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Background: Patients with cancer are vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Given the rising number of COVID-19 cases and relaxation of stringent COVID-19 protocols, assessment of the level of protective immunity to COVID-19 in patients with cancer has assumed importance. Objective(s): Our primary objective was to evaluate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in patients with cancer. Material(s) and Method(s): We conducted a cross-sectional study on 100 patients with solid tumors attending our Oncology Department at the Believers Church Medical College, Kerala, India, between December 2020 and June 2021. Seroprevalence was assessed using the VITROS Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG test (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Rochester, NY, USA). Additionally, we assessed the factors associated with seropositivity and collected data regarding the general experience of patients with cancer during the pandemic. Result(s): The median age of the participants was 62 years (IQR, 53-69.8);52 (52%) were males. The seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 11% (95% CI, 4.8-17.1). Age < 50 years was the only factor that was significantly associated with a higher rate of COVID-19 antibodies (77% vs 8.9% in patients >= 50 years;P = 0.007), and sex, smoking, and the use of alcohol did not show any association. The majority (77/100, 77%) of the patients were worried about contracting COVID-19 infection;some even deferred cancer-directed treatment because of the fear of visiting health care settings. Conclusion(s): Low seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in unvaccinated patients with cancer is a matter of concern as it indicates that many of these patients are still vulnerable to infection. There is an urgent need to continue implementing strict safety measures in oncology centers and to encourage widespread COVID-19 vaccination to prevent the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 among patients with cancer. (Funded by the institution, Believers Church Medical College, Kerala).Copyright © 2023 Neurology India, Neurological Society of India Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
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With the development of technology, doctors can diagnose and treat many diseases through telemedicine. At present, teleophthalmology is mainly used in screening and diagnosing some ocular diseases, monitoring chronic ocular diseases, as well as teleconsultation. With the increasing demand and application of teleophthalmology, some problems will gradually become prominent, such as insufficient equipment and staff, medical risks, patient acceptance and satisfaction, network security, privacy, and covering of medical insurance. The global pandemic of COViD-19 has unexpectedly brought telemedicine to the forefront of ophthalmic services, and may continue to change the way of ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment. With the development of artificial intelligence technology, the expansion of 5G communication network coverage, the standardized training of primary medical staff, and the introduction of relevant laws and regulations, teleophthalmology will become more improved, universal, and widely applied, so as to provide patients with sustainable medical services of higher quality.Copyright © 2021, Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All rights reserved.
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Nurses are one of the most important personnel that plays a major role in ensuring safe and high-quality care to the patients. Their attitudes toward patient safety could affect the patient experience in the hospital setting. Contrasting evidence in the previous study on the relationship between duration of working experience with the attitude toward patient safety warranted further exploration in the current pandemic era. The purpose of this study was to determine the perception of attitude towards patient safety and other associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving nurses from selected teaching hospitals in Klang Valley, Malaysia during the Covid-19 pandemic period. Data was collected using validated online Safety Attitude Questionnaires (SAQ). The target group was nurses in charge of general medical and surgical wards and was conveniently sampled. A total of 152 nurses participated and had working experience of more than 2 years (93.4%). The majority of positive responses were observed in 4 domains which were the teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, and stress recognition. The highest positive responses were found for the safety climate domain. In terms of negative responses, it was observed to be highest in the preparation of the unit management domain. However, there was no significant association between any domains with age group, gender, or working experience. In conclusion, the perception of the nurses toward patient safety attitude might be influenced by the managerial style, geographical work setting, and different job scopes. The leaders in a healthcare facility or service delivery should consider focusing on a strategy to ensure adequate management support for the medical personnel that might influence their attitude to patient safety culture in the future.Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
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The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it concerns for the effects on mental health, from both the disease itself and the steps taken to combat it. Given the readiness ramifications of those effects, it is necessary to understand them as they apply to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. This study aimed to analyze temporal trends in mental health-related emergency room (ER) visits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among active duty service members (ADSMs) and dependents. A total of 5,205,259 health care visits in an ER setting between 1 January 2017 to 31 March 2021 were included. Multivariate logistic regressions showed significantly increased odds of ER visits related to mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared to a 3 year period before, both among active duty service members and adult dependents (adjusted odds ratio, AOR: 1.13, 95%CI: 1.12, 1.14), and dependents under 18 years of age (AOR: 1.44, 95%CI: 1.42,1.48). These findings document significant increases in demand for emergency mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially within younger cohorts.
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Introduction: The current corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak set new challenges to nearly all health plans and large health organizations worldwide, including movement restrictions, strict limitations in healthcare services, especially in the dental profession, and patient fears regarding potential infection. Telehealth can serve as an effective platform for remote connection between dental healthcare providers and patients, and can help reduce the risk of infection when social distancing is required. Objective(s): The current study aimed to evaluate the quality of treatment provided via teledentistry, as perceived by patients using the service, as well as their willingness to use online distant medical consultation in the future. Method(s): Since March 2020, a new online service was implemented in the Oral Medicine Unit and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department in the Galilee Medical Center, to expand the range of services beyond merely emergency treatments. Result(s): The current study examined the quality of teledentistry services as perceived by 89 patients participating in at least one teleconsultation, and their acceptance of remote healthcare. Satisfaction rates were high in patients who received both full and partial solution to their chief complaint. Moreover, acceptance of the teledentistry platform was high, even in the older age groups. Conclusion(s): We propose to implement teledentistry services in current and future pandemics, as well as during routine times, to strengthen our health care system with digital technologies.Copyright © 2021 The Authors
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Objective: Describe the sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic aspects of the patients received for an emergency, during this period of pandemic, in a service of reference the service of odontostomatology General Hospital Grand Yoff of Dakar. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study over a threemonth period from March 3 to June 3, 2020. Referred and non-referred patients received for odontostomatological emergencies were included in the study. The data collected were entered in Excel and analyzed using SPSS20.0 software with Chi2 tests performed between certain variables with a significance level set at 0.05. Result(s): Non-referred patients represented 64.9% (n = 131) of the study population and referred patients 35.1% (n = 71). Emergencies were infectious in 74.7% (n = 151) of cases and traumatic in 14.3% (n = 29). Acute apical periodontitis was encountered in 44.6% (n = 90), cellulitis in 16.4% (n = 33) and pulpitis in 9.4% (n = 19) of cases. Therapeutic attitudes were dominated by dental avulsion in 56.4% (n = 114) of cases, pulp sedation in 9.4% (n = 19) of cases and mono-maxillary restraint in 8.4% (n = 17) of cases. Conclusion(s): Despite the risk of contamination and possible dissemination of the covid19 virus, the continuity of oral care must be ensured because of the emergencies that can jeopardize the functional or even vital prognosis of patients. Certain recautions must therefore be taken at the level of the structures of care of these affections.Copyright © 2021
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With COVID-19 declared as a worldwide pandemic, a nationwide lockdown was implemented overnight in India on March 24, 2020. With no prior warning or anticipation, patient appointments were temporarily ceased as institutions and clinics were indefinitely closed. Thus, with no prior warning or anticipation, orthodontic appointments were temporarily ceased. In the field of orthodontics, treatment is generally not considered an emergency. However, what is not understood is the importance of regular check-ups or monthly appointments, as well as the impact of restrictions put on patients concerning visiting their orthodontists in times of need. Understanding whether patients realize the importance of regular follow-ups, feel the need for orthodontic treatment to be regarded as emergencies, or assess the reasons for fear or inconveniences in the minds of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment in a time where they are entirely restricted to the confines of their homes are grey areas that are left unexplored. A set of 12 questions was formulated and distributed among the study. The participants were asked to fill the questionnaire. The survey was conducted in an online forum. A total of 100 validated entries were collected. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed in SPSS V20. Associations between categorical variables were determined using Chi-square. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.85% of the population are aware of orthodontic treatment, 93% of the population responded that they are concerned about their facial appearance. 84% of the population believes orthodontic treatment is must. 76% of the population responded that orthodontic treatment affects their hygiene system. 63% of the population felt safe to visit dental clinics post COVID, 52% of the population are not aware of permanent teeth extraction during orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment is required mainly in smile correction or any other dental problems like elimination of malocclusion, trauma, periodontitis. Hence awareness on orthodontic treatment post COVID was improved.Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: Despite dramatic expansion of telehealth visits across health disciplines during the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about attitudes toward telehealth offerings among patients affected by head and neck neoplasms. We investigate patient responses regarding their desire for telemedicine, personal attitudes, and barriers in availing telemedicine visits for head and neck oncology-related care. Method(s): Retrospective analyses of patient surveys prospectively administered between August and October 2021 to adult patients at a tertiary care head and neck oncology clinic. Level of interest in telemedicine appointments was the assessed primary outcome. Covariates including demographics, place of residence, primary neoplastic condition, speech/communication barriers, access to internet-enabled devices or reliable internet, personal preferences, and qualitative self-reporting of attitudes toward telemedicine were assessed for association with interest in telemedicine appointments. Result(s): Of 633 survey responses, 50.6% were male. More than 70% of surveyed patients were older than 56 years. Overall, 49.7% demonstrated interest in telehealth visits. Limitations in access to technology (17.7% [112 of 633 respondents]) and lack of reliable internet connection (13.74% [87 of 633 respondents]) were considered key barriers. Only 6% patients expressed concerns about missing key elements of care or quality of care delivered through telemedicine visits. Conclusion(s): Limited access to technology platforms and unreliable internet were key concerns for 1 in 2 patients considering telemedicine appointments for head and neck oncologic care. Understanding the needs and attitudes of specific patient populations may be important for organizations pivoting to telemedicine platforms for improving health care access. Key interventions to enhance participation in telemedicine- based care delivery could include identifying rural connectivity hubs and ensuring availability of connected devices through grant or device loan programs, and employing userfriendly technology platforms.
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Objectives: This paper mainly aims to construct an index system evaluating the health communication effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine in treating COVID 19. Methods: In this paper, the authors used social network analysis (SNA), analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and in-depth interviews. Based content analysis and SNA, culture-oriented textual research is processed to refine the practical and exact role of Culture in theCONVID-19 penetrated health communications. In the meantime, regarding justification, objectivity and feasibility as the main aims, an evaluating system is also established and discussed via Delphi technique and AHP to fully cover the culture driven health communication effects. Results: This paper concludes with a three-faceted CONVID-19 health communication effects evaluating system with cultural features. Given the prominent role thatWeb-based Communication Index (WCI) plays. According to the analysis, it is easy to get the conclusion that the first-level media exposure indexes are mainly focused on the amount of reading, reposting and liking. As for cultural cognitive indexes, the width of doctor-patient interactions is the major indicator in the second dimension including average reading numbers, follower scale and the specific genre and registers of each particular post. At the third level, doctor-patient attitude and sentiment are fully explored within the indexes concerning muti-platform usage, post originality, news source, theme and readability. In addition, the weight allocation is submitted with AHP, Delphi style interviews and questionnaires of several scholars specialized in both communications studies and practitioners of both doctors and patients. Against the existing literature and WCI, a number of multi-party optimizations and iteration are also carried out to ensure the effectiveness and feasibility. Conclusions: Despite of the authors' ultimate attempt, a perfectly scientific, unified and universal evaluating system is yet to construct for culture deconstruction. Therefore, this present paper paves the way to bridge the cultural impacts and health communication effects.
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Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use has been associated with worse survival outcomes in cancer patients compared to standard of care therapies. CAM has received a significant increase in public awareness and interest in the COVID-19 pandemic era. We sought to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected CAM use and perceptions in cancer patients. Methods: Data was collected from adult cancer patients prospectively enrolled on a cross-sectional survey conducted at an NCI-designated cancer center and a comprehensive cancer center between 2020 and 2021. The survey included questions assessing changes in patient attitude towards CAM and likelihood of using CAM, both relative to prior to COVID-19. Analyzed CAM users included those taking vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements, alternative medicines and special diets, and excluded mindbody practices as the focus of this analysis was on enteral and parenteral CAM therapies. Differences in the impact of COVID-19 on CAM use beliefs and practices between CAM users and non-users were analyzed with χ2 and two-sample t-tests. Results: Out of 749 respondents, 578 (77%) used any CAM and 470 (63%) used enteral or parenteral CAM. Results shown in table. Compared to prior to COVID- 19, CAM users were more likely to view CAM more favorably (12% vs 5%, p < 0.01), while non-users were more likely to have an unchanged opinion (90% vs 84%, p = 0.03). Females had higher rates of viewing CAM more favorably than males (80% vs 58%, p = 0.04). Patients who viewed CAM more favorably had higher rates of self-reported incurable cancer (36% vs 11%, p = 0.04), declining recommended hormone therapy (22% vs 0%, p < 0.01), and higher trust of social media (19% vs 0%, p = 0.02) and websites (24% vs 0%, p < 0.01). Since the start of COVID-19, CAM users were more likely to report increased likelihood of using CAM (12% vs 6%, p = 0.01). Patients who were more likely to use CAM had higher rates of declining recommended chemotherapy (12% vs 0%, p = 0.02), and higher trust of social media (15% vs 2%, p = 0.01) and websites (28% vs 7%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, attitudes on CAM use in oncology patients have become increasingly polarizing. Patients with favorable attitudes toward CAM were likely to decline recommended standard of care therapy and more like to use CAM since COVID-19. This data helps characterize shifting attitudes toward CAM and may help guide shared decision-making between physician and patient.
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We investigated how food purchasing behavior changed in a cohort of inner-city dialysis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. 33 dialysis patients were surveyed face-to-face about use of grocery stores, restaurants, take-out, and use of SNAP or other benefits over the past year. The survey also assessed patient attitudes and fear relating to COVID-19. Mean age was 57.1±17.9 yrs, 20 (61%) men, 91% identified as Black. 9/20 pts (27%) reported yearly income under $20,000 with 70% less than $40,000. The number of pts using SNAP, WIC, or Greenmarket Bucks to buy groceries increased from 21% before the pandemic to 33% after (p=0.019). Age correlated negatively with feeling safe eating at a restaurant indoors (r=-0.47, p=0.008), or outdoors (r=-0.58, p=<0.001) and increased use of take-out since the start of the pandemic (r=-0.39, p=0.032). There was a significant difference in pts who purchased breakfast (45.9±4.0 vs 65.3±3.6, p<.001), lunch (49.7±4.1 vs 65.3±4.0, p=.006), and dinner compared to those who didn’t (48.5±4.9 vs 60.9±3.9, p=0.031). There was a positive correlation between income and the frequency that pts purchased breakfast (r=0.45, p=0.048) and lunch (r=0.45, p=0.046). There was a negative correlation between age and the statement “I wish I could cook more meals at home” (r=-0.497, p=0.004) and a positive correlation with income (r=0.06, p=0.006). There was no association between age and income. Only 6% (2) pts were employed and both were <60 yrs old. In our population of inner-city dialysis pts: 1. Use of food assistance programs increased since the start of the pandemic. 2. Older pts felt less safe eating at restaurants regardless of whether it was indoors or outdoors and were more likely to make meals at home. 4. Younger patients were more likely to eat take-out food and reported they wished they could cook more meals at home. 5. Increased use of food programs and association of younger age or lower income with eating out suggests that careful nutritional guidance should be emphasized as dietary habits have changed since the pandemic and eating out has been associated with worse adherence to sodium and other restrictions in pts on dialysis.
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The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has been the most significant global health crisis of the past century. The development of safe and effective vaccines has led to a reduction in COVID- 19-related hospitalizations and deaths;however, the clinical trials that led to US Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization and/or approval of the vaccines in the United States did not include individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because individuals with IBD are commonly treated with immunosuppressive medications, there had been concern for reduced vaccine efficacy in this population. This article provides an overview of the peer-reviewed literature addressing COVID-19 vaccination in individuals with IBD;details the perceptions of patients with IBD of COVID-19 vaccines, including how gastroenterologists can help to reduce vaccine hesitancy;and describes the humoral immune response to COVID-19 vaccines, with a majority of patients with IBD seroconverting following complete vaccination regardless of medication exposure. Additionally, low rates of IBD flare and similar rates of vaccine-related adverse events to those in the general population are described. Finally, the article provides current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for COVID-19 vaccination in individuals with IBD.
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Background: The pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which poses unprecedented challenges to health-care systems around the world, another one is hypertension which is growing rapidly to epidemic levels in the developing countries, that’s why described by some clinicians as a ‘silent killer’. Objective: To study the prevalence of hypertension on disease progression and prognosis in patients with SARS-COV-2 positive adults and also assess the co relation between SARS-COV-2 positive adults with hypertension in tertiary care hospital. Methodology: A Hospital based, cross sectional, observational study was conducted among the 208 SARS-COV-2 positive adults in tertiary care hospital. A comparison between patients, admitted in Non-ICU and in ICU for treatment and management. Their demographic data, clinical manifestations, were collected and analyzed. Result: In our study 65 SARS-COV-2 positive subjects were found to be hypertensive with the prevalence of 31.3%. Where;new cases of hypertension were found to be with prevalence of 16 (24.6.%). Whereas, 69.4% of hypertensive subjects were on medication still having raised blood pressure (P < 0.05). However, failed to show that hypertension was an independent risk factor for COVID-19 mortality or severity (P > 0.05). Recommendation: It is necessary to create additional attention, awareness, change attitude so that they quit and avoid modifiable risk factors associated with hypertension and SARS-COV-2 infection and prevent worsening of their condition which leads to severe pneumonia, excessive inflammatory reactions, organ and tissue damage, and deterioration of the disease.
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Objective: Kinet o therapy is proposed as a method of nonpharmacological treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) by the EULAR and OARSI recommendations. Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared by the WHO in March 2020, there have been different restrictions for outpatient rehabilitation clinics in the Republic of Moldova, from banning clinic visits, limited access, or the need for additional precautions for both patient safety and health professionals. This study aimed to assess the restrictions of the kinetotherapy rehabilitation program in patients with osteoarthritis during the pandemic Methods: We performed a qualitative study of patient attitude and the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on their rehabilitation program. The sample (n=28) consisted of patients with osteoarthritis that were admitted to outpatient rehabilitation facilities associated with University Rehabilitation Center. All patients underwent a standard kinetotherapy 10 D program between September 2020-March 2021. The patient's opinions were assessed in semi-structed interview by phone calls, after completing the kinetotherapy program. The qualitative findings of the impact of pandemic restrictions on patients with OA Results: In the study were included 28 patients (9 men and 19 women) The analysis revealed 9 areas concerning challenging reasons in patients with knee OA during the rehabilitation program: certain restrictions across the country determined by infection rate, fear for traveling in public transport or becoming infected during exercise program because they cannot keep a safe distance, high rate of abandon or poor adherence to kinetotherapeutic program due to patient infection or need to respect the self-isolation, preference of individual sessions rather than group sessions increased rate of telerehabilitation, challenges in elderly to use gadgets, post-COVID symptoms caused some limitation for the intensity of the program, increased communication needs of patients Conclusion: Kinetotherapy rehabilitation is an important part of the management of knee osteoarthritis, its realization in pandemic conditions determined several challenges, as brought challenges but also opportunities.
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Introduction & Objectives: One of the biggest challenges of the last 12 months has been the practical continuation of cancer diagnostic services and changes in health-seeking behaviour, with urgent 2-week-wait cancer referrals decreasing by up to 80% in response to physical distancing and concerns about contracting SARS-CoV-2. Our diagnostic service saw a 60% decrease in referrals and an appointment cancellation rate of 50% in the first 4 weeks following national lockdown. In an effort to address these concerns we sought to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a digital solution in the form of a patient video and an information leaflet to reassure patients about their hospital attendance. Materials & Methods: We identified and recruited patients that had previously undergone prostate cancer diagnostics through the Prostate Rapid Diagnostic Clinic. Using an interview guide, an experienced facilitator conducted two 90-minute focus groups. Sessions were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic content analysis techniques. A 3 minute patient video was developed based on the themes highlighted in the focus groups. A link to the video was emailed to patients alongside a Patient Information Sheet (PIS) prior to their appointment. The impact of the intervention was evaluated using a survey developed through a clinician and patient discussion group. A 7 point likert scale of agreement (1 strongly disagree – 7 strongly agree) was used to evaluate patient attitude to the interventions and was presented to participants in block-randomisation format. The survey was administered through the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR - 2018) compliant smart survey website. Results: Focus Groups: Key themes emerging from the initial focus groups included;investigations required for diagnosis, timeline to diagnosis and Covid safe communication and consultations. Survey Results: Between May 4th and June 6th, 43/61 consecutive patients seen in the diagnostic clinic were invited to complete the survey. The mean age of patients was 66 years. 53/61 [87%] of patients agreed or strongly agreed that understanding the safety precautions that had been implemented in the diagnostic pathway were reassuring. 54/61 [89%] of patients agreed or strongly agreed that understanding the investigations that would be carried out during their consultation and the timeline to a diagnosis was reassuring. 42/61 [69%] of patients agreed or strongly agreed that the video had made them feel safer to come to the diagnostic centre. Whereas only 19/61 [31%] felt the same way about the PIS. With 48/61 [79%] of patients preferring the video to the PIS. Conclusions: Digital information was effectively used to deliver important messages through the peaks and troughs of the COVID-19 pandemic, and should be considered to reassure during any future pandemic waves.
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new virus caused by SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus from the coronavirus family, that can provoke severe respiratory syndrome. The disease became a pandemic in December 2019. Impaired immune modulation is one of the processes implicated in its pathogenesis, which contributes to poor COVID-19 outcomes. Many investigations have been conducted using medication to control coronaviral infections as antiviral agents or immunomodulators. The results of these tests, however, demonstrated that these medications were useless in fighting the disease. Some people believe that using herbal immunomodulators can aid in the prevention or even curing of COVID-19. Based on prior research, in the management of COVID-19, several botanicals may be useful. We go over the patient attitude and benefits of using such herbal remedies in the regimen of treating COVID-19 in Jordan.
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The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to the implementation of certain restrictions and rearrangements regarding the surgical oncology operations, thus affecting the surgical lists, the availability of surgical time, along with the consultations of oncologic patients. The purpose of the present study was to identify the differences in surgical oncology practices in Greece and Cyprus between the first and second pandemic waves. We designed a questionnaire for surgeons treating surgical oncology patients. A total of 104 surgeons participated in the present study by answering our questionnaire. According to our outcomes, there was a significant shift between the two waves in patients' willingness to undergo surgery and to present to consultations. Nonetheless, the availability of surgical services remained limited. The consequent mismatch in patients' needs and the availability of healthcare services, we demonstrate herein, is alarming and should be taken into consideration by the policymakers.
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BACKGROUND: Willingness to vaccinate against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among non-healthcare personnel must be increased, considering that breaking the chain of transmission requires 84‒90% herd immunity, with at least 62% of the vulnerable population vaccinated. However, achieving uptake of recommended vaccination in the targeted population ultimately lies with the community’s willingness. This decreasing trend may also be an outcome of a high level of concern over vaccine safety. AIM: This research was intended to determine the willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 and its associated factors. METHODS: It employed a cross-sectional study, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive analytics and categorical comparison analysis. Two online surveys on Google Forms with non-healthcare personnel as the research subjects were conducted at different times (the first and second stage of vaccination). Screening with inclusion and exclusion criteria yielded 862 respondents spread over 32 provinces in Indonesia. RESULTS: The results actually showed an increase in willingness to receive the vaccine, from 42.4% of the respondents in survey 1–55.6% in survey 2, and a relationship (p = 0.00) between the surveys and this variable. About 36.8‒45.3% were feeling hesitant;the main reason for vaccine hesitancy (42.2%) and unwillingness (43.2%) was mistrust in the effects or benefits of the vaccine. Although demographic characteristics were not related to the willingness (p > 0.05), the opposite was true for the COVID-19 knowledge level (Odds ratio: 1.66;95% confidence interval: 1.26–2.18). CONCLUSION: There is an increasing number of people willing to vaccinate against COVID-19 (42.4% in survey 1 and 55.6% in survey 2). The time of the survey and COVID-19 knowledge are two predictors (p = 0.00) of this willingness.
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Context: Spain was at the epicenter of the pandemic. Health centers across Spanish territory were not able to respond to non-emergency enquiries, leaving community pharmacies as the first point of patient's contact. Aims: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the mental and physical health of community pharmacy teams across Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed with community pharmacy professionals throughout Spain. A questionnaire designed by our collaborator from the United Kingdom was adapted to the Spanish population and launched between October 2020 and February 2021. Results: A total of 98 participants responded to the questionnaire. The survey showed an 80% increase in workload. The pandemic had negatively impacted the well-being of community pharmacy professionals. The survey indicated a national shortage of medicines and personal protective equipment across Spain, particularly during the first peak. To adapt to this pandora's box of COVID-19, 96% of the pharmacies changed their settings to improve patients and staff's safety. Most of these changes were self-financed by the pharmacy owner. The pharmacists kept up to date with information released from the pharmacists' college, General Pharmaceutical Council and the Spanish Society of Community Pharmacists. The Public domain purchased more (79%) immune booster supplements. Conclusions: Community pharmacy professionals have faced tremendous mental, physical and professional pressure in providing adequate personal protective equipment and medication supply to their communities. They have provided more pharmaceutical services during the crisis, although they have not been recognized as essential workers by the healthcare system.