scholarly journals Evaluation of the awareness level of Healthcare workers toward NCOVID-2019 in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bushra Imdad ◽  
Uzair Abbas ◽  
Ambrina Qureshi ◽  
Sehrish Mohsin ◽  
Amna Shireen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Basic Knowledge ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
And Control ◽  
Awareness Level

AbstractBackgroundNovel Coronavirus infection disease 2019 (NCOVID-19), caused by the corona virus, was first spotted in Wuhan, city of China, December 2019. The NCOVID-19 virus is spread among individuals through close communication in the form of droplets, not via airborne. Those individuals are at risk of infection who are in close contact with a NCOVID-19 patient or who take care of NCOVID-19 patients. Infection prevention and control measures are critical to prevent the possible spread of any infection in healthcare facilities. Therefore, healthcare workers should be aware of basic knowledge and all procedures concerning prevention and protection from NCOVID-19.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the awareness level of healthcare workers toward NCOVID-2019 in Pakistan.Material and MethodsA questionnaire was generated according to WHO information that was circulated among the healthcare workers of different hospitals and medical institutes of Pakistan. Calculated sample size was 650.ConclusionHealthcare workers have insufficient knowledge of preventive measures and infection control. The authorities must take initiatives on urgent basis to increase the awareness among the healthcare workers and general public also so that the drastic circumstances can be avoided in the developing country like Pakistan.

scholarly journals Improving knowledge, attitudes and practice to prevent COVID-19 transmission in healthcare workers and the public in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rapeephan R. Maude ◽  
Monnaphat Jongdeepaisal ◽  
Sumawadee Skuntaniyom ◽  
Thanomvong Muntajit ◽  
Stuart D. Blacksell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
The Public ◽  
Educational Videos ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Key infection prevention and control measures to limit transmission of COVID-19 include social distancing, hand hygiene, use of facemasks and personal protective equipment. However, these have limited or no impact if not applied correctly through lack of knowledge, inappropriate attitude or incorrect practice. In order to maximise the impact of infection prevention and control measures on COVID-19 spread, we undertook a study to assess and improve knowledge, attitudes and practice among 119 healthcare workers and 100 general public in Thailand. The study setting was two inpatient hospitals providing COVID-19 testing and treatment. Detailed information on knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. Results Knowledge of the main transmission routes, commonest symptoms and recommended prevention methods was mostly very high (> 80%) in both groups. There was lower awareness of aerosols, food and drink and pets as sources of transmission; of the correct duration for handwashing; recommended distance for social/physical distancing; and about recommended types of face coverings. Information sources most used and most trusted were the workplace, work colleagues, health workers and television. The results were used to produce a set of targeted educational videos which addressed many of these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting in a number of areas. This included improvements in handwashing practice with an increase in the number of areas correctly washed in 65.5% of the public, and 57.9% of healthcare workers. The videos were then further optimized with feedback from participants followed by another round of retesting. Conclusions Detailed information on gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. This was used to produce targeted educational videos which addressed these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting. The resulting videos were then disseminated as a resource to aid in efforts to fight COVID-19 in Thailand and worldwide.

scholarly journals Rapid decline of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among infected healthcare workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Marot ◽  
◽  
Isabelle Malet ◽  
Valentin Leducq ◽  
Karen Zafilaza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
And Control

AbstractThere are only few data concerning persistence of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) among SARS-CoV-2-infected healthcare workers (HCW). These individuals are particularly exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection and at potential risk of reinfection. We followed 26 HCW with mild COVID-19 three weeks (D21), two months (M2) and three months (M3) after the onset of symptoms. All the HCW had anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgA at D21, decreasing to 38.5% at M3 (p < 0.0001). Concomitantly a significant decrease in NAb titers was observed between D21 and M2 (p = 0.03) and between D21 and M3 (p < 0.0001). Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 can elicit a NAb response correlated with anti-RBD antibody levels. However, this neutralizing activity declines, and may even be lost, in association with a decrease in systemic IgA antibody levels, from two months after disease onset. This short-lasting humoral protection supports strong recommendations to maintain infection prevention and control measures in HCW, and suggests that periodic boosts of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may be required.

Mass SARS-CoV-2 Testing in a Dormitory-Style Correctional Facility in Arkansas

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e10
Author(s):  
Lindsay K. Tompkins ◽  
Jayleen K. L. Gunn ◽  
Blake Cherney ◽  
Jason E. Ham ◽  
Roberta Horth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Correctional Facility ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Strict Enforcement ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control ◽  
Respiratory Specimens

Objectives. To assess SARS-CoV-2 transmission within a correctional facility and recommend mitigation strategies. Methods. From April 29 to May 15, 2020, we established the point prevalence of COVID-19 among incarcerated persons and staff within a correctional facility in Arkansas. Participants provided respiratory specimens for SARS-CoV-2 testing and completed questionnaires on symptoms and factors associated with transmission. Results. Of 1647 incarcerated persons and 128 staff tested, 30.5% of incarcerated persons (range by housing unit = 0.0%–58.2%) and 2.3% of staff tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among those who tested positive and responded to symptom questions (431 incarcerated persons, 3 staff), 81.2% and 33.3% were asymptomatic, respectively. Most incarcerated persons (58.0%) reported wearing cloth face coverings 8 hours or less per day, and 63.3% reported close contact with someone other than their bunkmate. Conclusions. If testing remained limited to symptomatic individuals, fewer cases would have been detected or detection would have been delayed, allowing transmission to continue. Rapid implementation of mass testing and strict enforcement of infection prevention and control measures may be needed to mitigate spread of SARS-CoV-2 in this setting. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print March 18, 2021: e1–e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.306117 )

scholarly journals Knowing More of the Iceberg: How Detecting a Greater Proportion of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Carriers Influences Transmission

2019 ◽  
Vol 221 (11) ◽  
pp. 1782-1794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M Bartsch ◽  
Kim F Wong ◽  
Owen J Stokes-Cawley ◽  
James A McKinnell ◽  
Chenghua Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Contact Precautions ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Adult Inpatient ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Abstract Background Clinical testing detects a fraction of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) carriers. Detecting a greater proportion could lead to increased use of infection prevention and control measures but requires resources. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of detecting increasing proportions of CRE carriers. Methods We used our Regional Healthcare Ecosystem Analyst–generated agent-based model of adult inpatient healthcare facilities in Orange County, California, to explore the impact that detecting greater proportions of carriers has on the spread of CRE. Results Detecting and placing 1 in 9 carriers on contact precautions increased the prevalence of CRE from 0% to 8.0% countywide over 10 years. Increasing the proportion of detected carriers from 1 in 9 up to 1 in 5 yielded linear reductions in transmission; at proportions &gt;1 in 5, reductions were greater than linear. Transmission reductions did not occur for 1, 4, or 5 years, varying by facility type. With a contact precautions effectiveness of ≤70%, the detection level yielding nonlinear reductions remained unchanged; with an effectiveness of &gt;80%, detecting only 1 in 5 carriers garnered large reductions in the number of new CRE carriers. Trends held when CRE was already present in the region. Conclusion Although detection of all carriers provided the most benefits for preventing new CRE carriers, if this is not feasible, it may be worthwhile to aim for detecting &gt;1 in 5 carriers.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – An Overview

2020 ◽  
pp. 84-90
Author(s):  
Ariful Bashera ◽  
Debashish Das ◽  
M Abul Faiz
Keyword(s):  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Concerted Effort ◽  
Hospital Cleanliness ◽  
Personal Level ◽  
O2 Supply ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
And Control

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a pandemic with a massive death toll across the world. The knowledge and understanding of this novel coronavirus transmission and pathogenesis are evolving. Although the landscape of vaccine and drug development is changing at an unprecedented pace, currently, there is no specific effective treatment. Proper and timely management of severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients is crucial to reduce deaths in the ongoing pandemic. Ramping up testing capacity alongside a test strategy in place, ensuring adequate resources, i.e., protective gear, O2 supply, ICU facilities are essential requirements in the fight against COVID-19. Infection prevention and control measures at a personal level (e.g., handwashing, wearing masks, proper donning and doffing of personal protective equipment), and at hospital settings (e.g., hospital cleanliness, safe handling, and disposal of waste) are extremely important to reduce the risk of infection. COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global crisis that requires a multidisciplinary response and concerted effort to ensure resilience in health systems. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(0): 84-90

scholarly journals Effective control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission between healthcare workers during a period of diminished community prevalence of COVID-19

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick K Jones ◽  
Lucy Rivett ◽  
Dominic Sparkes ◽  
Sally Forrest ◽  
Sushmita Sridhar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Patient Admissions ◽  
Large Teaching Hospital ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control

Previously, we showed that 3% (31/1032)of asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) from a large teaching hospital in Cambridge, UK, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in April 2020. About 15% (26/169) HCWs with symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) also tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (Rivett et al., 2020). Here, we show that the proportion of both asymptomatic and symptomatic HCWs testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 rapidly declined to near-zero between 25th April and 24th May 2020, corresponding to a decline in patient admissions with COVID-19 during the ongoing UK ‘lockdown’. These data demonstrate how infection prevention and control measures including staff testing may help prevent hospitals from becoming independent ‘hubs’ of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and illustrate how, with appropriate precautions, organizations in other sectors may be able to resume on-site work safely.

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