BLS ERC Certified Greek Providers’ Willingness to Perform CPR and Skill Retention During the Covid-19 Pandemic. A Survey of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology (WG CPR)

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate a. the level of established knowledge regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during the Covid-19 pandemic era of certified Basic Life Support (BLS) providers and b. their attitude towards CPR, along with possible misconceptions regarding Covid-19. Methods: Certified BLS providers from courses held in Athens, Greece were asked to complete an electronic survey regarding their knowledge and behavioral changes on performing CPR on victims with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 infection. Their perception on BLS courses was also assessed. Answers were collected during June 2020. Results: Out of 5513 certified providers, 25.53% completed the survey. The majority (83.36%) would provide CPR to an arrest victim with possible or confirmed Covid-19 infection. Regarding the use of an automated external defibrillator, the majority thinks that it is equally safe as in the pre-Covid-19 period (58.24%). Older age (<0.001) and a lower level of education (p<0.001) made rescuers more willing to provide CPR. Exposure to the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) (p<0.001) and to a lesser degree to Greek National Public Health Organization (NPHO) guidelines was also correlated to a less negative attitude towards resuscitation, whereas time since the last BLS seminar had no such impact (p=0.18). All responders agree that training in CPR during Covid-19 remains necessary.Conclusion: Certified BLS providers maintain willingness to perform CPR in unresponsive victims even during the Covid-19 pandemic era. This attitude is reinforced by exposure to the updated CPR guidelines. Knowledge regarding Covid-19 CPR is satisfactory, with more training focused on the revised algorithms considered essential.

Aftermath Melancholy of Devastating COVID-19 Issues

It is difficult to say authentically whether the COVID-19 virus is being developed in Chinese laboratory or shredded from the vet market of China. In any case it’s a Chinese virus affecting the human population, and one such major public health event occurs approximately one in every 100 years. It is as devastating, if not more, than the dinosaurs of past millennia, but as the size reduced from animal to nano particle, the devastating capability also increased in million times. The major pandemics have been usually pneumonic in nature whether plague, flue or Covid. The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) of WHO (World Health Organization) has been launched as a Knowledge resource. But the role of China or WHO in declaring this pandemic is suspicious even today. This arouses a question, was the discovery actually Chinese in nature and with the help of higher public health organization (WHO?) the matter was hidden and bio-weapon was developed by China to be used for Indian, Taiwan, US or Japanese soldiers in cold seasons, with whom China is engaged in territorial expansion through encroachment? As such excepting US president Mr. Donald Trump, no one expresses it aloud. There has been economic crisis, socio-psycho-political melancholy, vaccine development delays and global health system failure.

1429. Meningococcal Disease Outbreak in a Refugee Reception Identification Center in Greece and Administration of Mass Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Background An increased likelihood of transmission of communicable diseases such as invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) exists in refugee camps. Herein, we describe an outbreak investigation of 5 IMD cases among immigrants in Greece. Methods Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data (culture and molecular identification) as well as the public health management concerning an outbreak of meningococcal disease in a refugee Reception Identification Center (RIC), are described. Results During the period 17th January - 17th February 2020, five cases of IMD in refugees were reported to the National Public Health Organization (NPHO). Four cases were from Afghanistan and resided in the RIC of Lesvos Island; two females aged 2 yo and 21 yo and two males 13 yo and 6 yo. The fifth case, a 4 month old male of Syrian nationality, exhibited symptoms after moving to an inland accommodation center (AC) from Lesvos RIC, on December 2019. Four of the cases presented with meningitis and septicaemia. All cases recovered and had no common exposure other than shared geographic space. Neisseria meningitidis was identified by molecular typing (mPCR, PorA, MLST, WGS) in all cases at the National Meningitis Reference Laboratory; 3/5 cases were identified as MenB, porA 7-2,4, and ST-3129 (new clone) while 2/5 (21 yo female, 13 yo male) as MenY, porA: 5.2, ST-22cc. To prevent secondary cases, antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis via Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) was administered to 4.024 Afgan close contacts (26.7% of the total Afgan population). MenACWY and MenB vaccination was recommended in response to outbreak among persons aged &lt; 20 years old. No new IMD case occurred in the RIC during a follow-up period of 4 months. Conclusion The detection of a new clone in Greece of Chinese and Taiwanese origin through migrants, further underlines the need of enhanced surveillance for early detection, molecular typing, immediate intervention with antibiotic prophylaxis and/or supplemental vaccination in order to prevent IMD in refugee camps. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Engaging young people in the co-design of a brand and online platform for a public health organization

This article explores how co-design was used to engage young people in the design of a new brand identity and online platform for the Auckland District Health Board’s Peer Sexuality Support Programme (PSSP). Unlike conventional branding practices that do not generally engage users as co-creators in the early discovery stages of the design process, in this research young people were brought into the design process as informants and co-designers. This drove both brand strategy and touchpoint design, positioning the brand to be better accepted by the young people involved in the programme. A series of discovery and evaluation co-design workshops, with a diverse range of PSSP youth leaders, offered game-like interactive activities and the opportunity for open discussions. Engaging young people in fun and meaningful ways helped them uncover and share insights that could only be possible by directly involving them in the design process. The outputs of this co-designed brand – FRANK – incorporated a full visual identity and a proposal for an online platform. The final brand design elicited strong positive responses from PSSP youth leaders, highlighting the importance of involving young people in the design of products and services that address issues affecting them.

Women Suffering During Armed Conflict In Pakistan

The article is on international humanitarian law (IHL) and is a selective examination of the situation of armed conflict in a context to gender specific crime most relevant to Pakistan. Pakistan remains engage in multiple and overlapping conflicts since decades. It started from Afghanistan and since then Pakistan faces heavy losses in term of human and economic loss both. Pakistan has been tremendously damaged from inside, the trade and businesses, investments, shifting downs of the imports and exports and lack of foreign tourism, all of this had created a chaos in the country. This article talks about the impacts of armed conflict on women. Other most traumatic impacts happen when women are sexually abused and children enlisted as child soldier, women and children become displaced refugee, and public health organization, are lacking or inaccessible.

West Nile virus in humans, Greece, 2018: the largest seasonal number of cases, 9 years after its emergence in the country

Background Human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection are recorded since 2010 in Greece, with seasonal outbreaks occurring almost annually. Enhanced surveillance has been implemented since 2010, to promptly characterise cases’ temporal and geographical distribution and inform authorities for implementation of appropriate measures (mosquito control, health education, blood safety). Aim We describe the epidemiology of WNV human infections in Greece focusing on the 2018 season. Methods The National Public Health Organization advised physicians to test all suspect WNV infection cases and refer samples to reference laboratories. Laboratories notified diagnosed cases on a daily basis. Treating physicians, patients, and infected blood donors were interviewed within 48 hours after diagnosis and the probable infection location was identified. Hospitalised cases were followed up until discharge. Results A total of 317 autochthonous WNV infection cases were diagnosed in 2018. Among them, 243 cases had neuroinvasive disease (WNND), representing a 23% increase of WNND cases compared with 2010, the previous most intense season. There were 51 deaths. Cases started occurring from week 22, earlier than usual. Both rural and urban areas were affected, with 86 (26% of the total) municipalities belonging to seven (54% of the total) regions recording cases. Two major epicentres were identified in Attica and Central Macedonia regions. Conclusions The largest number of human cases of WNV infection ever recorded in Greece occurred in 2018, with a wide geographical distribution, suggesting intense virus circulation. Enhanced surveillance is vital for the early detection of human cases and the prompt implementation of response measures.

Ethics and informatics in the age of COVID-19: challenges and recommendations for public health organization and public policy

The COVID-19 pandemic response in the United States has exposed significant gaps in information systems and processes that prevent timely clinical and public health decision-making. Specifically, the use of informatics to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2, support COVID-19 care delivery, and accelerate knowledge discovery bring to the forefront issues of privacy, surveillance, limits of state powers, and interoperability between public health and clinical information systems. Using a consensus-building process, we critically analyze informatics-related ethical issues in light of the pandemic across 3 themes: (1) public health reporting and data sharing, (2) contact tracing and tracking, and (3) clinical scoring tools for critical care. We provide context and rationale for ethical considerations and recommendations that are actionable during the pandemic and conclude with recommendations calling for longer-term, broader change (beyond the pandemic) for public health organization and policy reform.

Public's perceived importance of non-pharmacological interventions for COVID-19 control in Greece: preliminary evidence from a cross-sectional study

Background: In the early stages of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, while effective pharmaceutical approaches are pending, COVID-19 management relies primarily on non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), such as social distancing,which requirepublic's engagement and behavioral adjustment. This study aims to evaluate public's perceived importance of the NPIs imposed for COVID-19 control in personal and public health protection in Greece. Methods: This cross-sectional online study, enrolled 657 adult participants from the general Greek population in order to assess their beliefs and evaluate possible factors that influence their perceptions as regards NPI importance in personal and public health protection. Results: Overall, Greeks considered NPIs important for health protection. The participants who were less likely to consider NPIs important were men (OR versus females=1.64, 95% CI:1.15 to 2.36, p=0.007), people younger than 40 years old (OR between ages over 40 versus ages below 40=0.48, 95% CI:0.34 to 0.68, p<0.001), and people who did not chose the Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY) to get informed about COVID-19 (OR of EODY versus other sources of information = 0.65, 95% CI:0.46-0.92, p= 0.014). Conclusions: This study profiled Greek people who do and do not consider NPIs important, mainly as of their demographic features. Focused communicational strategies in certain population subgroups are recommended.