ABSTRACT
Introduction: The worldwide lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been reported to have an impact on many people's quality of life. This study aims to measure the quality of life for Malaysians during this time and its associated factors. Method(s): This national online survey from August to December 2021 via placement of QR codes in public places such as shopping malls, vaccination centres, and hospital outpatient clinics. The QR code is linked to a google form in Malay, which consists of four sections, including: socio-demographic;validated Fear of COVID-19 Scale;validated Brief COPE scale to assess coping strategies as well as regulating cognition in response to stressors coping mechanisms, and quality of life, measured using a validated WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. The data collected were analysed via linear regression to obtain the final model. Result(s): There were 4904 Malaysian adults who participated in this survey with a mean of age 32(SD=9.2), and the majority being female (83.7%). Based on the finding, 59.1% claim to have had a low overall quality of life during the pandemic. Age, education status, and income as well as psychological related predictors (fear of COVID-19, coping strategies, and psychological distress) are the predictors that explain 69% of the total variance in quality of life among Malaysians. Conclusion(s): Targeting modifiable factors such as psychoeducation on fear of COVID-19, and coping strategies can potentially improve the quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic among Malaysians.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Human Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2). Favipiravir is an oral, broad-spectrum inhibitor of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The Malaysian national consensus guidelines recommended standard favipiravir dosage (1800mg BD day 1 and 800mg BD for 5-14days) to treat COVID-19 pneumonia, which was complied by HSNZ since January 2021. A study in Thailand noted better prognosis in patients given higher favipiravir doses. The Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah infectious disease team applied compassionate treatment, with increased doses (>45mg/kg/day) since June 2021. This study aims to compare the clinical deterioration of patients receiving high or standard doses of favipiravir. Method(s): This is a retrospective cohort study. Electronic medical record of 122 patients admitted during January to August 2021 were selected. Clinical deterioration is defined by occurrence of hypoxia requiring increased oxygenation throughout admission. Analysis via chi-square and Man-Whitney U test were done to compare among two groups. Result(s): The mean age is 57.4+/-16.3 y/o, with 65 (53.3%) men, and 117 (95.9%) Malays. Median day of illness upon admission is 5 (IQR: 3-6), 72(59%) patients have underlying comorbidities. There is no significant difference in baseline characteristics among both groups. Chi-square analysis of occurrence hypoxic deterioration shows no significant difference. However, significant difference is noted in days to deterioration (p<0.001) with high dose 6 days (IQR: 5-7.75), vs standard dose 1 days (IQR: 1-3). Conclusion(s): Among COVID-19 category 4 patients, high dose favipiravir shows superiorly in delaying clinical deterioration, however no significant difference in occurrence of deterioration.