The technology acceptance model and beyond: factors influencing physicians' intention to use teleconsultations

Background/Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the implementation of telehealth and virtual care services. Clinicians must be comfortable using this technology in order for it to be developed effectively and implemented consistently. This study evaluated the influence of various factors, including those theorised in the technology acceptance model, on physicians' intention to use teleconsultations in their clinical practice in Chennai, India. Methods: A snowball sampling method was used to distribute an online survey to physicians in Chennai, India. The survey measured respondents' intention to use teleconsultations (dependent variable), along seven independent variables relating to this technology (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, physicians' attitudes, social influences, facilitating conditions, perceived compatibility with the clinical area and trust). A total of 165 responses were collected. Results were analysed using descriptive and correlational statistics, along with multiple linear regression. Results: All seven independent variables were found to be significantly associated with the dependent variable (P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the independent variables accounted for 67.8% of the variance in respondents' intention to use teleconsultations. Conclusions: Physicians' intention to use teleconsultations is complex and multi-faceted. Although the factors theorised by the technology acceptance model were significantly associated with intention to use telemedicine, other factors were also found to be important, including social influences, external facilitating factors, perceived compatibility with the clinical area and personal trust in technology.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake - What motivates & what hesitates?

Introduction: Vaccination against COVID-19 can help prevent serious complications and death. The World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Groups of Experts (SAGE) collated few evidences that vaccine hesitancy was due to socio-psychological factors like decreased trust on the safety or the effectiveness of the vaccines. In Malaysia, the main challenge was to ensure the broadest possible acceptance of COVID-19 vaccinations. This study aimed to assess the association between complete vaccination status with health factors and perception towards COVID-19 vaccine uptake amongst people living in Seberang Perai, Penang. Method(s): A cross-sectional study among 410 adults aged >=18 years old was carried out using convenience sampling technique in September 2021. Validated items related to vaccine perceptions were adapted from previous literature. Baseline vaccination data were obtained from the vaccination centre at Hospital Seberang Jaya. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using SPSS version 22.0. Result(s): The mean age of the respondents was 31 (standard deviation (SD) +/- 10) years. A total of 317 respondents were women. More than half of them, 219 (53.7%) were tertiary educated. Total of 147 respondents completed vaccination and there was a significant difference between gender and age, p<0.001 and p=0.013, respectively. There was also a significant difference between vaccination status and perceptions on COVID-19 vaccines to be safe and effective (OR: 4.8, 95% CI: 1.2, 18.2, p=0.013). Conclusion(s): There were no associations between vaccination and health status, while those perceived COVID-19 vaccine to be safe and effective were more likely to be vaccinated as compared to those who did not.

Psychological Impact Among Newly Diagnosed Covid-19 Positive Cases

Background: India was one of the worst affected countries during the second wave of COVID-19 infection. The pandemic brought in a multitude of psychological problems leading to a negative impact on the mental health of affected individuals. Several studies across the globe have assessed the psychological impact of this pandemic in general and vulnerable populations with a scanty data in the assessment of those found positive for this condition. Material(s) and Method(s): This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study conducted at a tertiary health care centre involved in the management of COVID-19 cases. Cases were assessed using a semi structured proforma for socio demographic and clinical details, Impact of Events Scale Revised (IES-R) and Patient Health Questionnaire- 9 S6(PHQ-9) to assess psychological impact. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Result(s): A total of 60 individuals participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 50.8 +/- 14.10 years, with a majority of males (65%). More than half (53%) of the individuals had minimal severity on IES-R while about 9% showed moderate to severe levels. About 32% had minimal depression while 25% had moderately severe or severe depression on PHQ-9 score. A significant positive correlation was observed between number of deaths due to COVID-19 infection in the family and IES-R scores. Conclusion(s): Higher levels of stress and depression were found among those found positive for COVID-19. This highlights the need for early assessment of psychological problems and timely intervention to avoid long term psychiatric sequelae to those affected by COVID-19 infection.

Associated Factors to Clinical Outcomes of Covid-19 among Hospitalized Patients Undergoing Maintenance Dialysis

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly became a global pandemic since its emergence in China in December 2019, affecting more than 4.5 million people since then. Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease on dialysis are said to be susceptible to COVID-19 infection. Data published on COVID-19 among this vulnerable group are limited, hence this study aimed to determine the clinico- demographic characteristics of patients on maintenance dialysis with COVID-19 infection and its association to clinical outcomes in a tertiary hospital in Baguio City, Philippines. Method(s): This is a cross-sectional study with a retrospective design utilizing chart review of 165 of 203 dialysis patients admitted at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) for COVID-19 infection from March 01, 2020 to December 31, 2021. The clinico- demographic characteristics were described and it determined the association of these to clinical outcomes. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in this study. Result(s): The mean age was 53.48 years old with male predominance. About 97% were on hemodialysis, whereas 2.5% were on peritoneal dialysis. Dialysis vintage mean was 3.19 years. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease were the most common comorbidities. Majority of them had severe COVID-19 (69%). Diabetes Mellitus as a comorbidity and COVID-19 severity status were associated with mortality, ICU admission and use of mechanical ventilation. Presence of outliers in length of hospital stay based on COVID-19 severity status and ICU admission was also observed. Conclusion(s): Diabetes Mellitus and COVID-19 severity status were associated with poor outcomes. Therefore, special attention should be given to this group emphasizing the importance of taking appropriate precautions in order to avoid getting infected with Covid-19. Achievement of good glycemic control should be emphasized. Longer data collection period could also allow future researchers investigate the impact of various treatment schemes and vaccination status on clinical outcomes. No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023

Fear and Anxiety Caused by COVID-19 in the Iranian Society and the Influential Factors

Background: Due to the changing nature of the spread of emerging infectious diseases, such crises could cause significant fear, especially when the disease is associated with high mortality. Fear and anxiety adversely affect health. Objective(s): The present study aimed to investigate the fear and anxiety caused by COVID-19 in the Iranian society and the influential factors in this regard. Method(s): This correlational study was conducted on 458 participants who were recruited for an online survey. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire of COVID-19 fear and Beck's anxiety inventory. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 23 using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics, including t-test and multiple comparisons. Result(s): The prevalence of fear and anxiety was less than 20%. The correlations between the anxiety scores and fear of COVID-19 with demographic variables indicated that the COVID-19 fear scores had a weak correlation with an appeal to religion and efforts to prevent COVID-19 (P_0.05), while no correlation was observed with the other variables. In addition, the anxiety scores had weak, inverse correlations with the effort to prevent COVID-19 and satisfaction with the government's effort (P_0.05). Conclusion(s): According to the results, the fear of COVID-19 and the subsequent anxiety is mild in the Iranian society. Low anxiety and fear caused by the disease could lead to negligence and disregarding health standards, which will increase the number of these patients in the community.Copyright © 2021, Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences.

Awareness of COVID-19 and its Vaccine Acceptability among Young Adult Population of Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria

There have been controversies hovering around Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although this disease has claimed lives, the effort is on top gear to stop or prevent the consequences of this virus infection by producing a potent antidote in the form of a vaccine. Many vaccines have been produced and distributed worldwide, yet, the awareness and willingness to accept the vaccine has become a great challenge in many countries, including Nigeria. However, this study evaluates the knowledge, awareness of COVID-19 and willingness to accept the vaccine among the young adult population of Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. A descriptive, cross-sectional, and multistage sampling technique was adopted in this study. The questionnaire was administered to 184 consented participants who were within the targeted age range. Data obtained were subjected to inferential statistics using the chi-square test, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. 106 female and 78 male respondents were interviewed. 78.3% of the female population showed that COVID-19 and its vaccine exist, 17% and 19.2% of respective gender neither convey that it exists or not. The respondents (male and female) agree that there is a vaccine, and 85.8% of the females and 85.9% of the males were not eager to be vaccinated. This study revealed that most respondents believe COVID-19 and its vaccine exist but don't know much about their actions. As a result, many are unwilling to accept the vaccine. Though this finding is not gender-based, more awareness programs should be done to increase the vaccine acceptance rate.Copyright © 2022 International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Phytopharmacological Research. All rights reserved.

Lesson learned from the pandemic for learning physics

Background: Valuable safeguards against fast‐spreading conjectures about learning in times of fear and uncertainty are evidence‐based approaches to the assessment of the impact of sudden and unforeseen disruptions on learning practices. The present research focused on physics learning in such times because conceptual and computational literacy in physics is critical to the development of a scientifically and technologically literate society. Objectives: The present research aimed (a) to offer an objective assessment of whether performance differences in a physics course of the general education curriculum existed between the face‐to‐face medium (familiar mode of instruction) and the online medium (unfamiliar mode of instruction) for both male and female students, and then (b) to develop a response to the evidence collected to ensure a quality education for all parties involved. The research intended to fill two critical gaps in the extant literature: mixed findings concerning students' performance in the face‐to‐face and online mediums as well as scarce coverage of specific domains of knowledge that are critical to STEM learners. Methods: Students' performance was examined as a function of the type of assessment (formative and summative), instructional mode (online and face‐to‐face), and gender. An understudied student population of STEM students of Middle Eastern descent without prior formal exposure to online instruction was targeted. Results and Conclusions: In both formative and summative assessments, male students performed better online than face‐to‐face, whereas the performance of female students was either higher online or equivalent between instructional mediums. The evidence collected suggested that consideration be given to remedies that foster academic success in the face‐to‐face instructional medium, particularly for male students. Takeaways: An evidence‐based approach to learning dismantled emotion‐driven expectations regarding the impact of the online medium on physics learning, and encouraged new perspectives about instruction. Lay Description: What is already known?: Ongoing debates on the impact of the pandemic on students' learning shape decisions regarding future reliance on the online medium for instruction. What this paper adds: The extant literature is mixed concerning performance in the face‐to‐face and online mediums, including particular domains of knowledge critical to STEM learning.This study focused on physics learning in an understudied population of STEM students who were unaccustomed to online instruction.Performance was higher online than face‐to‐face, but gender differences emerged. Implications for practice: Lessons learned focused on the flexibility of online learning and on the need to develop materials to enhance learning in males enrolled in face‐to‐face or hybrid/blended classes.

Social Workers Response to Domestic Violence and Abuse during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The rapid global spread of COVID-19 has put increased pressure on health and social service providers, including social workers who continued front line practice throughout the pandemic, engaging with some of the most vulnerable in society often experiencing multiple adversities alongside domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Movement restrictions and stay-at-home orders introduced to slow the spread of the virus, paradoxically leave these families at even greater risk from those within the home. Utilising a survey methodology combining both open- and closed-ended questions, this study captured a picture of social work practice in Ireland with families experiencing DVA during the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight both the changes and challenges in work practices and procedures that limit social work assessment and quality contact with families, changes to the help-seeking behaviours from victims/survivors, as well as emerging innovative practice responses with enhanced use of technology. Implications for practice include an increased awareness of the risk and prevalence of DVA accelerated by the pandemic. Conclusions assert that social work assessment and intervention with families experiencing DVA must remain adaptive to the changing COVID-19 context and continue to develop innovative practice approaches.

Normative Data for the Impairment Measure for Parental Food Allergy-Associated Anxiety and Coping Tool (IMPAACT) in a Canadian Sample

Rationale: The Impairment Measure for Parental Food Allergy-Associated Anxiety and Coping Tool (IMPAACT) is a food-allergy anxiety questionnaire for parents of children with food allergy. While the measure has been recently validated, normative data has not yet been presented. As such, the current study provides preliminary cut-scores and percentiles to help facilitate its use as a screening tool. Methods: Parents of children with food allergy were largely recruited through national and local patient organizations and were asked to complete questionnaires aimed at assessing their demographics and IMPAACT scores pre/post COVID-19. While the data was primarily analyzed descriptively (n/N, %, mean, SD, percentiles), inferential statistics were used to assess the relationship between the IMPAACT and various participant characteristics. Results: The final sample consisted of 281 parents (mothers=92%) and ranged in age from 27-64 years. The majority of participants reported having one child with a food allergy (85%). Allergies to peanuts were most common (79%), followed by tree nuts (56%), eggs (33%), and cow's milk (24%). IMPAACT scores were significantly lower following the outbreak of COVID-19 relative to the period prior to the outbreak (mean 87.89 [SD=36.44] vs. 102.97 [SD=33.71], p<0.001;maximum possible score: 196). Given these differences in food allergy anxiety before and after the pandemic, percentiles and cut-scores for both periods are presented. IMPAACT scores greater than 125, or 112 during periods of public health restrictions/reduced socialization, may merit further evaluation. Conclusions: Findings provide preliminary cut-points and percentiles that may help identify parents with elevated levels of food allergy anxiety.

Drinking during social isolation: investigating associations between stress, inhibitory control, boredom, drinking motives, and alcohol use

Background: We aimed to assess whether stress, boredom, drinking motives, and/or inhibitory control were related to alcohol use during a period of social isolation. Method: Analyses were carried out on questionnaire data (N = 337) collected during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (7 April–3 May 2020). We first assessed changes in drinking behavior, stress and boredom. We then regressed drinking behavior on drinking motives, inhibitory control, stress, and boredom. We also investigated interactions between change in stress/boredom and inhibitory control. Results: A minority of respondents reported increased alcohol use (units = 23.52%, drinking days = 20.73%, heavy days = 7.06%), alcohol-related problems (9.67%), and stress (36.63%). Meanwhile, most respondents reported increased boredom (67.42%). Similarly, boredom significantly increased (B = 21.22, p <.001), on average, while alcohol-related problems decreased (B = −1.43 p <.001). Regarding drinking motives, decreased alcohol-related problems were associated with social drinking motives (B = −0.09, p =.005). Surprisingly, risk-taking was associated with decreased alcohol-related problems (B = −0.02, p =.008) and neither stress nor boredom independently predicted changes in alcohol use. Finally, several significant interactions suggested that those who were more impulsive and less bored were more likely to report increased alcohol use and vice versa. Conclusions: These data provide a nuanced overview of changes in drinking-related behavior during the COVID-19-induced period of social isolation. While most people reduced their drinking, there was evidence of complex interactions between impulsivity and boredom that may be explored in future studies.

SARS-CoV- 2 infection among vaccinated rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) patients -A tertiary hospital experience in Malaysia

Purpose: To evaluate the SARS-CoV- 2 infection rate among vaccinated RMD patients in a tertiary hospital and its associations. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was performed among adult rheumatology patients who attended follow up at our centre from 1st April 2022 to 30th April 2022. Demographics and clinical data were compared between the vaccinated patients with SARS-CoV- 2 infection, Group 1 (G1) and without SARS-CoV- 2 infection, Group 2 (G2). Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using SPSS version 26. Result(s): We enrolled a total of 212 patients with underlying diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (94 patients, 44.3%), systemic lupus erythematosus (59 patients, 27.8%), spondyloarthropathies (30 patients, 14.2%) and others (29 patients, 13.7%). Of all these patients, 57 (26.9%) had SARS-CoV- 2 infection (G1) with mean (SD) age of 45.2 (+/-14.65) years compared to 53.4 (+/-15.22) years in G2 (P = 0.001). In G1, 50 (87.7%) were female, 32 (56.1%) were Malay and 26 (45.6%) with >= 1 comorbidity. Most patients in G1 received 3 doses of vaccine (n = 36, 63.2%) while 21 (36.8%) completed 2 doses of vaccine. Majority in G1 (n = 46, 80.7%) had clinical stage 2 SARS-CoV- 2 infection. Seven required admission to health care facilities with median stay of 6 +/- 2 days. Twenty-three patients (32.9%) in G1 received more than one immunosuppressive drug. Twenty-one out of 63 patients (33.3%) who had 2 doses of SARS-CoV- 2 vaccine had SARS-CoV- 2 infection compared to 36 out of 149 patients (24.2%) who received 3 doses of vaccine, albeit not significant. Conclusion(s): Despite a quarter of the cohort acquired SARS-CoV- 2 infection, the disease was notably less severe, attributed to younger age, less comorbidity and vaccine effectiveness. Type of immunosuppression and use of more than one immunosuppressive drugs were not associated with SARS-CoV- 2 infection.

Activities to develop computational thinking contextualized with COVID-19 pandemic: A case study

The development of Computational Thinking aims at empowering the individual to solve problems. It is a fundamental skill to be acquired to act in the society of the 21st century. This research is a case study that investigates the development of Computational Thinking skills, in the Remote Teaching modality, with students from the 4th and 5th year of Elementary School, in three Brazilian municipalities. The used data were obtained through an Activities Book, all unplugged and contextualized to the prevention and fight against the coronavirus, bringing content and reality closer in the pandemic moment of COVID-19. Additional qualitative data were obtained from two questionnaires that were presented together with the Activities Book to check the interest, determination and commitment. Evidence collection protocol using resources from Inferential Statistics assesses student performance, showed no difference in performance between boys and girls. © 2022 IEEE.

A Study of Incidence of Depression, Anxiety, Stress among Homemakers during the Covid Pandemic

Aim and objective: A study of prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among homemakers during the Covid pandemic. Background(s): Studies attempting to find out the mental health state among women in India, especially non-working class of women is very scarce but international studies suggest significant psychiatric morbidity among these class of population, and the current pandemic has had further negative impact on their mental wellbeing, hence this research is necessary to identify the pattern and severity of psychiatric illness which can further enlighten us in designing new protocols and special programs for the mental welfare of Women. materials and methodology: The current study was a cross-sectional, analytical study. This study was conducted from August 2020 to November 2020. This study had been conducted in three villages, which are located nearby our facility in Chennai, among homemaker women. This study had been proceeded after getting the ethical certificate from the institutional ethics committee. Once the study participants met the eligibility criteria, they were included in this study through convenient Sampling technique. The data tool consists of two parts: first, demographic variables like age, gender, place of residence, socio-economic status, and marital and employment status. Second, The DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety and Stress scale) questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among the study participants. The inferential statistics were done using SPSS version 21. Conclusion(s): During the COVID-19 pandemic, depression, stress, and anxiety were very common among housewives. Nearly one-third of stay-at-home moms are overweight. All of the psychiatric illnesses investigated in this study are associated with higher socioeconomic level. Stress is associated with higher levels of education among homemakers. Women who don't get enough sleep are more likely to experience depression. Therefore, all of these Psychiatric health conditions must be taken into consideration as significant entities in similar pandemic situations in the future, especially among homemakers. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

Emerging technologies in facility management in Brazil

PurposeAn interaction between emerging technologies (ETs) for facility management (FM) activities and stakeholder skills is necessary to promote the optimization of FM performance. Previous studies do not show strategies for the selection of ETs in FM considering the technological competencies of stakeholders. Thus, this study analyzes the interactions between ETs and FM from the perceptions of Brazilian professionals, identifying the most appropriate and effective technological solutions, based on a broad literature review. Design/methodology/approachThe steps of the methodology are as follows: systematic literature review (SLR);detailing the ETs for FM;online questionnaire based on SLR findings;sample of Brazilian FM professionals;statistical treatment;and discussion. FindingsResults indicate wireless sensor network, Internet of Thing, building information modeling and Big Data as ETs in FM with greater potential for optimization in the performance of FM activities, from survey respondents. Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of possible findings may have been biased, considering the small number of research participants and current transformations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. changes to standard operating procedures). Practical implicationsThe results ensure greater security to facility managers in the effective implementation of ETs in FM activities. Originality/valueThe research explores the published studies and the consultation with Brazilian FM professionals in the selection of ETs.

A Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Computer Vision Syndrome and Its Prevention among Collegiate Students Attending Online Classes during Covid-19 Pandemic, at Selected Colleges in Chennai, Tamilnadu

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge regarding computer vision syndrome and its prevention among collegiate students attending online classes during COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): The online electronic survey form was prepared on the Google app. The collegiatestudents were asked to respond to the questions asked, which had 2 part, part 1 consist of socio demographic variables, part 2 consist of questions related to CVS and its prevention. Total number of 100 samples were participated in this study, their responses were recorded in google sheet. The analysis have done by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result(s): Onehundred college students responded to the questionnaire. The minimum score out of 20 was two and maximum score was 15, the mean value is 8.12, SD was 2.520. Out of 100 sample, approximately 25 percentage of collegiatestudents alone had more than 50% of knowledge on CVS and its prevention, the majority of 75 percentage of college students had less than 50% of knowledge on CVS and its prevention. The most common digital device used were smartphones (n = 86, 86%). Conclusion(s): Majority of the collegiate students do not have even 50% of knowledge about CVS and its prevention. Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.

Effect of covid 19 situation on stress level of Undergraduate Students: a study from Karad

Stress is a component of students' lives, and it can impair their ability to manage the academic rigours of college life. Their regular labour presents numerous obstacles, resulting in tension. Several studies indicate that there is an immediate need to analyse the influence of the present pandemic scenario on the mental health and well-being of students, which justifies conducting such research in multiple Indian states, including Maharashtra. Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of depression among patients with chronic renal disease and the relationship between depression prevalence and chosen sociodemographic characteristics. 300 nursing students were enrolled in the current study. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study design. In this investigation, a convenient sampling strategy was adopted. The research was conducted at the Karad Krishna Institute of Nursing Sciences. Utilizing the perceived stress scale, the depression was evaluated. Using descriptive and inferential statistics, the acquired data were evaluated and analysed.56.66% of the students in the present study had moderate stress, 26.33 % had high stress, and only 17% of the participants had a low stress level. The data indicate that nursing students had a moderate amount of stress due to the covid scenario. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

Anxiety and indifference in dental careduringthe COVID-19 pandemic

AIM: At present, the population is affected by the immediate impact of the infection by SARS-CoV-2 (CO-VID-19), therefore, in dental care, the patient manifests anxiety and anguish, which causes a inadequate access to oral care services. Objective(s): To determine the relationship between anxiety and indifference in dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material(s) and Method(s): A quantitative, prospective, correlational, cross-sectional, descriptive design study carried out in 179 patients seen in the dental service of a medical center in Chimbote (Peru) who accepted their participation through informed consent. The survey technique was used, modified dental anxiety, anxiety dueto COVID-19 and dental indifference, questionnaires we reused as instruments. Data analysis required descriptive and inferential statistics, with a confidence level of 95%. Result(s): 66% presented moderate dental anxiety, 45% mildanxietydueto COVID-19 and 69% average indi-fference. Dental anxiety was significantly correlated with indifference. Conclusion(s): The Peruvian patients showed that, the greater the fear of dental care, the greater the lack of interest in their oral health. Copyright © 2022, Ediciones Avances S.L.. All rights reserved.

Impact of clinic-provided home blood pressure monitors during COVID-19 pandemic on blood pressure in underserved adults over 50 years old

Introduction: While virtual primary care appointments were essential during COVID-19 pandemic, routine vitals were not available, prohibiting the assessment of hypertension control. As a potential solution, a federally qualified health center in Omaha, Nebraska, provided validated home blood pressure monitors (HBPM) to patients at no-cost. Research Question or Hypothesis: Did providing a validated HBPM to underserved patients over the age of 50 during COVID-19 result in lower blood pressure (BP) compared to those without a HBPM? Study Design: Retrospective, cohort study using data from electronic health records. Methods: This study included patients over 50 years old with hypertension or elevated BP. Intervention patients were provided a HBPM between 3/16/2020 and 9/15/2021 (index date). Primary outcome was change in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared between groups using inferential statistics as appropriate for the data. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess the association of receiving a HBPM and BP change controlling for baseline BP and other confounders. Results: A total of 60 HBPM and 121 comparison patients were included. Mean (sd) baseline SBP did not differ between HBPM and comparison patients at 146 mmHg (26.0) and 147 mmHg (23.8) respectively, p = 0.858. Mean (sd) baseline DBP was lower in the HBPM group at 79 mmHg (13.5) vs 84 mmHg (12.5), p=0.013. SBP change from baseline was -13.7 mmHg (28.7) and -12.8 mmHg (26.2) (p = 0.832) while DBP change was -3.6 mmHg (12.7) versus -5.7 (14.2) (p = 0.346) in HBPM and comparison groups respectively. In multivariable analysis, the HBPM group had a significantly greater reduction in SBP at follow-up versus comparison patients (coefficient: -7.20 [95% CI -13.79, -0.62]). Conclusion: HBPM was a useful tool for maintaining or improving BP in underserved patients during COVID-19.

Factors associated with death and COVID-19 patients with acute liver injury

Objectives: The objective of this study is to find the association between mortality and COVID-19 and risk factors among patients with acute liver injury. Materials and Methods: The research method uses a cross-sectional study design. The participants were COVID-19 patients with acute liver injury admitted in the Field hospital and Somdejphrajaotaksin Maharaj Hospital between 1 March 2020 and 30 September 2021. The data collected included patient's medical history and laboratory results. The analysis used was descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as chi-square and multiple-logistic regression. Results: The results showed that the number of total participants was 806. Patients with advanced age (more than 60 years) (ORadj = 9.72;95%CI = 4.16-22.12), hypoalbuminemia (≤ 3.5 g/dl) (ORadj = 26.92;95%CI = 6.78-106.87), hepatitis (AST>40 U/L) (ORadj = 5.57;95%CI = 1.91-16.28) and those with a length of hospital stay of at least 7 days (ORadj = 0.13;95%CI = 0.03-0.50) showed a statistically significant association with death. Note that mortality showed the greatest effect size with hypoalbuminemia compared with other variables. The severity of coronavirus infection 2019 (mild, moderate to severe), ALT>40 U/L and ALP>126 U/L. It was found that there was no correlation to mortality with statistically significant. Conclusion: Therefore, the treatment for COVID-19 patients with acute liver injury should be prioritized for high risk patients, especially the elderly, patients with hypoalbuminemia (≤ 3.5 g/dl), hepatitis (AST>40 U/L) and patients with long admission days, relative to other patients, in order to prevent mortality. (Table Presented).

Satisfaction with high-fidelity clinical simulation in cardiopulmonary resuscitation during Covid-19

Objective: To assess the satisfaction of novel nurses with high-fidelity clinical simulation in CPR training, during Covid-19. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive observational study. Satisfaction Scale in High Fidelity Clinical Simulation was used, a validated 33-item questionnaire with a Likert-type response. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric inferential statistics (Spearman's correlation) were used to analyze the correlation between the variables. Results: N = 35 (100%). The mean overal satisfaction was 4.97 ± 0.17. The items related to the adequacy of the cases to the knowledge of the participants, the ability to provide care to patients, the benefit of simulation and the impact on improving their technical skills were the best scored (mean of 4.97). A positive and strong relationship was found between items: 4-9, and 27-9 (rho = 0.804;p = 0.000). Conclusions: Satisfaction level of novel nurses with the high-fidelity clinical simulation was high, confirming its usefulness in the CPR learning process during Covid-19 or pandemic outbreaks of the same nature.