Seroprevalence of COVID-19 Antibodies and Factors Associated with Seropositivity: A Population-based Study

Background: Currently, COVID-19 is a global public health problem. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of antibodies related to Covid-19 in the general population in southern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study of the seroepidemiological type investigated the serological prevalence of COVID-19 from October to December 2020 in Jahrom, Fars province, Iran. A total of 612 participants were selected using multistage cluster random sampling regardless of age or gender. The dataset in the study included the participants' demographic information, the history of exposure to COVID-19 patients, the history of PCR tests, and the history of COVID-19 symptoms in previous months. In addition, this study examined the raw and survey-weight adjusted estimates with Stata version 14. Finally, logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for serum prevalence. Results: The participants' mean age was 38.88±13.91 and the majority were 30 to 49 years (51.4%), with a female preponderance (58.7%). The estimated adjusted seroprevalence was 32.66 (95%CI: 28.93-36.63), with 207 positive cases for either IgG or IgM. The results of multivariable logistic regression showed that seropositivity in the participants was 4.95 times more likely associated with a history of positive PCR test (OR: 4.95, 95%CI: 2.46-10.90) and 2.14 times in patients with a history of muscle pain in previous months (OR: 2.14, 95%CI: 1.03-4.47). Conclusion: The actual number of patients with COVID-19 is significantly higher than the number of cases confirmed by the disease monitoring system based on PCR tests. Therefore, tracking individuals' contact with confirmed patients using extensive testing and segregation of asymptomatic patients can help control the epidemic. © Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System. All rights reserved.

Mourning During COVID-19 Pandemic in Bojnurd, a City in Northeast of Iran: A Qualitative Study

Background: The way one mourns varies across different cultures. As such in each society, the mourning rituals in accordance with the culture of that society can alleviate the grieving process. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, in many parts of the world, restrictions have been imposed on hosting different ceremonies and events to control the spread of the virus. Since the enforced regulations have made changes to the way mourning is done in these times, an investigation of the experiences of people of different cultures in coping with loss during the current crisis seems to be of importance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mourning experiences in north-east of Iran during COVID-19. Methods: This is a qualitative study which was conducted by using content analysis. The participants were 11 individuals who had lost a family member due to COVID-19 in Bojnurd in 2020. Sampling was purposive and continued until reaching data saturation. Semi-structured interviews and note-taking were utilized for data collection. The interviews were recorded and the notes were then evaluated. Results: After analyzing the collected data and forming semantic units, three main categories and nine sub-categories of unexpressed grief were extracted. Unexpressed bereavement, effects on mental health, and dissatisfaction with services comprise the main categories while lack of farewell opportunity, the emotional burden of COVID-19, strange burial, fear and social stigma, lack of adequate psychological support, emotional trauma and shock, reducing the motivation for life, lack of professional principles in the death announcements, and finally lack of equipment and non-compliance with hygiene standards make up the 9 subcategories. Conclusion: The collected evidence concerning the unexpressed grieving experience ensuing from the COVID-19 induced death of a family member reveals such issue to be one of the most important mental health issues during the spread of the virus, which requires the necessary investigation and intervention of the experts in this field. © 2022 Seventh Sense Research Group®

Prevalence of Fear and Anxiety Due to Covid-19 in Medical Staff and Non-medical Population: A Systematic Review Study

Introduction: The lack of any definitive treatment or preventive method, and the prediction of some epidemiologists that most of the population will infected with Covid-19, has caused a lot of stress and anxiety in people. So study aimed to review the prevalence of fear and anxiety due to Covid-19 in medical staff and non-medical population. Method: in this study the databases including PubMed, Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and national databases such as Irandoc, Civilica, Maglran SID, using the keywords of fear, anxiety, prevalence, and covid-19 from the start of Covid-19 pandemic at December 2019 until July 2022 were searched in order to find the related articles. Results: Anxiety prevalence in women was higher than in men, in people who follow the news related to Covid-19 was more than those who didn't follow, among younger people was higher than older, in people in the region with the high epidemic of covid-19 was more than a low epidemic region, and in people who had an unchanging residence was higher than those who change. Also, anxiety prevalence among medical staff was higher than the non-medical. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety in most people especially in medical staff was high. Special measures should be taken to reduce anxiety among the medical staff and non-medical population.

Correlation Of Initial Chest CT Finding of Covid-19 Patients with Their Death Risk

Introduction: Initial chest CT scan, as a practical and accessible tool, is one of the best diagnosing tools due to easy to perform and it will be able to make fast diagnosis for patients this study aimed to investigate if the initial chest CT finding of Covid-19 patients is a risk factor of their death? Method & Material: This descriptive cross-sectional study performed on 589 patients referred to Imam Hossein hospital (Tehran, Iran). Inclusions criteria were conformed diagnose of SARS CoV-2 and exclusion criteria were death of the patient for any cause other than SARS CoV-2. Data were extracted from electronic information hospital system. Sampling was done by easy and accessible method. Data were analyzed by SPSS 26 and statistical methods such as Chi-square, independent t-test, Fisher's exact test and Logistic regression. Result: out of 589 patients participating in the study, 128 patients died and 481 patients survived. In survived group 57.9% were man with mean age of 57.19 +/- 17.02 years and in death group 62.5% were man with mean age of 71.79 +/- 15.45 years. Out of 538 patients who had initial chest CT finding, 127 patients, and out of 51 patients who had not, 1 patient died. Logistic regression showed that initial chest CT finding was associated with death of Covid-19 patients. Conclusion: Initial chest CT finding of Covid-19 patients will be able to predict their mortality and manage their treatment process.