scholarly journals The Role of Preventive Measures or a Previously Immunized Population: A Pilot Study on Coronavirus Disease-19 in Syria

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-104
Author(s):  
Samaher Almousa ◽  
Ammar Suleiman ◽  
Samer Mohsen

Background: A recent ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread in Syria from March 2020 with a pattern of a slow case increase. So far, the government has put the country under lock-down orders as a preventive measure. However, there is a considerable belief in the medical community of our country supposes that the virus has previously passed through the country depending on the high numbers of diagnosed severe respiratory infections early in 2020. Thus, this study was designed to determine the number of people with detectable antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 from two samples of healthy adults with and without a previous history of severe respiratory infection in the last 6 months of the study. Materials and Methods: To this end, samples were collected from 123 and 198 subjects with a previous severe respiratory infection and healthy controls, respectively. Then, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were tested as well. Results: None of the samples from both groups tested IgG positive in the assay while four tested IgM samples were positive. Accordingly, these positive samples were re-analyzed and remained IgM positive in the second test although the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for the SARS-CoV-2 virus was negative. Conclusion: Based on our findings, there is no evidence concerning the previous COVID-19 infection in Syria thus it is suggested that all isolation and lock-down orders should be respected as an effective preventive tool in this regard.

Author(s):  
Magda Milleyde de Sousa Lima ◽  
Francisco Marcelo Leandro Cavalcante ◽  
Thamires Sales Macêdo ◽  
Nelson Miguel Galindo Neto ◽  
Joselany Áfio Caetano ◽  
...  

Objective to analyze scientific evidence on the efficacy of cloth masks in preventing COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Method integrative literature review based on the following guiding question: What is the efficacy of cloth face masks in absorbing particles that cause respiratory infection? The search was conducted in eight electronic databases, without any restriction in terms of language or period. Results low coverage cloth face masks made of 100% cotton, scarf, pillowcase, antimicrobial pillowcase, silk, linen, tea towel, or vacuum bag, present marginal/reasonable protection against particles while high coverage cloth masks provide high protection. Conclusion cloth face masks are a preventive measure with moderate efficacy in preventing the dissemination of respiratory infections caused by particles with the same size or smaller than those of SARS-CoV-2. The type of fabric used, number of layers and frequency of washings influence the efficacy of the barrier against droplets.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-154
Author(s):  
YURI FRANCIFOROV ◽  
◽  
MARINA BARANOVA

The purpose of the article is to consider the peculiarities of investigative and judicial actions that are caused by their postponement, the inability to attract a lawyer, as well as the suspension of the preliminary investigation during the period of emergency measures taken by the government of the Russian Federation in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus infection pandemic (COVID-19). The authorsanalyze the features of the courts activity in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, which is associated with minimizing the personal reception of citizens and submitting documents via electronic Internet reception offices of courts or by Russian Post, as well as the possibility of conducting online court sessions. The authors come to the conclusion that the judicial system was not sufficiently prepared for the pandemic, and therefore it is urgently necessary to adopt a special normative act that would regulate the implementation of judicial proceedings in emergency situations, allowing to continue to consider urgent cases, including materials on the election, extension, cancellation or change of a preventive measure.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-122
Author(s):  
Maly Phy ◽  
Twisuk Pungpeng ◽  
Chaweewon Boonshuyar ◽  
Thanu Chartananondh

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a brief screening instrument to identify risk factors of factory workers experiencing mass fainting illness (MFI) due to work-environmental determinants. Design/methodology/approach A factory-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 740 workers in October 2017 and was completed with face-to-face interviews. Data analyses included univariate logistic regression, backward stepwise linear regression and multiple logistic regression. Sum scores on significant items and receiver operator characteristic curves were used to compute potential cut-off points and the sensitivity and specificity rates. Findings Significant work-environmental factors were identified as working at very high speeds, having less influence on the choice of working partners, perceived high temperature at work, having less opportunity to do their best at work, and concern about losing a job in the next six months. In developing a screening instrument, a 6.5 cut-off point that corresponded to 99.6 percent sensitivity and 92.2 percent specificity was identified. Originality/value The study concludes that this MFI-instrument could potentially be used to prevent MFI. By understanding the policy implications, the government body, employers, workers, development partners and stakeholders should work toward preventing MFI. Implementing a preventive measure is therefore warranted due to the health education impact.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Grenet ◽  
Samia Mekhaldi ◽  
Sabine MAINBOURG ◽  
Marine AUFFRET ◽  
Catherine Cornu ◽  
...  

Background Association between DPP4 inhibitors and respiratory infection remains unclear. CardioVascular Outcomes Trials (CVOTs) conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic are available. We aimed to estimate the effect of DPP4 inhibitors on the risk of respiratory infections. Methods We updated a previous systematic review and meta-analysis, searching for CVOTs assessing a DPP4 inhibitor in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We focused on placebo-controlled CVOTs. Our primary outcome was 'any respiratory infection'. We added a sensitivity analysis integrating non-CVOTs and active-controlled CVOTs. Findings We included 47 714 patients in five placebo-controlled CVOTs. Median follow-up ranged from 1.5 years to 3 years. 4 369 events of overall respiratory infection were reported (rate of 9.2%). DPP4 inhibitors were not associated with a different risk compared to placebo (RR = 0.99 [95%CI: 0.93; 1.04]). The sensitivity analysis integrating the non-CVOTs studies and the active-controlled CVOT reached 11 349 events among 82 644 participants (rate of 13.7%). DPP4 inhibitors were not associated with a different risk of overall respiratory infection (RR = 1.00 [95% CI: 0.97; 1.03]). Interpretation Our up-dated meta-analysis provides the most powerful and least biased estimation of the association of DPP4 inhibitors and the risk of overall (non COVID-19) respiratory infection. We did not find any effect of the DPP4 inhibitors on the risk of respiratory infection. Our results support the recently published practical recommendations for the management of diabetes in patients with COVID-19, suggesting that DPP4 inhibitors should not be discontinued regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.


Author(s):  
Mahmoud Alsaiqali ◽  
Katrien De Troeyer ◽  
Lidia Casas ◽  
Rafiq Hamdi ◽  
Christel Faes ◽  
...  

Purpose: This study assesses the potential acute effects of heatwaves on human morbidities in primary care settings. Methods: We performed a time-stratified case-crossover study to assess the acute effects of heatwaves on selected morbidities in primary care settings in Flanders, Belgium, between 2000 and 2015. We used conditional logistic regression models. We assessed the effect of heatwaves on the day of the event (lag 0) and X days earlier (lags 1 to X). The associations are presented as Incidence Density Ratios (IDR). Results: We included 22,344 events. Heatwaves are associated with increased heat-related morbidities such as heat stroke IDR 3.93 [2.94–5.26] at lag 0, dehydration IDR 3.93 [2.94–5.26] at lag 1, and orthostatic hypotension IDR 2.06 [1.37–3.10] at lag 1. For cardiovascular morbidities studied, there was only an increased risk of stroke at lag 3 IDR 1.45 [1.04–2.03]. There is no significant association with myocardial ischemia/infarction or arrhythmia. Heatwaves are associated with decreased respiratory infection risk. The IDR for upper respiratory infections is 0.82 [0.78–0.87] lag 1 and lower respiratory infections (LRI) is 0.82 [0.74–0.91] at lag 1. There was no significant effect modification by age or premorbid chronic disease (diabetes, hypertesnsion). Conclusion: Heatwaves are associated with increased heat-related morbidities and decreased respiratory infection risk. The study of heatwaves’ effects in primary care settings helps evaluate the impact of heatwaves on the general population. Primary care settings might be not suitable to study acute life-threatening morbidities.


IKESMA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ema Mayasari

Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) is one of the most common causes of death in children of developing countries. The cause of ARI include home building materials made of asbestos, has a floor with a thickness of less than 20cm and has a floor area of less than 10% of the floor area. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of physical condition to Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) at public health centers in the region of the northern town of Kediri.This study was an analyticstudy with cross-sectional approach. There were 102 samples on society at public health centers in the region of the northern town of Kediri, and use simple random sampling. The independent variable is the building constructures, the type of floor, and size of ventilation, while the dependent variable was the incident of Acute Respiratory Infection. Data were analyzed by logistic regression.The results showed that, p value = 0,000 <a =0,05, so there is physical condition home has affected the occurrence ARI. While the most dominant factor of the three factors is size of ventilation where the value of Exp (B) 0,014 more than the other two factors, are building contructure where the value Exp (B) 0,012 and the type of floor where the value Exp (B) 0,010.The majority of respondents suffering from ARI and most the of respondent have a home ventilation that does not qualify, therefore people should pay more attention to the ventilation of their homes so spacious home ventilation of at least 10 % of their floor area. Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infection, Building Material, Floor, Ventilation


2021 ◽  
pp. IJCBIRTH-D-20-00029
Author(s):  
Aynalem Yetwale ◽  
Eneyew Melkamu

BACKGROUNDWomen face many challenges from conception to postpartum, and fear of childbirth is one of the challenges the women encounter during pregnancy. This could have resulted from different perspectives and it could in turn lead to various pregnancy and childbirth problems. Thus, understanding childbirth fear and factors associated with this is of paramount importance and this study was aimed at addressing this issue.METHODOLOGYA facility-based cross-sectional study was done on 423 pregnant mothers who came for antenatal care services at Jinka hospital and Jinka health center. The study was conducted from June 1to 30, 2018. The sample size was calculated using the single population proportion formula and samples were taken after proportional allocation was done for the hospital and health center using the proportion allocation formula. Individual participants were selected with a systematic sampling technique using k-value of 2 for both the hospital and health center and the first participant was selected by the lottery method from the first two samples. Data were entered into epi-data version 3.1.1. and exported into statistical packages for social sciences version 21.0 for cleaning and further analysis. The level of significance was declared at a p value of less than 0.05 in multivariable logistic regression model. Narratives, figures, and tables were used to put the result.RESULTFrom 423 samples, two of the questionnaires were incomplete and thus 421 were used for analysis giving a response rate of 99.5%. Around a quarter of 102 (24.2%) mothers had fear of childbirth and the remaining 319 (75.8%) had no fear of childbirth. From the factors under consideration, history of previous pregnancy complications, previous history of labor and delivery complications, educational status, and depression status were significantly associated with a mother’s fear of childbirth.CONCLUSIONEven though it is physiological to have some fear of childbirth, the figure obtained is relatively higher. Factors found to have a significant effect on childbirth fear are those which could be tackled through improved health literacy and integrated maternal health services.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Roziqin ◽  
Syasya Y.F. Mas’udi ◽  
Iradhad T. Sihidi

PurposeCOVID-19 cases in Indonesia continue to increase and spread. This article aims to analyse the Indonesian government policies as a response in dealing with COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachThis article is a narrative analysis with the approach of a systematic literature review.FindingsThis article found that the Indonesian government responded slowly to the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of its spread in March 2020. The government then issued some policies such as physical distancing, large-scale social restriction (PSBB - Pembatasan Sosial Berskala Besar) and social safety net. These policies will only work if the society follows them. The society could be the key to success of those policies, either as the support or the obstacles.Practical implicationsThis policy analysis with literature review, conducted from March to July 2020 in Indonesia, provides experiences and knowledge in how to respond to the dynamic problems of public policy in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, especially in the context of a developing country.Originality/valueThe novelty of the article lies in the unique policy response in a diverse society. It suggests that the policymakers should pay more attention to the society’s characteristics as well as the mitigation system as a preventive measure and risk management to make clear policy in the society.


2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 491-506
Author(s):  
William F. Pomputius ◽  
Atilano Lacson ◽  
Herbert H. Pomerance

2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2110349
Author(s):  
Peter Yao ◽  
Kriti Gogia ◽  
Sunday Clark ◽  
Hanson Hsu ◽  
Rahul Sharma ◽  
...  

Background Telemedicine, which allows physicians to assess and treat patients via real-time audiovisual conferencing, is a rapidly growing modality for providing medical care. Antibiotic stewardship is one important measure of care quality, and research on antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections in direct-to-consumer telemedicine has yielded mixed results. We compared antibiotic prescription rates for acute respiratory infections in two groups treated by telemedicine: (1) patients treated via a direct-to-consumer telemedicine application and (2) patients treated via telemedicine while physically inside the emergency department. Methods We included direct-to-consumer telemedicine and emergency department telemedicine visits for patients 18 years and older with physician-coded International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision acute respiratory infection diagnoses between November 2016 and December 2018. Patients in both groups were seen by the same emergency department faculty working dedicated telemedicine shifts. We compared antibiotic prescribing rates for direct-to-consumer telemedicine and emergency department telemedicine visits before and after adjustment for age, sex, and diagnosis. Results We identified a total of 468 acute respiratory infection visits: 191 direct-to-consumer telemedicine visits and 277 emergency department telemedicine visits. Overall, antibiotics were prescribed for 47% of visits (59% of direct-to-consumer telemedicine visits vs 39% of emergency department telemedicine visits; odds ratio 2.23; 95% confidence interval 1.53–3.25; P < 0.001). The difference in antibiotic prescribing rates remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and diagnosis (odds ratio 2.49; 95% confidence interval 1.65–3.77; P < 0.001). Conclusion Patients seen by the same group of physicians for acute respiratory infection were significantly more likely to be prescribed antibiotics by direct-to-consumer telemedicine care compared with telemedicine care in the emergency department. This work suggests that contextual factors rather than evaluation over video may contribute to differences in antibiotic stewardship for direct-to-consumer telemedicine encounters.


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