Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection at the University of Barcelona during the Third COVID-19 Pandemic Wave in Spain

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic started in December 2019 and still is a major global health challenge. Lockdown measures and social distancing sparked a global shift towards online learning, which deeply impacted universities’ daily life, and the University of Barcelona (UB) was not an exception. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at the UB. To that end, we performed a cross-sectional study on a sample of 2784 UB members (n = 52,529). Participants answered a brief, ad hoc, online epidemiological questionnaire and provided a nasal swab for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2 analysis and a venous blood sample for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody assay. Total prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive RT-PCR or positive IgG) was 14.9% (95%CI 13.3 to 17.0%). Forty-four participants (1.6%, 95%CI: 1.2–2.1%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. IgG against SARS-CoV-2 was observed in 12.8% (95%CI: 11.6–14.1%) of participants. Overall, while waiting for population vaccination and/or increased herd immunity, we should concentrate on identifying and isolating new cases and their contacts.

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Characteristics of Cyberstalking Behavior, Consequences, and Coping Strategies: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of Italian University Students

Future Internet ◽

10.3390/fi11050120 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 120 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tatiana Begotti ◽

Daniela Acquadro Maran

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Police Officers ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Coping ◽

The University ◽

The Impact ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare victims of one type of cyberstalking (OneType) with victims of more than one type of cyberstalking (MoreType) regarding (1) the impact of cyberstalking and (2) attitudes related to telling someone about the experience of cyberstalking and the coping strategies used by victims. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to over 250 students at the University of Torino. Results: About half of the participants experienced at least one incident of cyberstalking. Among them, more than half experienced more than one type of cyberstalking. Victims suffered from depression more than those who had never experienced cyberstalking. No statistically significant difference emerged for anxiety. The coping strategies used by MoreType were more varied than those used by OneType victims of cyberstalking. Moreover, MoreType victims told someone about their victimization more than OneType victims. Conclusion: The work presented suggests implications for health care professionals, police officers, and government. For example, our suggestion is to pay attention to cyberstalking victims and provide flyers in schools, universities, and cafeterias that explain the risk of certain online behaviors and their consequences in physical and emotional spheres.

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Impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on the Mental Health and Physical Activity of Pharmacy Students at the University of Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Study

10.1101/2021.01.11.21249547 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Steward Mudenda ◽

Moses Mukosha ◽

Chiluba Mwila ◽

Zikria Saleem ◽

Aubrey Chichoni Kalungia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Time Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Pharmacy Students ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

AbstractBackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious global health problem that has negatively impacted the mental health of students.MethodsWe conducted an online descriptive cross-sectional study among 273 undergraduate pharmacy students at the University of Zambia. A partial proportional odds regression model was used to determine the predictors of anxiety. All statistical tests were set at 95% confidence level (p<0.05).ResultsA response rate of 70% was obtained with the majority of the students being female 51.6%. Of the 273 respondents, 23.8% did not experience anxiety, 34.4% experienced mild anxiety, 24.9% experienced moderate anxiety while 16.9% experienced severe anxiety about COVID-19. It was also found that 61.2% of students reported that their attention to mental health increased during the COVID-19 pandemic whereas 44.3% reported an increased resting time with a significant reduction in relaxation 51.3% and physical activity 45.4% time. Factors that affected mental health included; reduced family care (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.09-4.74), not changing attention to mental health (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.18-0.62), being in the final year of study (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13-0.84), reduced time of resting (OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.26-3.50) and feeling helpless (OR: 0.42; 95% CI:0.23-0.75).ConclusionCOVID-19 negatively impacted the mental health and physical activity of pharmacy students at the University of Zambia. This can have negative health and academic outcomes for students going forward. Higher learning institutions and key stakeholders should implement measures to aid students to recover from the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and physical activity.

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Impact Of Online Classes During COVID-19 Pandemic Situation on Undergraduate University Students Pakistan

Asian Journal of Allied Health Sciences (AJAHS) ◽

10.52229/ajahs.v5i3.785 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Farwa Batool ◽

Bareera Saeed ◽

Atia Ur Rehman ◽

Humaira Waseem

Keyword(s):

Online Education ◽

University Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Online Classes ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Department Of Health ◽

Undergraduate University Students ◽

Class Room ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

The COVID-19 detected in school, colleges and universities close the entire world. More than 1.2 billion kids were not in class-room worldwide. Consequently; education has altered considerably, among the characteristic increase of relearning, where by education is under-taken distantly as well as upon digital platform. Research recommended that online education has been revealed to raise maintenance of knowledge, moreover acquire not as much of time, denotation alter corona virus comprise cause might be now to reside. Objective: To find out the impact of online classes in COVID-19 pandemic situation among undergraduate university students of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore. Methods: A cross sectional study design was conducted for this research.Study was conducted from The University of Lahore, Lahore campus, department of Health Professional technologies. Sample size was 67. Data was analyzed and evaluated with the help of the statistical package for social sciences SPSS-V20 Results: Total 67 students participated in research. Participants' age range was 19 to 25 years.70% females and 29.9% males participated in this research.41.8% participants reported that they are facing difficulties in online classes while 3% participant were slightly disagree on it. 53.7% participants were disagreeing on learning satisfaction in online classes while 29.9% were strongly disagreeing. Conclusions: This study concluded that despite gaining immense popularity today, digital technology has still not been embraced by students for use in teaching. Students are still more inclined towards face to face teaching rather than e-teaching.

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Assessment of a rapid pan-antibody dot test for detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science ◽

10.3329/bjms.v20i5.55407 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 131-139

Author(s):

Md Ahsanul Haq ◽

Maha Jamiruddin ◽

Mohib Ullah Khondoker ◽

Md Firoz Ahmed ◽

Shahad Saif Khandker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Science ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Group Iv ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Dot Blot ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Group Iii ◽

Test Kit ◽

Group Ii

Background: With the drastic spread of COVID-19 and mass mortality of people globally, detection of the progression of this disease has stood out to be a necessity. Hence, we set out to identify the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in Bangladesh using the in-house rapid pan-immunoglobulin dot-blot test kit and evaluate the performance of this kit. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we tested serum collected between mid-May and mid-June 2020 for COVID-19 antibodies by using the in-house rapid pan-immunoglobulin dot-blot test kit in RTPCR confirmed patients with symptoms for 1-7 days (Group Ia; n =100) and 8-14 days (Group Ib; n = 100); symptomatic RT-PCR negative patients (Group II; n = 100) and convalescent patients (Group III; n = 109) while comparing with pre-pandemic sera samples collected prior two years to December-2019 (Group IV; n = 100). Results: Our kit detected that almost 70% of the convalescent patients produced antibodies against COVID-19 compared to other groups. However, the group with individuals at the end phase of COVID-19 exhibited the second-highest percentage of seroprevalence (41%). We also observed that though Group II was RT-PCR negative, 20% of them showed COVID-19 antibodies. Conclusion: With a specificity of 96% in our kit, we can say that our kit will be a potential device for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and to understand herd immunity in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(5) 2021 p.131-139

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COVID-19 and Malaria Co-infection; Same coin but different faces?

10.21203/rs.3.rs-710788/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Khabab Abbasher Hussien Mohamed Ahmed ◽

Mazin Salah-Eldien Hassan Haroun ◽

Abbasher Hussien ◽

Mohammed Eltahier Abdalla Omer

Keyword(s):

Distress Syndrome ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Blood Film ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cough Headache ◽

Cerebellar Syndromes ◽

The Impact ◽

Urgent Action

Abstract Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads rapidly around the world, urgent action is needed to combat the new coronavirus, while other deadly diseases such as malaria cannot be ignored. The impact of the coronavirus on countries affected by malaria and, where possible, contribute to a successful response to COVID19. Our aim is to assess the possible link between Malaria and COVID-19 .Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective cross sectional study which was conducted among adult Sudanese COVID-19 patients admitted to the Universal and Ombada hospitals in the period (4th of April 2020 to the 15th of January, 2020). A total number of 87 patients were included. Results: Among the 87 patients 64.9 % were males while 35.6 were females. 27.6 % had a positive blood film. 64.7% of the malaria patients had p.falciparum while 35.3% had p.vivax. 52.9% of the patients showed positive RT-PCR for COVID-19 with 52.9 % showed positive CT findings . Generalized fatigability was observed in 52.9 % of the patients with malaria followed by headache, nausea, fever with chills, fever with shivering, vomiting and diarrhea in 42.5%, 36.8%, 20.7%, 12.6%, 9.2% and 9.2% respectively. In COVID-19 patients 85.1% had fever and generalized fatigability, followed by cough, headache, SOB , sore throat ,myalgia, chest pain and diarrhea. 13.79 % of malaria patients had malarial pneumonitis, followed by pulmonary edema, choleric malaria, thrombocytopenia and malaria induced hepatitis in 10.39 %, 9.2 %, 9.19 % and 6.9% respectively. 8.4% had cerebral malaria while 1.1% had cerebellar syndromes. 44.8 % had acute respiratory distress syndrome, 17.2% had heart failure, 8% had pulmonary embolism, 8% had stroke, 3.9% had encephalitis and 1.1% had convulsions.Conclusion: Malaria and COVID-19 have a possible link that they both share similar presentations and complications.

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Awareness of the causes, impact and solutions to global warming among undergraduate students from different schools in the University of The Gambia

Ghana Journal of Geography ◽

10.4314/gjg.v13i3.12 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Matty Kah ◽

Alpha Kargbo ◽

Pierre A. Mendy ◽

Edrisa Jawo ◽

Edward Mendy

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Global Warming ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

The Gambia ◽

Health Science ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

University Admissions ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

Climate Change is unequivocal and occurring at an alarming pace. Increasing greenhouse gas emissions, their concentration in the atmosphere and increased energy absorption have resulted in in changes in climate. This study was a cross sectional study conducted from April 12th to May 12th, 2021. The survey was conducted online using Google form that was circulated via "WhatsApp" groups and emails received from the University admissions office. This study comprises of students in their; first year 26.5%, second year 22.8%, third year 17.9% and fourth-year students 32.8%. Students from the school of Medicine and allied health science showed a satisfactory knowledge of 67% towards the causes of global warming. Students from the school of Engineering also demonstrated a satisfactory knowledge towards the impact of global warming 61% and its solution 69%. In conclusion, students at the University of The Gambia demonstrated a satisfactory understanding of the causes of global warming (63%) and a fair awareness of the consequences (52%) and remedies to global warming (54%). We recommend that, climate change awareness course should be incorporated into the curriculum of the University of The Gambia and should be made mandatory for every student.

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The impact of stressors and overload on informal caregivers of patients with cirrhosis: The first use of the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers in Brazil

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105320953464 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 135910532095346

Author(s):

Raquel Sanches Slusarski Martins ◽

Leonardo Zumerkorn Pipek ◽

Gustavo Heluani Antunes de Mesquita ◽

Fernanda Nii ◽

Kayo Augusto de Almeida Medeiros ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family Caregivers ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Family Ties ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Burden Scale ◽

History Of ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Cirrhosis affects liver functions and compromises much of the body’s organs. The significant increase in chronic diseases, including cirrhosis, has led to changes in medical practice and health systems, leading the informal caregiver to play a major role because of family ties or some level of proximity to the patient, assuming daily care function. However, the burden generated by informal caregivers for uninterrupted care is present at different levels (physical, mental, social, professional, and financial) and even in the prognosis of the patient. Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the impact of stressors and overload on informal caregivers of cirrhosis patients. Method: Cross-sectional study, conducted with 54 informal caregivers of cirrhosis patients, followed up at the Liver Transplant Service Outpatient Clinic of the University of São Paulo School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas, where they had access to a sociodemographic questionnaire, history of the patient’s disease and the scale Burden Scale for Family Caregivers. Results: It was observed that higher levels of education and income of the caregiver correlates with a lower degree of stress. In addition, there is a significant difference found in the caregiver’s age variable, which indicates that the youngest are those who have the highest degree of stress. The variable Na mEg/l of the patient also presents a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Our study was a precursor using the BSFC scale of worldwide coverage and that had not yet been applied in any study in Brazil, thus allowing a look at the various aspects that affect the quality of life of caregivers of patients with cirrhosis. Our results and the literature corroborate the importance not only of the patient, but also the informal caregiver’s health.

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Surprisingly Low Levels of Measles Immunity in Persons With HIV: A Seroprevalence Survey in a United States HIV Clinic

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa428 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

Author(s):

Lindsey Rearigh ◽

Jennifer O’Neill ◽

Maureen Kubat ◽

Harlan Sayles ◽

Susan Swindells ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Clinical Information ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Prior History ◽

Seroprevalence Rate ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean ◽

Antibody Decline

Abstract Background Measles outbreaks have become increasingly common due to deteriorating vaccination rates, fluctuating herd immunity, and varying antibody decline. Limited knowledge exists regarding prevalence and risk factors associated with measles seronegativity among persons with HIV (PWH). Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted at an academic HIV clinic in Omaha, Nebraska. Participants were screened for the presence of measles IgG antibody. Demographic and clinical information was obtained through electronic medical record review. Simple and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify risk factors for measles seronegativity. Results Three hundred fifty-one participants were enrolled, with a measles seroprevalence rate of 70.3%. The mean age (range) was 48 (20–74) years, 77% were male, and 53% were Caucasian. The mean CD4 nadir (range) was 334 (1–1675) cells/mm3. At the time of testing, 86% and 87% of the seronegative and seropositive participants had an HIV RNA <50 copies/mL, respectively. Younger age was significantly associated with measles seronegativity (P = .003), as was birth year after 1957 (P = .021). Prior history of measles infection was associated with seropositivity (P = .011). All other risk factors evaluated, including written documentation of adequate vaccination, were not associated with seronegativity. Conclusions Our study demonstrates a measles seroprevalence rate that is remarkably lower than previously reported in PWH (92%), and, more importantly, is considerably lower than the rate needed to maintain herd immunity (95%). With higher than expected seronegativity and absence of notable risk factors aside from age, our findings support expanded measles immunity screening for PWH who are at risk of measles exposure.

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Study of the impact of blood lead level on humoral immunity in humans

Toxicology and Industrial Health ◽

10.1191/0748233702th129oa ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 39-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M ohammad Ayatollahi

Keyword(s):

Blood Lead Level ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

The Body ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

System A ◽

Organ Systems ◽

The Impact

The objective was to study the impact of blood lead level (BLL) on serum immunoglobulin levels (SIL; IgG, IgM, IgA) in people with high-risk professions. It has been characterized that BLL / 25 g/dL can cause dysfunctions in different organ systems of the body, such as the immune system. A cross-sectional study was carried out in relation to this, by using a pretested questionnaire to collect data on demographic factors and socioeconomic status, which was completed by subjects studied, such as car battery shop workers, car painters and welders of car radiators and exhausts, printing office workers (typesetters and nontypesetters) who were aged between 15 and 70 years. Venous blood was sampled to measure the BLL (by atomic absorption spectroscopy) and SIL (by SRID). The results, when analysed, suggested a reduction in SIL with emphasis on IgG in comparison with standard levels.

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The impact of diabetes on visual acuity in Ethiopia, 2021

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0256145 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0256145

Author(s):

Mulu Tiruneh Asemu ◽

Mengesha Assefa Ahunie

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Ischemic Optic Neuropathy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Right ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

Background Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia that results from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Glaucoma is the ocular complication of diabetic illness. In addition to this, retinopathy, maculopathy, ischemic optic neuropathy, extra-ocular muscle palsy, iridocyclitis, and rubeosis iridis were other complications. This study aims to determine the impact of diabetes on visual impairment and blindness among diabetic patients in Ethiopia. Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study includes 401 samples of diabetic patients in the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from January 2017 to January 2019. The multinomial logistic regression model was employed to identify significant differences among the factor variables. Results The magnitude of blindness was 32.17%, and the burden of severe visual impairment was 12.46%. Of the total patients, 120(29.9%) were have diabetic retinopathy of whom, 113(94.2%) were blind either in the right, left, or both eyes and 3 (2.5%) had severe visual impairment. One hundred twenty-six (31.42%) patients developed diabetic maculopathy of whom, 117 (92.85%) were blind either in the right or left eye, and one (0.8%) had severe visual impairment. From the whole diabetic patients, the magnitude of glaucoma was 186(46.38%), and from the patients who developed glaucoma was blind visual impairment 127(68.27%) either in the right or left eye. Thirty-eight (20.34%) had severe visual impairment. Glaucoma was significantly associated with severe visual impairment and blindness (p<0.001). Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, maculopathy, and type of diabetes are factors for visual impairment. Conclusion We found that visual impairment in the category of severe and blindness are frequent in Ethiopian diabetic patients. Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, maculopathy are the main predictive factors that determine the occurrence of blindness.

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