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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the global teaching and learning process (TnL). Unfortunately, to date, not many qualitative studies have been published specifically on the impact of COVID-19 on the Family Medicine course, particularly in Malaysia. Hence, this study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the teaching and learning experience of undergraduate students undergoing their Family Medicine course at a local university. Methods: A qualitative study using focused group discussion (FGD), was conducted among undergraduate students during the lockdown period. A semi-structured interview guide was used to interview 20 students, in their fifth undergraduate year, undertaking their fourth to fifth week of a total six-week course. They were selected using purposive snowball sampling method. There were four focus group discussions (FGD) with five students in a group. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and the contents were analysed using the standard content analysis framework. Subsequently, thematic content analysis was conducted, and three major themes were produced. Results: The three major themes were (1) facilitators to learning, (2) barriers to learning, and (3) rooms for improvement. Conclusion: Although COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact on TnL of Family Medicine course among undergraduates, the students remained optimistic and proposed some improvement from their point of view. However, a creative, realistic, effective, and impactful way of TnL, particularly in clinical aspects should be developed and experimented. Technological progress and advancement should permit this idea to be achievable and implemented in near future. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Malaysian Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences is the property of Universiti Putra Malaysia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
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This article explores the experiences of fifteen occupational therapists during the Covid-19 pandemic. Participants from rural and urban areas in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were recruited using snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews and personal narratives were used to collect data on occupational engagement during the pandemic. Inductive thematic analysis was used. The impact of Covid-19 on occupational engagement, occupational adaptations, factors that negatively influenced occupational engagement and enablers to occupational engagement emerged as themes. Participants experienced role changes at work and home, as well as feelings of isolation. It is essential to advocate for the role of occupation therapy during a pandemic.Ethical Clearance Number: BREC/00002587/2021
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PurposeIn an emerging market, understanding shoppers' behavior in an online market is essential to developing online retail strategies. This research study examines the effects of intrinsic factors, namely, perceived utilitarian, hedonic value, materialism, fashion interest and enjoyment, on impulsive online shopping with mediating role of trust and online shopping attitude in the Indian emerging market.Design/methodology/approachData are collected from 443 Indian respondents, using purposive and snowball sampling. The data were analyzed using the IBM Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) package using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results showed that perceived utilitarian, hedonic value, materialism and enjoyment factors significantly impacted perceived trust and online shopping attitude, but fashion interest had no effect. Mediating factors positively impacted impulsive online shopping and showed a significant association between intrinsic factors and impulsive online shopping.Research limitations/implicationsThe geographical area of study was limited to only India. Consequently, the findings and conclusions of the study had their limits. The research used the information continuum with a purposive and snowball approach that does not necessarily generalize the findings of the analysis. This work looked at factors stimulating the impulsive online shopping pattern of Indian shoppers in an emerging market.Practical implicationsThis research would help e-retailers develop new strategies and plans to increase sales volume and create strong relationships with online customers by providing trustworthiness and security in buying practices.Social implicationsThis study helps to understand the consumer impulsive buying during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and it helps e-retailers to adopt a new online store to draw the attention of the consumers and enhance their online sales.Originality/valueIn this COVID-19 situation, this study explores the inherent factors influencing impulsive online shopping in the emerging Indian market. As a result, it contributes to visual identity literature by expanding the field of impulsive online shopping behavior.
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INTRODUCTION: The accurate number of COVID-19 cases is essential knowledge to control an epidemic. Currently, one of the most important obstacles in estimating the exact number of COVID-19 patients is the absence of typical clinical symptoms in a large number of people, called asymptomatic infections. In this systematic review, we included and evaluated the studies mainly focusing on the prediction of undetected COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates as well as the reproduction numbers, utilizing various mathematical models. METHODS: This systematic review aims to investigate the estimating methods of undetected infections in the COVID-19 outbreak. Databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Embase, were searched for a combination of keywords. Applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, all retrieved English literature by April 7, 2022, were reviewed for data extraction through a two-step screening process; first, titles/abstracts, and then full-text. This study is consistent with the PRISMA checklist. RESULTS: In this study, 61 documents were retrieved using a systematic search strategy. After an initial review of retrieved articles, 6 articles were excluded and the remaining 55 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. Most of the studies used mathematical models to estimate the number of underreported asymptomatic infected cases, assessing incidence and prevalence rates more precisely. The spread of COVID-19 has been investigated using various mathematical models. The output statistics were compared with official statistics obtained from different countries. Although the number of reported patients was lower than the estimated numbers, it appeared that the mathematical calculations could be a useful measure to predict pandemics and proper planning. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study demonstrates the effectiveness of mathematical models in unraveling the true burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of more precise, and accurate infection and mortality rates, and reproduction numbers, thus, statistical mathematical modeling could be an effective tool for measuring the detrimental global burden of pandemic infections. Additionally, they could be a really useful method for future pandemics and would assist the healthcare and public health systems with more accurate and valid information.
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COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , Pandemics/prevention & control , Disease OutbreaksABSTRACT
Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several vaccines have been approved for use and are being distributed globally in various regions. Still, general public knowledge, attitudes, and belief toward COVID-19 vaccination are poorly understood. As a result, the present study aimed to investigate community knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccination in North Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: An exploratory and anonymous general population-based Google survey was conducted among 358 participants (64%: 229) male and (36%: 129) female. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey using the Snowball sampling technique was used as a tool for experimentation whereas statistical data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics to determine the variables predicting knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccination. Results: As a result, 91.9% of participants were fully informed about the COVID-19 vaccine's development. Around 69.6% of participants experienced that a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine may not be proven harmful to the human being. In addition, 79.6% of study individuals were confident that the situation of COVID-19 would be under control after adequate vaccination. As well, 88.5% of participants considered that vaccines strengthen the immune system of an individual. Conclusion: In summary, the findings reflect a better knowledge and more encouraging attitude of participants regarding COVID-19 vaccination in the selected region of North Maharashtra.
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Covid-19 and the associated lockdowns devastated the world's population and poor migrant workers were hit the hardest. The lockdown announcement suspended their income as all economic activities were halted. Kerala, one of the favourite destinations of India's domestic migrants, had to deal with their problems. With a holistic and humanitarian approach, the state arranged relief camps and food kits for its guest workers. This study explored the lives of migrant workers in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, during and after the lockdown. Quantitatively and qualitatively interviewed 50 migrant workers were selected through snowball sampling, subscribing to a mixed method. Statistical analysis of quantitative data and thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed migrant workers' plight. By summarising the quantitative and qualitative results, this study confirmed the financial, physical and psychological struggles that the pandemic imposed on migrant workers.
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Lack of proficiency in using languages (except sign languages) among people with hearing impairment poses difficulties for them to comprehend health-related information and thus, having low health literacy. To bridge this gap, health care providers adopt various communication practices to reach people with hearing impairment (HI), some of which prove success while others prove failure. Consequently, reflection on health literacy communications becomes paramount for the sustainability of health education for people with HI. The present study reflects on communication practices during Covid-19 pandemic control in Tanzania contexts in relation to people with hearing impairment. The study adopted a qualitative research approach in which the data were collected through interviews from five (5) people with HI obtained through a snowball sampling technique, and three (3) health care providers who were purposively sampled. Findings showed that adopted communication practices (writing on papers, lip-reading, and using family members as interpreters) were perceived as less effective by people with hearing impairment. Instead, people with HI preferred communication from other sources that used sign language. Therefore, calls for healthcare providers’ pre-service and in-service training programs to impart skills for communicating properly with HI to all healthcare providers.
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This study examined the public health measures adopted by the Jordanian government that contributed to stemming the spread of the pandemic and the impact of these measures on the behavior patterns of families. Content analysis was used with 117 news briefs, and interviews were conducted with 20 families identified through snowball sampling. Ecological systems theory and a public health model are used to frame our understanding of the results. We found themes from interviews that included a shift to online education, use of social media, changes in consumer behavior, and social initiatives.
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South Africa, like many other countries globally is affected by the novel coronavirus, "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)", which is a transmittable disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The virus emerged from China Wuhan in 2019. As a pandemic, this virus ripped the economic sector, the health sector, political sector and the social life in general. Its symptoms ranges from mild self-limited disease to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and even systemic multiple organ failure syndrome. In the absence of medication for treatment, changes in social life has been very imperative in curbing the virus. For example, social distancing, avoiding groups, sanitising and wearing of masks which affects the social life of human beings. This research use content analysis method to qualitatively analyse the travails of COVID19 survivors in Vhembe who were infected by the pandemic and survived. By using snowball sampling method, the researcher selected 4 males and 6 females who are survivors of Covid-19 regardless of whether they were hospitalised or not. The inclusion criteria included (1) males and females who tested positive for COVID-19. (2) Vhembe people who are South Africans. The results found that patients experienced the disease differently. They have different views on the physical and social experience on both infection and interpretation of the pandemic. The study found that social life is compromised and as social beings people are affected both physically, mentally and socially. The study zoomed at the area less researched touching Covid-19 writings and social life implications for knowledge generation purposes.
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This qualitative study on traditional healers' perceptions of homosexuality has contributed to indigenous knowledge in the Northern Sotho ethnic group in South Africa. An exploratory research design using snowball sampling was employed. The study was underpinned by Afrocentric theory. The sample consisted of ten traditional healers, seven females and three males. Data was collected using individual, face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data which yielded several major themes and sub-themes: Theme 1: Homosexuality threatens family structure and values, sub-theme 1.1 Homosexuality and thepreservation offamily bloodlines and/or surname, sub-theme 1.2 Homosexuality and procreation. Theme 2: Homosexuality is regarded as taboo and a disgrace, sub-theme 2.1: Homosexuality and Northern Sotho culture, sub-theme 2.2 Homosexuality is un-Godly. Theme 3: Homosexuality and western culture, sub-theme 3.1 Homosexuality and modernisation, sub-theme 3.2 Homosexuality and responsibility. The research discovered that the traditional healers had negative views towards homosexuality and offered traditional explanations for this. However, one of the healers said they would help homosexuals who approached them. A recommendation for future research is to find out perceptions of the homosexual community in terms of how they are treated by traditional healers.
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Purpose>With fundraising appeals for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) relief efforts and donating to those affected by its spread and impact, donors, volunteers and charities can all play their part and render much-needed support and aid. The purpose of this study is to be part of such effort by empirically examining the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that drive people's attitudes to engage in fundraising campaigns launched in many communities, providing a richer understanding of donors' responses.Design/methodology/approach>The present work follows a quantitative approach based on an online survey conducted among potential Kuwaiti charitable donors. A total of 565 useable responses (356 females, 209 males) were obtained using snowball sampling and analyzed through smart partial least squares (SmartPLS) software.Findings>With 90% of respondents financially able to donate who have a monthly income equal to or greater than the average (US$2000), this study confirms the suitability of the model used in predicting donors' attitudes to contribute online to grassroots fundraising campaigns. It reveals that all constructs included in the model (i.e. charitable projects geared for those affected by the pandemic, Internet technology (IT) features and religiosity level) are statistically significant, except for trust in charities.Practical implications>This study suggests that in uncertainty and concern surrounding COVID-19, nonprofit organizations, charities and governments should make concerted efforts toward mitigating the impacts of the pandemic on families and workers who are on the frontline against its outbreak. Possible areas need to be improved through suitable proactive strategies to solicit online monetary donations, such as charitable projects with inclusive information, focus attention on IT features (e.g. privacy, trustworthiness, security and effectiveness) and strengthen the religious faith of donors toward the significance of helping vulnerable groups and regions.Originality/value>The research adds value to the literature on donation and giving behavior by offering an in-depth understanding of what influences online donation attitudes, especially amid such an unprecedented epidemic crisis.
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Purpose>Physicians who are primary care providers in rural communities form an essential stakeholder group in rural mobile health (mHealth) delivery. This study was exploratory in nature and was conducted in Udupi district of Karnataka, India. The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of rural medical officers (MOs) (rural physicians) regarding the benefits and challenges of mobile phone use by community health workers (CHWs).Design/methodology/approach>In-depth interviews were conducted among 15 MOs belonging to different primary health centers of the district. Only MOs with a minimum five years of experience were recruited in the study using purposive and snowball sampling. This was followed by thematic analysis of the data collected.Findings>The perceptions of MOs regarding the CHWs' use of mobile phones were largely positive. However, they reported the existence of some challenges that limits the potential of its full use. The findings were categorized under four themes namely, benefits of mobile phone use to CHWs, benefits of mobile phone-equipped CHWs, current mobile phone use by CHWs and barriers to CHWs' mobile phone use. The significant barriers reported in the CHWs' mobile phone use were poor mobile network coverage, technical illiteracy, lack of consistent technical training and call and data expense of the CHWs. The participants recommend an increased number of mobile towers, frequent training in mobile phone use and basic English language for the CHWs as possible solutions to the barriers.Originality/value>Studies examining the perceptions of doctors who are a primary stakeholder group in mHealth as well as in the public health system scenario are limited. To the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to examine the perception of rural doctors regarding CHWs' mobile phone use for work in India.
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BACKGROUND: Given the sudden shift to telemedicine during the early COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a survey of practicing physicians' experience with telehealth during the prepandemic and early pandemic periods. Our survey estimates that most patient visits in the United States during the early COVID-19 pandemic period were conducted via telehealth. Given this magnitude and the potential benefits and challenges of telehealth for the US health care system, in this paper, we obtain, summarize, and analyze telehealth views and experiences of US-based practicing-physicians. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the extent of shift toward telehealth training and care provision during the early pandemic from the US-based practicing physicians' perspective. We also sought to determine the short- and long-term implications of this shift on the quality, access, and mode of US health care delivery. METHODS: We conducted a purposive, snowball-sampled survey of US practicing-physicians. A total of 148 physician completed the survey. Data were collected from July 17, 2020, through September 4, 2020. RESULTS: Sample training intensity scaled 21-fold during the early pandemic period, and patient-care visits conducted via telehealth increased, on average, from 13.1% directly before the pandemic to 59.7% during the early pandemic period. Surveyed physician respondents reported that telehealth patient visits and face-to-face patient visits are comparable in quality. The difference was not statistically significant based on a nonparametric sign test (P=.11). Moreover, physicians feel that telehealth care should continue to play a larger role (44.9% of total visits) in postpandemic health care in the United States. Our survey findings suggest a high market concentration in telehealth software, which is a market structural characteristic that may have implications on the cost and access of telehealth. The results varied markedly by physician employer type. CONCLUSIONS: During the shift toward telehealth, there has been a considerable discovery among physicians regarding US telehealth physicians. Physicians are now better prepared to undertake telehealth care from a training perspective. They are favorable toward a permanently expanded telehealth role, with potential for enhanced health care access, and the realization of enhanced access may depend on market structural characteristics of telehealth software platforms.
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OBJECTIVE: Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a substantial threat with its associated high mortality, infection, and risk of psychological stress. A large number of students are affected because of a prolonged break from academic activities and staying at home. The focus of this study is to understand the stress levels of Indian students, any psychological imbalances, and their major hurdles during the COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: Using a snowball sampling method, an online survey of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was conducted on students across India. Along with their demographic details, the participants also reported their study patterns and challenges during their confinement period. The statistical scores for the responses were calculated and the demographic variables analysed. The levels indicated by the PSS were compared, and variance and regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: We observed that students were generally stressed during lockdown and the pandemic. Females (mean = 3.03) were more stressed than males (mean = 2.61) as they were constantly under pressure because of stressful life events (OR = 0.752, 95% CI = 2.425-310.642) and apprehensive about their studies (RII = 0.67, OR = 2.168, 95% CI = 0.332-6.691). CONCLUSION: During the pandemic, students' mental health needs to be continually monitored as they are stressed owing to fear as well as about their studies and future careers.