Assessment of lifestyle changes related to quarantine among Saudi population during the early COVID-19 pandemic: pre- and post-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The escalating emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted human life due to the ever-increasing morbidity, containment measures, and the associated emotional distress. This study examined the influence of COVID-19-related measures on the lifestyle behaviors of adults living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS: The study recruited 638 participants through convenience sampling in Jeddah and Taif cities, Saudi Arabia. Demographic characteristics and COVID-19-related information were collected through an anonymous self-reported electronic questionnaire. Lifestyle behaviors were assessed before and during the quarantine using the Healthy Dietary Habits Index (HDHI)-A and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). RESULTS: The study revealed significant changes in the dietary pattern: a reduction in fish intake and increased consumption of French fries and candies. Vegetables and fruit intake increased significantly. Sedentary time > 6 h per day increased from 36.7% pre to 60.8% during the pandemic. Healthy dietary index score and physical activity MET-minutes/week values were respectively 3.5% and 37.9% significantly higher before compared to the full quarantine period. CONCLUSION: The pandemic detrimentally influenced eating habits and physical activity levels that led to weight gain, and hence higher vulnerability to COVID-19 infection and negative outcomes. This analysis provides public health agencies with data to tailor nutrition interventions that mitigate the observed adverse lifestyle behaviors.

Effect of nurse-led intervention on knowledge and preventive behavior of diabetic pregnant women regarding COVID-19 associated mucromycosis infection in mid-delta region of Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Black fungus (mycoses) is an opportunistic invasive infection that predominantly occurred among immunosuppressed persons. It has been recently detected in COVID-19 patients. The pregnant diabetic woman is susceptible to such infections and needs recognition for protection. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the nurse-led intervention on the knowledge and preventive practice of diabetic pregnant women regarding fungal mycosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at maternal health care centers in Shebin El-Kom, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. The study recruited 73 diabetic pregnant women through a systematic random sampling of pregnant women attending the maternity clinic during the period of the study. A structured interview questionnaire was used to measure their knowledge regarding Mucormycosis and COVID-19 manifestations. The preventive practices were assessed through an observational checklist of hygienic practice, insulin administration, and blood glucose monitoring for the prevention of Mucormycosis infection. RESULTS: The study revealed a statistically significant increment in the participants' knowledge, preventive practice, personal hygiene, and diabetes self-care scores (9.56 ± 1.75 ,3.6 ± 1.18, 3.18 ± 1.29 post-intervention) comparable to (6.19 ± 1.66, 1.97 ± 1.35, 0.89 ± 1.38 pre-intervention) respectively. There was a significant improvement in the overall COVID-19 protective score against Mucormycosis (from 2.66 ± 1.74 to 4.53 ± 1.43). CONCLUSION: Nursing educational sessions had a positive effect on pregnant women's awareness and preventive behavior. Hence, it is recommended to integrate nurse-led intervention targeting the preventive practice against COVID-19-associated Mucormycosis infection (CAM) as routine services for diabetic pregnant women during antenatal care.

Domestic violence against married women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: In face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries including Egypt implemented stay indoor rules. These regulations slowed the propagation of the coronavirus, meanwhile they contributed to increase mental health issues, particularly the risk of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). That might lead to adverse health and social outcomes on the abused women and the children. This study aimed to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of intimate partner violence against married women in Egypt. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolled 2068 married women through an electronic survey link. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used. It included demographic data and assessed the frequency of exposure to various forms of spousal violence before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 33.8 ± 6.3 years. The commonest types of violent behaviors that have been increased significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic were: twisting arms/pulling the hair (pre 32.8%, post 75%), leaving the house without informing or giving the wife money (pre 12.2%, post 30.3%), restricting interaction with her family members (pre 26.1, post 40.4%), treating her as a servant (pre 28.7%, post 36.7%) and insulting her in front of others (pre 22.9%, post 30.8%).The associated determinants for higher violence rate were; low women education, young age at marriage, low educational and job rank of husband, husband's tobacco use and reduced family income (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of economic and some types of physical and emotionally abusive behaviors have been increased after the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic. Special intervention should be designed to address this issue in collaboration with public health organizations.

Physicians' attitudes and acceptance regarding COVID-19 vaccines: a cross-sectional study in mid Delta region of Egypt.

Safe and effective vaccines became an important preventive tool against novel corona virus disease infection. Physicians were prioritized for early vaccination since they are at higher risk for contagion of the infection and they might affect the general populations' uptake of the vaccine. This study aimed to examine the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines and the underpinnings of reluctance to uptake the vaccine among working physicians in Egypt. A cross-sectional study was conducted for 3 months, recruiting 1268 physicians using a snowballing random sampling technique. A self-administered electronic questionnaire was deployed to collect related data. Of participants, 24% expressed their acceptance towards COVID-19 vaccines, 39% would wait for further review, while 36.7% did not agree to get vaccinated. Findings revealed that 22% of them were vaccinated and the significant determinants of unacceptability included age, gender, higher educational attainments, prior infection, lack of direct patients' contact, and working in rural health facilities (p < 0.05). The most common reasons beyond their reluctance were fear of the vaccines' adverse effects and the short duration of its clinical trials (60% and 49.5%). Physicians had a low intention to receive COVID-19 vaccines particularly between females, senior staff, and those who had a low self-perceived risk for the infection. Integrated approaches should be designed to address concerns and factors associated with vaccine unacceptability to reduce vaccination reluctance between physicians, hence the general population.

Job stress among resident physicians in Tanta University Hospitals, Egypt.

Resident physicians are the first-line health service providers, subjected to prolonged working hours, sleep deprivation and high job demands. Work stress causes reduction in productivity, suboptimal patient care and medical errors. To determine the level of stress among residents and associated factors and stressors. A cross-sectional study at Tanta University Hospitals recruited residents (n = 278), between December 2016 and February 2017. Job stress was assessed using a predesigned questionnaire. The mean age was 26.53 ± 1.35, and 46.4% were males. The majority reported they work more than 48 h/week, do not get a break during work and have a night shift periodically (87%, 83.1% and 94.2%, respectively). Only 4 (1.4%) had low stress while 169 (60.8%) had moderate and 105 (37.8%) had high stress. The study revealed a statistically significant association between high level of stress and being a single resident (p = 0.017), belonging to surgical departments (p = 0.001) and an absence of break during working hours (p = 0.001). The prime sources of stress were underpayment for the job (87.4%), serving to large number of patients (85.2%), disruption of home life due to long hours at work (83.9%), conflict of responsibilities (81.3) and complying with increasing bureaucratic procedures (78.8%) besides no available fund for research (74.8%). Medical residents experienced moderate to high level of job stress. Thus, there is a need for stress management programs during residency training period taking in consideration main sources of stress.