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The virus responsible for COVID-19, acknowledged as a public health threat, has been causing global disease since first discovered in December 2019 in China. The CDC (2021) issued a call for action through its Science Agenda for COVID-19 to identify evidence-based interventions for interrupting disease progression in vulnerable populations such as those in emergency shelter settings.This project focused on COVID-19 and its impact on the homeless population in northwestern Pennsylvania. The theoretical framework was the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model (JHEBP). A survey collected self-reported data on the practice and barriers to using personal NPIs. Participants were adults ages 18 years or older residing in one of two emergency shelters on the data collection date.The Questionnaire to Assess Preventative Practices Against the COVID-19 Pandemic in the General Population was modified to facilitate its use in an emergency shelter setting in the United States. Surveys were distributed to 142 individuals over the four data collection times;28% were returned with 93% complete.The preventative measures used by the participants most often were covering the face when sneezing or coughing and maintaining social distancing. Barriers to not following the recommendations included time, overcrowding, and personal opinion.A variety of toolkits are available to assist in developing the continued education identified as a need for the homeless. Future research, including focus groups and observation, can add to the knowledge base of COVID-19 and the homeless. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use and effectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies as part of the treatment of COVID-19 and its complications, either combined or not with the usual treatment. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted between August and October 2021 using PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and Web of Science databases. From a total of 204 articles identified, 33 were included in the final sample (15 clinical trials and 18 quasi-experimental studies). The methodological evaluation was carried out using STROBE and CONSORT guidelines. RESULTS: There is a growing literature on the use of CAM for COVID-19. Most studies have shown positive findings, particularly for the use of TCM, other herbal therapies and acupuncture. Nevertheless, most studies were carried out in Asia and relied on quasi-experimental designs. The current evidence is available for physical outcomes (mortality rate, pneumonia resolution and other symptoms, negative PCR test, and hospitalization and ICU admissions) and for mental health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Despite a positive role of CAM on COVID-19 outcomes, the evidence is still mostly based on quasi-experimental studies. More robust clinical trials are needed in order to generate better evidence in this area.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic is a major global public health threat. Coronavirus includes a large group of viruses, which infects both humans and animals. China reported the outbreak on December 31, 2019, to World Health Organization. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, has published nonpharmacological interventions such as social distancing, zonal lockdown, rolling lockdown, wearing masks, and washing hands to combat the spread of COVID-19. The present study was conducted to assess the perceptions of people about nonpharmacological interventions in the prevention of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A facility-based study was conducted among 220 participants from December 01, 2020, to February 28, 2021, among outpatients in the field practice area of urban primary health care Rukmini Nagar, under the administrative control of J. N. Medical College in Belagavi district, Karnataka. Results: A total of 220 participants were interviewed and analyzed for the study. Out of which, 36 (16.4%) were male and 184 (83.6%) were female. One hundred and seventy (77.2%) of the participants practiced good hand hygiene and personal hygiene. One hundred and forty-five (65.9%) of the participants always wore a face mask, when they were going outside. One hundred and eighty-one (82.2%) of the participants started drinking more fluids in the form of water compared with normal days. Conclusion: There was a lack of awareness about face protection and the use of hand sanitizer among the common public. Grassroots level health-care workers such as Accredited Social Health Activist, Anganwadi workers, and community volunteers should be trained for giving health education about nonpharmacological interventions to the public for COVID-19 prevention.
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The number of the elderly experiencing cognitive disorders or dementia including Alzheimer's has been increasing worldwide. During COVID-19 pandemic, they are vulnerable not only to the coronavirus, but also to the social isolation with no family visits. The elderly are increasingly depressed, resisting care, refusing medications, and showing signs of agitation. These behavioral disturbances are leading to an increased use of psychotropic medications and/or increased hospitalizations to the already overloaded healthcare systems. To address this, the authors focus on a mobile intervention, named AlzhaTV, as a suite of mobile apps. The intervention, not requiring any technical interaction from the elderly, is available on both Android and iOS platforms. The mobile intervention has the potential to improve the quality of life and reduction in medications for the elderly. The results show that multiple personalized and non-personalized videos can be transmitted over existing wireless networks. During the current and future pandemics and disasters, AlzhaTV can actively support the elderly.
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Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for the health and wellness of individuals and societies. During an infectious disease pandemic, such as the one caused by COVID-19, social distancing, quarantines, and lockdowns are used to reduce community spread of the disease. Unfortunately, such nonpharmacological interventions or physical risk mitigation measures also make it challenging to engage in PA. Reduced PA could then trigger physiological changes that affect both mental and physical health. In this regard, women are more likely to experience physical and psychological distress. PA is a safe and effective nonpharmacological modality that can help prevent and manage several mental and physical health problems when performed correctly. PA might even confer benefits that are directly related to decreasing COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in women. In this review, we summarize why optimal PA must be a priority for women during the COVID-19 pandemic. We then discuss chronic COVID-19 illness and its impact on women, which further underscores the need for worldwide preventive health strategies that include PA. Finally, we discuss the importance of vaccination against COVID-19 for women, as part of prioritizing preventive healthcare and an active lifestyle.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Communicable Disease Control , Exercise , Female , Humans , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the world in an unprecedented manner and South Asian countries were among the first to experience imported cases. Pakistan's response to COVID-19 has been under scrutiny for its granularity, reach and impact. AIMS: to evaluate objectively the chronology and depth of the response to COVID-19 in Pakistan. METHODS: We evaluated available national and subnational epidemiological and burden information on COVID-19 cases and deaths in Pakistan, including projection models available to the Government at an early stage of the pandemic. RESULTS: Pakistan, with a population of 215 million and considerable geographic diversity, experienced case introduction from pilgrims returning from the Islamic Republic of Iran, followed by widespread community transmission. The National Command and Operations Centre, established through civilian and military partnership, was critical in fast tracking logistics, information gathering, real-time reporting and smart lockdowns, coupled with a massive cash support programme targeting the poorest sections of society. Cases peaked in June 2020 but the health system was able to cope with the excess workload. Since then, although testing rates remain low (> 300 000 cases confirmed to date), case fatality rates have stabilized, and with 6300 deaths, Pakistan seems to have flattened the COVID-19 curve. CONCLUSION: Despite notable successes in controlling the pandemic, several weaknesses remain and there are risks of rebound as the economy and educational systems reopen. There is continued need for strong technical and programmatic oversight, linked to civic society engagement and working with religious scholars to ensure nonpharmacological intervention compliance.