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INTRODUCTION: Since the emergence of COVID-19, the Malaysian government has made wearing a face mask in public mandatory since August 1, 2020, as an effort by the government to control the transmission of COVID-19. However, Malaysians' willingness to wear face masks in public is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Thus, this study aimed to evaluate their perception of face mask wearing during COVID-19 and its contributing factors. METHODOLOGY: A total of 1024 respondents, aged ≥ 18 years, participated in this online cross-sectional survey from October 2021 to December 2021. The Face Mask Perception Scale (FMPS) was used to measure their perceptions. RESULTS: Most of the respondents perceived wearing a face mask as uncomfortable. Our findings also revealed statistically significant differences and a small effect (f2 = 0.04) in which respondents who were concerned about being infected by the virus perceived face mask wearing appearance positively (B = - 0.09 units of log-transformed, 95% CI = - 0.15, - 0.04), whereas married respondents perceived it negatively (B = 0.07 units of log-transformed, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.09). There were no statistically significant differences in other domains of FMPS. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, discomfort was a major complaint. Marital status and fear of COVID-19 infection affected their perceptions. The public health implications of these findings highlight the importance of addressing discomfort and societal perceptions, particularly those influenced by factors such as marital status and COVID-19 experience, to promote widespread acceptance and consistent usage of face masks, which is crucial in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
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COVID-19 , Máscaras , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , COVID-19/prevención & control , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/psicología , Malasia/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pandemias/prevención & control , Adulto Joven , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adolescente , Neumonía Viral/prevención & control , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/psicología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/prevención & control , Infecciones por Coronavirus/psicología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Percepción , Anciano , BetacoronavirusRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The conduct of virtual physical examination has provided significant information for the diagnosis during a teleconsultation session, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, where in-person physical examinations have been greatly compromised. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this scoping review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the available evidence concerning virtual physical examination (VPE) in all healthcare settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The review focuses on types of VPE, technological and non-technological approaches, patient and clinician experiences, as well as barriers and facilitators of VPE. METHODS: A literature search was conducted across three databases, namely MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus. Only studies in the English language with primary research data collected from December 2019 to January 2023 were included. A narrative analysis, highlighting patients' and clinicians' experiences, was conducted on the included studies. This scoping review was reported using The PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist. RESULTS: A total of 25 articles meeting eligibility criteria were identified. Three major types of VPE included were musculoskeletal, head and neck, and chest exams. Sixteen studies involved specific technological aids, while three studies involved non-technological aids. Patients found VPE helped them to better assess their disease conditions, or aided their clinicians' understanding of their conditions. Clinicians also reported that VPE had provided enough clinically relevant information for decision-making in 2 neurological evaluations. Barriers to conducting VPE included technological challenges, efficacy concerns, confidence level of assistants, as well as patient health conditions, health literacy, safety, and privacy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients found virtual physical examination (VPE) helpful in understanding their own conditions, and clinicians found it useful for better assessing patient's conditions. From the clinicians' point of view, VPE provided sufficient clinically relevant information for decision-making in neurological evaluations. Major barriers identified for VPE included technological issues, patient's health conditions, and their health literacy.
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COVID-19 , Pandemias , Examen Físico , Consulta Remota , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiología , Betacoronavirus , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/diagnósticoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: During coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic a standard usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare was mandatory, while actually the usage of PPE is currently decreasing. This raises the question about the further use of PPE in the clinical setting because healthcare workers (HCW) are at greater risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 than the general population. The primary objective of this study is to determine the proportion of shock room team members approving the further use of PPE including a FFP2 respirator in simulation training and reality. The secondary objectives are to describe the expertise and difficulties faced while using PPE in the shock room care. METHODS: Fifty-four HCW participated in a shock room simulation training at a large urban tertiary care hospital in Germany, utilizing a PPE comprising an FFP2 mask, gloves, goggles, and gown. Subsequently, participants completed an online questionnaire featuring 15 questions presented on a 5-point Likert scale or as multiple-choice questions with predefined answers. RESULTS: Sixty-eight point five percent of our participants voted for an established standard PPE in shock room care. The largest fraction of our participants (40.7%) favors a standard PPE consisting of FFP2 mask, gown, and gloves. Less HCW (31.5%) want to wear PPE in shock room simulation training. Except for goggles we could not detect relevant difficulties faced while using PPE in the shock room environment. Incorrect use of PPE was observed in 14.8%. CONCLUSION: A majority of our participants favored a standard PPE including a FFP2 respirator in shock room care. In addition, we recommend the use of PPE in shock room simulation training, while further awareness of and training in proper use of PPE seems to be necessary to reduce risk of infectious diseases for HCW.
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COVID-19 , Pandemias , Equipo de Protección Personal , SARS-CoV-2 , Centros de Atención Terciaria , Humanos , COVID-19/prevención & control , COVID-19/epidemiología , Pandemias/prevención & control , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Personal de Salud/educación , Infecciones por Coronavirus/prevención & control , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Alemania , Neumonía Viral/prevención & control , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Actitud del Personal de Salud , Transmisión de Enfermedad Infecciosa de Paciente a Profesional/prevención & control , Betacoronavirus , Persona de Mediana Edad , Control de Infecciones/métodosRESUMEN
During the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater-based epidemiology has proved to be an important tool for monitoring the spread of a disease in a population. Indeed, wastewater surveillance was successfully used as a complementary approach to support public health monitoring schemes and decision-making policies. An essential feature for the estimation of a disease transmission using wastewater data is the distribution of viral shedding rate of individuals in their personal human wastes as a function of the days of their infection. Several candidate shapes for this function have been proposed in literature for SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of the present work is to explore the proposed function shapes and examine their significance on analyzing wastewater SARS-CoV-2 shedding rate data. For this purpose, a simple model is employed applying to medical surveillance and wastewater data of the city of Thessaloniki during a period of Omicron variant domination in 2022. The distribution shapes are normalized with respect to the total virus shedding and then their basic features are investigated. Detailed analysis reveals that the main parameter determining the results of the model is the difference between the day of maximum shedding rate and the day of infection reporting. Since the latter is not part of the distribution shape, the major feature of the distribution affecting the estimation of the number of infected people is the day of maximum shedding rate with respect to the initial infection day. On the contrary, the duration of shedding (total number of disease days) as well as the exact shape of the distribution are by far less important. The incorporation of such wastewater surveillance models in conventional epidemiological models - based on recorded disease transmission data- may improve predictions for disease spread during outbreaks.
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COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Esparcimiento de Virus , Aguas Residuales , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/transmisión , Humanos , Aguas Residuales/virología , Grecia/epidemiología , Pandemias , Monitoreo Epidemiológico Basado en Aguas Residuales , Ciudades , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/transmisión , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/transmisión , BetacoronavirusRESUMEN
Background: COVID-19 is a highly challenging infectious disease. Research ethics committees (RECs) have challenges reviewing research on this new pandemic disease under a tight timeline and public pressure. This study aimed to assess RECs' responses and review during the outbreak in seven Asian countries where the Strategic Initiative for Developing Capacity in Ethical Review (SIDCER) networks are active. Methods: The online survey was conducted in seven Asian countries from April to August 2021. Two sets of online questionnaires were developed, one set for the chairs/secretaries and another set for the REC members.The REC profiles obtained from the REC members are descriptive in nature. Data from the chairs/secretaries were compared between the RECs with external quality assessment (SIDCER-Recognized RECs, SR-RECs) and non-external quality assessment (Non-SIDCER-Recognized RECs, NSR-RECs) and analyzed using a Chi-squared test. Results: A total of 688 REC members and 197 REC chairs/secretaries participated in the survey. Most RECs have standard operating procedures (SOPs), and have experience in reviewing all types of protocols, but 18.1% had no experience reviewing COVID-19 protocols. Most REC members need specific training on reviewing COVID-19 protocols (93%). In response to the outbreak, RECs used online reviews, increased meeting frequency and single/central REC. All SR-RECs had a member composition as required by the World Health Organisation ethics guidelines, while some NSR-RECs lacked non-affiliated and/or layperson members. SR-RECs reviewed more COVID-related product development protocols and indicated challenges in reviewing risk/benefit and vulnerability (0.010), informed consent form (0.002), and privacy and confidentiality (P = 0.020) than NSR-RECs. Conclusions: Surveyed RECs had a general knowledge of REC operation and played a significant role in reviewing COVID-19-related product development protocols. Having active networks of RECs across regions to share updated information and resources could be one of the strategies to promote readiness for future public health emergencies.
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COVID-19 , Comités de Ética en Investigación , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/epidemiología , Humanos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Asia/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Importance: Chronic absenteeism among kindergarten through grade 12 students has increased considerably after the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To examine the association between virtual learning during the 2020-2021 school year and chronic absenteeism during the 2021-2022 school year at the school district level. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used a panel of 11â¯017 school districts throughout the US comprising kindergarten through grade 12 for the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 school years. Exposures: The key covariates were the percentage of hybrid and virtual school days in the previous school year, with an assumption that these values in the 2018-2019 school year were zero. Main Outcome and Measures: Chronic absenteeism rates at the district level, which were regressed on the percentage of school days in a learning mode in the previous school year, demographic characteristic and socioeconomic status controls, plus district and year fixed effects. Observations were weighted by district enrollment, and SEs were clustered at the district level. Results: The dataset includes 11â¯017 school districts for 2 years and 22â¯034 observations. Chronic absenteeism rates increased by 13.5 percentage points, from a mean (SD) of 15.9% (8.1%) in the 2018-2019 school year to 29.4% (13.2%) in the 2021-2022 school year. Students whose schools had 100% virtual instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic had chronic absenteeism rates that were 6.9 percentage points (95% CI, 4.8-8.9 percentage points) higher than those that were 100% in person. Hybrid instruction was not associated with increased absenteeism. The association between virtual learning and chronic absenteeism varied by socioeconomic status, with the conditional correlation much larger for at-risk students; chronic absenteeism rates were 10.6 percentage points (95% CI, 7.2-14.1 percentage points) higher among students with 100% of days in virtual learning from districts in the top quintile of poverty rates compared with 100% in-persion districts. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, chronic absenteeism rates were substantially higher in school districts that used virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with in person. Understanding how to reduce chronic absenteeism and use virtual learning without potentially negative consequences are key policy questions moving forward.
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Absentismo , COVID-19 , Educación a Distancia , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Instituciones Académicas , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Niño , Masculino , Femenino , Educación a Distancia/métodos , Preescolar , Adolescente , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Estudiantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Betacoronavirus , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
AIM: Digital inclusion has a positive impact on health and wellbeing through fostering connectivity and access to information. In Aotearoa New Zealand, 4% of older adults live in aged residential care (ARC) facilities and are vulnerable to social isolation. This study explored whether ARC facilities provide opportunities to socially connect online and whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the provision of these opportunities. METHOD: Information on technology and internet provision from 558 ARC facilities was extracted from facilities' own or related websites in 2019 and 2021. ARC facilities were categorised according to whether they provided digital devices, internet access and internet-based leisure activities, or made no reference to technology. RESULTS: In 2019, 392 (70%) of 558 ARC facilities publicised availability of internet-based technologies for residents; however, only 46 (8%) mentioned providing access to computer devices. In 2021 (during the pandemic), there was a small increase to 421 (76%) and 54 (10%) of facilities respectively. Facilities mentioning internet-based leisure activities were 63 (11%) in 2019 and 55 (10%) in 2021. Those not referring to technology had reduced from 166 (30%) in 2019 to 137 (24%) in 2021. CONCLUSION: Few ARC facilities enabled residents to fully access the digital world, even after periods of isolation due to COVID-19. Aged care providers could be more proactive by providing internet access and digital learning opportunities.
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COVID-19 , Hogares para Ancianos , Internet , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiología , Nueva Zelanda , Anciano , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Aislamiento Social , Betacoronavirus , Actividades RecreativasRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: This descriptive study reviews clinical outcomes of individuals admitted to a northern Canadian, rural intensive care unit (ICU) with severe COVID-19. It reports our site-specific data that is part of an ongoing global effort to gather data and guide therapy; the aims of this study were to describe participants admitted to our ICU with COVID-19 and illuminate challenges faced by rural and remote centres. METHODS: This retrospective study examined data from participants admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 pneumonia between 24th November 2020 and 28th February 2022. Using data from electronic and hardcopy health records, data were obtained according to standardised forms developed for the Short Period Incidence Study of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection. RESULTS: Eighty-five adult participants were admitted to our ICU with COVID-19. The median age of participants was 57 years old (range: 23-83 years); 49.4% were males and 50.6% were females. Of our cohort, 58.9% required mechanical ventilation at some point during their stay and the median duration of stay in our ICU was 5 days (range: 1-36 days). Amongst individuals included, 25.9% were discharged alive from our hospital on their index admission, 57.6% were transferred to another facility and 16.5% died in our facility. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 significantly strained our local ICU resources, necessitating high numbers of patient transfers. However, despite limited resources, patients at our site received contemporary guideline-based care for COVID-19 pneumonia. Future pandemic and surge capacity planning must ensure that rural and remote communities receive adequate additional resources to meet the anticipated needs of their local populations. INTRODUCTION: Cette étude descriptive examine les résultats cliniques des personnes admises dans une unité de soins intensifs rurale du nord du Canada avec une COVID-19 sévère. Elle rapporte des données spécifiques à notre site qui font partie d'un effort global en cours pour rassembler des données et guider la thérapie. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de décrire les participants admis dans notre unité de soins intensifs avec la COVID-19 et d'éclairer les défis auxquels sont confrontés les centres ruraux et éloignés. MTHODES: Cette étude rétrospective a examiné les données des participants admis à l'unité de soins intensifs pour une pneumonie due à la COIVD-19 entre le 24 novembre 2020 et le 28 février 2022. Les données ont été obtenues à partir de dossiers médicaux électroniques et papier, selon des formulaires standardisés développés pour l'étude d'incidence à court terme des infections respiratoires aiguës sévères (SPRINT-SARI). RSULTATS: 85 participants adultes ont été admis dans notre unité de soins intensifs avec la COVID-19. L'âge médian des participants était de 57 ans (intervalle: 23-83 ans); 49,4% étaient des hommes et 50,6% des femmes. Dans notre cohorte, 58,9% ont eu besoin d'une ventilation mécanique à un moment ou à un autre de leur séjour et la durée médiane du séjour dans notre unité de soins intensifs était de 5 jours (intervalle: 1-36 jours). Parmi les personnes incluses, 25,9% sont sorties vivantes de notre hôpital lors de leur admission initiale, 57,6% ont été transférées dans un autre établissement et 16,5% sont décédées dans notre établissement. CONCLUSION: La COVID-19 a mis à rude épreuve les ressources de notre unité locale de soins intensifs, nécessitant un grand nombre de transferts de patients. Cependant, malgré des ressources limitées, les patients de notre site ont reçu des soins fondés sur des lignes directrices contemporaines pour la pneumonie due à la COVID-19. À l'avenir, la planification de la pandémie et de la capacité de pointe doit garantir que les communautés rurales et éloignées reçoivent des ressources supplémentaires adéquates pour répondre aux besoins anticipés de leurs populations locales.
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COVID-19 , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/terapia , Femenino , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto , Estudios Retrospectivos , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos/estadística & datos numéricos , Colombia Británica/epidemiología , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/terapia , Servicios de Salud Rural/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto Joven , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/terapia , Betacoronavirus , Respiración Artificial/estadística & datos numéricos , Tiempo de Internación/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The European Air Transport Command (EATC) is a seven-nation integrated command. One of its core capabilities is strategic aeromedical evacuation (AE). During the global COVID-19 pandemic and Ukrainian crisis, EATC proved that acting in concert is a valuable, effective, and reliable option.METHODS: By pooling and sharing aircraft and personnel, EATC has privileged access to a diverse fleet and pool of experts. Cooperation is based on a common set of rules and regulations, which ensures that EATC can address any problem with expertise.RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 1060 COVID-19-positive patients were transported in 198 missions, with neither death nor disease transmission reported during those strategic AE flights. EATC transferred 986 military cases, mostly routine priority (91.4%); the other 74 cases were civilians, who were transported in 17 missions, with 81.1% categorized as urgent. During the Ukrainian crisis, 251 patients were transported, 112 military and 139 civilians, including 30 children. Among the recorded injuries were cerebrocranial, abdominal, and chest injuries, as well as fractures (180) and amputations (48) of the extremities.DISCUSSION: EATC is recognized as a center of expertise within the AE community, where interoperability and harmonization of concepts are key to safety and success. Cross-national missions, where a patient is evacuated by an aircraft and medical crew provided by another nation, offer maximum flexibility. Complex situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis, have shown that multinational cooperation is not only achievable but also provides robust, effective, and reliable solutions for AE in particular.Fiorini A, Vermeltfoort R, Dulaurent E, Hove MG, Borsch M. Cross-national strategic aeromedical evacuation at the European Air Transport Command. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(9):709-715.
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Medicina Aeroespacial , Ambulancias Aéreas , COVID-19 , Personal Militar , Pandemias , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/transmisión , COVID-19/prevención & control , Ambulancias Aéreas/organización & administración , Europa (Continente)/epidemiología , SARS-CoV-2 , Ucrania/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/transmisión , Infecciones por Coronavirus/prevención & control , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/transmisión , Neumonía Viral/prevención & control , Transporte de Pacientes/organización & administración , AeronavesRESUMEN
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a valuable tool for COVID-19 monitoring, especially as the frequency of clinical testing diminishes. Beyond COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19), the tool's versatility extends to addressing various public health concerns, including antibiotic resistance and drug consumption. However, the complexity of sewage systems introduces noise when measuring chemical tracer concentrations, potentially compromising their applicability for modeling. In our study, we detail the approach adopted to determine the concentration of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) ribonucleiec acid (RNA) in wastewater from the Ponte a Niccheri wastewater treatment plant in Tuscany (Italy), with a sample size of N = 13,935 inhabitants. The unique characteristics of this wastewater system, including mandatory pretreatment in septic tanks with extended retention times, the presence of a hospital for COVID-19 patients, and mixed sewage networks, posed additional challenges. Nevertheless, our results highlight a robust and significant correlation between our measurements and the number of infections within the wastewater treatment plant's catchment area at the time of sampling. A simple linear model also shows promising results in estimating the number of infected people within the area.
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COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Aguas del Alcantarillado , Monitoreo Epidemiológico Basado en Aguas Residuales , Aguas Residuales , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/prevención & control , Italia/epidemiología , Humanos , Aguas del Alcantarillado/virología , Aguas del Alcantarillado/análisis , Aguas Residuales/virología , Aguas Residuales/análisis , Estudios de Factibilidad , Pandemias , Betacoronavirus , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/virología , Neumonía Viral/prevención & control , ARN Viral/análisis , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/virología , Eliminación de Residuos Líquidos/métodosRESUMEN
AIMS OF THE STUDY: This research aimed to investigate the self-directed learning (SDL) habits of Swiss general practitioners from the German-speaking part of Switzerland, understanding how they acquire new knowledge, exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these habits and identifying optimisation strategies for their future self-directed learning. METHODS: We employed a qualitative study design, conducting semi-structured interviews with 16 general practitioners from 30 May 2022 to 06 July 2022. Thematic analysis based on a mixed deductive/inductive approach was used to gain insight into the learning activities and self-directed learning practices of the practitioners. RESULTS: The interviewed general practitioners demonstrated a versatile approach to self-directed learning, where peer communication emerged as the most predominant learning method. It is noteworthy that the younger generation in particular showed a strong inclination for peer learning and is well prepared for the integration of advanced digital solutions for peer communication. Furthermore, a significant shift was observed in media-based self-directed learning, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital platforms and repositories for practical learning were mentioned as educational mainstays by many interviewees, reflecting a profound technological shift observed over the past 25 years and especially since the pandemic. The primary motivation for pursuing new knowledge remains patient care, although personal development and staying up-to-date with medical and technological advancements are also key motivators. Although the pandemic has undeniably accelerated the transition towards digital learning, it has also brought with it challenges such as information overload and technical difficulties. There was an evident decline in formal learning venues and physical presence during the pandemic, yet the reported value of in-person interactions remains high. Suggestions for optimising self-directed learning included enhancing digital offerings, fostering stronger peer networks and integrating more practical content. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed a transformation in the self-directed learning practices of general practitioners in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, underlining the importance of a balanced approach between digital and traditional learning methods. As the digital realm of self-directed learning grows, it is essential to address existing challenges and capitalise on potential advantages. Both individual networking efforts like general practitioner quality circles and initiatives from official authorities like informal self-test opportunities can play pivotal roles in refining self-directed learning practices. The findings from this study offer valuable insights for enhancing learning resources and environments that align with general practitioners' needs and preferences. Future research should investigate the ongoing impact of advanced digital technologies on self-directed learning to understand the evolving landscape in a post-pandemic world.
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COVID-19 , Médicos Generales , Pandemias , Investigación Cualitativa , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , Suiza , COVID-19/epidemiología , Médicos Generales/psicología , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Entrevistas como Asunto , Autoaprendizaje como Asunto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Betacoronavirus , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has become a widespread method to monitor transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other human pathogens in Europe. We conducted a survey about WBS systems' objectives, approaches, representativeness and usefulness in 10 invited European countries in 2023, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway. All countries completed the study questionnaire about their SARS-CoV-2 WBS systems, and shared information about WBS of other pathogens as deemed relevant. SARS-CoV-2 WBS systems primarily monitored national and subnational trends (population coverage: 25-99%), and a majority (8/10) also tracked variant distribution. Nine of 10 countries reported that their SARS-CoV-2 WBS systems were representative of their population and all countries remarked that the findings were valuable for public health decision-making. Results were shared with relevant public health authorities and published via dedicated websites and/or dashboards. WBS systems of other pathogens were mostly in the early stages, with some countries implementing pilots. Notable exceptions were the well-established poliovirus surveillance systems in Finland, Italy and the Netherlands. This study brings understanding the diverse landscape of WBS in Europe, offering insights for future developments and collaborations. Furthermore, it highlights the need for further integration of WBS into other European surveillance systems.
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COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Aguas Residuales , Humanos , Europa (Continente)/epidemiología , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/transmisión , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Aguas Residuales/virología , Pandemias , Monitoreo Epidemiológico Basado en Aguas Residuales , Vigilancia de la Población/métodos , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Salud Pública , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , BetacoronavirusRESUMEN
Background: This bibliometric analysis examines the top 50 most-cited articles on COVID-19 complications, offering insights into the multifaceted impact of the virus. Since its emergence in Wuhan in December 2019, COVID-19 has evolved into a global health crisis, with over 770 million confirmed cases and 6.9 million deaths as of September 2023. Initially recognized as a respiratory illness causing pneumonia and ARDS, its diverse complications extend to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, hematological, neurological, endocrinological, ophthalmological, hepatobiliary, and dermatological systems. Methods: Identifying the top 50 articles from a pool of 5940 in Scopus, the analysis spans November 2019 to July 2021, employing terms related to COVID-19 and complications. Rigorous review criteria excluded non-relevant studies, basic science research, and animal models. The authors independently reviewed articles, considering factors like title, citations, publication year, journal, impact factor, authors, study details, and patient demographics. Results: The focus is primarily on 2020 publications (96%), with all articles being open access. Leading journals include The Lancet, NEJM, and JAMA, with prominent contributions from Internal Medicine (46.9%) and Pulmonary Medicine (14.5%). China played a major role (34.9%), followed by France and Belgium. Clinical features were the primary study topic (68%), often utilizing retrospective designs (24%). Among 22,477 patients analyzed, 54.8% were male, with the most common age group being 26-65 years (63.2%). Complications of COVID-19 affected 13.9% of patients, with a recovery rate of 57.8%. Conclusion: Analyzing these top-cited articles offers clinicians and researchers a comprehensive, timely understanding of influential COVID-19 literature. This approach uncovers attributes contributing to high citations and provides authors with valuable insights for crafting impactful research. As a strategic tool, this analysis facilitates staying updated and making meaningful contributions to the dynamic field of COVID-19 research.
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Bibliometría , COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/epidemiología , Humanos , Pandemias , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/complicaciones , Betacoronavirus , Publicaciones/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
Schools frequently adopt new interventions for each new public health issue, but this is both time- and resource-intensive. Adversity exposure is an example of a pervasive public health issue that emerged during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with notable consequences, including an elevated risk of developing substance use disorders and mental illnesses. Adapting existing, universal, evidence-based interventions, such as the Michigan Model for HealthTM (MMH), by incorporating trauma-sensitive content is a promising approach to meet this need. We examined critical steps in promoting MMH adaptability as part of the Enhanced REP (Replicating Effective Programs) implementation strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We share usability testing from the 2020 to 2021 school year and describe how we apply the results to inform the group randomized trial pilot study. We applied key steps from implementation adaptation frameworks to integrate trauma-sensitive content as COVID-19 unfolded, documenting the process through field notes. We conducted initial usability testing with two teachers via interviews and used a rapid qualitative analysis approach. We conducted member checking by sharing the information with two health coordinators to validate results and inform additional curriculum refinement. We developed an adapted MMH curriculum to include trauma-sensitive content, with adaptations primarily centered on adding content, tailoring content, substituting content, and repeating/reinforcing elements across units. We designed adaptations to retain the core functional elements of MMH. Building foundational relationships and infrastructure supports opportunities to user-test intervention materials for Enhanced REP that enhance utility and relevance for populations that would most benefit. Enhanced REP is a promising strategy to use an existing evidence-based intervention to meet better the needs of youth exposed to adversity. Building on the foundations of existing evidence-based interventions, is vital to implementation success and achieving desired public health outcomes.
Schools frequently adopt new interventions for each new public health issue that may or may not be evidence-based. Concentrating efforts on supporting the effective implementation of existing, widely adopted evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in schools is an efficient and effective way to achieve their public health impact and reduce implementer overload. We systematically adapted an EBI, the Michigan Model for HealthTM, to incorporate trauma-sensitive content and pilot-tested the materials with two health teachers using pre-/post-interviews to gather feedback for refinement. The implementation support professionalsregional school health coordinatorsprovided further insight and validation of teacher feedback on adaptations. The adaptations developed focused on maintaining the core functions that make the curriculum effective. We learned that the foundational relationships and implementation infrastructure were central to testing intervention materials in a way that would enhance utility and relevance for the student population that would most benefit. Leveraging available infrastructure and existing collaborations are vital to implementation success and achieving desired public health outcomes.
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COVID-19 , Curriculum , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , COVID-19/prevención & control , COVID-19/epidemiología , Pandemias/prevención & control , Práctica Clínica Basada en la Evidencia/métodos , Neumonía Viral/prevención & control , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/prevención & control , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Servicios de Salud Escolar , Proyectos Piloto , Betacoronavirus , MichiganRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the personal protective effects of wearing versus not wearing surgical face masks in public spaces on self-reported respiratory symptoms over a 14 day period. DESIGN: Pragmatic randomised superiority trial. SETTING: Norway. PARTICIPANTS: 4647 adults aged ≥18 years: 2371 were assigned to the intervention arm and 2276 to the control arm. INTERVENTIONS: Participants in the intervention arm were assigned to wear a surgical face mask in public spaces (eg, shopping centres, streets, public transport) over a 14 day period (mask wearing at home or work was not mentioned). Participants in the control arm were assigned to not wear a surgical face mask in public places. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was self-reported respiratory symptoms consistent with a respiratory infection. Secondary outcomes included self-reported and registered covid-19 infection. RESULTS: Between 10 February 2023 and 27 April 2023, 4647 participants were randomised of whom 4575 (2788 women (60.9%); mean age 51.0 (standard deviation 15.0) years) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis: 2313 (50.6%) in the intervention arm and 2262 (49.4%) in the control arm. 163 events (8.9%) of self-reported symptoms consistent with respiratory infection were reported in the intervention arm and 239 (12.2%) in the control arm. The marginal odds ratio was 0.71 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 0.87; P=0.001) favouring the face mask intervention. The absolute risk difference was -3.2% (95% CI -5.2% to -1.3%; P<0.001). No statistically significant effect was found on self- reported (marginal odds ratio 1.07, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.98; P=0.82) or registered covid-19 infection (effect estimate and 95% CI not estimable owing to lack of events in the intervention arm). CONCLUSION: Wearing a surgical face mask in public spaces over 14 days reduces the risk of self-reported symptoms consistent with a respiratory infection, compared with not wearing a surgical face mask. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05690516.
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COVID-19 , Máscaras , SARS-CoV-2 , Autoinforme , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Betacoronavirus , Infecciones por Coronavirus/prevención & control , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/transmisión , COVID-19/prevención & control , COVID-19/epidemiología , Noruega/epidemiología , Pandemias/prevención & control , Neumonía Viral/prevención & control , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/transmisión , Infecciones del Sistema Respiratorio/prevención & controlRESUMEN
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has manifested with respiratory symptoms and a spectrum of extra-pulmonary complications. Emerging evidence suggests potential impacts on the auditory and vestibular systems, but the extent and nature of these effects in recovered individuals remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of vertigo and hearing impairment in individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 and to identify potential risk factors associated with these sensory symptoms. A cohort of 250 recovered COVID-19 patients was assessed. Standardized questionnaires, including the Dizziness Handicap Inventory and the Vertigo Symptom Scale, were used to evaluate vertigo. Hearing assessment was conducted using pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and oto-acoustic emissions testing. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between COVID-19 severity and the occurrence of sensory symptoms, controlling for confounding variables such as age and comorbidities. Of the participants, 10% reported vertigo, varying severity. Hearing assessments revealed that most participants had normal hearing, with an average speech discrimination score of 94.6. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between severe COVID-19 and an increased likelihood of vertigo (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.02-4.35, Pâ =â .043) and hearing impairment (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.60-6.78, Pâ =â .002). This study suggests a significant association between COVID-19 severity and vertigo and hearing impairment prevalence. The findings underscore the importance of sensory symptom assessment in the post-recovery phase of COVID-19, highlighting the need for comprehensive healthcare approaches to manage long-term sequelae.
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COVID-19 , Pérdida Auditiva , SARS-CoV-2 , Vértigo , Humanos , COVID-19/complicaciones , COVID-19/epidemiología , Vértigo/epidemiología , Vértigo/etiología , Masculino , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pérdida Auditiva/epidemiología , Pérdida Auditiva/etiología , Adulto , Pandemias , Anciano , Prevalencia , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Neumonía Viral/complicaciones , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/complicaciones , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Factores de Riesgo , BetacoronavirusRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors associated with mortality among coronavirus disease-2019 patients with preexisting hypertension. METHODS: The retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 15 to July 7, 2021, after approval from Dr Soetomo General Province Hospital, Indonesia, and comprised data from the coronavirus disease-2019 registry in the East Java province of Indonesia from March 2020 to June 2021. Data was collected for adult patients infected by coronavirus disease-2019 with pre-existing hypertension Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 2,732 patients in the registry, 425(15.6%) with median age 56.5 years (interquartile range: 50-64 years) had pre-existing hypertension. Of them, 251(59.06%) were males, and 110(25.9%) had died while in hospital. Mortality was associated with older age; higher white blood cell counts at admission and lower platelet count (p<0.05). In addition, electrocardiogram parameters associated with mortality were faster heart rate and ST abnormality (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Older age, high white blood cell level, lower platelet count, faster heart rate, and ST abnormality at admission were found to be the predictors of mortality among hospitalised coronavirus disease-2019 patients with pre-existing hypertension.
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COVID-19 , Electrocardiografía , Hipertensión , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , COVID-19/mortalidad , COVID-19/complicaciones , COVID-19/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Indonesia/epidemiología , Femenino , Hipertensión/epidemiología , Hipertensión/mortalidad , Hipertensión/complicaciones , Estudios Transversales , Estudios Retrospectivos , Infecciones por Coronavirus/mortalidad , Infecciones por Coronavirus/complicaciones , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/diagnóstico , Neumonía Viral/mortalidad , Neumonía Viral/complicaciones , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/diagnóstico , Betacoronavirus , Anciano , Factores de Edad , Adulto , Recuento de Leucocitos , Factores de Riesgo , Recuento de Plaquetas , Mortalidad HospitalariaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Virus, particularly respiratory tract virus infection is likely to co-occur in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Study focusing on the association between common viruses coinfection and children with CAP is rare. We aimed to study the association between seven common viruses coinfection and clinical/laboratory indexes in children with CAP. METHODS: Six hundred and eighty-four CAP cases from our hospital were enrolled retrospectively. Seven common viruses, including influenza A (FluA), influenza B (FluB), human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), Esptein-Barr virus (EBV), coxsackie virus (CoxsV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) were investigated for their associations with CAP. We analyzed the differences of hospitalization days, white blood cell (WBC), c-reactive protein (CRP), platelet (PLT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), procalcitonin (PCT), urine red blood cell (uRBC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CKMB) among different viruses coinfection groups by using one-way ANOVA analysis. The differences of clinical/laboratory indexes between ordinary and severe pneumonia groups, as well as non-virus vs multi co-infection viruses groups, and single vs multi co-infection viruses groups by using independent samples T test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were applied to test the the predictive value of the clinical/laboratory parameters for the risk of viruses coinfections among CAP. Binary logistic analysis was performed to test the association between various indexes and viruses co-infection. RESULTS: Eighty-four multiple viruses coinfections yielded different prognosis compared with that in 220 single virus coinfection. CMV coinfection was associated with longest hospitalization days, highest ALT, AST and CKMB level. HSV coinfection was associated with highest WBC count, CRP, ESR, and BUN. EBV coinfection was associated with highest PLT and PCT level. FluB coinfection was associated with highest Scr level. CoxsV coinfection was associated with highest uRBC, LDH and CK level. ROC curve analyses showed that CK had the largest area under the curve (AUC: 0.672, p < 10-4) for the risk of viruses coinfections risk in CAP. Significant association between PLT, uRBC, BUN, CK, and CKMB and virus coinfection risk in CAP was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple viruses coinfections indicated different prognosis. Different viruses coinfection yielded varying degrees of effects on the cardiac, liver, kidney and inflamatory injury in CAP. The alterations of clinical/laboratory parameters, particularly CK may be associated with the risk of viruses coinfections in CAP.
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Coinfección , Infecciones Comunitarias Adquiridas , Neumonía Viral , Humanos , Infecciones Comunitarias Adquiridas/virología , Infecciones Comunitarias Adquiridas/epidemiología , Coinfección/epidemiología , Femenino , Masculino , Estudios Retrospectivos , Preescolar , Niño , Lactante , Neumonía Viral/complicaciones , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/virologíaRESUMEN
Introduction: This study aimed to determine the frequency of thyroid gland involvement in chest CT scans of patients with COVID-19 admitted to university-affiliated hospitals and assess its relationship with the severity of lung involvement and patient survival in 2020. Material and methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 1000 PCR-positive patients with COVID-19 who were referred to University-affiliated Hospital in 2020 and had chest CT performed within 72 hours of admission to the hospital were examined. The data was collected by patient file information and CT findings recorded in the PACS system, including thyroid involvement, the severity of lung involvement, and findings related to the death and recovery of patients. Results: The mean age of the examined patients was 56 years. 525 people (52.5%) were men, and 475 (47.5%) were women. 14% had severe pulmonary involvement, and 9.3% had very severe involvement. Moreover, 15.9 percent of them had deceased. 19.7% had focal thyroid involvement, 14% had diffuse involvement, and 66.3% were healthy subjects. Male gender and older age showed a significant relationship with thyroid gland involvement. The severity of lung involvement, the death rate in patients, and hospitalization in ICU were also significantly related to thyroid gland involvement in patients with COVID. Discussion and conclusion: This study highlights the importance of considering thyroid-gland involvement in the comprehensive management of COVID-19 patients. Routine screening and monitoring of thyroid-function may facilitate earlier detection and appropriate management of thyroid-related complications, potentially improving clinical outcomes. This study suggests that in COVID-19 infection the monitoring of thyroid function is prudent, particularly in cases of more serious disease.
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COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Humanos , COVID-19/diagnóstico por imagen , COVID-19/mortalidad , COVID-19/epidemiología , Masculino , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , Estudios Transversales , Anciano , Adulto , Glándula Tiroides/diagnóstico por imagen , Glándula Tiroides/patología , Pulmón/diagnóstico por imagen , Neumonía Viral/diagnóstico por imagen , Neumonía Viral/mortalidad , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Pandemias , Enfermedades de la Tiroides/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedades de la Tiroides/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/diagnóstico por imagen , Infecciones por Coronavirus/mortalidad , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Betacoronavirus/aislamiento & purificación , Tasa de SupervivenciaRESUMEN
Biological databases serve as critical basics for modern research, and amid the dynamic landscape of biology, the COVID-19 database has emerged as an indispensable resource. The global outbreak of Covid-19, commencing in December 2019, necessitates comprehensive databases to unravel the intricate connections between this novel virus and cancer. Despite existing databases, a crucial need persists for a centralized and accessible method to acquire precise information within the research community. The main aim of the work is to develop a database which has all the COVID-19-related data available in just one click with auto global notifications. This gap is addressed by the meticulously designed COVID-19 Pandemic Database (CO-19 PDB 2.0), positioned as a comprehensive resource for researchers navigating the complexities of COVID-19 and cancer. Between December 2019 and June 2024, the CO-19 PDB 2.0 systematically collected and organized 120 datasets into six distinct categories, each catering to specific functionalities. These categories encompass a chemical structure database, a digital image database, a visualization tool database, a genomic database, a social science database, and a literature database. Functionalities range from image analysis and gene sequence information to data visualization and updates on environmental events. CO-19 PDB 2.0 has the option to choose either the search page for the database or the autonotification page, providing a seamless retrieval of information. The dedicated page introduces six predefined charts, providing insights into crucial criteria such as the number of cases and deaths', country-wise distribution, 'new cases and recovery', and rates of death and recovery. The global impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients has led to extensive collaboration among research institutions, producing numerous articles and computational studies published in international journals. A key feature of this initiative is auto daily notifications for standardized information updates. Users can easily navigate based on different categories or use a direct search option. The study offers up-to-date COVID-19 datasets and global statistics on COVID-19 and cancer, highlighting the top 10 cancers diagnosed in the USA in 2022. Breast and prostate cancers are the most common, representing 30% and 26% of new cases, respectively. The initiative also ensures the removal or replacement of dead links, providing a valuable resource for researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals. The database has been implemented in PHP, HTML, CSS and MySQL and is available freely at https://www.co-19pdb.habdsk.org/. Database URL: https://www.co-19pdb.habdsk.org/.