Infection control measures among dental practitioners in a Southern state of India: A cross-sectional study

Aim: To find out infection control practices among orthodontists in Punjab, Pakistan during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross sectional study was conceived from 1.6.2020 to 1.1.2021. A pre-designed proforma was used to find out the infection control practices in orthodontics. Each pre-designed proforma consisted of 10 questions about infection control. The pre-designed proforma was distributed among 50 orthodontists. The response rate was 100%. Results: The results showed that most of the orthodontists were up-dated and in practice of using proper infection control measures while COVID-19. Gloves, PPE, Protective eye wears and face shields were worn by most of the respondents. Most of them were using proper disinfection and sterilization measures. Conclusion: The knowledge and practices of infection control in orthodontics was appropriate and up to standards during COVID-19. Key words: Infection Control; Orthodontics

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A cross-sectional study of workplace measures against COVID-19 and psychological distress among Japanese workers

10.1101/2021.04.16.21255640 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshinosa Yasuda ◽

Tomohiro Ishimaru ◽

Seiishiro Tateishi ◽

Hisashi Eguchi ◽

Mayumi Tsuji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Infection Control ◽

Large Scale ◽

Working Hours ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infection Control Measures

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between the status of infection control efforts against COVID-19 in the workplace and workers' mental health using a large-scale Internet study. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on an Internet monitoring survey conducted during the third wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan. Of the 33,302 people who participated in the survey, 27,036 were included in the analyses. Participants answered whether or not each of 10 different infection control measures were in place at their workplace (e.g. wearing masks at all times during working hours). A Kessler 6 (K6) score of ≥5 was defined as mild psychological distress. The odds ratios (ORs) of psychological distress associated with infection control measures at the workplace were estimated using a multilevel logistic model nested in the prefectures of residence. Results: The OR of subjects working at facilities with 4 or 5 infection control measures was 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.29, p=0.025), that in facilities with 2 or 3 infection control measures was 1.32 (95% CI: 1.15-1.50, p<0.001), and that in facilities with 1 or no infection control measures was 1.48 (95% CI: 1.30-1.68, p<0.001) compared to subjects whose workplaces had ≥6 infection control measures. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that proactive COVID-19 infection control measures can influence the mental health of workers.

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SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers of a teaching hospital in a highly endemic region in the Netherlands after the first wave: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051573 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. e051573

Author(s):

Maud Bouwman ◽

Frits van Osch ◽

Francy Crijns ◽

Thera Trienekens ◽

Jannet Mehagnoul-Schipper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Infection Control ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Medical Center ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Increased Risk

ObjectiveTo study the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among hospital healthcare workers after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide more knowledge in the understanding of the relationship between infection, symptomatology and source of infection.DesignA cross-sectional study in healthcare workers.SettingNorthern Limburg, the Netherlands.ParticipantsAll employees of VieCuri Medical Center (n=3300) were invited to enrol in current study. In total 2507 healthcare workers participated.InterventionBetween 22 June 2020 and 3 July 2020, participants provided venous blood samples voluntarily, which were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with the Wantai SARS-CoV-2 Ig total ELISA test. Work characteristics, exposure risks and prior symptoms consistent with COVID-19 were gathered through a survey.Main outcome measureProportion of healthcare workers with positive SARS-CoV-2 serology.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence was 21.1% (n=530/2507). Healthcare workers between 17 and 30 years were more likely to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies compared with participants >30 years. The probability of having SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was comparable for healthcare workers with and without direct patient (OR 1.42, 95% CI 0.86 to 2.34) and COVID-19 patient contact (OR 1.62, 95% CI 0.80 to 3.33). On the contrary, exposure to COVID-19 positive coworkers (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.93) and household members (OR 6.09, 95% CI 2.23 to 16.64) was associated with seropositivity. Of those healthcare workers with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, 16% (n=85/530) had not experienced any prior COVID-19-related symptoms. Only fever and anosmia were associated with seropositivity (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.42 to 2.55 and OR 10.51, 95% CI 7.86 to 14.07).ConclusionsHealthcare workers caring for hospitalised COVID-19 patients were not at an increased risk of infection, most likely as a result of taking standard infection control measures into consideration. These data show that compliance with infection control measures is essential to control secondary transmission and constrain the spread of the virus.

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Perceptions Towards Cross-Infection Control Measures - A cross sectional study among Dental Outpatients in Chennai

Bioscience Biotechnology Research Communications ◽

10.21786/bbrc/13.7/73 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 437-445

Author(s):

Neha Sharma M

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Infection ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infection Control Measures

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The knowledge, attitude, and practice towards coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among scuba divers in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.73496.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 1301

Author(s):

Khalifa S. Al-Khalifa ◽

Muneer H. Alshuyukh ◽

Amal Alfaraj ◽

Ashwin C. Shetty ◽

Yaser A. Alsahafi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Scuba Divers ◽

Attitude And Practice ◽

Knowledge Attitude And Practice

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among scuba divers in Saudi Arabia towards equipment infection control measures, protective guidelines measures and potential post COVID-19 infection complications. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a pre-validated questionnaire was conducted. The questionnaire consisted of 35 close-ended questions, which covered the scuba divers’ profile and experience, the KAP of COVID-19 precautionary measures during diving activities as well as the demographic data and background of the scuba divers. KAP scores were subjected to non-parametric tests of statistical significance (Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis test). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Most of the 461 participants’ answers were in agreeance on the proper KAP of infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a statistically significant difference in attitude between all the demographic and professional variables (p<0.05) except for gender and region of residence (p>0.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant practice difference among age groups, education levels, and employee status in the diving center (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings showed that scuba divers presented a good level of KAP of infection control measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease. Local officials and diving organizations need to continue their efforts in combating and control the spread of this pandemic.

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Content Analysis of the Free COVID-19 Telephone Consultations Available during the First Wave of the Pandemic in Japan

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9111593 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1593

Author(s):

Kyoko Yoshioka-Maeda ◽

Yuka Sumikawa ◽

Noriha Tanaka ◽

Chikako Honda ◽

Riho Iwasaki-Motegi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Content Analysis ◽

Infection Control ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Telephone Consultation ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Consultation Services

This cross-sectional study aimed to (1) describe the unclassified contents of telephone consultation services provided by a public health center during the first wave of COVID-19 in Japan and (2) examine whether the contents required assistance from public health nurses (PHNs). We analyzed a total of 207 calls in which the purpose of the call was unclassified into pre-set categories. PHNs transcribed the exact text of the consultation conversations recorded from 25 March to 20 April 2020 in City A. Approximately half of the calls were from residents. Seven categories were extracted through a qualitative content analysis. The most common topic was infection control measures, where the presence of COVID-19 infection was assumed (n = 62); the second most common was extreme anxiety and fear of infection (n = 50). Questions about the COVID-19 response system (n = 30), discrimination and misunderstandings about COVID-19 (n = 24), and response measures for COVID-19 outbreaks within organizations (n = 18) were also included. The unclassified consultations included various topics, several of which required the expertise of a PHN. Each local government should consider sharing and task-shifting telephone consultation services among PHNs and other staff to reduce their burden and allow them to concentrate on conducting infection control more effectively.

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Nurses’ Self-report on the Infection Control Unit Activities and their Experience in the Hospital toward Nosocomial Infections in the Sulaimani Hospitals

Erbil Journal of Nursing and Midwifery ◽

10.15218/ejnm.2020.19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 166-177

Author(s):

Ramand Haji ◽

◽

Dana Abdilkarim ◽

Salar Ali ◽

Srwa Mohammad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Nosocomial Infections ◽

Control Unit ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

Self Report ◽

Health Staff ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Spss Software

Background and objectives: Nurses can prevent the occurrence and transmission of noso-comial infections by following infection control measures such as wearing gloves and masks, using appropriate disinfection of skin and preventing accidental needle-stick inju-ries. This research aimed to evaluate the availability of hospital uniforms, personal protec-tive equipment, and infection control activities at hospitals in Sulaimani in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and to examine nurses’ experience of nosocomial infections. Methods and materials: A cross-sectional study was performed at 10 governmental hospi-tals during the period from 20th February to 28th September 2018. 525 nurses were se-lected as participants by a convenience sampling method. A self-administrated question-naire was used to collect data, which were analysed using SPSS software. Results: The results showed that 268 nurses (51%) reported that their hospitals provided sufficient uniforms to all the medical staff and the majority of nurses, 444 respondents (84.6%) stated that they were responsible for cleaning their working uniforms. 441 nurses reported that they did not acquire a nosocomial infection, and 479 (91.2%) did not have an accident during their work in the hospital. 79.9% of the nurses (404) reported recapping syringe needles after the usage, and 98 (18.7%) gave a low rating to the infection control unit activity in their hospitals. Finally, more than half of nurses (330) representing 62.9% of the sample were vaccinated against nosocomial infections. Conclusions: Most of Sulaimani governmental hospitals are providing sufficient uniforms for the health staff, the majority of nurses were vaccinated against one or more nosocomi-al infections, and the majority of nurses do needle syringe recapping.

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Knowledge and awareness on usage of mouth masks among dental fraternity during this pandemic COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3126/ajms.v11i6.30706 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 9-14

Author(s):

Ravichandra Ravi ◽

Srividya Athkuri ◽

Charishma Chowdary Ponugubati ◽

Roopesh Borugadda ◽

Sahithi Pamidimukkala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Measures ◽

World Health ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Health Organization

Background: The pandemic caused by novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 is a highly infectious disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of Corona Virus Diseases (COVID 19) as a global public health emergency. Currently, research on novel coronaviruses is still in the primary stage. Aims and Objective: The aim of this study is to assess knowledge and awareness on the usage of mouth masks among dental fraternity during this pandemic COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A total of 507 dentists from the Andhra Pradesh (India) region completed a questionnaire-based survey on knowledge, awareness, and infection control measures, such as usage of mouth masks during the pandemic COVID -19. The questionnaire was tailored from the guidance and the information provided for healthcare workers issued by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A suitable sampling method was used for the collection of data, and the distribution of responses was presented as percentages. Explanatory statistics were performed for all groups based on the percentage of correct responses. Results: A total of 530 participated in the survey, out of which 507 dentists completely answered the survey, and the response rate was 95.6%. Among the respondents, general practitioners and postgraduates accounted for 58.8% and 41.2%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference for all the questions solicited among the respondents. General or private practitioners seem to be more aware than postgraduates, as they have answered correctly (>65%) for almost all the questions. Conclusion: The inputs from the study help us to throw some light and fill up space where required. There is a specific and strong need to implement periodic educational programmes and training sessions on infection control practices for COVID-19 among dentists in particular.

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Cross infection control in private dental practice in Karachi, Sindh.

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2019.26.08.17 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (08) ◽

pp. 1354-1358

Author(s):

Gotam Das ◽

Imran Samejo ◽

Shabir Ahmed ◽

Bushra Jabeen ◽

Muhammad Ilyas Shaikh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Dental Treatment ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Infection ◽

Dental Practice ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

Detailed Medical History ◽

Hand Piece

The Aim of this study was to assess that what measures were taken routinely by private dental practitioners regarding cross infection control. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Private dental practitioners in Karachi. Period: 01-04-2018 to 30-09-2018. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire comprised of 10 questions was prepared regarding measures taken for infection control in private dental practice. The questionnaire was distributed randomly among 130 private dental practitioners by hand to carry out a cross sectional study on cross Infection control among the private dental practitioners in Karachi. The each question had two options (YES OR NO), and the respondents had to select one of the two. Results: The questionnaire was sent to 130 private dental practitioners, out of which 111 dentists responded and returned the questionnaire. The response rate was 85%. Following are the results obtained. 85% of participants asked detailed medical history. Majority of dentists (78%) were immunized against hepatitis B. 95 % of the participants stated that they wore gloves during dental treatment and change on each patient. Mask was worn and changed on each patient by 67% of dentists during treatment. Protective eyeglasses and protective face shield were worn by 20% and 2 % of respondents respectively during dental treatment. Majority of dentists (84%) used autoclave to sterilize the hand piece and 16% dentists used sterilized hand piece on each patient. 100% participants changed instruments such as extraction instruments, saliva ejector, hand piece, impression trays on each patient. Only 3% of participant disinfected the impression before sending to laboratory. Only 17 % participants used special container to disposal off sharp objects. Conclusion: Cross infection control measures need to be improved in private dental practice.

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