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Study Objective(s): The main study objective was to report on surveillance data from, assess the preparedness and challenges of home-based care for COVID-19 patients and hhealth workers in four Counties (Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia) in Kenya. Design, setting and Participants: The study design and setting used was both qualitative and quantitative and it involved random sampling and snowballing sampling, to obtain data from health workers and patients in Home-Based Isolation. Participants were patients, health workers and county health administrators. The participants included 4 health directors, 20 health care givers who included nurses and clinical officers, 30 patients and 20 recovered patients. Main Finding and Outcome: Main finding was that the four counties have inadequacies to handle a pandemic of such scale as Covid-19, in case it occurs. The study informs stakeholders about the status and preparedness of the counties to handle pandemics and offers solutions. Results and Conclusions: low bed capacity, lack of a corresponded system for Home Based Care (HBC) with/and HBC patients, untimely testing HBC patients and care givers and ineffective contact tracing were observed in all the counties in varied scales. The counties are currently bedevilled with challenges ranging from capacity gaps, human resource deficiency, lack of critical legal and institutional infrastructure, lack of financial support and a conflictual relationship with the national government. The study identified "Hot spots" like the Nairobi-Busia/Malaba highways were the main source of community spread and transmission of coronavirus in two of the Western Kenya Counties.
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Background: COVID vaccines have been rolled out all over the world after emergency use authorization in the prevailing pandemic situation. However, hesitancy about its safety and efficacy exists among beneficiaries. Vaccine hesitancy can be a barrier to adequate immunization coverage. Aims and Objectives: This qualitative study was undertaken among health care workers in the rural field practice area of a tertiary care hospital, to find out their perceptions about COVID vaccines, and reasons behind hesitancy toward the same. Materials and Methods: Six focused group discussions (FGD) were held with the help of moderator. Each FGD had five members, so 30 members were included in the study. Health care workers included doctors, nurses, ANM/ASHAs, and other health care workers. Results: There were 17 males and 13 females. Doctors had a positive attitude toward vaccination, but other health care workers had mixed perception regarding vaccination. Most grass root level workers were sceptical about the efficacy of the vaccine. Conclusion: Mostly positive attitude toward COVID vaccines was observed in the present study. Hesitancy toward vaccines was observed in some health care workers, and it likely rooted from their inadequate knowledge about the vaccine.
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Background: WHO has declared Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as pandemic on 11th March 2020. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) chemoprophylaxis has been approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for asymptomatic healthcare workers treating suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic household contacts of confirmed patients. However, there is a scarcity of data regarding the efficacy and safety of HCQ for COVID-19 prophylaxis and treatment. Background: The present study was designed to evaluate the adverse drug reaction (ADR) profile of HCQ prophylaxis among healthcare workers in a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. Methods: A Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Kalpana Chawla Medical College and Hospital, Karnal for duration of 3 months (April-June 2020). The study was performed on the reported ADRs due to HCQ prophylaxis by the healthcare workers to the ADR monitoring centre of the institute during this period. Results: Gastrointestinal disturbance such as loose stool (16.4%) and hyperacidity (14.9%) were the most commonly reported ADRs during the study period. The incident rate of adverse drug reactions was 23.7%. The number of ADRs was found to be significantly (p<0.01) more in female as compared to male. We have observed that most of the reactions were reported following the 1st day loading dose. Conclusions: Our results showed that gastrointestinal system was most commonly affected. Loose stool and hyperacidity were most frequently reported ADRs due to HCQ prophylaxis. Larger studies are required to ensure the safety of the use of HCQ as prophylaxis for COVID 19.
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Background: The highly contagious COVID-19 disease or Corona Virus disease is caused by a novel coronavirus. It is a pandemic affecting a large population globally concerning both health and financial aspect. Vaccination has emerged to be a vital measure to control COVID-19. However, fear of side effects is a major concern with these vaccines warranting further studies. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the adverse effects after vaccinations with either Covishield or Covaxin for COVID-19 infection. Methods: The study included 1160 health care professionals who received either Covaxin or Covishield for COVID-19 infection prevention. The adverse effects were noted following the first and second dose of vaccines at different time intervals of less than 24 hours, 24-48 hours, and between 3 to 7 days post-vaccination. WHO (World health organization) questionnaire was used for recording the side-effects where 720 subjects took Covishield and 440 subjects Covaxin. Results: The study results showed that most of the subjects reported side effects within 24 hours of first dose vaccination with 85% and 90% for Covishield and Covaxin respectively, and after 2nd dose were 74.16% and 89.09% respectively. The most common side effects reported after both vaccines were myalgia, chills, fever, headache, and general weakness. All adverse effects were self-limiting and subsided with no need for hospitalization. Conclusion: The present study concludes that no significant difference is seen concerning side effects with either Covaxin or Covishield in two doses and the two vaccines separately Further studies are warranted in different populations and age groups to get details on the safety data of these vaccines.
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This chapter includes a brief overview of global palliative care development, and discusses the range of social work roles, levels of involvement in palliative care around the world, and the commonalities and differences in palliative care. It also discusses an emerging public health approach to palliative care, and what can be learned from palliative care during the humanitarian crisis arising from a global pandemic. The chapter presents a discussion about the future vision for palliative social workers. Palliative social workers around the world may work at all or some of the following levels-individual, community, administrative, and political levels. Palliative social work is at risk in some areas where it had formerly been integrated in palliative care teams. The Compassionate Communities movement, reflecting public health approaches to health equity in palliative care and addressing social determinants of health, offers a powerful and inclusive model closely tied to social work values. Global responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have demonstrated the strength of community and social networks. As the world is facing increased health and social inequalities, palliative social workers are called to respond with a bold and resounding voice and greater impact than ever before. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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OBJECTIVE: To further standardize and guide the infection prevention and control(IPC) in designated hospitals so as to effectively ensure the stability, order and safety of medical treatment, ensure the safety of health care workers and patients, and reduce cross infections caused by the transmission of COVID-19. METHODS: The experts who repeatedly participated in the national COVID-19 medical treatment and IPC were invited to compile the consensus based on latest national norms, characteristics of the omicron and situation of epidemic prevention and control. RESULTS: The consensus consisted of two major parts: comprehensive coverage and control of infections in designated hospitals, with 47 recommendations involved. CONCLUSION: The expert consensus will provide guidance for the upcoming prevention and control of infection in designated hospitals.
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Introduction: Long Covid patients may have concerns about the impact of mRNA vaccines on their symptoms. Method: A short questionnaire was sent to users of a long covid service supporting an NHS Trust staff in Wigan 2 weeks following the conclusion of a mRNA vaccine first dose roll out. The questionnaire explored acceptance and compliance with the vaccine and any change in the symptoms at least 2 weeks following the vaccination. Results: 77 HCW were offered the vaccine. 10 respondents declined mainly because of concerns regarding worsening long covid symptoms. 67% of respondents did not experience any change in symptoms whilst 21% experienced improvement of symptoms. 12% experienced worsening of symptoms. Conclusion: mRNA vaccines can influence long covid symptoms. However, patients seemed to be twice more likely to experience improvement than worsening of symptoms.
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This study aimed to evaluate the perception of family caregivers in the care process of patients with COVID-19. This study was conducted on 19 family caregivers, who were selected using purposive sampling from 2021 to 2022. Unstructured interviews were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using the Kyngas conventional content analysis approach. The analysis of data led to three main themes, including unremitting efforts in physical care in the light of traditional medicine, accuracy, and intelligence in psychological attention and trying to maintain environmental health. According to the results, family caregivers provide high levels of self-sacrificing, continuous, and comprehensive, combined with fear and loneliness care in different dimensions with little or no support from the family, community, and health team.
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There is significant data on the adverse impact of COVID-19 on persons who were poor, minorities, had compromised physical or mental health, or other vulnerabilities prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant portion of the Medicare population has such vulnerabilities. The Medicare home health beneficiary population is even more vulnerable based on gender, race, income level, living alone status, and number of chronic conditions. A literature review indicated there were no studies on the impact of COVID-19 on Medicare home health beneficiaries. In a previous issue of this journal, the author addressed the literature gap by presenting a study on home care nurses' perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 on Medicare home health beneficiaries. The current study is a companion qualitative study to the nurses' study. It is based on interviews of a convenience sample of 52 home care social workers from 11 different home health agencies in New York City between April 1 and September 30, 2020. Seven major themes emerged, 6 of which were identical to the themes identified by the nurses. The only new theme was limits on the ability to provide psychosocial interventions had more severe consequences. The 7 themes were: need for social service supports increased;loneliness and depression increased among patients;physical and mental health conditions became exacerbated;substance use and abuse increased;evidence of domestic violence against patients increased;there was limited staff and equipment to care for patients;and limits on the ability to provide psychosocial interventions had more severe consequences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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Theoretical background: In a critical situations such as COVID-19, priority should be given to the psychological support of helping professionals regarding the sustainability of services and prevention of burnout. It's exceptionally important to measure the vital exhaustion that might be a reason of burnout. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate helping professionals' vital exhaustion in relation to different groups of background variables during the first period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Helping professionals from health and social care, education, and the field of religion (n = 931) were contacted with an online questionnaire in Hungary in the spring of 2020. After calculating descriptive statistics of vital exhauson, we examined the sociodemographic, physical (related to health behavior), professional and personal background variables. Results: Health and social care workers were more exhausted than members of other helping professions (F(1, 929) = 16.801, p < 0.001). In the development of vital exhaustion, we could attribute a greater predictive effect to the following variables: change in the quality of sleep (beta = 0.292, p < 0.01), change in family-work balance (beta = -0.238, p < 0.01), and subjective health (beta = -0.201, p < 0.01). We could attribute a moderate correlation between changes in the frequency of meals and changes in sleep quality (chi2(4, n = 931) = 144.8, p < 0.001), and changes in family-work balance and changes in sleep quality (chi2(12, n = 788) = 171.4, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Proper quality and quantity of sleep, regular meals, and physical activity not only have preventive significance but they also have a stabilizing effect in acute crises. Work conditions and communication at work can have a major influence on wellbeing. Therefore beyond the individual factors employers also play an important role to maintain their employees' wellbeing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (Hungarian) Elmeleti hatter: Az olyan valsaghelyzetekben, mint a COVID-19, kiemelt hangsulyt kell kapjon a segito szakmakban dolgozo szakemberek psziches tamogatasa a szolgaltatasok fenntarthatosaga es a kieges megelozese szempontjabol. Kulonosen fontos a kieges hattereben felismerheto vitalis kimerultseg merese. Cel: Keresztmetszeti vizsgalatunk celja a segito teruleten dolgozok vitalis kimerultsegenek es ennek kulonbozo hattervaltozokkal valo osszefuggeseinek vizsgalata a COVID-19 elso hullamaban. Modszerek: Online kerdoivunket az egeszsegugy, a szocialis ellatas, az oktatas es a hitelet teruleten dolgozo szakemberek (n = 931) toltottek ki. A kerdoiv a vitalis kimerultseg felmerese mellett kitert a szociodemografiai, fizikai (egeszseg-magatartassal kapcsolatos), munkahelyi es csaladi jellemzok felterkepezesere. Eredmenyek: Megallapitottuk, hogy az egeszsegugyi es szocialis dolgozok kimerultebbek, mint masok (F(1, 929) = 16,801;p < 0,001). A vitalis kimerultseg alakulasaban a kovetkezo valtozoknak tulajdonithattunk nagyobb prediktiv hatast: az alvas minosegenek valtozasa (beta = 0,292;p < 0,01), a csalad es munka egyensulyanak valtozasa (beta = -0,238;p < 0,01) es a szubjektiv egeszsegi allapot (beta = -0,201;p < 0,01). Kozepes erossegu osszefuggest lattunk az etkezesek gyakorisaganak valtozasa es az alvasminoseg valtozasa kozott (chi2(4, n = 931) = 144,8;p < 0,001), valamint a csalad-munka egyensuly valtozasa es az alvas minosegenek valtozasa kozott (chi2(12, n = 788) = 171,4;p < 0,001). Kovetkeztetesek: Az alvas megfelelo minosegenek es mennyisegenek, a rendszeres etkezesnek es a fizikai aktivitasnak nemcsak megelozo szerepe, hanem stabilizalo ereje van akut krizisekben is. Az egyeni tenyezokon tul a munkaltatoknak is fontos szerepuk van az alkalmazottak jolletenek megorzeseben, hiszen a munkahelyi kommunikacio es a munkakorulmenyek is jelentos mertekben befolyasoljak azt. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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INTRODUCTION: Myths regarding AEFI associated with covid vaccines caused fear among general population to take up vaccination against covid. OBJECTIVES: 1.To study the socio-demographic factors associated with AEFI following COVID vaccination among healthcare workers. 2. To study the AEFI following covid vaccination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional study with minimum sample size of 178 and the study was done on 377 healthcare workers using simple random sampling method. Data was collected using pre-structured questionnaire and analyzed using proportions, bar charts & chi-square test of significance. RESULTS: AEFI after first dose and second dose was highest among 21-30 years age group and least among 61-70 yrs age group and below 20 years. AEFI reporting was highest in females compared to males both after first dose and second dose. AEFI after first dose was highest among nursing staff followed by doctors whereas after second dose it was vice-versa. Fever and body pains were the most common adverse events after first dose (within 1-5 days) whereas after second dose, pain at the site of injection and body pains were more common. CONCLUSION: Majority of the adverse events reported after covid vaccination in the study were only minor not needing any hospitalization.
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Background: Patient's assessment of the services of health workers is based on the patient's experience. The purpose of this study is to analyzeinfluence tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assuranceand empathy for the level of satisfaction of visitors to the Benjeng Health Center during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Subjects and Method: This was a cross sectional study with the focus of the research being directed at analyzing influence tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assuranceand empathy for the level of satisfaction of visitors to the Benjeng Health Center during the Covid 19 Pandemic. The total population is 2,000 respondents and a sample of 333 respondents taken using the simple random sampling. The data were described into number and percentage. Results: The findings showed that most of the respondents had a good tangible category as many as 171 respondents (51%). Most of the respondents have a good category of reliability as many as 178 respondents (53%). Most of the respondents have good category responsiviness as many as 165 respondents (50%). Most of the respondents have good assurance category as many as 184 respondents (55%). Most of the respondents have empathy in the good category as many as 174 respondents (52%). Most of the respondents have a satisfied category of satisfaction as many as 237 respondents (71%).influence tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assuranceand empathy for the satisfaction level of visitors to the Benjeng Health Center during the Covid 19 Pandemic with a magnitude of 79.1%. Conclusion: It is expected that respondents can provide constructive input and criticism so that the services provided can be in accordance with what is expected.
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Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease. Recommendations for barrier practices have been issued to help control the spread of the epidemic. The objective is the assessment of these practices and to identify the possible area of improvement. Methods: This assessment of professional practices (APP) is a descriptive and evaluative cross-sectional study, conducted from April 14th to May 28th, 2020. It aims to assess hand hygiene, mask wearing, disinfection of medicine trolleys in the care services and quarantine of drugs returned by services. This study concerned all pharmacy staff. Results: One hundred and two people of the hospital pharmacy were evaluated. About mask wearing, the average percentage of the acquired skills is 83% and about hand hygiene, 73%. About the disinfection of medicines trolleys and quarantine of drugs, the average percentage of acquired skills is 95%. Discussion and conclusion: Regarding mask wearing, staff has some skills which can be improved for some items. About hand hygiene, results for hydro-alcoholic hand friction are similar to those observed in the literature. The APP was perceived as an aid to improve practices.
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This special issue includes 11 articles that discuss digital transformation for more equitable and sustainable public health in the age of digital interdependence;contributions of the new framework for essential public health functions to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic;cancer care access in Chile's vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic;emergency preparedness;mental health of Guatemalan health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic;main contributor to inequalities in COVID-19 mortality in Colombia.
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The determinants of health are the social, economic, political, and environmental forces that underlie health disparities. Health equity is the commitment to reducing and eliminating health disparities in health services and resources. Palliative social workers are concerned about the practice and application of social justice approaches in our efforts to achieve health equity. Social workers are uniquely trained and prepared to incorporate palliative practices that are social justice focused. This chapter presents working definitions of health equity, health disparities, and social justice;a theoretical framework in which to view the various types of influences on underrepresented populations receiving palliative care;a summary of evidence on the effects of some of these categories;and a research agenda for guiding efforts to improve knowledge upon which to build equity. At the core of historical discrimination are social determinants of health, including racism and poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic has unfortunately been a textbook example of how disparities, reinforced at all levels of the socio-ecological model, lead to inequities in healthcare and health outcomes for the seriously ill. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, longstanding issues involving nursing work, which has always involved significant risks of illness and infection, were intensified. It is necessary to acknowledge the risks and nurses' perceptions about the risks qualitatively during the period of the health crisis. The aim of this study was to examine the health repercussions perceived by nursing workers in emergency services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This was a qualitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study. The settings of the study were emergency services with a national scope; the participants were nursing workers. Data were collected via face-to-face virtual calling interviews and analyzed via a content analysis technique, which was supported by IRAMUTEQ software. The formation of textual classes pointed in three thematic directions, from which three categories emerged: nursing workers' exposure, due to a lack of protective equipment, to the risk of being contaminated with, falling ill from, and transmitting the COVID-19 virus; changes in work environments, processes, and relations in response to the pandemic; and physical, mental, and psychosocial alterations perceived by emergency service nursing workers. The exposure to the virus, risk of contamination, and changes in the work environment and relations all resulted in health repercussions, which were perceived as physical, mental, and psychosocial alterations that were described as dietary disturbances, physical fatigue, burnout, increased smoking, anxiety, sleep alterations, fear, exhaustion, stress, social isolation, loneliness, distancing from relatives, and social stigma.
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COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Health Personnel/psychology , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Objective: to identify factors associated with infection and hospitalization due to COVID-19 in nursing professionals. Method: a cross-sectional study carried out with 415 nursing professionals in a hospital specialized in cardiology. The sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, working conditions and issues related to illness due to COVID-19 were evaluated. Chi-Square, Fisher's, Wilcoxon, Mann- Whitney and Brunner Munzel tests were used in data analysis, as well as Odds Ratio for hospitalization, in addition to binary logistic regression. Results: the rate of nursing professionals affected by COVID-19 was 44.3% and the factors associated with infection were the number of people living in the same household infected by COVID-19 (OR 36.18;p < 0.001) and use of public transportation (OR 2.70;p = 0.044). Having severe symptoms (OR 29.75), belonging to the risk group (OR 3.00), having tachypnea (OR 6.48), shortness of breath (OR 5.83), tiredness (OR 4.64), fever (OR 4.41) and/or myalgia (OR 3.00) increased the chances of hospitalization in professionals with COVID-19. Conclusion: living in the same household as other people with the disease and using public transportation increased the risk of infection by the new coronavirus. The factors associated with the hospitalization of contaminated professionals were presence of risk factors for the disease, severity and type of the symptoms presented. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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Objective: To analyze the relationship between socio-labor conditions and health care in the face of COVID-19 among the farmworkers in two municipalities of Sonora, Mexico. Method:. Through semistructured interviews and field observations, the care practices and health provisions implemented by the agricultural work centers were analyzed. Twenty-two interviews were conducted, 18 in the municipality of Hermosillo and 4 in San Miguel de Horcasitas. Results: Agricultural activities in Mexico did not cease and farmworkers continued their work in a diverse context of prevention measures. We found a disparity between the different productive units, which carried out protocols oriented to the care of the harvest to the detriment of human health. The means of agricultural transport lacked sufficient attention in terms of contagion prevention. The practice of payments in the localities without a sanitary protocol was evident. Conclusion: The intervention of the health authorities is necessary to homogenize the prevention protocols in the face of COVID-19. Socio-labor conditions are an obstacle to pandemic mitigation.
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Objective: to identify factors associated with infection and hospitalization due to COVID-19 in nursing professionals. Method: a cross-sectional study carried out with 415 nursing professionals in a hospital specialized in cardiology. The sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, working conditions and issues related to illness due to COVID-19 were evaluated. Chi-Square, Fisher's, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney and Brunner Munzel tests were used in data analysis, as well as Odds Ratio for hospitalization, in addition to binary logistic regression. Results: the rate of nursing professionals affected by COVID-19 was 44.3% and the factors associated with infection were the number of people living in the same household infected by COVID-19 (OR 36.18;p<0.001) and use of public transportation (OR 2.70;p=0.044). Having severe symptoms (OR 29.75), belonging to the risk group (OR 3.00), having tachypnea (OR 6.48), shortness of breath (OR 5.83), tiredness (OR 4.64), fever (OR 4.41) and/or myalgia (OR 3.00) increased the chances of hospitalization in professionals with COVID-19. Conclusion: living in the same household as other people with the disease and using public transportation increased the risk of infection by the new coronavirus. The factors associated with the hospitalization of contaminated professionals were presence of risk factors for the disease, severity and type of the symptoms presented.
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The World Health Organization recommends home care for patients with Covid-19 who have mild symptoms. In home confinement, the infected continue their routine of consumption and generation of waste. Public services must be adjusted to deal with the collection and management of contaminated waste and thus reduce likely additional impacts. In order to verify whether Brazilian municipalities are aware of the recommendations for the protection of urban solid waste collectors, this study analyzed the capacity of municipalities to adapt to the set of official recommendations for the management of contaminated household solid waste by Covid 19. Using a hypothetical-deductive method of bibliographic, documentary and exploratory character, theoretical aspects related to the management of solid waste are initially addressed;second, documentary research in the SNIS 2018, ANVISA, CONAMA, ABES and ABRELPE databases. It was found that Covid-19 exposed the pre-existing problems and deficiencies in public cleaning and MSW management in Brazil. It was clear that the management of MSW in small Brazilian municipalities is similar, as well as the indicators of MSW management reveal problems when compared to the PNRS of Brazil. Such disorder is aggravated by the lack of planning for the integrated management of urban solid waste. © 2022 Widener University School of Civil Engineering. All rights reserved.