ABSTRACT
High stigma toward COVID-19 sufferers was observed in Indonesia's and Malaysia's social media spheres, especially at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. This study compared individual and interpersonal stigmas through analysis of online conversations and established government protocols in handling COVID-19 in Malaysia and Indonesia. The critical narrative found was 'blaming others,' pointing fingers toward other actors, such as certain ethnic and religious groups, for the continuous spread of the virus. We found that stigmatisation of COVID-19 in Indonesia and Malaysia pointed out jarring concerns, 1) lack of knowledge on COVID-19, 2) the need for effective and efficient dissemination of information to avoid victim blaming, and 3) politicisation of COVID-19 for one's benefit. In times of public health crises such as COVID-19, governments should not only be responsive in formulating just policies that could help to control the spread of the virus but also mitigate stigmatization towards certain members of society. For Indonesian and Malaysian governments, while there were attempts to address COVID-19 stigma through various online and offline campaigns, observers expressed concern over the lack of recognition of the effects of stigma in COVID-19 official protocols. We discovered that COVID-19 protocols did not provide sufficient information on how to develop a safe environment for COVID-19 sufferers, thus preventing people from getting health treatment and other public services during the pandemic. Also, the protocols were found to have strengthened existing negative stereotypes toward marginalised groups.
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of mental health problems among antenatal women has escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Physical activity palys role to reduce depression and anxiety, which required to be studied further. This study aimed to assess the association between physical activity with depression and anxiety among antenatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study applied convenience sampling to recruit 544 antenatal women from March to June 2021. Questionnaires including the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS), state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), and pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ) were distributed via social media to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and physical activity level. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, mann-whitney, and kruskal wallis tests. Out of 544 antenatal women, 24.1% of them had depressive symptoms and 82.4% had anxiety. Only 12.1% of the women were sufficiently active during the pandemic. There was no association between physical activity, depression, and anxiety. The high prevalence of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic among Malaysian antenatal women underscores the urgent need for addressing this public health burden. Interventions to alleviate the symptoms should include strategies beyond physical activity, for example, a mobile application or telephone-delivered social support that is made easily accessible throughout the pandemic. © 2022, Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical and nursing students are faced with various challenges such as the need to attend online classes and juggling clinical postings under the new norm. This study aimed to assess the association between depression, anxiety, and behavioural changes among medical and nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed between March 2021 and July 2021 to 292 undergraduates medical and nursing students in a higher education institute on the East Coast of Malaysia. The questionnaires consisted of four parts: sociodemographic data, the Generalised Anxiety Disor-der-7, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and questions related to behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study found that 23.6% and 33.6% of the students experienced anxiety and depression respectively, possibly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety was associated with a high level of behavioural changes during the pandemic with a total of 87% of the students showing behavioural changes. Therapeutic interventions such as online counselling and consultation should be implemented by the university to reduce the prevalence of depression and anxiety resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic among medical and nursing students. © 2022, Tech Science Press. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the delivery of healthcare services within the NHS. To relieve burden, elective procedures were ceased. This included venesection, the treatment for haemochromatosis, a disease characterised by excessive dietary iron absorption. Evidence suggests that a physiological result of ageing is reduced iron absorption. Therefore, an arbitrary cut-off age for venesection cessation was established at over 70, in attempt to limit adverse outcomes. However, management guidelines state that treatment is required lifelong, though there is no evidential basis for this. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the effect of cessation of venesection on serum ferritin (SF) level and liver function in patients aged over 70 at the Royal Derby Hospital (RDH). Primarily, it was to assess whether venesection cessation was safe. Haemochromatosis patients, aged over 70 at RDH were the group of interest. Only those who were receiving maintenance venesection at the time of treatment cessation (SF < 150 μg/l) were included. Using the software CITO, their genotypes were identified and only those with HFE mutation were selected. The sample group was composed of 44 patients with conventional HFE hereditary haemochromatosis (biallelic HFE mutation) and seven with monoallelic HFE mutation, who were used as a comparator. SF, ALT, ALP and GGT levels before and after venesection cessation were collected. Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA, to test for a significant difference between blood test parameters before versus after treatment cessation. The rate of change in SF per day was calculated for both groups. Patients did not receive treatment for a median of 403 days (1 year and 38 days). No significant difference was noted between GGT, ALT and ALP levels before versus after treatment cessation. There was a statistically significant increase in SF before versus after treatment cessation ( z = -4.532), p < 0.001) at the 99% confidence level. The median SF before treatment cessation was 74 μg/l compared to 124.5 μg/l just before treatment re-initiation. However, this did not prove to be clinically significant, as only 1/44 patients had a SF that rose above the normal reference range of 30-400 μg/l. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of change in SF per day between patients with biallelic HFE mutation (median = was 0.14 μg/l/day) compared to patients with monoallelic HFE mutation (median = 0.10 μg/l/day) at the 95% confidence level. Venesection cessation was safe for patients aged over 70 with HFE haemochromatosis at RDH. The results suggest that venesection does not need to be lifelong, but can safely be paused-not ceased, after the age of 70 for 5-year intervals. Results can facilitate the establishment of new clinical guidelines for the treatment of haemochromatosis. (Table Presented).
ABSTRACT
Currently, nurses’ job performance in Nigeria’s public healthcare system has been called into question and is under more pressure due to global COVID-19 pandemic. In order to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and promptness of Nigeria’s public healthcare service delivery, this study seeks to explore how work engagement could play a key role in explaining the influence of organisational commitment on nurses’ job performance. A survey based questionnaire, using a simple random technique was employed in collecting in data from 406 nurses of public hospitals in Kaduna State. The data were analysed employing the partial least squares-structural equation model (PLS-SEM). Results demonstrate that affective and normative commitment wield positive significant effects on nurses’ job performance, while work engagement significantly mediates affective commitment, normative commitment and nurses’ job performance relationships. Consequently, this study recommends that the management of public healthcare system and policymakers should improve the commitment of nurses through work engagement. Copyright © 2021 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
ABSTRACT
An antiviral vaccine for COVID-19 is not yet available. Research on polychaete has revealed the ability of its purified haemoglobin in assisting oxygenation to vital organs. Polychaete's blood and tissue extracts were used as an oxygen-carrier and as a reducing agent in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), respectively. Polychaete-based oxygen carrier can be used in organ preservation and as potential treatment for near-death COVID-19 patients. Ag-NPs from polychaete, which are known for possessing excellent antimicrobial properties, may serve as a raw material for various products, including disinfectant, coating materials for paint, handrail, personal care and healthcare products, such as personal protective equipment (PPE). The COVID-19 pandemic may be a catalyst to unveil hidden potentials of polychaete, particularly its therapeutic properties in medicine. © 2020 Portland Press Limited. All Rights Reserved.