scholarly journals Knowledge and Anxiety about COVID-19 in the State of Qatar, and the Middle East and North Africa Region—A Cross Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6439
Author(s):  
Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy ◽  
Sohaila Cheema ◽  
Patrick Maisonneuve ◽  
Amit Abraham ◽  
Ingmar Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
General Public ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The State ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe, we have witnessed substantial mis- and disinformation regarding various aspects of the disease. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire for the general public (recruited via social media) and healthcare workers (recruited via email) from the State of Qatar, and the Middle East and North Africa region to understand the knowledge of and anxiety levels around COVID-19 (April–June 2020) during the early stage of the pandemic. The final dataset used for the analysis comprised of 1658 questionnaires (53.0% of 3129 received questionnaires; 1337 [80.6%] from the general public survey and 321 [19.4%] from the healthcare survey). Knowledge about COVID-19 was significantly different across the two survey populations, with a much higher proportion of healthcare workers possessing better COVID-19 knowledge than the general public (62.9% vs. 30.0%, p < 0.0001). A reverse effect was observed for anxiety, with a higher proportion of very anxious (or really frightened) respondents among the general public compared to healthcare workers (27.5% vs. 11.5%, p < 0.0001). A higher proportion of the general public tended to overestimate their chance of dying if they become ill with COVID-19, with 251 (18.7%) reporting the chance of dying (once COVID-19 positive) to be ≥25% versus 19 (5.9%) of healthcare workers (p < 0.0001). Good knowledge about COVID-19 was associated with low levels of anxiety. Panic and unfounded anxiety, as well as casual and carefree attitudes, can propel risk taking and mistake-making, thereby increasing vulnerability. It is important that governments, public health agencies, healthcare workers, and civil society organizations keep themselves updated regarding scientific developments and that they relay messages to the community in an honest, transparent, unbiased, and timely manner.

scholarly journals A clinico-epidemiological study of mask induced facial dermatoses due to increased mask usage in general public during COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
Ramesh A. ◽  
Thamizhinian K.
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Humidity ◽  
Preventive Strategies ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Participants

<p><strong>Background</strong><strong>: </strong>Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic many people started experiencing facial dermatoses like acne due to prolonged mask use and other personal protective equipment’s. Though most of the facial dermatoses due to face mask are reported in healthcare workers, general public are also affected by facial dermatoses due to prolonged mask use. Hence, we decided to undergo a study on different patterns of facial dermatoses due to prolonged mask use in Rajiv Gandhi government general hospital, Chennai.<strong> </strong>Aim of the study was to find out the incidence of facial dermatoses due to prolonged mask use in general public in the OPD of department of DVL in MMC and RGGGH, Chennai.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a cross sectional study conducted at RGGGH during the months august, September and October 2020. The clinico-epidemiological details were collected from 400 patients attending the OPD of department of DVL at MMC and RGGGH.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 400 study participants with mask induced facial dermatoses, acne (Maskne) was the most common facial dermatoses detected in 43% of participants, followed by Seborrhoea (28%), frictional dermatitis (18%), contact dermatitis (16%), non-specific erythema, cheilitis and other conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Mask induced facial dermatoses can occur due to various factors like occlusive effect of mask, hyperhydration, seborrhoea, ambient high humidity due to sweating. As mask usage cannot be abandoned completely due to risk of virus transmission, dermatologists must be aware of the preventive strategies and treatments for mask induced facial dermatoses.</p>

scholarly journals Assessment of eating habits and lifestyle during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic in the Middle East and North Africa region: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Leila Cheikh Ismail ◽  
Tareq M. Osaili ◽  
Maysm N. Mohamad ◽  
Amina Al Marzouqi ◽  
Amjad H. Jarrar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread globally, forcing countries to apply lockdowns and strict social distancing measures. The aim of this study was to assess eating habits and lifestyle behaviours among residents of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during the lockdown. A cross-sectional study among adult residents of the MENA region was conducted using an online questionnaire designed on Google Forms during April 2020. A total of 2970 participants from eighteen countries participated in the present study. During the pandemic, over 30 % reported weight gain, 6·2 % consumed five or more meals per d compared with 2·2 % before the pandemic (P < 0·001) and 48·8 % did not consume fruits on a daily basis. Moreover, 39·1 % did not engage in physical activity, and over 35 % spent more than 5 h/d on screens. A significant association between the frequency of training during the pandemic and the reported change in weight was found (P < 0·001). A significantly higher percentage of participants reported physical and emotional exhaustion, irritability and tension either all the time or a large part of the time during the pandemic (P < 0·001). Although a high percentage of participants reported sleeping more hours per night during the pandemic, 63 % had sleep disturbances. The study highlights that the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a variety of lifestyle changes, physical inactivity and psychological problems among adults in the MENA region.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Related To Middle East Respiratory SyndromeCoronavirus among Residents of Riyadh: A Cross-Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus) originated in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and the number of cases and deaths is continuing to rise. The epidemiology of MERS-CoV has been thoroughly analyzed, but there are few reports on the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of healthcare workers towards the infection in Riyadh. The objective of this research was to assess the KAP of the general public towards MERS-CoV. This cross-sectional study involved 309 participants in Riyadh. The overall mean scores for knowledge was 3.43 (SD: 0.54), for attitude against prevention was 3.0 (SD: 0.67), and for practices was 3.7 (SD: 0.72), indicating good KP and satisfactory A. Scores only differed by nationality (P <0.001) (age, education, income and gender were non-significant). We recommend various strategies to keep the public updated about the current situation, and about advances in prevention and treatment. Further multi-regions studies with large sample size are needed to build upon the findings of current study.

Psychosocial Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Frontline Healthcare Workers in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quratul-Ain Zafar
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare workers in Pakistan in terms of psychological factors emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout. Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at different hospitals across Pakistan and data collection was carried out from 15th June 2020 till 15th August 2020. Material and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based study aiming to compare the levels of burnout and emotional distress between frontline COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 healthcare workers. Any physician, nurse, and other healthcare workers were recruited from emergency care units and Covid-19 care units (target group), and non-COVID-19 care units (control group). Participation was voluntary and participants had to complete self-reported questionnaires and scales. A mixed-mode data collection was carried out, either in paper or web-based form to ensure maximum participation. Results: The independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding depression, stress, and insomnia. The study group showed higher scores for these factors than the control group. Chi-square test of association revealed significant scores of burnout and professional fulfillment in both groups. There was a higher prevalence of burnout in the study group than in the control group. Conclusion: This study concludes that there was a significant psychosocial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the frontline healthcare workers measured in terms of emotional distress, insomnia, and burnout.

Prevalence of Thyroid Diseases in an Occupationally Radiation Exposed Group: A Cross-Sectional Study in a University Hospital of Southern Italy

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Vimercati ◽  
Luigi De Maria ◽  
Francesca Mansi ◽  
Antonio Caputi ◽  
Giovanni M. Ferri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Thyroid Diseases ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exposed Workers

Background: Thyroid diseases occur more frequently in people exposed to ionizing radiation, but the relationship between occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and thyroid pathologies still remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of thyroid diseases in healthcare workers exposed to low-level ionizing radiation compared with a control group working at the University Hospital of Bari, Southern Italy, and living in the same geographical area, characterized by mild iodine deficiency. Methods: We ran a cross-sectional study to investigate whether healthcare workers exposed to ionizing radiation had a higher prevalence of thyroid diseases. Four hundred and forty-four exposed healthcare workers (241 more exposed, or “A Category”, and 203 less exposed, or “B Category”) and 614 nonexposed healthcare workers were enrolled during a routine examination at the Occupational Health Unit. They were asked to fill in an anamnestic questionnaire and undergo a physical examination, serum determination of fT3, fT4 and TSH, anti-TPO ab and anti-TG ab and ultrasound neck scan. Thyroid nodules were submitted to fine needle aspiration biopsy when indicated. Results: The prevalence of thyroid diseases was statistically higher in the exposed workers compared to controls (40% vs 29%, adPR 1.65; IC95% 1.34-2.07). In particular, the thyroid nodularity prevalence in the exposed group was approximately twice as high as that in the controls (29% vs 13%; adPR 2.83; IC95% 2.12-3.8). No statistically significant association was found between exposure to ionizing radiation and other thyroid diseases. Conclusion: In our study, mild ionizing radiation-exposed healthcare workers had a statistically higher prevalence of thyroid diseases than the control group. The results are likely due to a closer and more meticulous health surveillance programme carried out in the ionising radiation-exposed workers, allowing them to identify thyroid alterations earlier than non-exposed health staff.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and asymptomatic viral carriage in healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study

Thorax ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 1089-1094 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Shields ◽  
Sian E Faustini ◽  
Marisol Perez-Toledo ◽  
Sian Jossi ◽  
Erin Aldera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
General Internal ◽  
Increased Risk

ObjectiveTo determine the rates of asymptomatic viral carriage and seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthcare workers.DesignA cross-sectional study of asymptomatic healthcare workers undertaken on 24/25 April 2020.SettingUniversity Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHBFT), UK.Participants545 asymptomatic healthcare workers were recruited while at work. Participants were invited to participate via the UHBFT social media. Exclusion criteria included current symptoms consistent with COVID-19. No potential participants were excluded.InterventionParticipants volunteered a nasopharyngeal swab and a venous blood sample that were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein antibodies, respectively. Results were interpreted in the context of prior illnesses and the hospital departments in which participants worked.Main outcome measureProportion of participants demonstrating infection and positive SARS-CoV-2 serology.ResultsThe point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 viral carriage was 2.4% (n=13/545). The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 24.4% (n=126/516). Participants who reported prior symptomatic illness had higher seroprevalence (37.5% vs 17.1%, χ2=21.1034, p<0.0001) and quantitatively greater antibody responses than those who had remained asymptomatic. Seroprevalence was greatest among those working in housekeeping (34.5%), acute medicine (33.3%) and general internal medicine (30.3%), with lower rates observed in participants working in intensive care (14.8%). BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) ethnicity was associated with a significantly increased risk of seropositivity (OR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.23, p=0.01). Working on the intensive care unit was associated with a significantly lower risk of seropositivity compared with working in other areas of the hospital (OR: 0.28, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.78, p=0.02).Conclusions and relevanceWe identify differences in the occupational risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 between hospital departments and confirm asymptomatic seroconversion occurs in healthcare workers. Further investigation of these observations is required to inform future infection control and occupational health practices.

scholarly journals Infectivity of healthcare workers diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) approximately 2 weeks after onset of symptoms: A cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Yves Longtin ◽  
Hugues Charest ◽  
Caroline Quach ◽  
Patrice Savard ◽  
Mariana Baz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Viral Shedding ◽  
Viral Culture ◽  
Respiratory Coronavirus ◽  
Respiratory Specimens

Abstract We performed viral culture of respiratory specimens in 118 severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–infected healthcare workers (HCWs), ∼2 weeks after symptom onset. Only 1 HCW (0.8%) had a positive culture. No factors for prolonged viral shedding were identified. Infectivity is resolved in nearly all HCWs ∼2 weeks after symptom onset.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document