Washing hands and the face may reduce COVID-19 infection

Microfluidics-based condensation bioaerosol sampler for multipoint airborne virus monitoring

To facilitate rapid monitoring of airborne viruses, they must be collected with high efficiency and concentrated in a small volume of a liquid sample. In addition, the development of low-cost miniaturized samplers is essential for multipoint monitoring. Thus, in an attempt to fulfill these requirements, this study developed a microfluidic condensation bioaerosol sampler (MCBS). The developed sampler comprised two parts: a virus growth section and a virus droplet-to-liquid sample conversion section, each of which was fabricated on a chip using microfluidic technology. The condensation nucleus growth technique used in the virus growth section grew nanometer-sized airborne viruses into micro-sized droplets, making it possible to collection of viruses easier and with high efficiency. In addition, the virus droplet-to-liquid sample conversion section controlled the transport of droplets based on electrowetting technology. This enabled the collected airborne viruses to be concentrated in tens of microliters of the liquid sample. To evaluate the performance of both the sections, the virus dropletization, virus collection efficiency, and virus droplet-to-liquid sample conversion efficiency were evaluated through quantitative experiments. H1N1 and HCOV-229E viruses were used to conduct quantitative experiments on MCBS. We could obtain virus liquid samples with at 72.8- and 89.9-times higher concentration through 1:1 evaluation with a commercial sampler. Thus, the developed sampler facilitated efficient collection and concentration of airborne viruses in a compact, cost-effective manner. This is expected to facilitate rapid and accurate multipoint monitoring of viral aerosols.

Virucidal Coatings Active Against SARS-CoV-2

Three types of coatings (contact-based, release-based, and combined coatings with both contact-based and release-based actions) were prepared and tested for the ability to inactivate SARS-CoV-2. In these coatings, quaternary ammonium surfactants were used as active agents since quaternary ammonium compounds are some of the most commonly used disinfectants. To provide contact-based action, the glass and silicon surfaces with covalently attached quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant were prepared using a dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride modifier. Surface modification was confirmed by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle measurements. The grafting density of the modifier was estimated by XPS and elemental analysis. To provide release-based action, the widely used quaternary ammonium cationic disinfectant, benzalkonium chloride (BAC), and a newly synthesized cationic gemini surfactant, C18-4-C18, were bound non-covalently to the surface either through hydrophobic or electrostatic interactions. Virus titration revealed that the surfaces with combined contact-based and release-based action and the surfaces with only release-based action completely inactivate SARS-CoV-2. Coatings containing only covalently bound disinfectant are much less effective; they only provide up to 1.25 log10 reduction in the virus titer, probably because of the low disinfectant content in the surface monolayer. No pronounced differences in the activity between the flat and structured surfaces were observed for any of the coatings under study. Comparative studies of free and electrostatically bound disinfectants show that binding to the surface of nanoparticles diminishes the activity. These data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is more sensitive to the free disinfectants.

Collective pronouns, collective health actions: Predicting pandemic precautionary measures through online first-person plural pronoun usage across U.S. states

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the role of group identification in shaping collective health behaviors. Using the novel Pronoun-Influenced Collective Health Model - an integrated framework combining elements from health and social psychology theories - we investigated the relationship between online first-person plural pronoun usage and adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures across the United States. Analyzing weekly Google Trends data on English (Study 1) and Spanish (Study 2) first-person pronoun searches, alongside data on adherence to pandemic precautionary measures from early 2020 to late 2022, we found significant positive associations between relative first-person plural pronoun search volumes and adherence to social distancing, stay-at-home orders, vaccination rates, and proactive disease prevention information seeking. These associations remained robust after adjusting for potential confounding factors. A mini meta-analysis (Study 3) confirmed the consistency of our findings, revealing no significant moderation effects by language context or ecological-socio-cultural factors, suggesting broad generalizability. The implications of this research highlight the potential for tracking online collective language as a valuable indicator of and proxy for societal-level health engagement during crises. This novel digital linguistics approach, synergistically combining applied health and social psychology with big data from digital platforms such as Google, offers powerful tools for monitoring collective health actions across linguistic and cultural boundaries during large-scale health crises.

"Don't touch your face"---Effectiveness of a health communication intervention on reducing face-touching behaviors

BACKGROUND

Given the risk of infection through face-touching behaviors, investigators have called for more research into the development of interventions to reduce the frequency of face-touching. The current study aims to test the effectiveness of messages on reducing face-touching behaviors.

METHODS

Nine different messages that highlighted the risk of face-touching were developed. Study 1, an online survey-experiment with a national sample of US adults (N = 998), examined message-, risk perceptions, and face-touching-related behavioral intentions. The most promising messages identified in study 1 were then tested in study 2, a follow-up behavioral observation study with a class of undergraduate students. Students' face-touching behaviors were observed during a 4-week period when intervention versus control messages were displayed in the classroom.

RESULTS

Four messages performed better in study 1, 2 of which were selected to test the actual message effectiveness in study 2. Study 2 results showed that on average, students touched their faces less frequently when a "Don't touch your face" message was present, although such decrease was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Having reminder messages of "Don't touch your face" in public spaces hold the potential to be a low-cost, effective strategy to reduce face-touching behaviors.

Looking beyond vaccines: Cultural tightness-looseness moderates the relationship between immunization coverage and disease prevention vigilance

Advancements in vaccination technologies mitigate disease transmission risks but may inadvertently suppress the behavioral immune system, an evolved disease avoidance mechanism. Applying behavioral immune system theory and utilizing robust big data analytics, we examined associations between rising vaccination coverage and government policies, public mobility, and online information seeking regarding disease precautions. We tested whether cultural tightness-looseness moderates the relationship between mass immunization and disease prevention vigilance. Comprehensive time series analyses were conducted using American data (Study 1) and international data (Study 2), employing transfer function modeling, cross-correlation function analysis, and meta-regression analysis. Across both the US and global analyses, as vaccination rates rose over time, government COVID-19 restrictions significantly relaxed, community mobility increased, and online searches for prevention information declined. The relationship between higher vaccination rates and lower disease prevention vigilance was stronger in culturally looser contexts. Results provide initial evidence that mass immunization may be associated with attenuated sensitivity and enhanced flexibility of disease avoidance psychology and actions. However, cultural tightness-looseness significantly moderates this relationship, with tighter cultures displaying sustained vigilance amidst immunization upticks. These findings offer valuable perspectives to inform nuanced policymaking and public health strategies that balance prudent precautions against undue alarm when expanding vaccine coverage worldwide.

Assessment of Hygiene Practices, Awareness, and Water Consumption Regarding Covid-19 Among Children in a Refugee Camp

INTRODUCTION

At the outbreak of infectious diseases, the response of different communities to the disease varies, and children are most affected by the collective anxiety and grief that consequently arises. In this research, the behavior of children and their parents in terms of hygiene and precautions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was investigated.

METHODOLOGY

The focus of the present research was on sanitation facilities, particularly access to end-use of water for hand washing. The research was conducted in Barika Camp, Kurdistan, Iraq and 311 parents and children were interviewed. A data collection team consisting of two females and one male was responsible for gathering data, primarily from women who served as the main respondents. Questionnaires consisted of three main parts: demography, COVID-19 pandemic effects, and sanitary shelter specifications.

RESULT

The results demonstrated that the behavior of refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the priority of child protection, type of disinfectants, and water consumption has significantly altered. These changes mainly depended on the women's age and education level.

DISCUSSION

Overall results showed that in 61.09% of the participants, the number of hand washes and in 58.58%, the washing time increased, leading to water shortage in the refugee camp.

Korean Adolescents before and after COVID-19: Changes in Physical Activity, Mental Health, and Hygiene Management

Background

Adolescence is when health behaviors, namely, physical activity (PA), mental health, and hygiene management, are established. As the young represent our future societal welfare, their health requires attention, particularly in the face of a pandemic. We explored changes in Korean adolescent PA, mental health, and hygiene management before and after the COVID-19 pandemic to identify recommendations for improving adolescent health.

Methods

We collected 2019-2021 data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Surveys from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency for 166,590 middle and high school students (2019: 57,069; 2020: 54,809; 2021: 54,712). We analyzed seven variables (regular PA, high-intensity PA, and strength exercise participation, stress recognition, sleep-time satisfaction, brushing practice, and handwashing practice) to examine changes in adolescent behavior during these years.

Results

The findings indicated statistically significant differences in all seven variables over the three years (P<0.05). Specifically, regular PA was higher in 2019 and 2021 than in 2020; high-intensity PAs were highest in 2019, followed by 2021 and 2020; strength exercises were the highest in 2020, followed by 2021 and 2019; stress recognition was higher in 2019 and 2021 than in 2020; sleep-time satisfaction was the highest in 2020, followed by 2021 and 2019; brushing practice was the highest in 2019, followed by 2020 and 2021; and handwashing practice was the highest in 2020, followed by 2021 and 2019.

Conclusion

The results recommend the need to encourage structured moderate-to-vigorous adolescent PA and systematic health education to improve Korean adolescent health behavior after COVID-19.

Considerations of COVID-19 in Ophthalmology

Since its emergence in early 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 infection has had a significant impact on the entire eye care system. Ophthalmologists have been categorized as a high-risk group for contracting the virus due to the belief that the eye may be a site of inoculation and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. As a result, clinical ophthalmologists, optometrists, and eyecare professionals have had to familiarize themselves with the ocular manifestations of COVID-19, as well as its treatments and vaccines. The implementation of measures to prevent the transmission of the virus, such as restrictions, lockdowns, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI), have led to substantial and potentially irreversible changes in routine clinical practice, education, and research. This has resulted in the emergence of a new mode of managing patients in a routine clinical setting. This brief review aims to provide an overview of various aspects of COVID-19 in ophthalmology, including the ocular manifestations related to the disease, the modes of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection, precautions taken in ophthalmic practice to prevent the spread of the virus, drugs, and vaccines used in the treatment of COVID-19, the impact of the pandemic on patients, clinicians, and the eye care system as a whole, and the future of ophthalmology conditioned by this global pandemic experience.

A Saliva-Based Serological and Behavioral Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Prevalence in Howard County, Maryland

The objective of the study was to estimate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence in the Howard County, Maryland, general population and demographic subpopulations attributable to natural infection or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and to identify self-reported social behaviors that may affect the likelihood of recent or past SARS-CoV-2 infection. A cross-sectional, saliva-based serological study of 2,880 residents of Howard County, Maryland, was carried out from July through September 2021. Natural SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence was estimated by inferring infections among individuals according to anti-nucleocapsid immunoglobin G levels and calculating averages weighted by sample proportions of various demographics. Antibody levels between BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) recipients were compared. Antibody decay rate was calculated by fitting exponential decay curves to cross-sectional indirect immunoassay data. Regression analysis was carried out to identify demographic factors, social behaviors, and attitudes that may be linked to an increased likelihood of natural infection. The estimated overall prevalence of natural infection in Howard County, Maryland, was 11.9% (95% confidence interval, 9.2% to 15.1%), compared with 7% reported COVID-19 cases. Antibody prevalence indicating natural infection was highest among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black participants and lowest among non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Asian participants. Participants from census tracts with lower average household income also had higher natural infection rates. After accounting for multiple comparisons and correlations between participants, none of the behavior or attitude factors had significant effects on natural infection. At the same time, recipients of the mRNA-1273 vaccine had higher antibody levels than those of BNT162b2 vaccine recipients. Older study participants had overall lower antibody levels compared with younger study participants. The true prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection is higher than the number of reported COVID-19 cases in Howard County, Maryland. A disproportionate impact of infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 positivity was observed across different ethnic/racial subpopulations and incomes, and differences in antibody levels across different demographics were identified. Taken together, this information may inform public health policy to protect vulnerable populations. IMPORTANCE We employed a highly innovative noninvasive multiplex oral fluid SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay to ascertain our seroprevalence estimates. This laboratory-developed test has been applied in NCI's SeroNet consortium, possesses high sensitivity and specificity according to FDA Emergency Use Authorization guidelines, correlates strongly with SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody responses, and is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-approved by the Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Pathology. It represents a broadly scalable public health tool to improve understanding of recent and past SARS-CoV-2 exposure and infection without drawing any blood. To our knowledge, this is the first application of a high-performance salivary SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay to estimate population-level seroprevalence, including identifying COVID-19 disparities. We also are the first to report differences in SARS-CoV-2 IgG responses by COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers (BNT162b2 [Pfizer-BioNTech] and mRNA-1273 [Moderna]). Our findings demonstrate remarkable consistency with those of blood-based SARS-CoV-2 IgG assays in terms of differences in the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 IgG responses between COVID-19 vaccines.

Applicability of risk compensation to the relationship between health behaviors and COVID-19 vaccination among inpatients in Taizhou, China

Aim

Based on the risk compensation theory, this study was designed to investigate the relationship between health behaviors of inpatients and COVID-19 vaccination during the epidemic with regard to the Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Taizhou, China.

Subject and methods

We conducted an online self-administered survey with a group of inpatients in a grade III, class A hospital in Taizhou, China, from February 27, 2022, to March 8, 2022. A total of 562 complete questionnaires were collected, and 18 questionnaires completed in under 180 seconds were rejected, leaving a total of 544 (96.8%) valid questionnaires collected. The participants who had received a COVID-19 vaccine were asked to describe the differences in their health behaviors before and after the vaccination, and the data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 22.0 software.

Results

There were significant differences in the percentage of individuals wearing masks (97.2% and 78.9%, P < 0.001) and the percentage of hand washing after taking off the mask (89.1% and 63.2%, P < 0.001) between the inoculated group and the uninoculated group; however, there were no significant differences in other health behaviors. The participants showed better health behaviors (handwashing and wearing a mask) after the vaccination than prior to it.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the Peltzman effect did not increase risk behaviors during the Omicron epidemic. There was no reduction in health behaviors among inpatients after the COVID-19 vaccine, which may have even improved their health behaviors.

Mask-Wearing and Handwashing Behaviors of Chinese Rural Residents during the Pandemic of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey

OBJECTIVE

To understand mask-wearing and handwashing behaviors of Chinese rural residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze the associated factors.

METHODS

This study used a multi-stage random sampling method to conduct a cross-sectional questionnaire survey during the period of July to December of 2021, in six counties located in Shandong, Shanxi, and Yunnan provinces representing the eastern, central, and western regions of China, respectively. A total of 3864 villagers were surveyed with a questionnaire, and 3832 valid questionnaires were finally analyzed. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Around ninety-four percent (93.6%) of rural residents reported mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but only 44.5% of them could replace masks in time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that those who were female, aged 15-59, had an education level of high school and above, were divorced/widowed, worked as farmers (workers), or were rural residents in Shandong Province were more likely to wear masks. Furthermore, those who were female, aged 15-59, had an education level of high school and above, were unmarried and married, were business and service workers, or were rural residents in Shandong and Shanxi Province replaced masks more timely. Around seventy percent (69.7%) of rural residents reported using soap when washing their hands, but only 38.0% of rural residents could wash their hands properly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that rural residents who were aged 35-59, had an education of high school and above, or lived in Shandong Province and Shanxi Province were more likely to wash their hands with soap. Those who were aged 15-59, had an education of high school and above, worked as farmers (workers), were employees of governmental departments and retirees, were business and service workers, or were students had higher proper handwashing rates.

CONCLUSION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of Chinese rural residents wearing masks reached 93.6%, but only 44.5% were able to replace masks in time, gender, age, education level, marital status, occupation, and living place had an impact on mask-wearing. The proportion of Chinese rural residents who could wash hands with soap reached 69.7%, but only 38.0% could wash their hands properly. Age and education level were influencing factors for both washing-hand with soap and proper handwashing.

Heightened religiosity proactively and reactively responds to the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe: Novel insights from the parasite-stress theory of sociality and the behavioral immune system theory

According to the parasite-stress theory of sociality and the behavioral immune system theory, heightened religiosity serves an anti-pathogen function by promoting in-group assortative sociality. Thus, highly religious countries/territories could have better control of the COVID-19 (proactively avoids disease-threat), and heightened COVID-19 threat could increase religiosity (reactively responds to disease-threat). As expected, country-level religiosity (religion-related online searches (Allah, Buddhism, Jesus, etc.) and number of total religions/ethnoreligions) negatively and significantly predicted COVID-19 severity (a composite index of COVID-19 susceptibility, reproductive rate, morbidity, and mortality rates) (Study 1a), after accounting for covariates (e.g., socioeconomic factors, ecological factors, collectivism index, cultural tightness-looseness index, COVID-19 policy response, test-to-case ratio). Moreover, multilevel analysis accounting for daily- (e.g., time-trend effect, season) and macro-level (same as in Study 1a) covariates showed that country-level religious searches, compared with the number of total religions/ethnoreligions, were more robust in negatively and significantly predicting daily-level COVID-19 severity during early pandemic stages (Study 1b). At weekly level, perceived coronavirus threat measured with coronavirus-related searches (corona, covid, covid-19, etc.), compared with actual COVID-19 threat measured with epidemiological data, showed larger effects in positively predicting religious searches (Study 2), after accounting for weekly- (e.g., autocorrelation, time-trend effect, season, religious holidays, major-illness-related searches) and macro-level (e.g., Christian-majority country/territory and all country-level variables in Study 1) covariates. Accordingly, heightened religiosity could proactively and reactively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe.

Effect of New Surfactants on Biological Properties of Liquid Soaps

Liquid soaps are the basic cosmetics used to clean the skin of the hands. Frequent hand washing prevents viral contamination but may damage the skin’s hydro-lipid layer, leading to various types of irritation. Therefore, four liquid soap formulas were developed with three amphoteric surfactants: Cocamidopropyl Betaine (LS II), CocamidopropylHydroxysultaine (LS III), and newly synthesized Evening PrimroseaamidopropylSulfobetaine (LS IV). We evaluated the skin irritating potential (zein number, bovine albumin test) and cytotoxicity (AlamarBlue™, Cell viability, and Cell cycle assays) on HaCaT cell line. We observed lower values of the zein number and bovine albumin tests after adding soaps with surfactants (the highest differences in LS IV) compared to the base soap (LS I). However, LS I and LS II did not differ in cytotoxic assays. Therefore, adding LS III and LS IV seems potentially more dangerous to the cells. However, it should be noted that cells were continuously exposed to liquid soaps for more than 24 h, so its cytotoxic effects after dermal use in humans may be unnoticeable. Concluding, results suggest that the newly synthesized LS IV should improve the safety of liquid hand washing soaps.

Protection Motivation Theory and consumers' food safety behaviour in response to COVID-19

The threat of COVID-19 has altered consumers shopping behaviour and increased consumers' willingness to purchase food using online food delivery services. Consumers were more likely to practice strict hand hygiene measures and were concerned with food safety. Such behaviours were likely driven by the fear and threat of contracting COVID-19. This study aims to use Protective Motivation Theory (PMT) to investigate how COVID-19 affects food shopping and food safety behaviour. An online, cross-sectional study was conducted in Indonesia and Malaysia to determine the protective motivation to engage in three food shopping and hygiene practices such as i) Safe food shopping behaviour; ii) Hand hygiene and avoiding cross contamination; and iii) Use of online food delivery services. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman rho's correlation and binary logistic regression. A total of 1180 responses were received of which 1129 were valid. Gender was identified as a significant predictor across all food safety behaviours during COVID-19. Response efficacy and self-efficacy were significant predictors for food shopping behaviour while perceived severity significantly predicted hand hygiene practices after shopping. Age, frequency of food preparation and shopping, perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, response efficacy and self-efficacy were significant predictors for use of online food delivery services. Our findings suggest that women were more likely to engage in protective measures during food shopping, carry out hand hygiene practices after shopping and use online food delivery services during COVID-19. Participants with higher response and self-efficacy scores were more likely to shop from markets or shops with high hygiene standards while participants who perceived COVID-19 as a serious threat were more likely to clean and sanitise their hands after shopping. Participants also believed that the use of online food delivery services helps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection. However, foods should be purchased from trusted restaurants or takeaways. This is the first study to use Protection Motivation Theory to explore consumers' food shopping, hand hygiene and online food delivery practices during COVID-19.

Psychosocial correlates of face-touching mitigation behaviors in public and private

This study investigates psychosocial factors that influence people's face-touching mitigation behaviors. A nationwide survey was conducted online, and the results showed that perceived risk severity of touching face, and barriers and self-efficacy of not touching face were stable predictors. COVID-19 was related to a higher likelihood of mitigation behavior in public spaces. This study provides important implications to health communication and promotion for COVID-19 and general infection control.

Electrostatic Spray Disinfection Using Nano-Engineered Solution on Frequently Touched Surfaces in Indoor and Outdoor Environments

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in high demand for disinfection technologies. However, the corresponding spray technologies are still not completely optimized for disinfection purposes. There are important problems, like the irregular coverage and dripping of disinfectant solutions on hard and vertical surfaces. In this study, we highlight two major points. Firstly, we discuss the effectiveness of the electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) of nanoparticle-based disinfectant solutions for systematic and long-lasting disinfection. Secondly, we show that, based on the type of material of the substrate, the effectiveness of ESD varies. Accordingly, 12 frequently touched surface materials were sprayed using a range of electrostatic spray system parameters, including ion generator voltage, nozzle spray size and distance of spray. It was observed that for most cases, the surfaces become completely covered with the nanoparticles within 10 s. Acrylic, Teflon, PVC, and polypropylene surfaces show a distinct effect of ESD and non-ESD sprays. The nanoparticles form a uniform layer with better surface coverage in case of electrostatic deposition. Quantitative variations and correlations show that 1.5 feet of working distance, an 80 μm spray nozzle diameter and an ion generator voltage of 3-7 kV ensures a DEF (differential electric field) that corresponds to an optimized charge-to-mass ratio, ensuring efficient coverage of nanoparticles.

Mobile shopping beauty live commerce changes in COVID‐19 pandemic focused on fun contents of MZ generation in Republic of Korea

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is the new virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. According to these circumstances, a study was conducted to prepare a long‐term non‐face‐to‐face outpatient treatment service during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Given the current situation of the times, it is expected that there will be no return to the non‐face‐to‐face prior.

Objectives

Therefore, this study descriptively investigated changes in consumer demand for new changes in the cosmetic market that has changed since COVID‐19.

Methods

It was written with reference to keywords such as “Covid Mobile Shopping,” “Covid MZ Generation,” “Covid Live Commerce,” and “Fun Content.” This study was conducted by searches on PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus, and ResearchGate. A total of 398 papers were found, of which 40 were successfully included in this study.

Results

It is expected that this era will be centered on the MZ generation, which has emerged as a new consumer in the market, where individual tastes and individuality are emphasized. Millennials and Generation Z, also called the “SNS generation,” are focusing on consumption trends.

Conclusion

It is expected that this review will be used as important marketing material for a new change in the cosmetics market by clearly understanding the consumer needs of the cosmetics industry that has changed in the untact era.

Use of Low-Cost Devices for the Control and Monitoring of CO2 Concentration in Existing Buildings after the COVID Era

In the COVID-19 era, a direct relationship has been consolidated between the concentration of the pollutant carbon dioxide (CO2) and indoor disease transmission. For reducing its spread, recommendations have been established among which air renewal is a key element to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). In this study, a low-cost CO2 measurement device was designed, developed, assembled, prototyped, and openly programmed so that the IAQ can be monitored remotely. In addition, this clonic device was calibrated for correct data acquisition. In parallel, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling analysis was used to study the indoor air flows to eliminate non-representative singular measurement points, providing possible locations. The results in four scenarios (cross ventilation, outdoor ventilation, indoor ventilation, and no ventilation) showed that the measurements provided by the clonic device are comparable to those obtained by laboratory instruments, with an average error of less than 3%. These data collected wirelessly for interpretation were evaluated on an Internet of Things (IoT) platform in real time or deferred. As a result, remaining lifespan of buildings can be exploited interconnecting IAQ devices with other systems (as HVAC systems) in an IoT environment. This can transform them into smart buildings, adding value to their refurbishment and modernization.

Structural equation modelling of COVID-19 knowledge and attitude as determinants of preventive practices among university students in Ghana

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has distorted the economic development activities of many countries across continents. This undesirable tragedy has highly affected the educational system, which majorly contributes to the wellbeing of an individual and the economy as a whole. The study aims to explore the determinants of COVID-19 preventive practices among students considering their knowledge about COVID-19 and attitudes toward the disease. The data for the study were collected through an online questionnaire survey involving university students. The relationship between students’ knowledge, attitude and their preventive practices towards COVID-19 were investigated using structural equation modelling. The results indicated that most students demonstrated substantial knowledge on COVID-19, moderate to strongly agree attitude towards COVID-19, and sometimes practiced COVID-19 preventive and safety protocols. In addition, a positive relationship between knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 was established. Also, a positive effect was established for students’ knowledge about COVID-19 and preventive practices, whilst an adverse effect was confirmed for attitudes towards COVID-19 and practices to avoid spreading the COVID-19 disease.

Association between health behaviours and the COVID-19 vaccination: risk compensation among healthcare workers in Taizhou, China

This study is conducted to explore the association between health behaviors and the COVID-19 vaccination based on the risk compensation concept among health-care workers in Taizhou, China. We conducted a self-administered online survey to estimate the health behaviors among the staff in a tertiary hospital in Taizhou, China, from May 18 to 21 May 2021. A total of 592 out of 660 subjects (89.7%) responded to the questionnaire after receiving an e-poster on WeChat. Subjects who had been inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine were asked to mention the differences in their health behaviors before and after the vaccination. The results showed that there were no statistical differences in health behaviors between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, except in terms of the type of gloves they used (62.8% in the vaccinated group and 49.2% in the unvaccinated group, p = .048). Subjects who received earlier COVID-19 vaccinations exhibited better health behaviors (22.40% increased for duration of wearing masks (P = .007), 25.40% increased for times of washing hands (P = .01), and 20.90% increased for times of wearing gloves (P = .01)). Subjects also revealed better health behaviors (washing hands, wearing gloves, and wearing masks) after vaccination compared to that before. In conclusion, concept of risk compensation was not applied in our findings. The health behaviors did not reduce after the COVID-19 vaccination, which even may improve health behaviors among health-care workers in the hospital setting.

Natural Products for the Prevention and Control of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sustainable Bioresources

Background: The world has been unprecedentedly hit by a global pandemic which broke the record of deadly pandemics that faced humanity ever since its existence. Even kids are well-versed in the terminologies and basics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 now. The vaccination program has been successfully launched in various countries, given that the huge global population of concern is still far behind to be vaccinated. Furthermore, the scarcity of any potential drug against the COVID-19-causing virus forces scientists and clinicians to search for alternative and complementary medicines on a war-footing basis. Aims and Objectives: The present review aims to cover and analyze the etiology and epidemiology of COVID-19, the role of intestinal microbiota and pro-inflammatory markers, and most importantly, the natural products to combat this deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus. Methods: A primary literature search was conducted through PubMed and Google Scholar using relevant keywords. Natural products were searched from January 2020 to November 2020. No timeline limit has been imposed on the search for the biological sources of those phytochemicals. Interactive mapping has been done to analyze the multi-modal and multi-target sources. Results and Discussion: The intestinal microbiota and the pro-inflammatory markers that can serve the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19 were discussed. The literature search resulted in yielding 70 phytochemicals and ten polyherbal formulations which were scientifically analyzed against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its targets and found significant. Retrospective analyses led to provide information about 165 biological sources that can also be screened if not done earlier. Conclusion: The interactive analysis mapping of biological sources with phytochemicals and targets as well as that of phytochemical class with phytochemicals and COVID-19 targets yielded insights into the multitarget and multimodal evidence-based complementary medicines.

How is COVID-19 perceived by medical students? A survey in Aceh province, Indonesia

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has burdened the health system and medical education programmes both locally and globally, requiring medical students to continue their education whilst engaging in prevention programmes to support primary health services. This study aims to describe medical students' knowledge, attitudes in the prevention of COVID-19, and to determine the relationship between the knowledge of COVID-19 preventive behaviour and attitudes towards it. This study used an analytical cross-sectional observational design with a sample of 290 students. Data were collected through a self-assessment method using a validated questionnaire. Analysis of the frequency distribution test for knowledge found that 54.1% of the respondents and 99.0% of the students had a good understanding of the mode of transmission of COVID-19. The majority of medical students (73.1%) also had a good attitude towards COVID-19 and around 84.3% of the students considered that good ethics is needed when coughing or sneezing during this pandemic. As many as 46.6% of the respondents had good preventive behaviour against COVID-19 and always imposed restrictions on using public transportation during a pandemic. The Spearman's correlation test shows a weak but meaningful relationship between knowledge (r = 0.214, p = 0.000) and COVID-19 preventive behaviour, and a significant relationship between attitudes (r = 0.477, p = 0.000) towards COVID-19 preventive behaviour. This study concludes that medical students have good knowledge, preventive behaviour and an understanding of infection risk. An enhanced knowledge and awareness will increase preventive behaviours that will provide support in controlling the disease.

Avoidance of COVID-19 for Children and Adolescents and Isolation Precautions

Limiting exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has been the major principle guiding public health measures. Masking, social distancing, as well as frequent hand hygiene have been the chief nonpharmaceutical interventions as preventive strategies for all age groups. Advancement in vaccine development and vaccination of large populations offer a glimmer of hope for containing and ending this pandemic. However, until immunization is widespread in the community, masking, social distancing, and frequent handwashing, as well as early detection and isolation of infected persons, should be continued to curb the spread of illness.