealed rigidity, posturing and catalepsy. Urine toxicology, computed tomography (CT) brain, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain and lumbar puncture were done and all revealed normal findings. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was performed and showed diffuse slowing of waves. Patient was seen by a neurologist and clinically diagnosed and treated as post COVID-19 catatonia. Her symptoms responded rapidly with benzodiazepine, and she was subsequently discharged home well. This case shows catatonia as the presentation of encephalopathy in association with COVID-19 infection. Saddawi et al concludes that post COVID-19 catatonia pathogenesis is related to systemic inflammation and cytokine storm. Treatment with benzodiazepines results in notable and rapid resolution of catatonia. Therefore clinician should have a high level of suspicion of possible diagnosis of catatonia when a patient in para-infectious or post-infectious states of COVID-19 infection presented with neuropsychiatric symptoms and rigidity. Catatonia is readily treatable and if left untreated, it poses significant risk of morbidity and mortality.
ABSTRACT
The consumption of dietary supplements (DSs) has been steadily increasing in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in most countries. Consumer purchase intention towards DSs is expected to be of concern to many companies in the pharmaceutical industry. This study extends the Theory of Planned Behaviour by adding health consciousness and perceived price in the model to investigate its effect on consumer purchase intention towards DSs during the COVID-19 outbreak. A questionnaire-based survey was distributed via an online survey to 207 respondents. Results from multiple regression analysis revealed that consumer attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and health consciousness contributed significantly to purchase intention towards DSs. Perceived price did not have an impact on intention. Further investigation revealed that favourable attitudes towards DSs were the most important contributor towards purchasing DSs during the COVID-19 pandemic.