Experience and Challenges in Establishing Quarantine Facility for Suspected COVID-19 Cases: Field Briefing

Introduction: Due to the unprecedented SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, in late January 2020, many countries in the world imposed a travel ban. Governments across the world initiated repatriation operations for stranded nationals. It was important to instantly develop quarantine facilities for evacuees. As the disease was fairly new, data on it was sparse to fulfil the requirement. Objectives: We are sharing our experience of establishing and managing India’s first quarantine facility for repatriate nationals focusing on key parameters including infection prevention and control, environmental cleaning, and bio-medical waste management along with basic living requirements. Results: The facility housed a total of 617 evacuees from China and Italy. Among them, 17 were found to be positive on initial testing and one tested positive on the 14th day of testing. 25 contacts were traced and prescribed an additional quarantine period of fourteen days in the facility, and were discharged accordingly. All evacuees were put on community surveillance. Supply of logistics, manpower management, and ensuring compliance to protocols were some of the major challenges faced, for which appropriate actions were taken. Conclusion: Impeccable collaboration and coordination among different stakeholders is the most essential ingredient for the successful operation of any quarantine facility in the context of the current pandemic.

A Survey on Mental Wellbeing among Indian Population during Lockdown-2 of COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: COVID-19 emerged as a global pandemic and its disastrous effects have been felt all over the world. In India, people faced two phases of lockdown. The Government imposed several restrictions on the residents which increased temporary unemployment for many workers. The pandemic has caused a serious impact on the mental health of the people. This survey was done on the verge of lockdown-2, by using DASS-42 scale questionnaire. The aim of this present study was to access the effect of lockdown-2 on mental wellbeing in the Indian population. Methods: It was a study conducted during the second wave of COVID-19 via an online survey using DASS-42 scale questionnaire in the Google Forms bilingually. The outcome of the questionnaire was the assessment of the degree of depression, anxiety, and stress on Likert scale. Results: 170 individuals participated in this study. All participants experienced stress, anxiety and depression during lockdown. The results revealed that the lockdown affects psychological health of people. There was no association between men and women in terms of the degree of depression, anxiety, and stress on Likert scale. Conclusion: During the second lockdown in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the residents suffered from a moderate level of depression, moderate level of stress, and mild level of anxiety. It is also evident that different age groups have experienced a psychological impact of the pandemic. The outbreak of this pandemic indicates the need to pay greater attention to mental health to prevent and diminish the psychological outcomes of the pandemic.

Traditional Childbearing Beliefs and Practices among Mothers at a District Hospital in Goa

Background: Traditional health practices are observed by mothers in every region of the world with varying frequency. They often get influenced by their peers and elders and follow some potentially harmful practices during their childbearing period. Aim: To identify and describe various traditional beliefs and practices observed during pregnancy among mothers at South Goa District Hospital. Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. It was conducted over a period of 3 months (March-May 2019) among postnatal mothers by interviewing study participants about various cultural beliefs and practices observed during pregnancy. Data were entered into an Excel spreadsheet and analysed using SPSS version 22. Results: Nearly two-thirds of the study participants (68.75%) avoided going outdoors and laid in bed during an eclipse while 42.5% avoided sleeping on the abdomen or slept in the left lateral position to avoid birth defects in babies. To predict the sex of the baby, 12.5% of the mothers believed that if a pregnant lady craves sweet food, it’s a girl and if she craves sour/ salty food, it’s a boy while 11.5% believed that if a pregnant woman is carrying low, it’s a boy. With respect to food taboos, 53.75% of the mothers believed in avoiding ‘hot’ foods and eating ‘cold’ foods during pregnancy. Conclusion: The study highlights the popular traditional childbearing practices observed among mothers as a means of creating awareness among health professionals in order to discourage possible harmful practices and promote beneficial practices for a safe and healthy pregnancy.

The Exposure of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Assistants to COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study in Libya

Introduction: As per the WHO reports dated July 7, 2021, 184,324,026 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were found in the world and 196,894 cases were found in Libya. Healthcare workers (HCWs), pharmacists, in particular, have been affected a lot because of COVID-19. Community pharmacies are considered workplaces with elevated exposure risk to COVID-19. Method: This study aims to roughly estimate the risk of COVID-19 exposure among pharmacists and pharmacy assistants working in pharmacies in Libya. An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted among pharmacists and pharmacy assistants working in hospital pharmacies and community pharmacies. Between November 11th, 2020 and January 7th, 2021, a Google Form questionnaire was delivered through social media and instant messaging platforms, to certified community pharmacists and pharmacy assistants residing in Libya. Results: Out of 207 respondents, the majority (72.4%) reported having at least one or more flu-like symptoms. In addition, 52.17% of them reported that one of their relatives had at least one or more flu-like symptoms. The most common symptoms reported by respondents were headache (46.9%), tiredness (42.5%), fever (31.9%), and loss of smell and taste sensation (29.0%). The period with the highest number of all the symptomatic respondents as well as those with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 was between August to October 2020. Correspondingly, 108 (52.17%) symptomatic respondents had a relative with symptoms. Conclusion: The majority of respondents reported having flu-like symptoms in the period from August to October. Moreover, the highest cumulative number of people with suggestive COVID-19 symptoms reported their symptoms in the same period.

Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Police Personnel during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study in North India

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has posed a public health threat to the whole world. The frontline line workers including police personnel involved in COVID-19 management and containment are at risk of mental health problems. Aims: To estimate mental health problems like stress, anxiety, and depression in police personnel and to determine their underlying drivers.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among police personnel of city Rohtak in April 2020. 8 police stations and 13 check-posts were selected randomly by lottery method. Depression, Anxiety and Stress-21 Scale was used. Statistical analyses were undertaken using MS Excel, Epi Info, and R software. Results: 298 policemen were screened for mental problems. Their mean age was 39 ± 9.7 years. 20.1%, 13.8%, and 3.4% had stress, anxiety, and depression respectively. 172 (57.7%) respondents were not satisfied with their COVID duty hours. 239 (80.2%) subjects believed that they are at risk of getting the infection due to their duties in COVID-19 containment zones. About 68.8% of participants believed that their families were at risk of getting the infection because of their COVID-19 duty. The study subjects who were not satisfied with their duty hours had 2.4 and 3.5 times more risk of stress and anxiety as compared with those who were satisfied with them. Conclusion: Policemen are at significant risk for stress, anxiety, and depression due to COVID related duties. Identifiable risk factors were number of working hours per day, dissatisfaction with duty hours, and risk of contracting corona infection due to COVID-19 duty.

Clinico-epidemiological Profile and Social Stigma in Hospitalised RT-PCR Confirmed COVID-19 Cases with and without Comorbidity

Introduction: The unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak has now spread to every nook of the world. It has contributed to an enormous adverse impact globally. Persons of every age group are likely to get infected but elderly people or those with comorbidities could develop a more serious illness. Objectives: To describe the clinico-demographic characteristics, various risk factors, and COVID-19 related social stigma among 135 hospitalised patients in north India and to find an association by comparing it with comorbidity. Methods: The present study is an observational analytical study carried out on 135 patients with RT-PCR confirmed cases admitted in a tertiary care hospital India aged between 15-79 years. Data were collected in a validated questionnaire specially designed for COVID-19 by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Result: A total of 135 patients were included (median age, 40 years [interquartile range {IQR}, 54-29; range, 15-79 years]; 62.9% Male). The presenting symptoms at the time of admission were fever (57.0%), cough (43.0%), fatigue (42.2%), and breathlessness (28.1%). The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (20%), diabetes (14.1%), thyroid disorder (6.7%), cardiovascular diseases (3.7%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (4.4%) and 23.7% patients reported having at least one comorbidity. Patients without pre-existing diseases have more social stigma as compared to patients with comorbidities. Twenty eight percent reported use of AYUSH therapies as prophylactic measures. Conclusion: This study describes the clinico-demographic profile, baseline comorbidities, and social stigma associated with COVID-19 patients. Patients having comorbidity have less stigma, however, the family of both the groups were worried and supportive.

Study of Allergic Rhinitis by using RAP Questionnaire and Skin Lesions in a Group of Shoe Factory Workers in India: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: The footwear industry is a significant segment of leather industry in India. Workers in shoe industry are exposed to mixtures of organic solvents used for colouring, adhesion, cleaning and fumes which could lead to respiratory and skin problems. Objectives: To study allergic rhinitis symptoms and examine skin lesions in workers exposed to harmful agents in footwear industry. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional study conducted in November 2018 for 4 days among industrial workers in a selected factory of Footwear Park, developed by the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) of Bahadurgarh. RAP (Respiratory Allergy Prediction test) questionnaire for allergic rhinitis and questions on type and number of skin lesions were asked. Result: 51 workers were selected for the study. Workers involved in printing and moulding responded positively to one or more than one questions of RAP questionnaire used for screening allergic rhinitis. 31.4% had itching, 27.5% had papules, 7.8% had blisters, 7.8% had oozing, and 15.7% had dry/ scaly skin. Itching, papules, blisters, oozing, and dry/ scaly skin were found only on the head/ neck, hands and arms/ forearms with no involvement of lower legs and trunk. Skin problems like itching and papules were significantly associated with printing and moulding of shoes (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Shoe-making involves exposure to many hazardous compounds and toxic fumes that may cause allergic rhinitis as well as skin allergies in the form of skin lesions especially those involved in printing and moulding of shoes.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Computer Vision Syndrome among Medical Students in Goa

Introduction: There has been a tremendous increase in the use of computers and other screens by young adults in educational institutions for education, communication, and recreation. This can lead to computer vision syndrome. Computer vision syndrome includes a variety of symptoms faced by individuals who use computers for long hours every day. Most early symptoms are not recognized and the condition goes undiagnosed. Creating public awareness about the healthy use of computers is the need of the hour. Aim: To study knowledge, attitudes and practices of computer vision syndrome among medical students in Goa. Methods: Settings and Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Study Duration: 1 month (June 2020) Statistical Analysis Tools Used: Simple percentages and proportions. Result: It is seen that among participants who use digital devices for more than 6 hours, 39 (92.9%) were symptomatic. 62 (57.4%) participants experienced worsening of symptoms due to lockdown. Conclusion: The present study revealed that more than three-fourths of the students complained of one or more symptoms of computer vision syndrome while working on the devices.

An Epidemiological Study on Risk Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is expected to increase in the coming decades due to increasing air pollution. In a country like India, it is a challenge to control the growing incidence of COPD. For this, it is imperative to understand the various risk factors that lead to the development of COPD including smoking and the ever-worsening environmental air pollution levels. Material and Methods: This prospective case-control study was carried out at the out-patient clinic of pulmonary medicine at our tertiary care centre. Clinical severity data, demographic characteristics, smoking history, and particulate matter (PM) 2.5 levels at the residence of the patients were recorded. A total of 182 cases of COPD and 365 controls were taken. Result: COPD was found to be common among males (69.2%), among the factory workers, drivers and roadside vendors and in elderly age groups. COPD was found to be associated with exposure to active and passive smoking (p < 0.05). Exposure to dust, fumes, and smoke at the workplace was significantly more prevalent among the COPD patients (13.2%) than the control group (2.7%). Besides, 61.5% of the COPD patients were residing in the area with PM 2.5 levels > 60μg/m3 which was significantly greater than the controls (44.9%). Conclusion: The main risk factor for COPD is exposure to active and passive tobacco smoking. Other environmental factors such as exposure to dust, fumes at the workplace and home are also associated with COPD. Level of PM 2.5 > 60 μg/m3 is associated with an increased risk of COPD. Thus, the environmental history of residence in Delhi or a city with high AQI is significant in evaluating a COPD patient. It is important to understand the contribution of these risk factors as curbing and curtailing them can help prevent and control the growing burden of COPD.