Dental care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Arabic tweets analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalifa S. Al-Khalifa ◽  
Rasha AlSheikh ◽  
Yasser A. Alsahafi ◽  
Atheer Alkhalifa ◽  
Shazia Sadaf ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Twitter is a powerful platform which could be used to improvise the demand and supply of dental services during a pandemic. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the nature and dissemination of COVID-19 information related to dentistry on Twitter platform Arabic database. METHODS One hundred and fifty independent searches with a combination of keywords for both COVID-19 and dentistry from a preselected Arabic keyword were carried out for the period from the 2nd of March to the 6th of July 2020. Tweets were filtered to remove duplicate and unrelated tweets. The suitable tweets were 1,150. After calibration, two examiners coded the tweets following two main themes: COVID-19 and oral health-related information. Tweets were then compared with COVID-19 daily events in the Arab counties as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Descriptive analysis was performed to present the overview of the findings using Microsoft Excel. RESULTS There was no obvious association between time distribution of the tweets to the distribution of new COVID-19 cases and deaths during the period from March 2, 2020 to July 6, 2020. The most retweeted information was the help with urgent consultation or emergency dental treatment during COVID-19 tweeted by a dentist. There were 673 retweets and 1116 likes of this tweet. The most common tweets related to oral health was needs of dental treatment (n=462, 39.5%) of which, toothaches or wisdom tooth problems constituted 48% of the related tweets. CONCLUSIONS Twitter is a platform reflecting the public interest and concerns, based on the finding tweets tend to increase with major events and news and thus help navigate the proper action needed to address public concern.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-73
Author(s):  
Emdat Suprayitno ◽  
Sylvina Rahmawati ◽  
Adivtian Ragayasa ◽  
Muchti Yuda Pratama

Abstract The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the 2019 Coronavirus (Covid-19) a global pandemic. This virus is easily transmitted, so it requires knowledge and a good attitude in efforts to prevent transmission. The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of COVID-19 prevention in the community in Murtajih Village, Pademawu District, Pamekasan Regency.  This research is a descriptive study with a cross-sectional non-analytic design. This research uses descriptive analysis with a questionnaire research instrument. The sample of this research is part of the community in the hamlet of East Solo and North Solo, Murtajih Village, Pademawu District, as many as 62 people with a total sampling technique. The results showed that the level of public knowledge in preventing covid-19 in Murtajih Village, Pademawu sub-district was mostly good, as many as 32 people, 51.6%, while the public attitude in preventing Covid-19 in Murtajih Village, Pademawu sub-district was mostly positive as many as 53 people 85, 5%. The results of this study indicate that most of the knowledge of the community in the village of Murtajih, Pademawu district is mostly good and the attitudes are mostly positive. It is hoped that the community will take precautionary measures to prevent transmission of COVID-19 by washing their hands and wearing masks.  


Tequio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 5-24
Author(s):  
John Harold Estrada Montoya ◽  
Laura Camila Reyes Cañón

Cross-sectional descriptive mixed study carried out for the 47 municipalities of the department of Tolima, Colombia, neighboring the department of Cundinamarca, where Bogota, the capital of the country, is located. The objective was to analyze the geographical access barriers and the inventory of human talent and dental services in this department. A distance and time measurement system was applied to identify the duration of travel from each municipality to Ibagué (departmental capital) by public transport. The geographical accessibility barrier determinant endorsed by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) is a trip duration greater than four hours. It was found that the first level of care in the public sector is present in all municipalities, the second level is in six; the third only in Ibague. Displacement by public transport represents a geographical access barrier in six municipalities; the number of dentists in the public sector does not satisfactorily cover the needs of the population, since more than 50% of the municipalities have a deficit of more than four general dentists and there is a low presence of specialists. In the department of Tolima there are geographical accessibility barriers to health and, specifically, to oral health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Varma ◽  
Sreeja Das ◽  
Tushar Singh

The corona-virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), first found in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has posed an inexplicable threat to the global community. After its inception, the virus proliferated rapidly, which led to the cause of millions of deaths, and having a detrimental effect on physical health, social lives, economic uncertainty, and mental health of people. The World Health Organization has reported that there are 111 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2.45 million deaths due to COVID-19 worldwide. Indisputably, the present pandemic has contributed to the extensive psychological and environmental distress together with clinical depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), domestic violence, and unemployment. Due to the ambiguous nature of the pandemic, educational organizations, and outdoor activities are closed, thus burdening the mental health of younger populations. Children as well as youths are more glued to the Internet for their studies, online gaming, shopping, watching movies, and searching health-related information. Despite the advantages of using the Internet, it has some severe consequences too. Some people are repeatedly searching for physical and mental well-being related information without verifying credible sources, which, in turn, causes distress and anxiety. In such situations, individuals may end up contributing to an illness known as cyberchondria. In this paper, we have tried to highlight the problematic use of Internet for health-related searches and have outlined the management of such illness. We suggest two strategies: firstly, to reduce repeated online searches of health information and, secondly, to manage anxiety-augmenting thoughts that are triggered due to the maladaptive thoughts caused by the abstruse information.


2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 210-220
Author(s):  
Stella Sekulić ◽  
Mike T. John ◽  
Katrin Bekes ◽  
Mohammad H. Al-Harthy ◽  
Ambra Michelotti ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To compare the frequency of patients’ oral health problems and prevention needs among Slovenian and international dentists with the aim to validate the four oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) dimensions across six clinical dental fields in all World Health Organization (WHO) regions. Methods An anonymous electronic survey in the English language was designed using Qualtrics software. A probability sampling for Slovenia and a convenience sampling strategy for dentist recruitment was applied for 31 countries. Dentists engaged in six dental fields were asked to categorize their patients’ oral health problems and prevention needs into the four OHRQoL dimensions (Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact). Proportions of patients’ problems and prevention needs were calculated together with the significance of Slovenian and international dentists’ differences based on dental fields and WHO regions. Results Dentists (n=1,580) from 32 countries completed the survey. There were 223 Slovenian dentists (females: 68%) with a mean age (SD) of 41 (10.6) years and 1,358 international dentists (females: 51%) with a mean age (SD) of 38 (10.4). Pain-related problems and prevention needs were the most prevalent among all six dental fields reported by dentists; Slovenian (37%) and 31 countries (45%). According to Cohen, differences between Slovenia, the broader European Region, and 31 countries were considered non-significant (<0.1). Conclusion According to the dentists’ responses, the frequency of patients’ oral health problems and prevention needs are proportionate between Slovenia and 31 countries, regionally and globally. The four OHRQoL dimensions can be considered universal across all dental fields.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 1458-1464
Author(s):  
Sweta Kamboj ◽  
Rohit Kamboj ◽  
Shikha Kamboj ◽  
Kumar Guarve ◽  
Rohit Dutt

Background: In the 1960s, the human coronavirus was designated, which is responsible for the upper respiratory tract disease in children. Back in 2003, mainly 5 new coronaviruses were recognized. This study directly pursues to govern knowledge, attitude and practice of viral and droplet infection isolation safeguard among the researchers during the outbreak of the COVID-19. Introduction: Coronavirus is a proteinaceous and infectious pathogen. It is an etiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Coronavirus, appeared in China from the seafood and poultry market last year, which has spread in various countries, and has caused several deaths. Methods: The literature data has been taken from different search platforms like PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, Web of Science, who.int portal and complied. Results: Corona virology study will be more advanced and outstanding in recent years. COVID-19 epidemic is a threatening reminder not solely for one country but all over the universe. Conclusion: In this review article, we encapsulated the pathogenesis, geographical spread of coronavirus worldwide, also discussed the perspective of diagnosis, effective treatment, and primary recommendations by the World Health Organization, and guidelines of the government to slow down the impact of the virus are also optimistic, efficacious and obliging for the public health. However, it will take a prolonged time in the future to overcome this epidemic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitigya Sambyal ◽  
Poonam Saini ◽  
Rupali Syal

Background and Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that has emerged as a serious public health issue worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), without interventions, the number of diabetic incidences is expected to be at least 629 million by 2045. Uncontrolled diabetes gradually leads to progressive damage to eyes, heart, kidneys, blood vessels and nerves. Method: The paper presents a critical review of existing statistical and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based machine learning techniques with respect to DM complications namely retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. The statistical and machine learning analytic techniques are used to structure the subsequent content review. Result: It has been inferred that statistical analysis can help only in inferential and descriptive analysis whereas, AI based machine learning models can even provide actionable prediction models for faster and accurate diagnose of complications associated with DM. Conclusion: The integration of AI based analytics techniques like machine learning and deep learning in clinical medicine will result in improved disease management through faster disease detection and cost reduction for disease treatment.


Author(s):  
Ina Nitschke ◽  
Sebastian Hahnel ◽  
Julia Jockusch

The aim is to analyze protective and modifying factors (e.g., vulnerability, resilience, sense of coherence) in relation to the utilization of dental services by seniors at different levels of the healthcare system. Terminological imprecision in the use and transfer of existing terms (sense of coherence, resilience, salutogenesis) to gerodontology is clarified. Factors influencing a reduced utilization (static/dynamic factors) can occur isolated or in combination and, thus, model the risk of a reduced utilization of dental services (influencing-factor mechanism). Protective factors of utilization include patient-specific factors for self-motivation and factors that promote oral-health-related resilience. Resistance forces that counteract can be identified as oral-health-related resilience factors. Achieving social and individual appreciation and establishing a prevention-oriented approach to utilization will be increasingly challenging, since the population is becoming older and access is not equal in terms of opportunity. Resistance forces need to be strengthened in an ethical context. Studies should increasingly present resilience processes, determinants and modes of action at the various interfaces in the healthcare system, which can ensure sustainable medical care in old age. The concepts conveyed here are generally valid and able to point out inequalities and ageism in access to dental services.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002073142110249
Author(s):  
Huriye Toker

As seen clearly from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health is an important foreign policy and diplomatic issue connected with security, economic well-being, and international development. According to risk communication researchers, effective, transparent, and timely information sharing is the most important tool after vaccines for responding to pandemics. This study aims to start a scholarly discussion on the risk communication efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the COVID-19 outbreak. We analyzed WHO’s communication efforts during the first 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the leading international health organization, WHO was responsible for providing rapid, up-to-date, and credible information for the public and the media. The selected research items were 42 news releases and statements provided by WHO between December 31, 2019, and March 30, 2020. These were subjected to qualitative and quantitative content analyses using the NVivo 12 qualitative analysis software program for coding. The data were coded under 6 variables (date of publication, topics, frequency, wording of the COVID-19 outbreak, sourcing, and themes of the releases). While 54.7% of WHO's communications were devoted to the COVID-19 outbreak, more than half were not issued until March. That is, instead of early risk communication and clear warnings about the outbreak, WHO acted overcautiously, preferring messages related to solidarity and cooperation during the most devastating pandemic of the 21st century.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 890-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxia Ouyang ◽  
Amit Sharma

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the preference of health-warning message labeling in an eating-away-from-home context. The authors assessed individuals’ preference valuation of such messaging from a dual – consumer and citizen – perspective and with associated expected risk reduction (RR) level.Design/methodology/approachIn an online stated choice experiment on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (N = 658), participants were asked to provide willingness to pay (WTP) preferences for health-warning messages and based on the expected RR from health-warning messages. Two types of multiple price list questions were used for consumer and citizen contexts. Interval regression and descriptive analysis methods were applied to analyze the data.FindingsThe study found that individuals placed a higher value (higher WTP) on health-warning message labeling when acting as citizens rather than as consumers. An RR expectation of 50 per cent was most effective in increasing participants’ WTP. Individuals who ate out frequently were more concerned about healthier food messages, and the influence of gender and age on WTP was conditional on individuals’ roles as consumers versus citizens.Originality/valueThis study extends the theory of consumer-citizen duality to the context of health-related information labeling, thus opening the discussion to extending such labeling from traditionally risky behavior such as alcohol and tobacco to also including food choice behavior. The authors also highlight implications on policy and industry practices to promote healthy food choices through such messages.


Author(s):  
Susan Igras ◽  
Marina Plesons ◽  
Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli

Abstract Over the past 25 years, there has been significant progress in increasing the recognition of, resources for, and action on adolescent health, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) in particular. As with numerous other health areas, however, many of the projects that aim to improve ASRH are implemented without well-thought-out plans for evaluation. As a result, the lessons that projects learn as they encounter and address policy and programmatic challenges are often not extracted and placed in the public arena. In such cases, post-project evaluation (PPE) offers the possibility to generate learnings about what works (and does not work), to complement prospective studies of new or follow-on projects. To fill the gap in the literature and guidance on PPE, the World Health Organization developed The project has ended, but we can still learn from it! Practical guidance for conducting post-project evaluations of adolescent sexual and reproductive health projects. This article provides an overview of the guidance by outlining key methodological and contextual challenges in conducting PPE, as well as illustrative solutions for responding to them.


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