Awareness and practice of preventive measures among healthcare workers in medical institutions in Beijing during influenza season on the eve of COVID-19 epidemic: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus, which poses a certain threat to humans due to its short incubation period, fast transmission and strong infectivity. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the awareness and prevention behavior against influenza among healthcare workers on the eve of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in Beijing, China. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the cross-sectional research design based on the principle of convenience sampling, an online questionnaire survey on the knowledge of flu, vaccination, medical protection behavior, and flu medication was conducted between January and February 2020. Healthcare workers from different healthcare facilities and different job positions in Beijing participated in this survey. RESULTS: A total of 1910 healthcare workers from different medical institutions and jobs were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 32.69 ±8.72 years (range: 18-64 years). There were significant differences in knowledge about clinical signs about flu and prevention approaches among different age groups, individuals with different work experience and job titles (χ2 = 8.903-32.839; p < 0.05). Personnel with different job positions and education levels differed only in the knowledge about clinical signs of flu and identification of high-risk populations. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age (odds ratio (OR) = 0.979, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.966-0.992) and education level (OR = 0.736, 95% CI: 0.588-0.921) were risk factors for hand hygiene practices, whereas job position (OR = 1.757, 95% CI: 1.146-2.695) and awareness of high-risk populations (OR = 1.405, 95% CI: 1.096-1.800) were protective factors influencing hand hygiene practices (p < 0.05). The only factor influencing mask wearing was the education level (OR = 0.610, 95% CI: 0.450-0.828). CONCLUSION: The knowledge level and preventive behavior of healthcare workers before the outbreak of COVID-19 has been insufficient.

Preventive practices and parents' psychological health of children with disabilities after COVID-19 lockdown in Pakistan.

AIM: To find out differences in mental health outcomes between parents of children with different disabilities due to COVID-19 by determining the relationship between preventive practices, fear and stress in parents of disabled children. METHODS: A sample of 213 parents, whose children with disabilities (age range 1-16 years) were previously on regular follow-up before pandemic but did not take therapy for 1 year or more during COVID-19 lockdown and resumed sessions after a gap period, was surveyed. Perceived stress scale, fear and adherence to preventive measures questionnaire (developed by researchers) were used to measure stress, fear response of parents due to COVID-19 and preventive measures practiced by disabled children respectively. RESULTS: Parents who had financial difficulties and believed their disabled children had more chance of getting COVID-19 were more stressed. Parents who received any help from community/government were less stressed. One-way analysis of variance showed parents of cerebral palsy (CP) children reported more stress of COVID-19 as compared to parents of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), global developmental delay (GDD) and intellectual disability (ID). Parents of ID children reported more stress than ASD. Parents of CP children had more fear of loss of family members or getting infected with COVID-19 than GDD parents. ASD, GDD and CP children adhered more to preventive measures than ID children; however, CP children adhered more to preventive measures than GDD children. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 lockdown has persisting impact on mental health of parents of disabled children. Those parents experienced increased levels of stress and fear but reported adherence to preventive measures depending on the child's disability.

Policy Making Based on Real-Scale Social Simulations

In this paper, we discuss decision-making processes for our communities using social simulation tools using some machine learning or artificial intelligence techniques. We take an example of considering preventive measures based on simulation results during COVID-19 pandemic. To avoid explosive infection in Japan, several preventive measures were considered. Among them, short-time business for restaurants, tourism support policies and vaccination schedules are included. I am involved in Covid-19 AI & Simulation Project Team (AISP) of Cabinet Secretariat, Japanese government. My contribution is to provide synthetic population data for real-scale social simulations for specific areas. In those simulations, we do not aim to predict a precise number of infected or severe patients by COVID-19 but to show several simulation results under various scenarios with different simulation parameters. After their simulation results are compared with each other, common outcomes are extracted from their results, and finally they are provided to the government. In that decision making process, their simulation results under several scenarios are shown to government officers, and final decision makings are left for politicians to decide. Since experts who are not elected are not able to take political responsibilities for their decision making, the AISP team shows several scenarios using their simulation models to support government officers and politicians to make their decisions. © 2022 IEEE.

Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Emergence, early infection rate, and deployment strategies for preventive solutions

Novel coronavirus commonly known as coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide and triggered the current global health crisis. It mostly affects humans through the zoonotic transmission of coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This chapter focuses on the various epidemics and pandemics (plague, cholera, Spanish flu, etc.) in the history of human civilization, principal component analysis (PCA) for the interpretation of COVID-19 spreading kinetics during the first wave (in the year 2020), the potential use of herbal medicines, dietary remedies, and allopathic therapy to fight COVID-19, and various preventive measures undertaken to combat the pandemic during the first wave. The numbers of confirmed, recovered, active, and deceased cases is considered for the mapping of PCA within different countries. This study can be used as an informative approach for anticipating and strategy-making against COVID-19 or some other pandemics in the ensuing times. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Impact of Novel Covid-19 on Various Sectors: A Study

The COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in the city of Wuhan, China, has rapidly spread to various countries, and numerous cases have been reported worldwide. The outburst of coronavirus disease brought physical, economic and social life to a standstill. Approximately 32.4 million cases of coronavirus were reported in 2021, of which India has recorded 0.434 million deaths as on August 22, 2021. The virus is transmitted by inhalation or contact with infected droplets having incubation period from 2 to 14 days. The symptoms are typically fever, fatigue, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, malaise among others. Overall, COVID-19 pandemic had a massive impact on the distinct sectors. Hence, in this paper the focus is on evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on distinct sectors, such as banking, health, economy, education, social, gold industries, IT industries, oil industries, manufacturing industries, and hotel and tourism sector.

"Swab Team" in the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak containment among healthcare workers.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the virus spread among Sassari Hospital staff in the first Covid-19 wave and the impact of the Swab Team, a multidisciplinary task force entitled of nasopharyngeal swab collection and testing. METHODOLOGY: Nasopharyngeal swabs from HCWs between March 6 and May 28 2020 are evaluated. RESULTS: 4919 SARS-CoV-2 tests were performed on 3521 operators. Nurses and doctors are the categories at highest risk. After the Swab Team institution, the average number of swabs raised from 47/day to 86/day (p = 0.007). Positive samples decreased from 18.6% to 1.7% (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The Swab Team is effective in increasing the cases tested and in reducing the reporting time. Procedure standardization reduces the risk for all the subjects involved (no transmission among swab team members, nor during the sample collection).

Assessing the Role of Trust in Information Sources, Adoption of Preventive Practices, Volunteering and Degree of Training on Biological Risk Prevention, on Perceived Risk of Infection and Usage of Personal Protective Equipment Among Italian Medical Students During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic.

Background: During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Bologna Medical School surveyed medical students to learn more about their preparation to confront challenges posed by the pandemic and whether it affects perceptions of viral infection risk. This information could help design risk-reduction interventions with training to mitigate possible viral exposure. Method: A cross-sectional online survey examining students' characteristics, volunteer status, adoption of evidence-based preventive measures, trust in information sources used, infectious disease training, and knowledge of PPE usage in relation to perceived risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2 in daily living, academic, and healthcare activities. A multivariate path model estimated the simultaneous influences of all exogenous factors on perceived risk. A Poisson regression model assessed the same multivariate effects on knowledge of PPE usage. Results: The analysis sample included 537 respondents. Perceived risk of infection was highest in hospital activities. On average, students were able to use only four out of seven types of PPE albeit they adopted most of the evidence-based preventive measures. Adoption of preventive measures was positively associated with perceived risk of COVID infection. Conversely, training on PPE usage and volunteer work were associated with lower perceived risk in healthcare setting and higher PPE knowledge. Conclusion: Implementing early safety-based educational programs remedy students' lack of knowledge in infectious disease prevention and mitigate their risk of infection. Voluntary work should be encouraged with potential benefit for both their continued medical training and strengthening the healthcare system's response to public health emergencies.

Mental health issues and health disparities amid COVID-19 outbreak in China: Comparison of residents inside and outside the epicenter.

The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has exerted an impact on not only individuals who have contracted the virus but also the general public. This study compared the mental health condition of residents in the epicenter province of Hubei with that of other Chinese residents during the initial stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, and to examine emerging issues revolving around health disparities in disease prevention. A survey was administered in February 2020 to 433 Chinese adults spanning 28 regions across China. Participants residing in Hubei reported lower levels of affective and cognitive well-being than those in other regions. Perceived behavioral control and healthy lifestyle maintenance were associated with both dimensions of well-being and sleep quality for all participants. Income level was positively associated with facemask use and healthy lifestyle maintenance. These results indicate that Hubei residents reported poorer mental health than those of other regions, but perceived behavioral control and healthy lifestyle maintenance correlate with better mental health across regions. The likelihood of undertaking preventive measures for COVID-19 tends to be greater among residents with higher income, reflecting the need to address the oft-neglected concerns of health disparities in preventing this highly contagious novel disease.

Prioritizing Infection Prevention and Control Activities for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): A Multi-Criteria Decision-Analysis Method.

PURPOSE: The outbreak of COVID-19 in China has spread to the whole world within a short period. The spread of COVID-19 has caused innumerable economic and social losses. The coronavirus spread directly from individual to individual. WHO and other governing bodies made guidelines and remedial activities to minimize the spread of COVID-19. This study aims to analyze and prioritize infection prevention and control activities for SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: An analytical study was conducted between medical representatives and scientists to check the impact of these precautionary measures (social distancing, shaking hands and hugging peoples, unnecessary touching things, hygiene, and sharing personal items) on COVID-19. The Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method has been utilized to evaluate and prioritize the preventive measures of COVID-19. RESULTS: The results of this investigation shows, unnecessary travel, 3Cs, and touching own body parts should be avoided. Wearing a mask and proper hand washing are important to reduce the spread of coronavirus. CONCLUSION: The SARS-CoV-2 has affected more than 11 million people around the world. The second spike of COVID-19 is also alarming for people. It is important to follow the instruction provided by the WHO, CDC, and other national and international governing bodies. The AHP method was used to check various measures that are spreading the coronavirus disease. It demonstrated that 3Cs (spaces that are closed, crowded, and involve close contacts) and travel, shaking hand, unnecessary touching own body parts should be avoided.

The Relationship Between the Implementation of Statutory Preventative Measures, Perceived Susceptibility of COVID-19, and Personality Traits in the Initial Stage of Corona-Related Lockdown: A German and Austrian Population Online Survey.

Background: Particularly during the early and middle stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, a population's compliance with precautionary measures (e.g., hygiene rules, smart working, travel restrictions, and quarantine) is paramount in preventing the virus from spreading. Objective: The investigation and documentation of different socio-demographic and personality-specific factors in regards to preventative measures and consequent specific health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the Health Belief Model. Method: An online survey was conducted on N = 3,006 individuals living in Germany and Austria during the early stages of lockdown. The questionnaire consisted of a self-administered section, exploring the dimensions posited in the Health Belief Model: perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, perceived benefits of health-promoting measures, and engagement in health-promoting behaviors. Additionally, the following standardized scales were used to record personality determinants: the Stress Coping Style Questionnaire SVF 78 to evaluate coping and processing strategies in stressful circumstances, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) to assess the emotional state induced by the coronavirus crisis, the UI-18 scale to diagnose the intolerance of uncertainty, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess anxiety. Results: In line with the Health Belief model, four groups were created based on perceived susceptibility and engagement in health-promoting behaviors, and consequently studied in relation to personality determinants. Those four groups differed significantly in regards to almost all personality dimensions (p ≤ 0.005). Group 1 (n = 450) shows a reduced engagement with protective measures and displays underestimation of the COVID-19-pandemic. Group 2 (n = 984) displays many positive personality variables and high compliance with protective measures. Group 3 (n = 468) perceives the subjective risk of disease as high, but high emotional discomfort and stress caused by the protective measures leads to the activation of a complex fear defense. Group 4 (n = 1,004) is highly anxious and therefore compliant. Conclusion: This typification has implications for establishing the appropriate support systems. This is particularly important to encourage compliance with preventive regulations within the groups, which showed poor abidance for several reasons. For Group 1, further education on the realistic threat and efficient protective measures is as central as the fostering of empathy for others; with its resource-conscious exemplary behavior Group 2 could be used as a positive social role model. Group 3 would benefit from promoting self-care, while Group 4 requires information on psychosocial assistance availability in order to mitigate the high stress to which the group members are subjected.

Communicating Awareness About COVID-19 Through Songs: An Example From Ghana.

Research has shown that music can be used to educate or disseminate information about public health crises. Grounded in the edutainment approach, we explored how songs are being used to create awareness about COVID-19 in Ghana, a sub-Saharan African country. YouTube was searched, and 28 songs met the study inclusion criteria. We conducted a thematic analysis of the song lyrics. Most lyrics were in English, Ghanaian Pidgin English, Akan, Ga, or Dagbani. Reflecting the multilingual population of Ghana, half of the songs contained three languages to convey their message, and only five songs were in one language. Eight themes emerged from the analysis: public health guidelines, COVID-19 is real and not a hoax, COVID-19 is infectious, prayer as method to stop the virus, emotional reaction and disruption of "everyday" activities; verbally expelling the virus, call for unity and collective efforts, and inspiring hope. We show that songs have the potential as a method for rapidly sharing information about emerging public health crises. Even though, it is beyond the scope of this study to draw conclusions about the reception and impact of songs on awareness and knowledge, the study shows that examining song lyrics can still be useful in understanding local attitudes toward COVID-19, as well as strategies for promoting preventive behaviors. We note that additional multidimensional efforts are needed to increase awareness among the general public about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perceived Risk of Being Infected With SARS-CoV-2: A Perspective From Indonesia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the level of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk perceptions in Indonesia and characterize predictors of perceptions. METHODS: An online cross-sectional study was conducted. A questionnaire assessed perceived risk and collected independent variables, including sociodemographic data. A multivariable linear regression model was used to characterize the relationship between independent variables and perceived risk. RESULTS: We included 1379 respondents in the final analysis with the mean and median of perceived risk score was 19.21% and 10.0%, respectively. Respondents aged between 21 and 30 years had the highest perceived risk, and those who were unmarried had 4.3% higher perceived risk compared with those who were married. Compared with the lowest monthly income group, those making Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) 6-10 million and more than IDR 10 million a month believed they had 4.2% and 8.8% higher risk, respectively. Citizens who lived in cities and health-care workers also had a higher perceived risk compared with those in the rural areas and non-health-care workers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived risk of COVID-19 in Indonesia is relatively low, and this could hamper the adoption of preventive measures of COVID-19. Efforts to increase the awareness and perceived risk are important to prevent the pandemic from escalating.