“The Impact of Coronavirus Outbreak on Breastfeeding Guidelines Among Brazilian Hospitals and Maternity Services: A Cross-Sectional Study”

Abstract BackgroundRecommended by the World Health Organization, exclusive breastfeeding is a safe source of nutrition available for children in humanitarian emergencies, as in the current pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Despite the Brazilian Guideline protecting breastfeeding practice, there are many concerns about how to protect babies from their infected mothers. This study aimed to analyze how the Brazilian hospitals and maternity services promote and support mothers suspected or diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional and multicenter study collecting data from 24 Brazilian hospitals and maternity services from March to July 2020. Representatives of the institutions completed a questionnaire based on acts to promote and support breastfeeding, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and Brazil’s law recommendations.ResultsThe results showed that in delivery rooms, 98.5% of the services prohibited immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and companions for the mother and did not support mothers to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour. In rooming-in, 98.5% of the services allowed breastfeeding and recommend care for babies following the respiratory hygiene practices to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and whether companions are forbidden (83.3%). Hospital discharge was mostly early (79.1%); the guidelines were not individualized. Additionally, a lack of support was noticed from the health community network in the home environment (83.3%). Hospital and home breast pumping were allowed (87.5%), but breast milk donation was not accepted (95.8%). ConclusionsIn Brazil, the hospitals are not able to approach recommendations to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding properly during the COVID-19 outbreak. The scientific community needs to discuss how to improve maternal and baby care services to protect breastfeeding in the current pandemic.

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The impact of coronavirus outbreak on breastfeeding guidelines among Brazilian hospitals and maternity services: a cross-sectional study

International Breastfeeding Journal ◽

10.1186/s13006-021-00377-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Walusa Assad Gonçalves-Ferri ◽

◽

Fábia Martins Pereira-Cellini ◽

Kelly Coca ◽

Davi Casale Aragon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Breastfeeding Support ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Maternity Services ◽

Community Needs ◽

Care Services ◽

Skin Contact ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The World Health Organization recognizes exclusive breastfeeding a safe source of nutrition available for children in most humanitarian emergencies, as in the current pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the Brazilian national guideline protecting breastfeeding practices, there are many concerns about protecting infants from their infected mothers. This study aimed to analyze how the Brazilian hospitals and maternity services promote and support mothers suspected or diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional and multicenter study which collected data from 24 Brazilian hospitals and maternity services between March and July 2020. Representatives of the institutions completed a questionnaire based on acts to promote and support breastfeeding, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and Brazil’s federal law recommendations. Results The results showed that in delivery rooms, 98.5% of the services prohibited immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their infants and did not support mothers to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour. On the postnatal ward, 98.5% of the services allowed breastfeeding while implementing respiratory hygiene practices to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Companions for mothers were forbidden in 83.3% of the hospitals. Hospital discharge was mostly between 24 and 28 h (79.1%); discharge guidelines were not individualized. Additionally, a lack of support was noticed from the home environment’s health community network (83.3%). Hospital and home breast pumping were allowed (87.5%), but breast milk donation was not accepted (95.8%). There was a lack of guidance regarding the use of infant comforting strategies. Guidelines specific for vulnerable populations were not covered in the material evaluated. Conclusions In Brazil, hospitals have not followed recommendations to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding during the COVID-19 outbreak. The disagreement between international guidelines has been a major issue. The absence of recommendations on breastfeeding support during the pandemic led to difficulties in developing standards among hospitals in different regions of Brazil and other countries worldwide. The scientific community needs to discuss how to improve maternal and infant care services to protect breastfeeding in the current pandemic.

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“The impact of coronavirus outbreak on breastfeeding guidelines among Brazilian hospitals and maternity services: a cross-sectional study”

10.21203/rs.3.rs-114451/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Walusa Assad Gonçalves-Ferri ◽

Fábia Martins Pereira-Cellini ◽

Kelly Pereira Coca ◽

Davi Casale Aragon ◽

Paulo de Jesus Hartmann Nader ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Federal Law ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Maternity Services ◽

Community Needs ◽

Care Services ◽

Skin Contact ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Recommended by the World Health Organization, exclusive breastfeeding is a safe source of nutrition available for children in most humanitarian emergencies, as in the current pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Despite the Brazilian national Guideline protecting breastfeeding practice, there are many concerns about protecting babies from their infected mothers. This study aimed to analyze how the Brazilian hospitals and maternity services promote and support mothers suspected or diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional and multicenter study collecting data from 24 Brazilian hospitals and maternity services from March to July 2020. Representatives of the institutions completed a questionnaire based on acts to promote and support breastfeeding, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and Brazil’s federal law recommendations.Results: The results showed that in delivery rooms, 98.5% of the services prohibited immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and companions for the mother and did not support mothers to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour. In rooming-in, 98.5% of the services allowed breastfeeding and recommend care for babies following the respiratory hygiene practices to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and whether companions are forbidden (83.3%). Hospital discharge was mostly early (79.1%); the guidelines were not individualized. Additionally, a lack of support was noticed from the health community network in the home environment (83.3%). Hospital and home breast pumping were allowed (87.5%), but breast milk donation was not accepted (95.8%). Conclusions: In Brazil, the hospitals are not able to approach recommendations to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding properly during the COVID-19 outbreak. The scientific community needs to discuss how to improve maternal and baby care services to protect breastfeeding in the current pandemic.

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Utilization of Outdoor Services at Secondary Care Hospitals of Punjab, Pakistan

The International Journal of Frontier Sciences ◽

10.37978/tijfs.v4i2.255 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 72-74

Author(s):

Atiq ur Rahman ◽

Muhammad Imran ◽

Zarmeena Yasmeen ◽

Muzammil Irshad

Keyword(s):

Information System ◽

Health Information System ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Sectional Study ◽

District Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the effects of COVID-19 and lockdown on OPD services. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ) and Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) Hospitals of District Layyah. The data was collected from one DHQ hospital and six THQ hospitals. The OPD data of three years (the years 2018 to 2020) was extracted from District Health Information System (DHIS). Trends of outpatients’ flow during months of March and April of three years were taken. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic was declared by World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, and all countries started lockdown nationwide which imposed a major impact on all areas of life. Fear of coronavirus spread and lockdown resulted in significant reduction in number of patients at outdoor services. In our study, we analyzed outdoor services of seven hospitals of district Layyah - one DHQ hospital and six THQ hospitals. Conclusion: Fear of coronavirus spread and lockdown resulted in significant reduction in number of patients at outdoor services.

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The Relations between Disability and Environmental Factors: A Pilot Study in Iranian Older Adults

Global Journal of Health Science ◽

10.5539/gjhs.v8n12p87 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 87 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mohammadreza Shahbazi ◽

Mahshid Foroughan ◽

Mahdi Rahgozar ◽

Reza Salmanroghani

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Structural Barriers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Care Services ◽

Health Organization

OBJECTIVE: This study explored disability and its correlations with the environmental factors in a group of Iranian older adults.MATERIALS & METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed. One hundred participants receiving adult day care services in Kahrizak center in Iran were selected by using the complete enumeration method. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2 (WHODAS II) and the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) questionnaires were used to collect data.RESULTS: The mean score of disability was 20.61±13.66, and the scores were higher in women compared to men (P=0.001). Among the CHIEF-25 items‚ the most frequently perceived barrier by the participants was transportation followed by home design and unavailability of health care services. There was a significant association between the disability scores and the environmental factors (P<0.001). Also, significant relationships were found between the disability and all the subscales investigated in the study (polices‚ physical/structural‚ attitude/support‚ services/assistance) (P<0.001).CONCLUSION: Appropriate transportation‚ availability to health care services and removing physical/structural barriers should be taken in consideration.

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Domestic food hygiene practices among households in Pulipakkam Village, Kanchipuram District: a cross- sectional study

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20205728 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 397

Author(s):

Lakshmi N. ◽

Ramya M. R. ◽

J. Princy Felicia

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Food Hygiene ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hygiene Practices ◽

Food Borne ◽

Cooked Food ◽

Safe Food ◽

Health Organization

Background: Food hygiene implies measures necessary to ensure safety of food from production to consumption. Food can become contaminated at any point during harvesting, processing, storage, distribution, transportation and preparation. Lack of proper food hygiene can lead to food borne diseases and death of the consumers. The purpose of food hygiene is to prepare and provide safe food and consequently contribute to a healthy and protective society.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2019 to February 2020 among 81 household food-handlers in a rural area of Kanchipuram district. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire based on WHO (World Health Organization) Food Safety Manual was used to collect the data regarding kitchen and food hygiene practices.Results: The study revealed that 74%of respondents handle drinking water unsatisfactorily. 89% of people don’t store cooked food in the refrigerator within 2 hours and nearly 54% of them don’t boil water before drinking. Only 48% of them separated raw food from cooked food.Conclusions: The results of the study showed that food hygiene practices should be improved in the community to safe guard them against food-borne diseases.

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A cross-sectional study among medical professionals regarding willingness to work amid COVID-19 outbreak

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210234 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 755

Author(s):

Sandhya Mishra ◽

Ankur Shrivastava ◽

Vijay Kumar ◽

Anamika Chandra ◽

Jaun Zeb Rizvi

Keyword(s):

Health Care Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Family Welfare ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Care Services ◽

Health Organization ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

Background: On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global health emergency. With nearly 25000 fresh cases registered daily, the COVID-19 tally in India rose to 13 lakh till mid of July 2020, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Understanding the inclination of doctors to work in COVID-19 outbreak is essential for betterment of health care services. Objective were to assess the willingness of Doctors to work in COVID-19 outbreak and to determine the factors affecting willingness to work in COVID-19 outbreak.Methods: The study was conducted among doctors working in various medical colleges, specialist hospitals and research centers across various states of India. A predesigned self-administered questionnaire in Google form was emailed to the participants. Data was collected and analysed using SPSS version 13.Results: Out of 342 participants, 61% were willing to work in the COVID-19 pandemic. Female participants and those staying with their family were found to be significantly more afraid of COVID-19 pandemic and also willingness to work was significantly lower among them than their male counterparts living away from family.Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic caused emotional distress among the doctors. However our results suggest that during an outbreak majority of doctors are willing to work and will be available in the future. Staying with family drives them away from work more due to fear of infection or death of their family members.

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Early medical school graduation during the COVID-19 pandemic: preliminary assessment

Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica ◽

10.1590/1981-5271v45.2-20200554.ing ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Paula Adamo de Almeida ◽

Viktoria Weihermann ◽

Gustavo Lenci Marques ◽

Camila Girardi Fachin ◽

Ipojucan Calixto Fraiz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Ministry Of Education ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical School Graduation ◽

Tract Disease ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

Abstract: Introduction: The current outbreak of the new coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, was first reported to the World Health Organization on December 31, 2019, being declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. As for the clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection, it is a broad one, ranging from asymptomatic, mild upper respiratory tract disease to severe viral pneumonia with respiratory failure and death. With a chance of severe clinical presentation close to 25%, SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to health service overload and increase the demand for material and human resources. Aiming to increase the availability of health professionals directly involved in care during the pandemic, the Ministry of Education authorized the early graduation for students pursuing careers in health, including medicine. Objective: The aim of this article is to obtain preliminary results of the impact of early graduation for medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Observational and cross-sectional study, carried out by applying a questionnaire with 13 questions, five of which used a Likert scale of assessment, six in multiple choice format and two descriptive, via Google Forms, applied to medical students from the universities of Curitiba-PR that graduated earlier in mid-year 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: 113 recently graduated students answered the questionnaire.101 participants reported that they are working as physicians and, among them, 63.36% stated that they are working directly in the treatment of COVID-19 cases. Regarding the importance of an early graduation, most participants fully agree or agree, while only three participants totally disagree. More than half of the interviewees do not feel harmed by the early graduation. However, 43.3% believe they have failed to acquire important information for their training. Finally, regarding their performance in the pandemic, 79.6% consider important their role in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The study shows that, at first, the efforts to give the Class of 2020 an early graduation were successful, since these new physicians are contributing to alleviate workforce shortages and provide better care for patients during the pandemic.

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The Impact of COVID-19 in Older People in Portugal: Results from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement (SHARE)

Acta Médica Portuguesa ◽

10.20344/amp.16209 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (11) ◽

pp. 761

Author(s):

Filipa Novais ◽

Catarina Cordeiro ◽

Pedro Câmara Pestana ◽

Beatriz Côrte-Real ◽

Teresa Reynolds Sousa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleep Problems ◽

Age Groups ◽

The Elderly ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

International Studies ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

Introduction: In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, and Portugal reported its initial cases. In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on Portuguese individuals aged over 60 years old.Material and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE 8: COVID-19 Survey). We selected a sample of 1080 noninstitutional Portuguese individuals aged ≥ 60 years.Results: The study sample consisted of 605 (56%) women and 475 (44%) men, with a mean age of 70 ± 9.1 years. In total, 80% of the participants experienced higher levels of anxiety, 73% felt more depressed and 30% experienced additional sleep problems comparedto the period before the pandemic. Interestingly, there were no statistically significant differences between the sexes or the two selected age groups (60 - 74 and over 75 years old) regarding the incidence of these changes. Only 23%, of those that were interviewed maintained their walking routines. In addition, only 8% of the participants continued visiting family members as frequently as before. While 8% of the participants were refused some form of medical treatment, 56% claimed that they experienced healthcare delays. However,only 15% of the participants reported that their health status worsened during the pandemic.Discussion: The pandemic has had a significant impact on Portuguese individuals aged ≥ 60 years; which is in agreement with the findings of previous international studies. It changed the participants’ routines and increased their anxiety and depression levels. Despite the deterioration of healthcare services, most participants did not experience worsening of their health status.Conclusion: In conclusion, a COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the elderly population, particularly regarding their mental health.

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Dental caries and oral hygiene practices among school children in Chennai, India: a cross sectional study

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ◽

10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20193719 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 2032

Author(s):

Shanthi Ramesh ◽

S. Sundari

Keyword(s):

Dental Caries ◽

School Children ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

Dental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hygiene Practices ◽

Health Organization

Background: Dental caries is commonly seen among school children. The World Health Organization has stated it to be one of the leading non-communicable diseases. Objective of study the prevalence of dental caries among school children and to study the oral hygiene practices in the occurrence of dental caries.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 307 school children aged 10-15 years. Each child was asked about the dental hygiene practices and was examined for the presence of caries.Results: The prevalence of dental caries among school children was found to be 48.9 % with the 95% CI of 43.3% - 54.4%. The prevalence of dental caries was high among children 10-12 years of age 95(53.6%) compared to 55 (42.3%) among children in the age group of 13-15 years (p=0.05). Daily sweet consumption was significantly associated with a higher prevalence 40 (63.5%) of dental caries (p=0.01). Children not consuming vegetables and fruits everyday had a higher prevalence 76.5% dental caries (p = 0.03). Children who are not practicing night brushing had a higher prevalence of 112 (52.8%) of caries (p=0.04). The study showed that only 17.3% of the children visited a dental health care service.Conclusion: Authors found the prevalence of dental caries to be high. Health education regarding the importance of good oral hygiene practices such as night brushing, diet modification and periodic dental visits to all the school children will play a major role in the prevention of dental caries.

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