Benefiting From Power of The Crowd: Contribution of Crowds to the Idea Evaluation Phase

The Covid-19 pandemic has put the world in a serious crisis by damaging the functioning of many systems (i.e.,health, economy, trade). Online communities have also tried to find solutions to minimize the negative effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. One of these communities conducted a program in Turkey to minimize the risky effects brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program took place over a three-month period (April 2020 to June 2020) during the open innovation platform powered by innoCentrum. In this process, an accelerator program was carried out to gather, evaluate, and implement innovative ideas. During the evaluation phase of an idea, the assessments of other entrepreneurs who submitted ideas were also taken into consideration by a rating system. The aim of this study is to reveal whether there is a relationship between the contribution levels of crowds (entrepreneurs) and the best ideas selected during the evaluation phase. While the result of the study shows that there is a significant relationship between the average scores given by the crowds with the scores given by the mentors who mainly evaluated the ideas, there is no significant relationship between the number of crowds' comments and the number of crowds' vote with the scores given by the mentors. © 2022 IEEE.

The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine in healthcare workers: does gender matter?

Objective: Immunization by vaccination has a crucial role in controlling COVID-19 pandemic. Determination of the factors affecting the effectiveness of the vaccine can increase the success rates. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of CoronaVac and factors affecting its effectiveness in healthcare workers.

Evaluation of COVID-19 cases detected positive by RT-PCR

Objective: Immunization by vaccination has a crucial role in controlling COVID-19 pandemic. Determination of the factors affecting the effectiveness of the vaccine can increase the success rates. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of CoronaVac and factors affecting its effectiveness in healthcare workers. Methods: This retrospective study included healthcare personnel (n=2666) working at a training and research hospital. Logistic regression analysis was used for analyzing the effects of all variables including vaccination status on the development of COVID-19. Adjusted odds ratios calculated by logistic regression analysis were used to determine the vaccine effectiveness. Stratified analyses wre performed for the determination of the interaction/effect modification regarding the vaccine effectiveness. Results: Mean age of the 2.666 healthcare workers included in this study was 37,3±10,2 and 55,8% (n=1488) were females and %44,2 (n=1178) were males. In this study gender and history of COVID-19 infection was found to be an effect modifier for the vaccine effectiveness by the stratified analysis. The effectiveness of the CoronaVac vaccine in preventing development of COVID-19 diagnosed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in healthcare workers was 84,5% (95%CI: 73,3-91) in women and 47% (95%CI: 1,7-71,4) in men. Being a medical doctor or a registered nurse, working in ICU or a COVID-19 clinic, a positive history of COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination were other protective factors against COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: Determination of the factors affecting the effectiveness of the vaccine can increase the success rates. Vaccination programs may need to be modified if there is a COVID-19 history or gender-related difference in vaccine effectiveness. © 2022,Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi. All Rights Reserved.

Diagnostic utility and prognostic value of basic laboratory parameters in COVID-19

Objective: Severe respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic that spread all over Turkey following the announcement of the first case on March 11, 2020. The present study aimed to investigate the diagnostic utility of complete blood count (CBC) parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP), and their ratios as well as their prediction on intensive care unit (ICU) admission among patients with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19).

The Relationship between State-Trait Anxiety Levels, Hopelessness Levels and Duration of Hospitalization in Patients with Covid-19

Objective: In addition to its physical effects, COVID-19 also causes significant psychological effects. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between state and trait anxiety and hopelessness levels of inpatients with sociodemographic variables and length of hospital stay. Methods: 161 patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of COVID-19 who received in-hospital treatment between 20.11.2020-10.01.2021 in hospital were included in the study. After the interview with the patients, the Sociodemographic data form, State-Trait Anxiety Scale and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) were administered online via Google Forms. Results: A significant correlation was detected between participants' Trait Anxiety Scale scores and State Anxiety Scale scores (r: 0.436;p<0.001). But, no correlation was detected between participants' BHS total scores and State Anxiety Scale scores (r: -0.080, p=0.314). Anxiety scores of patients hospitalized for more than 3 days increased significantly (p=0.010). None of the features such as age, gender, educational status, history of psychiatric disease caused a difference in anxiety and hopelessness levels. Conclusion: COVID-19 patients had lower anxiety levels in the first 3 days after hospitalization, it was observed that their anxiety levels increased as the duration of hospitalization was prolonged. Accordingly, psychosocial interventions should be planned for people with prolonged hospitalization.