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Midzi N, Mutsaka-Makuvaza MJ, Charimari LS, Mangwiro P, Manengureni T, Mugadza G. Factors affecting hand hygiene practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Zimbabwean population: a qualitative study. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:385. [PMID: 38594631 PMCID: PMC11003113 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09277-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Practicing hand hygiene is recommended as one of the key preventive measures for reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious agents. However, it is often not practiced frequently enough or correctly by the public. We aimed to identify barriers to and facilitators of hand hygiene in the Zimbabwean population during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted with a purposive sample of health workers, village health workers, church leaders, traditional healers, teachers, youth leaders and the general population selected from ten districts across the country from September to October 2022. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 3 key informant interviews per site. In addition, one homogenous focus group discussion was also conducted per site using a focus group discussion guide. The data were recorded on audiotapes, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. All the analyses were performed manually using thematic analysis. RESULTS Two themes were identified as facilitators of hand hygiene. These include individual factors (knowledge of hand hygiene practices and how they are performed) and access-related factors (access to hand washing infrastructure, soap, and sanitizers). Among the barriers to hand hygiene, four themes were identified: individual factors (knowledge gaps in proper hand washing, lack of conviction about hand hygiene, and habitual behaviour), access-related factors (lack of access to hand washing infrastructure, soap, and sanitizers), safety concerns (concern about the side effects of sanitizers), and sociocultural and religious factors (social customs, cultural beliefs, values, and religious practices). CONCLUSION During public health emergencies, there is a need for people to access uninterrupted, on-premises water supplies to promote compliance with hand hygiene. The provision of clean water and hand washing facilities is critical for vulnerable communities to afford them the opportunity to improve quality of life and facilitate resilience in the event of future pandemics. Community engagement is important for identifying vulnerability factors to provide appropriate mitigatory measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Midzi
- National Institute of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Masceline Jenipher Mutsaka-Makuvaza
- National Institute of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe.
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Rwanda, Butare, Rwanda.
| | | | | | - Tonderai Manengureni
- National Institute of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Gladys Mugadza
- University of Zimbabwe, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
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M. El-Feky A, Saber M, Abd-el-Kader MM, Kantoush SA, Sumi T, Alfaisal F, Abdelhaleem A. Comprehensive environmental impact assessment and irrigation wastewater suitability of the Arab El-Madabegh wastewater treatment plant, ASSIUT CITY, EGYPT. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297556. [PMID: 38422095 PMCID: PMC10903899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The presence of a wastewater treatment plant in the Arab El-Madabegh region, which discharges excessive amounts of raw effluent toward the nearby farming fields, is the area's main issue. Examining the harmful implications of raw effluent releases on groundwater quality, determining if treated wastewater effluent complies with regulations for discharge into the aquatic environment, and assessing irrigation appropriateness by the effluent are the main goals of this work. In order to accomplish these targets, twelve treated effluent samples from the Arab El-Madabegh wastewater treatment plant were gathered every two weeks starting in January 2012 and finishing in June 2012. They were tested to determine pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Temperature (Temp), Conductivity (EC), Turbidity (Turb.), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), NO3-, SO42-, Cl-, Ca2+, PO43-, HCO3-, Na+, Mg2+, and heavy metals such as (Fe, Mn, K+, Cr, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, and Cd). The outcomes revealed that all Egyptian and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) standards for unrestricted irrigation were met by the treated effluents, except for COD, which exceeded than the Egyptian allowed limit. The evaluation indices of the effluent's EC, SAR, PI, MR, and MH were in the low-risk category according to indicators of water quality for irrigation, nevertheless, The SSP and RSC both showed slightly higher values (67.9% and 2.76, respectively). As well, The average values of heavy metals in treated wastewater effluent were found to be below permitted limits, with the exception of lead and phosphate, which exceeded permissible limits in Egypt. The environmental sustainability (ecological friendliness) of reusing and recycling tertiary treated wastewater can be achieved in agriculture to reduce the adverse impacts on the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M. El-Feky
- Agricultural Engineering Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Saber
- Water Resources Research Center, DPRI, Kyoto University, Goka-sho, Uji City, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mahmoud M. Abd-el-Kader
- Agricultural Engineering Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sameh A. Kantoush
- Water Resources Research Center, DPRI, Kyoto University, Goka-sho, Uji City, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sumi
- Water Resources Research Center, DPRI, Kyoto University, Goka-sho, Uji City, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Faisal Alfaisal
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Abdelhaleem
- Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, New Borg El-Arab City, Alexandria, Egypt
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Pinto JPG, Magalhães PC, Figueiredo GM, Alves D, Angel DMS. Local protection bubbles: an interpretation of the slowdown in the spread of coronavirus in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in July 2020. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2023; 39:e00109522. [PMID: 38126417 PMCID: PMC10727033 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311xen109522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
After four months of fighting the pandemic, the city of São Paulo, Brazil, entered a phase of relaxed social distancing measures in July 2020. Simultaneously, there was a decline in the social distancing rate and a reduction in the number of cases, fatalities, and hospital bed occupancy. To understand the pandemic dynamics in the city of São Paulo, we developed a multi-agent simulation model. Surprisingly, the counter-intuitive results of the model followed the city's reality. We argue that this phenomenon could be attributed to local bubbles of protection that emerged in the absence of contagion networks. These bubbles reduced the transmission rate of the virus, causing short and temporary reductions in the epidemic curve - but manifested as an unstable equilibrium. Our hypothesis aligns with the virus spread dynamics observed thus far, without the need for ad hoc assumptions regarding the natural thresholds of collective immunity or the heterogeneity of the population's transmission rate, which may lead to erroneous predictions. Our model was designed to be user-friendly and does not require any scientific or programming expertise to generate outcomes on virus transmission in a given location. Furthermore, as an input to start our simulation model, we developed the COVID-19 Protection Index as an alternative to the Human Development Index, which measures a given territory vulnerability to the coronavirus and includes characteristics of the health system and socioeconomic development, as well as the infrastructure of the city of São Paulo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Domingos Alves
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brasil
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Nassolo N, Walekhwa AW, Kizza FG, Osuret J. COVID-19 unanticipated benefits to hand washing coverage and practices in health care facilities in central Uganda. Afr Health Sci 2023; 23:155-167. [PMID: 38974303 PMCID: PMC11225460 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v23i4.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hand hygiene in health care facilities (HCFs) remains a significant public health challenge. Global baseline estimates on water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in HCFs indicate that 26% of HCFs lack access to an improved water source on the premises. In this study, we sought to assess the proportion of handwashing coverage and the associated factors among healthcare workers in public and private healthcare facilities in Ndejje division, Makindye Ssabagabo municipality, Wakiso district. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study with both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection was conducted. A total of 350 healthcare workers were interviewed using a self-administered structured open-ended paper questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) guide. Data was analysed using STATA 14.2 and ATLAS. ti version 8 software. Results The majority of 350 (92.6%) of healthcare workers were from private health facilities. We found out that the proportion of handwashing facilities coverage was 97.7%. The proportion of handwashing was good coupled with a positive attitude towards handwashing. Being a nurse was highly associated with washing hands in both private and public health facilities. Conclusion High hand washing proportion was attributed to the COVID-19 guidelines and enforcement which sparked adherence to the standard operating procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noe Nassolo
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. P.O. BOX 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Abel Wilson Walekhwa
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. P.O. BOX 7072, Kampala, Uganda
- Disease Dynamics Unit (DDU), Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, CB3 0ES
| | - Frank Gramsen Kizza
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. P.O. BOX 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jimmy Osuret
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. P.O. BOX 7072, Kampala, Uganda
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Muchangi JM, Mturi J, Mukasa H, Kithuki K, Kosgei SJ, Kanyangi LM, Mararo R, Nankanja M. Levels of handwashing and vaccine uptake in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to prevent and control COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1256007. [PMID: 38026286 PMCID: PMC10666047 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1256007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a massive challenge in Africa due to overwhelmed and underresourced health systems, as well as the existing burden of communicable and non- communicable diseases. Self-inoculation may occur when an individual touches their mucous membrane following direct contact between their hands and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-contaminated surfaces. Therefore, handwashing can be used along with COVID-19 vaccines to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the burden of COVID-19. We were interested in investigating the levels of handwashing and vaccine uptake to control and prevent COVID-19 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We searched PubMed, African Index Medicus and African Journals Online for studies published since inception to 31st January 2023. We included all studies that assessed: the levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitance as indicators of vaccine uptake; and studies on the levels of handwashing to prevent and control COVID-19 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Study findings were synthesized by meta-analysis to get the pooled effect measure. Three studies were synthesized qualitatively due to high level of heterogeneity in effect measure precluding a quantitative meta-analysis. Results Our search identified 128 articles of which 17 studies with 18,305 participants and 622 vaccination sites were reviewed with 14 of them being meta-analyzed. This systematic review and meta-analysis reports high levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and handwashing in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania at 67% (95% CI: 55, 78) and 88% (95% CI: 73, 97), respectively. Vaccine hesitance among the participants was low at 31% (95% CI: 15, 49). Discussion Despite their importance in the control and prevention of COVID-19, some countries do not implement handwashing and vaccination effectively. There is a need for public health strategies to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing and the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, PROSPERO ID CRD42023394698.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Mturi
- Amref Health Africa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Tagat A, Kapoor H, Arora V, Chakravarty S, Mukherjee S, Roy S. Double Jab: Survey Evidence on Vaccine Hesitancy, Beliefs, and Attitudes in India. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2023; 38:1697-1708. [PMID: 35067105 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2022.2028480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
India witnessed a large surge in COVID-19 cases in April 2021, a second wave of nearly 350,000 daily new infections across the country. As of December 2021, cases have reduced drastically, in part due to greater vaccine coverage across the country. This study reports results on vaccine hesitancy, attitudes, and behaviors from an online survey conducted between February and March 2021 in nine Indian cities (N = 518). We find that vaccine hesitancy negatively predicts willingness to take the vaccine, and beliefs about vaccine effectiveness supersede hesitancy in explaining vaccine uptake. Furthermore, we find that mask-wearing and handwashing beliefs, information sources related to COVID-19, and past COVID-19 infection and testing status are all strongly associated with the hypothetical choice of vaccine. We discuss these findings in the context of behavioral theories as well as outline implications for vaccine-related health communication in India.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hansika Kapoor
- Department of Psychology, Monk Prayogshala
- Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut
| | - Varun Arora
- Department of Behavioural Science, Behavioral Insights Architecture and Strategy (BIAS) Inc
| | - Sujoy Chakravarty
- Department of Behavioural Science, Behavioral Insights Architecture and Strategy (BIAS) Inc
- Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University
| | | | - Shubhabrata Roy
- Department of Behavioural Science, Behavioral Insights Architecture and Strategy (BIAS) Inc
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MacLeod C, Braun L, Caruso BA, Chase C, Chidziwisano K, Chipungu J, Dreibelbis R, Ejemot-Nwadiaro R, Gordon B, Esteves Mills J, Cumming O. Recommendations for hand hygiene in community settings: a scoping review of current international guidelines. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e068887. [PMID: 37344109 PMCID: PMC10314431 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hand hygiene is an important measure to prevent disease transmission. OBJECTIVE To summarise current international guideline recommendations for hand hygiene in community settings and to assess to what extent they are consistent and evidence based. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We included international guidelines with one or more recommendations on hand hygiene in community settings-categorised as domestic, public or institutional-published by international organisations, in English or French, between 1 January 1990 and 15 November 2021. DATA SOURCES To identify relevant guidelines, we searched the WHO Institutional Repository for Information Sharing Database, Google, websites of international organisations, and contacted expert organisations and individuals. CHARTING METHODS Recommendations were mapped to four areas related to hand hygiene: (1) effective hand hygiene; (2) minimum requirements; (3) behaviour change and (4) government measures. Recommendations were assessed for consistency, concordance and whether supported by evidence. RESULTS We identified 51 guidelines containing 923 recommendations published between 1999 and 2021 by multilateral agencies and international non-governmental organisations. Handwashing with soap is consistently recommended as the preferred method for hand hygiene across all community settings. Most guidelines specifically recommend handwashing with plain soap and running water for at least 20 s; single-use paper towels for hand drying; and alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) as a complement or alternative to handwashing. There are inconsistent and discordant recommendations for water quality for handwashing, affordable and effective alternatives to soap and ABHR, and the design of handwashing stations. There are gaps in recommendations on soap and water quantity, behaviour change approaches and government measures required for effective hand hygiene. Less than 10% of recommendations are supported by any cited evidence. CONCLUSION While current international guidelines consistently recommend handwashing with soap across community settings, there remain gaps in recommendations where clear evidence-based guidance might support more effective policy and investment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara MacLeod
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London, UK
| | - Laura Braun
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London, UK
| | - Bethany A Caruso
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Claire Chase
- Water and Sanitation Program, World Bank Group, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kondwani Chidziwisano
- Department of Environmental Health and WASHTED, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Jenala Chipungu
- Social and Behavioural Science Department, Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Robert Dreibelbis
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London, UK
| | - Regina Ejemot-Nwadiaro
- Department of Public Health, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Bruce Gordon
- Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health Unit, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Oliver Cumming
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London, UK
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Kann RS, Snyder JS, Woreta M, Zewudie K, Freeman MC, Delea MG. Quantifying Factors Associated with Personal Hygiene as Measured by the qPHAT Methodology: Andilaye Trial, Ethiopia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 108:1277-1286. [PMID: 37127265 PMCID: PMC10540125 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Many water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions target improvements in personal hygiene behaviors. Yet measuring personal hygiene behaviors is a challenge due to a lack of reliable, valid, objective, and simple-to-use approaches. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between two types of hygiene outcome measures and their ability to detect relationships between WASH-related behavioral factors and behaviors. We compared hygiene outcomes generated by the Quantitative Personal Hygiene Assessment Tool (qPHAT), which yields objective measures of cleanliness on an 11-point scale, and those generated by conventional, dichotomous indicators of cleanliness. We used cross-sectional data on hygiene outcomes related to facial and hand cleanliness collected during the Andilaye Trial, an impact evaluation of a community-based WASH intervention implemented in Amhara, Ethiopia. We fit multivariable models to examine associations between measures of children's facial and hand cleanliness, via both qPHAT and dichotomous indicators, and 1) household WASH conditions, 2) psychosocial factors, and 3) reported personal hygiene practices. The qPHAT-generated outcomes were able to detect relationships between intermediate behavioral factors and hygiene outcomes that dichotomous indicators were not, including associations with water insecurity and various psychosocial factors. qPHAT-generated outcomes were negatively associated with reported face washing practices, suggesting a bias in reported behaviors. Our study highlights the limitations of reported practices and dichotomous hygiene indicators and indicates that using more quantitative hygiene outcome measures, such as those generated by qPHAT, may reveal important intermediate factors that influence hygiene behavior and support improved monitoring and evaluation of interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S. Kann
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jedidiah S. Snyder
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | | | - Matthew C. Freeman
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Maryann G. Delea
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Brial E, Aunger R, Muangi WC, Baxter W. Development of a novel hand cleansing product for low-income contexts: The case of tab soap. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283741. [PMID: 37256865 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Handwashing with soap is a widely advocated public health measure, but seldom practiced, partly because it is often difficult (especially outside of rich Western country contexts) to make both soap and water readily available in relevant situations. This study used both Behaviour Centred Design and Human Centred Design to guide development of a novel hand cleansing technology appropriate for the context of post-toilet hand cleansing in resource-poor societies. Extensive prototyping and field testing resulted in the pilot production of 'tab' soap, a small but durable single-use, decomposable substrate embedded with soap. It can be produced in dispenser roll or tear-off formats. With this affordable solution, one may use soap without worrying about contamination pretty much anytime and anywhere. A small-scale field test showed that all poor households in rural and peri-urban areas in Tanzania included in the proof-of-concept study (N = 12 households) would use the product reliably over the medium term. Tab soap awaits full-scale production and marketing but could make hand cleansing a more popular practice around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Brial
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Aunger
- Environmental Health Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Winnie Costancia Muangi
- School of Economics, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Department of Economics, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Weston Baxter
- Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Curty Pereira R, Elliott SJ, Llaguno Cárdenas P. Stepping into the Void: Lessons Learned from Civil Society Organizations during COVID-19 in Rio de Janeiro. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20085507. [PMID: 37107789 PMCID: PMC10138413 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Brazil experienced some of the highest rates of COVID-19 globally. This was complicated by the fact that 35 million of its citizens have limited access to water, a primary resource necessary to stem the spread of infectious diseases. In many cases, civil society organizations (CSOs) stepped into this void left by responsible authorities. This paper explores how CSOs in Rio de Janeiro helped populations struggling with access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) during the pandemic, and what coping strategies are transferable to similar contexts. In-depth interviews (n = 15) were conducted with CSO representatives in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed that COVID-19 exacerbated pre-existing social inequities among vulnerable populations, undermining their ability to protect their health. CSOs provided emergency relief aid but faced the counterproductive actions of public authorities who promoted a narrative that diminished the risks of COVID-19 and the importance of non-pharmacological interventions. CSOs fought this narrative by promoting sensitization among vulnerable populations and partnering with other stakeholders in networks of solidarity, playing a vital role in the distribution of health-promoting services. These strategies are transferrable to other contexts where state narratives oppose public health understandings, particularly for extremely vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Curty Pereira
- Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Correspondence:
| | - Susan J. Elliott
- Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Pablo Llaguno Cárdenas
- International Relations and Political Science, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, NL, Mexico
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Khan MT, Shah IA, Hossain MF, Akther N, Zhou Y, Khan MS, Al-Shaeli M, Bacha MS, Ihsanullah I. Personal protective equipment (PPE) disposal during COVID-19: An emerging source of microplastic and microfiber pollution in the environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 860:160322. [PMID: 36414071 PMCID: PMC9675081 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Waste generated by healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a new source of pollution, particularly with the widespread use of single-use personal protective equipment (PPE). Releasing microplastics (MPs) and microfibers (MFs) from discarded PPE becomes an emerging threat to environmental sustainability. MPs/MFs have recently been reported in a variety of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, including water, deep-sea sediments, air, and soil. As COVID-19 spreads, the use of plastic-made PPE in healthcare facilities has increased significantly worldwide, resulting in massive amounts of plastic waste entering the terrestrial and marine environments. High loads of MPs/MFs emitted into the environment due to excessive PPE consumption are easily consumed by aquatic organisms, disrupting the food chain, and potentially causing chronic health problems in humans. Thus, proper management of PPE waste is critical for ensuring a post-COVID sustainable environment, which has recently attracted the attention of the scientific community. The current study aims to review the global consumption and sustainable management of discarded PPE in the context of COVID-19. The severe impacts of PPE-emitted MPs/MFs on human health and other environmental segments are briefly addressed. Despite extensive research progress in the area, many questions about MP/MF contamination in the context of COVID-19 remain unanswered. Therefore, in response to the post-COVID environmental remediation concerns, future research directions and recommendations are highlighted considering the current MP/MF research progress from COVID-related PPE waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tariq Khan
- Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai po New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Izaz Ali Shah
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Md Faysal Hossain
- Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai po New Territories, Hong Kong; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, East China University of Science and Technology, No. 130, Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Nasrin Akther
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, East China University of Science and Technology, No. 130, Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China; Department of Soil Science, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh
| | - Yanbo Zhou
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, East China University of Science and Technology, No. 130, Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | | | - Muayad Al-Shaeli
- Institute for Micro Process Engineering (IMVT), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | | | - Ihsanullah Ihsanullah
- Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
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Mare R, Mare C, Hadarean A, Hotupan A, Rus T. COVID-19 and Water Variables: Review and Scientometric Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:957. [PMID: 36673718 PMCID: PMC9859563 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20020957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has changed the world since 2020, and the field of water specifically, boosting scientific productivity (in terms of published articles). This paper focuses on the influence of COVID-19 on scientific productivity with respect to four water variables: (i) wastewater, (ii) renewable water resources, (iii) freshwater withdrawal, and (iv) access to improved and safe drinking water. The field's literature was firstly reviewed, and then the maps were built, emphasizing the strong connections between COVID-19 and water-related variables. A total of 94 countries with publications that assess COVID-19 vs. water were considered and evaluated for how they clustered. The final step of the research shows that, on average, scientific productivity on the water topic was mostly conducted in countries with lower COVID-19 infection rates but higher development levels as represented by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the human development index (HDI). According to the statistical analysis, the water-related variables are highly significant, with positive coefficients. This validates that countries with higher water-related values conducted more research on the relationship with COVID-19. Wastewater and freshwater withdrawal had the highest impact on the scientific productivity with respect to COVID-19. Access to safe drinking water becomes insignificant in the presence of the development parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Mare
- Department of Building Services Engineering, Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 128-130 21 Decembrie 1989 Blv., 400604 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Codruța Mare
- Department of Statistics-Forecasts-Mathematics, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Babes-Bolyai University, 58-60 Teodor Mihali Str., 400591 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Data Science, Babes-Bolyai University, 68 Avram Iancu Str., 4th Floor, 400083 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adriana Hadarean
- Department of Building Services Engineering, Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 128-130 21 Decembrie 1989 Blv., 400604 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca Hotupan
- Department of Building Services Engineering, Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 128-130 21 Decembrie 1989 Blv., 400604 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Tania Rus
- Department of Building Services Engineering, Faculty of Building Services Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 128-130 21 Decembrie 1989 Blv., 400604 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Anderson CE, Wolfe MK, Boehm AB. Enveloped and non-enveloped virus survival on microfiber towels. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15202. [PMID: 37073274 PMCID: PMC10106082 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Handwashing is an important intervention which can reduce indirect disease transmission, however soap and water for handwashing purposes is not available in some low-resource regions. When handwashing with soap and water is not possible, individuals may use alternatives such as the Supertowel (a microfiber towel with an antimicrobial coating). Testing of viral inactivation as a result of antimicrobial treatment on the Supertowel, however, has been limited. The goal of this study is to provide information about the performance of the Supertowel's antimicrobial treatment against viruses, which will help inform the use of the towels as handwashing alternatives. Methods We seeded the Supertowel and a regular microfiber towel with two bacteriophages (enveloped Phi6 and non-enveloped MS2) and monitored viral inactivation over time. Additionally, we assessed if temperature, humidity, whether the towel was initially wet or dry, or virus type had an effect on viral decay rate constants. Virus concentrations were measured repeatedly over 24 h. Results We found that neither towel type (whether the towel was a Supertowel or a regular microfiber towel) nor humidity were significant variables in our model of decay rate constants (P = 0.06 and P = 0.22, respectively). We found that the variables of temperature, whether towels were initially wet versus dry, and virus type were significantly different from 0, suggesting that these variables explained variance in the decay rate constant (P = 6.55 × 10-13, P = 0.001, and P < 2 × 10-16, respectively). Higher temperatures, dry towels, and enveloped viruses all resulted in increases in the decay rate constant. Conclusions Viruses seeded onto a Supertowel decay similar to viruses seeded onto a regular towel indicating that the virucidal potential of the Supertowel is minimal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marlene K. Wolfe
- Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States of America
- Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
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14
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Howard MC. Big Five, Dark Triad, and Face Masks. JOURNAL OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1027/1614-0001/a000387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Face masks are an effective method to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but many people are reluctant to wear them. Recent authors have called for studies of personality to determine which people may have particularly negative face mask perceptions and reduced face mask wearing. In the current article, we assess the relation of the Big Five and Dark Triad with face mask perceptions and wearing. We apply a four-wave longitudinal research design collected via MTurk ( n = 209, Mage = 36.97 years, 50% female, 85% American), and we use the eight-dimension Face Mask Perceptions Scale to test mediating mechanisms between personality and behavior. When tested together, conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism did not have notable relations with perceptions or wearing; openness and the Dark Triad had significant relations with face mask perceptions, and agreeableness had significant indirect effects on face mask wearing via perceptions. These results indicate that personality does relate to face mask perceptions and behaviors. We call on future research to conduct facet-level studies of personality with face mask perceptions and behaviors to ascertain the cause of these observed relations, further identify the importance of specific face mask perceptions, and integrate personality into models of health behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt C. Howard
- Department of Marketing and Quantitative Methods, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA
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White S, Jain A, Bangura A, Farrington M, Mekonen M, Nhial BC, Hoque E, Moniruzzaman M, Namegabe P, Walassa J, Majorin F. Facilitating hand hygiene in displacement camps during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative assessment of a novel handwashing stand and hygiene promotion package. Confl Health 2022; 16:65. [PMID: 36527055 PMCID: PMC9756724 DOI: 10.1186/s13031-022-00492-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Handwashing with soap is critical for the prevention of diarrhoeal diseases and outbreak related diseases, including interrupting the transmission of COVID-19. People living in large displacement settings are particularly vulnerable to such outbreaks, however, practicing handwashing is typically challenging in these contexts. METHODS We conducted a qualitative assessment of the implementation of a combined intervention to facilitate handwashing behaviour in displacement camps and in surrounding communities in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention comprised a 'hardware' infrastructural component (provision of the Oxfam Handwashing Station) and a 'software' hygiene promotion package (Mum's Magic Hands). We used programmatic logbooks, interviews with implementation staff and focus group discussions with crisis-affected populations to assess the use, feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. RESULTS Both components of the intervention were viewed as novel and appealing by implementing staff and crisis-affected populations across the study sites. The acceptability of the handwashing station could be improved by redesigning the tap and legs, exploring local supply chain options, and by providing a greater number of facilities. The implementation of the hygiene promotion package varied substantially by country making it challenging to evaluate and compare. A greater focus on community engagement could address misconceptions, barriers related to the intuitiveness of the handwashing station design, and willingness to participate in the hygiene promotion component. CONCLUSIONS The combination of a 'hardware' and 'software' intervention in these settings appeared to facilitate both access and use of handwashing facilities. The acceptability of the combined intervention was partially because a great deal of effort had been put into their design. However, even when delivering well-designed interventions, there are many contextual aspects that need to be considered, as well as unintended consequences which can affect the acceptability of an intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sian White
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XDepartment of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | | | - Abie Bangura
- grid.437028.a0000 0004 0450 9859Oxfam, John Smith Drive, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Bang Chuol Nhial
- Department of Public Health, Gambella University, Gambella Town, Gambella, Ethiopia
| | - Enamul Hoque
- Oxfam in Bangladesh, RAOWA Complex, VIP Road, Dhaka, 1206 Bangladesh
| | - Md. Moniruzzaman
- Oxfam in Bangladesh, RAOWA Complex, VIP Road, Dhaka, 1206 Bangladesh
| | | | - John Walassa
- Oxfam in DRC, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Fiona Majorin
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XDepartment of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
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Shrestha A, Kunwar BM, Meierhofer R. Water, sanitation, hygiene practices, health and nutritional status among children before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal evidence from remote areas of Dailekh and Achham districts in Nepal. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2035. [PMID: 36344970 PMCID: PMC9640870 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14346-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic drew hygiene to the center of disease prevention. The provision of adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services is crucial to protect public health during a pandemic. Yet, access to levels of water supply that support adequate hygiene measures are deficient in many areas in Nepal. We examined WASH practices and their impact on child health and nutritional status in two districts before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A longitudinal and mixed method study was conducted in March–May 2018 and November–December 2021. In total, 715 children aged 0–10 years were surveyed at baseline. Of these, 490 children were assessed at endline. Data collection methods included observations, a questionnaire, stool analysis, anthropometric measurements, water quality analysis, and an assessment of clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies. We conducted 10 in-depth interviews to understand major problems related to COVID-19. Results Most respondents (94.2%) had heard about COVID-19; however, they did not wear face masks or comply with any social distancing protocols. Almost 94.2% of the households self-reported handwashing with soap 5–10 times per day at endline, especially after defecation, compared to 19.6% at baseline. Water quality was better at endline than at baseline with median 12 to 29 CFU Escherichia coli/100 mL (interquartile range at baseline [IQR] = 4–101) at the point of collection and 34 to 51.5 CFU Escherichia coli/100 mL (IQR = 8–194) at the point of consumption. Fever (41.1–16.8%; p = 0.01), respiratory illness (14.3–4.3%; p = 0.002), diarrhea (19.6–9.5%; p = 0.01), and Giardia lamblia infections (34.2–6.5%, p = 0.01) decreased at endline. In contrast, nutritional deficiencies such as bitot’s spots (26.7–40.2%; p = 0.01), pale conjunctiva (47.0–63.3%; p = 0.01), and dermatitis (64.8–81.4%; p = 0.01) increased at endline. The inadequacy of the harvest and the lack of household income to meet households’ nutritional needs increased drastically (35.0–94.2%; p = 0.01). Conclusion We found that improved water quality and handwashing practices were associated with a decrease in infectious diseases. However, food security also decreased resulting in a high prevalence of nutritional deficiencies. Our findings underline that disaster preparedness should consider access to adequate WASH, nutrition, and health supplies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-14346-8.
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Takamatsu S. Spectators’ threat and coping appraisals and intentions to re-attend a match during the COVID-19 pandemic. MANAGING SPORT AND LEISURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/23750472.2022.2142152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Takamatsu
- Faculty of Education, Kobe Shinwa Women’s University, Kobe, Japan
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18
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Rabiou LM, Oumarou B, Anya BPM, Kaya MS, Didier T, Nsiari-Muzeyi BJ, Katoto P, Wiysonge CS. Implementation and contribution of temperature screening and handwashing practice at points of entry for COVID-19 pandemic response in a humanitarian crisis setting. Pan Afr Med J 2022; 43:127. [PMID: 36762157 PMCID: PMC9883792 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2022.43.127.28171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction over the last decade, insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin has triggered an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Niger´s Diffa Region with a significant population movement. In this humanitarian setting, we reviewed the implementation process and the contribution of temperature screening and handwashing practice at points of entry as part of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19. Methods in Diffa, border officers were trained on the fundamentals of infection prevention and control in relation to COVID-19 readiness and response and a 14-day district response team was constituted. To examine the significance of the implementation process of temperature screening and handwashing practices at points of entry, we conducted a secondary analysis of data submitted by the six health districts of the Diffa Region between March and July 2020. Results travellers screened for fever ranged from 10,499 (in March 2020) to 62,441 (in April 2020) with the health districts of Diffa (mean: standard error of the mean: 25,999: 9,220) and of Bosso (mean: standard error of the mean: 30.4: 19.1) accounting for the most and the least of activities during the entire period, respectively. Overall, 125/169,475 travellers presented fever and were effectively quarantined. Only the Ngourti Health District reported travellers who declined handwashing (54/169,475); this was during the first three months of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion we have documented a successful implementation of measures related to temperature screening with some unsubstantial denial of handwashing. Given the importance of border traffic due to insecurity in the Diffa Region, maintaining temperature screening and handwashing in this humanitarian setting is necessary but requires coordinated actions of all stakeholders involved in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Batouré Oumarou
- World Health Organization, Quartier Plateau, Avenue Mohamed VI 1204, Niamey, Niger
| | | | - Mutenda Sheria Kaya
- World Health Organization, Quartier Plateau, Avenue Mohamed VI 1204, Niamey, Niger
| | - Tambwe Didier
- World Health Organization, Quartier Plateau, Avenue Mohamed VI 1204, Niamey, Niger
| | | | - Patrick Katoto
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley 7501, Cape Town, South Africa,,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo,,Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg 7505, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Charles Shey Wiysonge
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley 7501, Cape Town, South Africa,,Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg 7505, Cape Town, South Africa,,School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory 7935, Cape Town, South Africa,,HIV and Other Infectious Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa,Corresponding author: Charles Shey Wiysonge, Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley 7501, Cape Town, South Africa.
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19
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Tegegne MD, Melkam M, Adane T, Getawa S. COVID-19 preventive practice and associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2022; 4:100329. [PMID: 36267492 PMCID: PMC9568273 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives COVID-19 is a global health concern due to its rapid spread and impact on morbidity and mortality. Implementing preventive measures plays an essential role in curbing the spread of COVID-19 infection. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 preventive practice and associated factors in Ethiopia. Study design This study was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Methods Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, EMBASE, African Journal Online (AJOL) and Science Direct search engines were used to identify relevant articles published up to early December 2021. The Joana Brigg's Institute (JBI) checklist was used for quality appraisal. A random-effect model was fitted to calculate the pooled estimates. Higgins I2 statistics and Egger's test with funnel plots were analysed to check heterogeneity and publication bias, respectively. Due to significant heterogeneity, subgroup analysis by region, study population, study design and publication year, as well as sensitivity analysis, were done to assess the source of heterogeneity. Results The pooled level of poor preventive practice for COVID-19 in Ethiopia was 51.60% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.30-62.90). Poor COVID-19 preventive practice declined from 61% in studies published in 2020 to 45% in 2021. Lack of knowledge about COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.61 [95% CI: 2.49-10.73]), a negative attitude towards COVID-19 management (AOR = 2.64 [95% CI: 1.82-3.82]), rural residence (AOR = 2.95 [95% CI: 2.12-4.12]), a low educational level (AOR = 2.93 [95% CI: 2.16-3.98]) and being female (AOR = 1.75 [95% CI: 1.27-2.40]) were significantly associated with a poor level of COVID-19 preventive practice in Ethiopia. Conclusions The level of poor COVID-19 preventive practice in Ethiopia was relatively high. Poor COVID-19 prevention practices were significantly correlated with inadequate COVID-19 knowledge, a negative attitude towards COVID-19 management, low educational attainment, living in a rural area and being female. Creating awareness and health education programmes targeting COVID-19 prevention should be strengthened, especially in the target populations identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masresha Derese Tegegne
- Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mamaru Melkam
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tiruneh Adane
- Department of Hematology and Immunohematology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Solomon Getawa
- Department of Hematology and Immunohematology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia,Corresponding author.
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20
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Gu W, Zhao Y, Yang L, Du M, Li Q, Ren Z, Li X. A new perspective to improve the treatment of Lianhuaqingwen on COVID-19 and prevent the environmental health risk of medication. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:74208-74224. [PMID: 35635661 PMCID: PMC9148946 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21125-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Lianhuaqingwen (LH), one traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its ecotoxicity with potential human health security has not been well investigated. To overcome such adverse effects and improve its medication efficacy, an intelligent multi-method integrated dietary scheme, screening, and performance evaluation approach was developed. Thirteen LH compounds were selected, and the main protease (Mpro) was used as the potential drug target. Resulted information showed that the more compounds of LH added, the higher medication efficacy obtained using multi-method integrated screening system, expert consultation method, and molecular dynamics simulation. Pharmacodynamic mechanism analysis showed that low total energy and polar surface area of LH active compound (i.e., β-sitosterol) will contribute to the best therapeutic effect on COVID-19 using quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and sensitivity models. Additionally, when mild COVID-19 patients take LH with the optimum dietary scheme (i.e., β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, carotene, and vitamin E), the medication efficacy were significantly improved (23.58%). Pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics results showed that LH had certain human health risks and ecotoxicity. This study revealed the multi-compound interaction mechanism of LH treatment on COVID-19, and provided theoretical guidance for improving therapeutic effect, evaluating TCM safety, and preventing human health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Gu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206 China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206 China
| | - Luze Yang
- College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 China
| | - Meijin Du
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206 China
| | - Qing Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Systems Optimization, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206 China
| | - Zhixing Ren
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, No. 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, China
| | - Xixi Li
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X5 Canada
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21
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Castro GB, Bernegossi AC, Sousa BJDO, De Lima E Silva MR, Silva FRD, Freitas BLS, Ogura AP, Corbi JJ. Global occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental aquatic matrices and its implications for sanitation and vulnerabilities in Brazil and developing countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:2160-2199. [PMID: 34310248 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1949437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper includes a systematic review of the SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in environmental aquatic matrices and a critical sanitation analysis. We discussed the interconnection of sanitation services (wastewater, water supply, solid waste, and stormwater drainage) functioning as an important network for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in waters. We collected 98 studies containing data of the SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in aquatic matrices around the world, of which 40% were from developing countries. Alongside a significant number of people infected by the virus, developing countries face socioeconomic deficiencies and insufficient public investment in infrastructure. Therefore, our study focused on highlighting solutions to provide sanitation in developing countries, considering the virus control in waters by disinfection techniques and sanitary measures, including alternatives for the vulnerable communities. The need for multilateral efforts to improve the universal coverage of sanitation services demands urgent attention in a pandemic scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleyson B Castro
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline C Bernegossi
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno José de O Sousa
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando R Da Silva
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Luíza S Freitas
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Allan P Ogura
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- PPG-SEA and CRHEA/SHS, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliano J Corbi
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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22
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Saeidnia HR, Kozak M, Ausloos M, Herteliu C, Mohammadzadeh Z, Ghorbi A, Karajizadeh M, Hassanzadeh M. Development of a Mobile App for Self-Care Against COVID-19 Using the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) Model: Methodological Study. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e39718. [PMID: 36054441 PMCID: PMC9472509 DOI: 10.2196/39718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Mobile apps have been shown to play an important role in the management, care, and prevention of infectious diseases. Thus, skills for self-care—one of the most effective ways to prevent illness—can be improved through mobile health apps.
Objective
This study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate an educational mobile-based self-care app in order to help the self-prevention of COVID-19 in underdeveloped countries. We intended the app to be easy to use, quick, and inexpensive.
Methods
In 2020 and 2021, we conducted a methodological study. Using the ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation) educational model, we developed a self-care management mobile app. According to the ADDIE model, an effective training and performance support tool is built through the 5 phases that comprise its name. There were 27 participants who conducted 2 evaluations of the mobile app’s usability and impact using the mobile health app usability and self-care inventory scales. The study design included pre- and posttesting.
Results
An Android app called MyShield was developed. The results of pre- and posttests showed that on a scale from 0 to 5, MyShield scored a performance average of 4.17 in the physical health dimension and an average of 3.88 in the mental well-being dimension, thereby showing positive effects on self-care skills. MyShield scored highly on the “interface and satisfaction,” “ease of use,” and “usefulness” components.
Conclusions
MyShield facilitates learning self-care skills at home, even during quarantine, increasing acquisition of information. Given its low development cost and the ADDIE educational design on which it is based, the app can be helpful in underdeveloped countries. Thus, low-income countries—often lacking other tools—can use the app as an effective tool for fighting COVID-19, if it becomes a standard mobile app recommended by the government.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Reza Saeidnia
- Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marcin Kozak
- Department of Media, Journalism and Social Communication, University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Marcel Ausloos
- School of Business, University of Leicester, Brookfield, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Claudiu Herteliu
- Department of Statistics and Econometrics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Zahra Mohammadzadeh
- Department of Health Information Management and Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Ali Ghorbi
- Department of Knowledge and Information Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Karajizadeh
- Trauma Research Center, Shahid Rajaee (Emtiaz) Trauma Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hassanzadeh
- Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Bai X, Li X, Yan D, Yang H, Tu K. Effects of Micro Architectural Environmental Interventions on Handwashing Compliance of Adolescents: A School-Based Intervention Trial. HERD-HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH & DESIGN JOURNAL 2022; 15:81-95. [PMID: 35722900 DOI: 10.1177/19375867221104412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Aimed to explore more practical interventions for handwashing compliance (HWC) and protect the minor' health with the pandemic background, this study tested whether micro architectural interventions would promote HWC of adolescents through active experience. BACKGROUND Despite the well-documented benefits of handwashing (HW), low compliance is common among adolescents. HW space in schools has always been treated as attached spaces of little matter, which is unfavorable to public health. According to environment behavior perspective, personal motivation of HWC may be motivated by active environment. METHOD A school-based investigation and a 30-week environmental behavior experiment were conducted when students returned to school after the COVID-19 pandemic closure in 2020 in China to evaluate the effects of active environment interventions selected by previous survey on promoting adolescents' HW rate. Digital infrared counters were used to unobtrusively document their behavior. RESULTS Results in summer revealed a positive effect on all intervention groups. The effects of combined interventions were higher than the effect of any single intervention. However, HW rates of all groups declined sharply in the coldest month and the between-group differences decreased. Significant correlations were found between HW rates and satisfaction with the intervention schemes. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that architectural environmental intervention may potentially be a positive, friendly, and one-time investment mean to expand the HWC intervention scope from passive policies to positive experience, and HW space design for adolescents should be treated as a public health strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Bai
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Engineering and Technology Research Center of Urbanization, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinxin Li
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Engineering and Technology Research Center of Urbanization, Wuhan, China
| | - Ding Yan
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Engineering and Technology Research Center of Urbanization, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Yichuan Middle School, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kun Tu
- Central-South Architectural Design Institute Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China
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24
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Pegoraro F, Trapani S, Indolfi G. Gastrointestinal, hepatic and pancreatic manifestations of COVID-19 in children. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2022; 46:101818. [PMID: 34607068 PMCID: PMC8486685 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2021.101818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a well-established respiratory tract pathogen. Recent studies in adults and children have shown an increasing number of patients reporting gastrointestinal manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in faeces for an extended period, even after respiratory samples have tested negative and patients are asymptomatic. However, faecal-oral transmission has not yet been proven. In this article, the latest evidence on gastrointestinal, hepato-biliary, and pancreatic manifestations in children with coronavirus disease-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome will be analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sandra Trapani
- Department of Health Science, Meyer Children's Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Indolfi
- NEUROFARBA Department, Meyer Children's Hospital, Firenze, Italy,Correspondence to: NEUROFARBA Department, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 24, Florence 50139, Italy
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25
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Kessler SE, Aunger R. The evolution of the human healthcare system and implications for understanding our responses to COVID-19. Evol Med Public Health 2022; 10:87-107. [PMID: 35284079 PMCID: PMC8908543 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoac004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed an urgent need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary understanding of how healthcare systems respond successfully to infectious pathogens-and how they fail. This study contributes a novel perspective that focuses on the selective pressures that shape healthcare systems over evolutionary time. We use a comparative approach to trace the evolution of care-giving and disease control behaviours across species and then map their integration into the contemporary human healthcare system. Self-care and pro-health environmental modification are ubiquitous across animals, while derived behaviours like care for kin, for strangers, and group-level organizational responses have evolved via different selection pressures. We then apply this framework to our behavioural responses to COVID-19 and demonstrate that three types of conflicts are occurring: (1) conflicting selection pressures on individuals, (2) evolutionary mismatches between the context in which our healthcare behaviours evolved and our globalized world of today and (3) evolutionary displacements in which older forms of care are currently dispensed through more derived forms. We discuss the significance of understanding how healthcare systems evolve and change for thinking about the role of healthcare systems in society during and after the time of COVID-19-and for us as a species as we continue to face selection from infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon E Kessler
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Robert Aunger
- Environmental Health Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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26
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Xu Z, Su C, Xiao Y, Wang F. Artificial intelligence for COVID-19: battling the pandemic with computational intelligence. INTELLIGENT MEDICINE 2022; 2:13-29. [PMID: 34697578 PMCID: PMC8529224 DOI: 10.1016/j.imed.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic leading to over 180 million confirmed cases and nearly 4 million deaths until June 2021, according to the World Health Organization. Since the initial report in December 2019 , COVID-19 has demonstrated a high transmission rate (with an R0 > 2), a diverse set of clinical characteristics (e.g., high rate of hospital and intensive care unit admission rates, multi-organ dysfunction for critically ill patients due to hyperinflammation, thrombosis, etc.), and a tremendous burden on health care systems around the world. To understand the serious and complex diseases and develop effective control, treatment, and prevention strategies, researchers from different disciplines have been making significant efforts from different aspects including epidemiology and public health, biology and genomic medicine, as well as clinical care and patient management. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been introduced into the healthcare field to aid clinical decision-making for disease diagnosis and treatment such as detecting cancer based on medical images, and has achieved superior performance in multiple data-rich application scenarios. In the COVID-19 pandemic, AI techniques have also been used as a powerful tool to overcome the complex diseases. In this context, the goal of this study is to review existing studies on applications of AI techniques in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, these efforts can be grouped into the fields of epidemiology, therapeutics, clinical research, social and behavioral studies and are summarized. Potential challenges, directions, and open questions are discussed accordingly, which may provide new insights into addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and would be helpful for researchers to explore more related topics in the post-pandemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxing Xu
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York 10065, United States
| | - Chang Su
- Department of Health Service Administration and Policy, Temple University, Philadelphia 19122, United States
| | - Yunyu Xiao
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York 10065, United States
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York 10065, United States,Corresponding author: Fei Wang, Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York 10065, United States of America
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27
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Understanding Household Water-Use Behavior and Consumption Patterns during COVID-19 Lockdown in Saudi Arabia. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14030314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
With the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the livelihood of people globally, changes in household behaviors, water consumption patterns, etc., have implications on sanitation, hygiene, and disease control. An online questionnaire survey was conducted, and officials were interviewed to assess the impact of the lockdown on water consumption patterns in the Dammam Metropolitan Area, Saudi Arabia. The multiple regression analysis on responses from the survey indicates that water consumption increased by 50% in 86% of the respondents, leading to higher utility bills. Socioeconomic factors also influenced water consumption. The officials interviewed emphasized the need for integrating water policies with disaster management actions. This study contributes to the prospering empirical literature on the pandemic COVID-19 and water consumption/usage behavioral practices by exploring the behavior of household water during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. This study can help decision-makers in Saudi Arabia and other developing countries in boosting awareness related to water management in crisis time.
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28
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Koomson I, Okumu M, Ansong D. Introducing the Disease Outbreak Resilience Index (DORI) Using the Demographic and Health Surveys Data from sub-Saharan Africa. SOCIAL INDICATORS RESEARCH 2022; 162:1149-1175. [PMID: 35068657 PMCID: PMC8764175 DOI: 10.1007/s11205-022-02881-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although most studies on disease emergencies underscore the need for household readiness for shocks associated with disease outbreaks, no study to date has provided a holistic measure for profiling households based on their readiness toward disease outbreaks. This paper introduces a novel Disease Outbreak Resilience Index (DORI) using a multidimensional approach that draws on the Alkire-Foster methodology. DORI measures disease outbreak resilience in four dimensions: (a) water and hygiene, (b) physical distancing, (c) energy and communication, and (d) economic security and resilience. The paper details the development of DORI and its use by presenting findings from ten countries in sub-Saharan Africa using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program. In addition to serving as a resilience index, we illustrate how DORI can be used to produce a disease outbreak vulnerability index (DOVI). As a versatile index, the indicators under each dimension can be tailored to meet country- and region-specific contexts based on indicators appropriate to each context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Koomson
- UNE Business School, University of New England, Armidale, NSW Australia
- Network for Socioeconomic Research and Advancement (NESRA), Accra, Ghana
| | - Moses Okumu
- School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL USA
| | - David Ansong
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
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29
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Kumpel E, Billava N, Nayak N, Ercumen A. Water use behaviors and water access in intermittent and continuous water supply areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2022; 20:139-148. [PMID: 35100161 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2021.184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
More than one billion people worldwide receive intermittent water supply (IWS), in which water is delivered through a pipe network for fewer than 24 h/day, limiting the quantity and accessibility of water. During the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders and efforts to limit contact with others can affect water access for those with unreliable home water supplies. We explored whether water service delivery and household water-use behaviors changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hubballi-Dharwad, India, and whether they differed if households had IWS or continuous (24×7) water supply through a longitudinal household survey in 2020-2021. We found few perceived differences in water service delivery or water access, although one-quarter of all households reported insufficient water for handwashing, suggesting an increased demand for water that was not satisfied. Many households with 24×7 supply reported water outages, necessitating the use of alternative water sources. These findings suggest that water demand at home increased and households with IWS and 24×7 both lacked access to sufficient water. Our findings indicate that water insecurity negatively affected households' ability to adhere to protective public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the importance of access to uninterrupted, on-premise water during public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Kumpel
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 130 Natural Resources Road, Amherst, MA 01003, USA E-mail:
| | - Nayaran Billava
- Centre for Multi-Disciplinary Development Research, Dr B.R. Ambedkarnagar, Near Yalakki Shettar Colony, Dharwad- 580 004 Karnataka, India
| | - Nayanatara Nayak
- Centre for Multi-Disciplinary Development Research, Dr B.R. Ambedkarnagar, Near Yalakki Shettar Colony, Dharwad- 580 004 Karnataka, India
| | - Ayse Ercumen
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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30
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Orenes-Piñero E, Navas-Carrillo D, Moreno-Docón A, Ortega-García JA, Torres-Cantero AM, García-Vázquez E, Ramírez P. Confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 airborne dissemination indoors using "COVID-19 traps". J Infect 2021; 84:343-350. [PMID: 34953900 PMCID: PMC8694655 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Orenes-Piñero
- Proteomic Unit, Instituto Murciano de Investigaciones Biosanitarias (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.
| | - Diana Navas-Carrillo
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Juan A Ortega-García
- Environment and Human Health (EH2) Lab IMIB-Arrixaca, Pediatric Environmental Health, HCUVA, Murcia, Spain
| | | | | | - Pablo Ramírez
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (HCUVA), Murcia, Spain
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31
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Medicina mirando al cielo o mirando al suelo. Rev Clin Esp 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rce.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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32
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Chirani MR, Kowsari E, Teymourian T, Ramakrishna S. Environmental impact of increased soap consumption during COVID-19 pandemic: Biodegradable soap production and sustainable packaging. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:149013. [PMID: 34271380 PMCID: PMC8272010 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
A year into the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the role of washing hands with soap and hand disinfectants is unavoidable as a primary way to control the infection spread in communities and healthcare facilities. The extraordinary surge in demand for handwashing products has led to environmental concerns. Since soaps are complex mixtures of toxic and persistent active ingredients, the prudent option is to promote eco-friendly replacements for the current products. On the other hand, with the increase in soap packaging waste production, soap packaging waste management and recycling become essential to reduce environmental impact. This systematic review aimed to collect some recent methods for identifying biodegradable and sustainable raw materials to produce and package cleaning agents, especially soap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboobeh Rafieepoor Chirani
- Department of Chemistry, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), No. 424, Hafez Avenue, 1591634311 Tehran, Iran
| | - Elaheh Kowsari
- Department of Chemistry, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), No. 424, Hafez Avenue, 1591634311 Tehran, Iran.
| | - Targol Teymourian
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Hafez Avenue, 158754413 Tehran, Iran
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, National University of Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
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Zhang F, Karamagi H, Nsenga N, Nanyunja M, Karinja M, Amanfo S, Chase-Topping M, Calder-Gerver G, McGibbon M, Huber A, Wagner-Gamble T, Guo CG, Haynes S, Morrison A, Ferguson M, Awandare GA, Mutapi F, Yoti Z, Cabore J, Moeti MR, Woolhouse MEJ. Predictors of COVID-19 epidemics in countries of the World Health Organization African Region. Nat Med 2021; 27:2041-2047. [PMID: 34480125 PMCID: PMC8604723 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01491-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region have experienced a wide range of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemics. This study aimed to identify predictors of the timing of the first COVID-19 case and the per capita mortality in WHO African Region countries during the first and second pandemic waves and to test for associations with the preparedness of health systems and government pandemic responses. Using a region-wide, country-based observational study, we found that the first case was detected earlier in countries with more urban populations, higher international connectivity and greater COVID-19 test capacity but later in island nations. Predictors of a high first wave per capita mortality rate included a more urban population, higher pre-pandemic international connectivity and a higher prevalence of HIV. Countries rated as better prepared and having more resilient health systems were worst affected by the disease, the imposition of restrictions or both, making any benefit of more stringent countermeasures difficult to detect. Predictors for the second wave were similar to the first. Second wave per capita mortality could be predicted from that of the first wave. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights unanticipated vulnerabilities to infectious disease in Africa that should be taken into account in future pandemic preparedness planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Zhang
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Ngoy Nsenga
- WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Miriam Nanyunja
- WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Miriam Karinja
- University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Seth Amanfo
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Margo Chase-Topping
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Miles McGibbon
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra Huber
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Chuan-Guo Guo
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Samuel Haynes
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Miranda Ferguson
- Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Gordon A Awandare
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Francisca Mutapi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Zabulon Yoti
- WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Joseph Cabore
- WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
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34
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Basch CH, Fera J, Pellicane A, Basch CE. Handwashing videos on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic: Potential for disease prevention and health promotion. Infect Dis Health 2021; 27:31-37. [PMID: 34690108 PMCID: PMC8495082 DOI: 10.1016/j.idh.2021.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Handwashing has long been promoted to maintain health and in preventing disease transmission. One of the most valuable ways to convey messages related to handwashing is through visual display, such as video for educational purposes and to enhance learning. Social media is an important and popular way to disseminate messages to a wide audience. Methods In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, two hashtags, #WashYourHands and #SafeguardSplash were used to select the sample of 100 from available TikTok videos. In order to code each video, the same coding categories were used for both hashtags, including (1) wetting and rinsing hands (2) lathering soap (3) time used for scrubbing (4) drying hands (5) mentions COVID-19 (6) mentions using hand sanitizer instead of soap (7) mentions how germs spread (8) mentions key times to wash hands (9) and actual depiction of washing hands. Additional descriptive categories were coded as well. The observations recorded were tabulated and descriptive statistics were performed. Independent one-tailed t-tests (α = .05) were calculated to determine if a video's hashtag had a significant association with its garnered views, likes, and/or comments. Results In total, the 100-video sample received 1,990,834,567 views, 40,355,468 likes, and 173,422 comments. Despite the fact that each hashtag made up an equal proportion (50%) of the total sample, videos with #WashYourHands accounted for 93.3% of the total views. Coverage of the important steps involved in handwashing, such as drying hands, was minimal as was relevant background information. Conclusion The results indicate that while this opportunity is being realized to some degree, the majority of videos did not cover topics related important concepts of hand hygiene. Given the high engagement of younger audiences with TikTok, this could be a powerful mechanism for demonstrating and encouraging proper handwashing, especially in a population with low rates of handwashing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey H Basch
- Department of Public Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA.
| | - Joseph Fera
- Department of Mathematics, Lehman College, The City University of New York Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Alessia Pellicane
- Department of Public Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA
| | - Charles E Basch
- Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University New York, NY 10027, USA
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35
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Kudo T, Lahey R, Hirschfeld CB, Williams MC, Lu B, Alasnag M, Bhatia M, Henry Bom HS, Dautov T, Fazel R, Karthikeyan G, Keng FY, Rubinshtein R, Better N, Cerci RJ, Dorbala S, Raggi P, Shaw LJ, Villines TC, Vitola JV, Choi AD, Malkovskiy E, Goebel B, Cohen YA, Randazzo M, Pascual TN, Pynda Y, Dondi M, Paez D, Einstein AJ, Einstein AJ, Paez D, Dondi M, Better N, Cerci R, Dorbala S, Pascual TN, Raggi P, Shaw LJ, Villines TC, Vitola JV, Williams MC, Pynda Y, Hinterleitner G, Lu Y, Morozova O, Xu Z, Hirschfeld CB, Cohen Y, Goebel B, Malkovskiy E, Randazzo M, Choi A, Lopez-Mattei J, Parwani P, Nasery MN, Goda A, Shirka E, Benlabgaa R, Bouyoucef S, Medjahedi A, Nailli Q, Agolti M, Aguero RN, Alak MDC, Alberguina LG, Arroñada G, Astesiano A, Astesiano A, Norton CB, Benteo P, Blanco J, Bonelli JM, Bustos JJ, Cabrejas R, Cachero J, Campisi R, Canderoli A, Carames S, Carrascosa P, Castro R, Cendoya O, Cognigni LM, Collaud C, Collaud C, Cortes C, Courtis J, Cragnolino D, Daicz M, De La Vega A, De Maria ST, Del Riego H, Dettori F, Deviggiano A, Dragonetti L, Embon M, Enriquez RE, Ensinas J, Faccio F, Facello A, Topping W, Tweed K, Weir-Mccall J, Abbara S, Abbasi T, Abbott B, Abohashem S, Abramson S, Al-Abboud T, Al-Mallah M, Garofalo D, Almousalli O, Ananthasubramaniam K, Kumar MA, Askew J, Attanasio L, Balmer-Swain M, Bayer RR, Bernheim A, Bhatti S, Bieging E, Geronazzo R, Blankstein R, Bloom S, Blue S, Bluemke D, Borges A, Branch K, Bravo P, Brothers J, Budoff M, Bullock-Palmer R, Gonza N, Burandt A, Burke FW, Bush K, Candela C, Capasso E, Cavalcante J, Chang D, Chatterjee S, Chatzizisis Y, Cheezum M, Gutierrez L, Chen T, Chen J, Chen M, Choi A, Clarcq J, Cordero A, Crim M, Danciu S, Decter B, Dhruva N, Guzzo MA, Doherty N, Doukky R, Dunbar A, Duvall W, Edwards R, Esquitin K, Farah H, Fentanes E, Ferencik M, Fisher D, Guzzo MA, Fitzpatrick D, Foster C, Fuisz T, Gannon M, Gastner L, Gerson M, Ghoshhajra B, Goldberg A, Goldner B, Gonzalez J, Hasbani V, Gore R, Gracia-López S, Hage F, Haider A, Haider S, Hamirani Y, Hassen K, Hatfield M, Hawkins C, Hawthorne K, Huerin M, Heath N, Hendel R, Hernandez P, Hill G, Horgan S, Huffman J, Hurwitz L, Iskandrian A, Janardhanan R, Jellis C, Jäger V, Jerome S, Kalra D, Kaviratne S, Kay F, Kelly F, Khalique O, Kinkhabwala M, Iii GK, Kircher J, Kirkbride R, Lewkowicz JM, Kontos M, Kottam A, Krepp J, Layer J, Lee SH, Leppo J, Lesser J, Leung S, Lewin H, Litmanovich D, López De Munaín MNA, Liu Y, Lopez-Mattei J, Magurany K, Markowitz J, Marn A, Matis SE, Mckenna M, Mcrae T, Mendoza F, Merhige M, Lotti JM, Min D, Moffitt C, Moncher K, Moore W, Morayati S, Morris M, Mossa-Basha M, Mrsic Z, Murthy V, Nagpal P, Marquez A, Napier K, Nelson K, Nijjar P, Osman M, Parwani P, Passen E, Patel A, Patil P, Paul R, Phillips L, Masoli O, Polsani V, Poludasu R, Pomerantz B, Porter T, Prentice R, Pursnani A, Rabbat M, Ramamurti S, Rich F, Luna HR, Masoli OH, Robinson A, Robles K, Rodríguez C, Rorie M, Rumberger J, Russell R, Sabra P, Sadler D, Schemmer M, Schoepf UJ, Mastrovito E, Shah S, Shah N, Shanbhag S, Sharma G, Shayani S, Shirani J, Shivaram P, Sigman S, Simon M, Slim A, Mayoraz M, Smith D, Smith A, Soman P, Sood A, Srichai-Parsia MB, Streeter J, T A, Tawakol A, Thomas D, Thompson R, Melado GE, Torbet T, Trinidad D, Ullery S, Unzek S, Uretsky S, Vallurupalli S, Verma V, Waller A, Wang E, Ward P, Mele A, Weissman G, Wesbey G, White K, Winchester D, Wolinsky D, Yost S, Zgaljardic M, Alonso O, Beretta M, Ferrando R, Merani MF, Kapitan M, Mut F, Djuraev O, Rozikhodjaeva G, Le Ngoc H, Mai SH, Nguyen XC, Meretta AH, Molteni S, Montecinos M, Noguera E, Novoa C, Sueldo CP, Ascani SP, Pollono P, Pujol MP, Radzinschi A, Raimondi G, Redruello M, Rodríguez M, Rodríguez M, Romero RL, Acuña AR, Rovaletti F, San Miguel L, Solari L, Strada B, Traverso S, Traverzo SS, Espeche MDHV, Weihmuller JS, Wolcan J, Zeffiro S, Sakanyan M, Beuzeville S, Boktor R, Butler P, Calcott J, Carr L, Chan V, Chao C, Chong W, Dobson M, Downie D, Dwivedi G, Elison B, Engela J, Francis R, Gaikwad A, Basavaraj AG, Goodwin B, Greenough R, Hamilton-Craig C, Hsieh V, Joshi S, Lederer K, Lee K, Lee J, Magnussen J, Mai N, Mander G, Murton F, Nandurkar D, Neill J, O'Rourke E, O'Sullivan P, Pandos G, Pathmaraj K, Pitman A, Poulter R, Premaratne M, Prior D, Ridley L, Rutherford N, Salehi H, Saunders C, Scarlett L, Seneviratne S, Shetty D, Shrestha G, Shulman J, Solanki V, Stanton T, Stuart M, Stubbs M, Swainson I, Taubman K, Taylor A, Thomas P, Unger S, Upton A, Vamadevan S, Van Gaal W, Verjans J, Voutnis D, Wayne V, Wilson P, Wong D, Wong K, Younger J, Feuchtner G, Mirzaei S, Weiss K, Maroz-Vadalazhskaya N, Gheysens O, Homans F, Moreno-Reyes R, Pasquet A, Roelants V, Van De Heyning CM, Ríos RA, Soldat-Stankovic V, Stankovic S, Albernaz Siqueira MH, Almeida A, Alves Togni PH, Andrade JH, Andrade L, Anselmi C, Araújo R, Azevedo G, Bezerra S, Biancardi R, Grossman GB, Brandão S, Pianta DB, Carreira L, Castro B, Chang T, Cunali F, Cury R, Dantas R, de Amorim Fernandes F, De Lorenzo A, De Macedo Filho R, Erthal F, Fernandes F, Fernandes J, Fernandes F, De Souza TF, Alves WF, Ghini B, Goncalves L, Gottlieb I, Hadlich M, Kameoka V, Lima R, Lima A, Lopes RW, Machado e Silva R, Magalhães T, Silva FM, Mastrocola LE, Medeiros F, Meneghetti JC, Naue V, Naves D, Nolasco R, Nomura C, Oliveira JB, Paixao E, De Carvalho FP, Pinto I, Possetti P, Quinta M, Nogueira Ramos RR, Rocha R, Rodrigues A, Rodrigues C, Romantini L, Sanches A, Santana S, Sara da Silva L, Schvartzman P, Matushita CS, Senra T, Shiozaki A, Menezes de Siqueira ME, Siqueira C, Smanio P, Soares CE, Junior JS, Bittencourt MS, Spiro B, Mesquita CT, Torreao J, Torres R, Uellendahl M, Monte GU, Veríssimo O, Cabeda EV, Pedras FV, Waltrick R, Zapparoli M, Naseer H, Garcheva-Tsacheva M, Kostadinova I, Theng Y, Abikhzer G, Barette R, Chow B, Dabreo D, Friedrich M, Garg R, Hafez MN, Johnson C, Kiess M, Leipsic J, Leung E, Miller R, Oikonomou A, Probst S, Roifman I, Small G, Tandon V, Trivedi A, White J, Zukotynski K, Canessa J, Muñoz GC, Concha C, Hidalgo P, Lovera C, Massardo T, Vargas LS, Abad P, Arturo H, Ayala S, Benitez L, Cadena A, Caicedo C, Moncayo AC, Moncayo AC, Gomez S, Gutierrez Villamil CT, Jaimes C, Londoño J, Londoño Blair JL, Pabon L, Pineda M, Rojas JC, Ruiz D, Escobar MV, Vasquez A, Vergel D, Zuluaga A, Gamboa IB, Castro G, González U, Baric A, Batinic T, Franceschi M, Paar MH, Jukic M, Medakovic P, Persic V, Prpic M, Punda A, Batista JF, Gómez Lauchy JM, Gutierrez YM, Gutierrez YM, Menéndez R, Peix A, Rochela L, Panagidis C, Petrou I, Engelmann V, Kaminek M, Kincl V, Lang O, Simanek M, Abdulla J, Bøttcher M, Christensen M, Gormsen LC, Hasbak P, Hess S, Holdgaard P, Johansen A, Kyhl K, Norgaard BL, Øvrehus KA, Rønnow Sand NP, Steffensen R, Thomassen A, Zerahn B, Perez A, Escorza Velez GA, Velez MS, Abdel Aziz IS, Abougabal M, Ahmed T, Allam A, Asfour A, Hassan M, Hassan A, Ibrahim A, Kaffas S, Kandeel A, Ali MM, Mansy A, Maurice H, Nabil S, Shaaban M, Flores AC, Poksi A, Knuuti J, Kokkonen V, Larikka M, Uusitalo V, Bailly M, Burg S, Deux JF, Habouzit V, Hyafil F, Lairez O, Proffit F, Regaieg H, Sarda-Mantel L, Tacher V, Schneider RP, Ayetey H, Angelidis G, Archontaki A, Chatziioannou S, Datseris I, Fragkaki C, Georgoulias P, Koukouraki S, Koutelou M, Kyrozi E, Repasos E, Stavrou P, Valsamaki P, Gonzalez C, Gutierrez G, Maldonado A, Buga K, Garai I, Maurovich-Horvat P, Schmidt E, Szilveszter B, Várady E, Banthia N, Bhagat JK, Bhargava R, Bhat V, Bhatia M, Choudhury P, Chowdekar VS, Irodi A, Jain S, Joseph E, Kumar S, Girijanandan Mahapatra PD, Mitra D, Mittal BR, Ozair A, Patel C, Patel T, Patel R, Patel S, Saxena S, Sengupta S, Singh S, Singh B, Sood A, Verma A, Affandi E, Alam PS, Edison E, Gunawan G, Hapkido H, Hidayat B, Huda A, Mukti AP, Prawiro D, Soeriadi EA, Syawaluddin H, Albadr A, Assadi M, Emami F, Houshmand G, Maleki M, Rostami MT, Zakavi SR, Zaid EA, Agranovich S, Arnson Y, Bar-Shalom R, Frenkel A, Knafo G, Lugassi R, Maor Moalem IS, Mor M, Muskal N, Ranser S, Shalev A, Albano D, Alongi P, Arnone G, Bagatin E, Baldari S, Bauckneht M, Bertelli P, Bianco F, Bonfiglioli R, Boni R, Bruno A, Bruno I, Busnardo E, Califaretti E, Camoni L, Carnevale A, Casoni R, Cavallo AU, Cavenaghi G, Chierichetti F, Chiocchi M, Cittanti C, Colletta M, Conti U, Cossu A, Cuocolo A, Cuzzocrea M, De Rimini ML, De Vincentis G, Del Giudice E, Del Torto A, Della Tommasina V, Durmo R, Erba PA, Evangelista L, Faletti R, Faragasso E, Farsad M, Ferro P, Florimonte L, Frantellizzi V, Fringuelli FM, Gatti M, Gaudiano A, Gimelli A, Giubbini R, Giuffrida F, Ialuna S, Laudicella R, Leccisotti L, Leva L, Liga R, Liguori C, Longo G, Maffione M, Mancini ME, Marcassa C, Milan E, Nardi B, Pacella S, Pepe G, Pontone G, Pulizzi S, Quartuccio N, Rampin L, Ricci F, Rossini P, Rubini G, Russo V, Sacchetti GM, Sambuceti G, Scarano M, Sciagrà R, Sperandio M, Stefanelli A, Ventroni G, Zoboli S, Baugh D, Chambers D, Madu E, Nunura F, Asano H, Chimura CM, Fujimoto S, Fujisue K, Fukunaga T, Fukushima Y, Fukuyama K, Hashimoto J, Ichikawa Y, Iguchi N, Imai M, Inaki A, Ishimura H, Isobe S, Kadokami T, Kato T, Kudo T, Kumita S, Maruno H, Mataki H, Miyagawa M, Morimoto R, Moroi M, Nagamachi S, Nakajima K, Nakata T, Nakazato R, Nanasato M, Naya M, Norikane T, Ohta Y, Okayama S, Okizaki A, Otomi Y, Otsuka H, Saito M, Sakata SY, Sarai M, Sato D, Shiraishi S, Suwa Y, Takanami K, Takehana K, Taki J, Tamaki N, Taniguchi Y, Teragawa H, Tomizawa N, Tsujita K, Umeji K, Wakabayashi Y, Yamada S, Yamazaki S, Yoneyama T, Rawashdeh M, Batyrkhanov D, Dautov T, Makhdomi K, Ombati K, Alkandari F, Garashi M, Coie TL, Rajvong S, Kalinin A, Kalnina M, Haidar M, Komiagiene R, Kviecinskiene G, Mataciunas M, Vajauskas D, Picard C, Karim NKA, Reichmuth L, Samuel A, Allarakha MA, Naojee AS, Alexanderson-Rosas E, Barragan E, González-Montecinos AB, Cabada M, Rodriguez DC, Carvajal-Juarez I, Cortés V, Cortés F, De La Peña E, Gama-Moreno M, González L, Ramírez NG, Jiménez-Santos M, Matos L, Monroy E, Morelos M, Ornelas M, Ortga Ramirez JA, Preciado-Anaya A, Preciado-Gutiérrez ÓU, Barragan AP, Rosales Uvera SG, Sandoval S, Tomas MS, Sierra-Galan LM, Sierra-Galan LM, Siu S, Vallejo E, Valles M, Faraggi M, Sereegotov E, Ilic S, Ben-Rais N, Alaoui NI, Taleb S, Pa Myo KP, Thu PS, Ghimire RK, Rajbanshi B, Barneveld P, Glaudemans A, Habets J, Koopmans KP, Manders J, Pool S, Scholte A, Scholtens A, Slart R, Thimister P, Van Asperen EJ, Veltman N, Verschure D, Wagenaar N, Edmond J, Ellis C, Johnson K, Keenan R, Kueh SH(A, Occleshaw C, Sasse A, To A, Van Pelt N, Young C, Cuadra T, Roque Vanegas HB, Soli IA, Issoufou DM, Ayodele T, Madu C, Onimode Y, Efros-Monsen E, Forsdahl SH, Hildre Dimmen JM, Jørgensen A, Krohn I, Løvhaugen P, Bråten AT, Al Dhuhli H, Al Kindi F, Al-Bulushi N, Jawa Z, Tag N, Afzal MS, Fatima S, Younis MN, Riaz M, Saadullah M, Herrera Y, Lenturut-Katal D, Vázquez MC, Ortellado J, Akhter A, Cao D, Cheung S, Dai X, Gong L, Han D, Hou Y, Li C, Li T, Li D, Li S, Liu J, Liu H, Lu B, Ng MY, Sun K, Tang G, Wang J, Wang X, Wang ZQ, Wang Y, Wang Y, Wu J, Wu Z, Xia L, Xiao J, Xu L, Yang Y, Yin W, Yu J, Yuan L, Zhang T, Zhang L, Zhang YG, Zhang X, Zhu L, Alfaro A, Abrihan P, Barroso A, Cruz E, Gomez MR, Magboo VP, Medina JM, Obaldo J, Pastrana D, Pawhay CM, Quinon A, Tang JM, Tecson B, Uson KJ, Uy M, Kostkiewicz M, Kunikowska J, Bettencourt N, Cantinho G, Ferreira A, Syed G, Arnous S, Atyani S, Byrne A, Gleeson T, Kerins D, Meehan C, Murphy D, Murphy M, Murray J, O'Brien J, Bang JI, Bom H, Cho SG, Hong CM, Jang SJ, Jeong YH, Kang WJ, Kim JY, Lee J, Namgung CK, So Y, Won KS, Majstorov V, Vavlukis M, Salobir BG, Štalc M, Benedek T, Benedek I, Mititelu R, Stan CA, Ansheles A, Dariy O, Drozdova O, Gagarina N, Gulyaev VM, Itskovich I, Karalkin A, Kokov A, Migunova E, Pospelov V, Ryzhkova D, Saifullina G, Sazonova S, Sergienko V, Shurupova I, Trifonova T, Ussov WY, Vakhromeeva M, Valiullina N, Zavadovsky K, Zhuravlev K, Alasnag M, Okarvi S, Saranovic DS, Keng F, Jason See JH, Sekar R, Yew MS, Vondrak A, Bejai S, Bennie G, Bester R, Engelbrecht G, Evbuomwan O, Gongxeka H, Vuuren MJ, Kaplan M, Khushica P, Lakhi H, Louw L, Malan N, Milos K, Modiselle M, More S, Naidoo M, Scholtz L, Vangu M, Aguadé-Bruix S, Blanco I, Cabrera A, Camarero A, Casáns-Tormo I, Cuellar-Calabria H, Flotats A, Fuentes Cañamero ME, García ME, Jimenez-Heffernan A, Leta R, Diaz JL, Lumbreras L, Marquez-Cabeza JJ, Martin F, Martinez de Alegria A, Medina F, Canal MP, Peiro V, Pubul-Nuñez V, Rayo Madrid JI, Rey CR, Perez RR, Ruiz J, Hernández GS, Sevilla A, Zeidán N, Nanayakkara D, Udugama C, Simonsson M, Alkadhi H, Buechel RR, Burger P, Ceriani L, De Boeck B, Gräni C, Juillet de Saint Lager Lucas A, Kamani CH, Kawel-Boehm N, Manka R, Prior JO, Rominger A, Vallée JP, Khiewvan B, Premprabha T, Thientunyakit T, Sellem A, Kir KM, Sayman H, Sebikali MJ, Muyinda Z, Kmetyuk Y, Korol P, Mykhalchenko O, Pliatsek V, Satyr M, Albalooshi B, Ahmed Hassan MI, Anderson J, Bedi P, Biggans T, Bularga A, Bull R, Burgul R, Carpenter JP, Coles D, Cusack D, Deshpande A, Dougan J, Fairbairn T, Farrugia A, Gopalan D, Gummow A, Ramkumar PG, Hamilton M, Harbinson M, Hartley T, Hudson B, Joshi N, Kay M, Kelion A, Khokhar A, Kitt J, Lee K, Low C, Mak SM, Marousa N, Martin J, Mcalindon E, Menezes L, Morgan-Hughes G, Moss A, Murray A, Nicol E, Patel D, Peebles C, Pugliese F, Luis Rodrigues JC, Rofe C, Sabharwal N, Schofield R, Semple T, Sharma N, Strouhal P, Subedi D. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cardiovascular Testing in Asia. JACC: ASIA 2021; 1:187-199. [PMID: 36338167 PMCID: PMC9627847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacasi.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly affected management of cardiovascular disease around the world. The effect of the pandemic on volume of cardiovascular diagnostic procedures is not known. Objectives This study sought to evaluate the effects of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular diagnostic procedures and safety practices in Asia. Methods The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey to assess changes in cardiovascular procedure volume and safety practices caused by COVID-19. Testing volumes were reported for March 2020 and April 2020 and were compared to those from March 2019. Data from 180 centers across 33 Asian countries were grouped into 4 subregions for comparison. Results Procedure volumes decreased by 47% from March 2019 to March 2020, showing recovery from March 2020 to April 2020 in Eastern Asia, particularly in China. The majority of centers cancelled outpatient activities and increased time per study. Practice changes included implementing physical distancing and restricting visitors. Although COVID testing was not commonly performed, it was conducted in one-third of facilities in Eastern Asia. The most severe reductions in procedure volumes were observed in lower-income countries, where volumes decreased 81% from March 2019 to April 2020. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic in Asia caused significant reductions in cardiovascular diagnostic procedures, particularly in low-income countries. Further studies on effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular outcomes and changes in care delivery are warranted.
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Calder RSD, Grady C, Jeuland M, Kirchhoff CJ, Hale RL, Muenich RL. COVID-19 Reveals Vulnerabilities of the Food-Energy-Water Nexus to Viral Pandemics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2021; 8:606-615. [PMID: 34373838 PMCID: PMC8340084 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Food, energy, and water (FEW) sectors are inextricably linked, making one sector vulnerable to disruptions in another. Interactions between FEW systems, viral pandemics, and human health have not been widely studied. We mined scientific and news/media articles for causal relations among FEW and COVID-19 variables and qualitatively characterized system dynamics. Food systems promoted the emergence and spread of COVID-19, leading to illness and death. Major supply-side breakdowns were avoided (likely due to low morbidity/mortality among working-age people). However, COVID-19 and physical distancing disrupted labor and capital inputs and stressed supply chains, while creating economic insecurity among the already vulnerable poor. This led to demand-side FEW insecurities, in turn increasing susceptibility to COVID-19 among people with many comorbidities. COVID-19 revealed trade-offs such as allocation of water to hygiene versus to food production and disease burden avoided by physical distancing versus disease burden from increased FEW insecurities. News/media articles suggest great public interest in FEW insecurities triggered by COVID-19 interventions among individuals with low COVID-19 case-fatality rates. There is virtually no quantitative analysis of any of these trade-offs or feedbacks. Enhanced quantitative FEW and health models are urgently needed as future pandemics are likely and may have greater morbidity and mortality than COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S. D. Calder
- Department
of Population Health Sciences, Virginia
Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Faculty
of Health Sciences, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia 24016, United States
- Global
Change Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Caitlin Grady
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania16802, United States
- Rock
Ethics
Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Marc Jeuland
- Sanford
School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- Global
Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- RWI−Leibniz
Institute for Economic Research, 45128 Essen, Germany
| | - Christine J. Kirchhoff
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Rebecca L. Hale
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho 83209, United States
| | - Rebecca L. Muenich
- School
of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
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Measuring household hygiene access and handwashing behaviors: Findings from 14 low- and middle-income countries. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 237:113810. [PMID: 34311417 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Handwashing with soap (HWWS) is critical for preventing diarrheal and respiratory infections and is an important policy priority to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We analyzed hygiene data from 36,860 household surveys from rural areas in India, Honduras, and twelve countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We report descriptive statistics and compare and critique three indicators: (1) access to basic hygiene services, defined as a reported designated handwashing area with observed water and soap at the time of the survey; (2) use of both soap and water during demonstrated handwashing; and (3) reported handwashing both after defecation and before preparing food. Overall, 10% of surveyed households (4% in SSA) had access to basic hygiene services and 48% of respondents (45% in SSA) used both soap and water during demonstrated handwashing. Inconsistencies between these indicators suggest no single indicator can provide a holistic picture of household hygiene; reporting on handwashing infrastructure alone may underestimate household access to soap and water and HWWS behaviors. Across the 14 countries, there was an average 22 percentage point (p.p.) gap (median 20 p.p.) in use of both water and soap during demonstrated handwashing between respondents in the wealthiest and poorest quintiles surveyed. This finding highlights the continued need to emphasize inclusivity aspects of the SDGs. Data around respondents' reported exposure to hygiene promotion showed that respondents rarely heard messaging about cleanliness from faith leaders, revealing an overlooked opportunity to empower faith leaders to promote handwashing in low- and middle-income countries.
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Choi K, Sim S, Choi J, Park C, Uhm Y, Lim E, Kim AY, Yoo SJ, Lee Y. Changes in handwashing and hygiene product usage patterns in Korea before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE 2021; 33:79. [PMID: 34249592 PMCID: PMC8254429 DOI: 10.1186/s12302-021-00517-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization declared COVID-19, the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, handwashing, using hand sanitizer, and wearing facial masks are recommended as the first line of protection against COVID-19. Encouraging hand hygiene may be one of the most cost-effective means of reducing the global burden of disease. METHODS This study uses a web-based questionnaire to evaluate the usage patterns and consumer perceptions of the effectiveness and health safety of bar soap, liquid hand soap, and hand sanitizer products before and after the spread of COVID-19. RESULTS The results show that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of consumers who primarily use bar soap has decreased from 71.8 to 51.4%, the number of those who primarily use liquid hand soap has increased from 23.5 to 41.3%, and the number of those who use and carry hand sanitizer has increased. The frequency of use, duration of use, and amount used of all three products have increased significantly since the COVID-19 outbreak. Finally, consumer perception of the products' preventive effect against COVID-19 is higher for liquid hand soap and hand sanitizer than it is for bar soap. CONCLUSIONS Because use of hand sanitizers has increased, public health guidelines must address the potential risks associated them. Our data also show that the public is abiding by the recommendations of the regulatory authorities. As handwashing has become important in preventing COVID-19 infections, the results of our study will support the development of better handwashing guidelines and a public health campaign. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12302-021-00517-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- KeunOh Choi
- Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Sejong University, Kwangjingu, Kunjadong, Seoul, 05006 Korea
| | - Seunghye Sim
- Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Sejong University, Kwangjingu, Kunjadong, Seoul, 05006 Korea
| | - Junyeong Choi
- Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Sejong University, Kwangjingu, Kunjadong, Seoul, 05006 Korea
| | - Choa Park
- Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Sejong University, Kwangjingu, Kunjadong, Seoul, 05006 Korea
| | - Yoonhee Uhm
- Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations, SEOUL YWCA Bld. #701, 20, Myungdong11gil, Jung-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunkyung Lim
- Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations, SEOUL YWCA Bld. #701, 20, Myungdong11gil, Jung-Gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Augustine Yonghwi Kim
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Kwangjingu, Kunjadong, Seoul, 05006 Korea
| | - Seong Joon Yoo
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Software Convergence, Sejong University, Kwangjingu, Kunjadong, Seoul, 05006 Korea
| | - YoungJoo Lee
- Department of Integrated Bioscience and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Sejong University, Kwangjingu, Kunjadong, Seoul, 05006 Korea
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Kanyangarara M, Allen S, Jiwani SS, Fuente D. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene services in health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa 2013-2018: Results of health facility surveys and implications for COVID-19 transmission. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:601. [PMID: 34172045 PMCID: PMC8231746 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06515-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted important needs in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and standard practices for infection prevention and control in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed the availability of WASH and standard precautions for infection prevention in health facilities across 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as inequalities by location (rural/urban) and managing authority (public/private). Data from health facility surveys conducted between 2013 and 2018 in 18 sub-Saharan African countries were used to estimate the access to an improved water source within 500 m, an improved toilet, soap and running water or alcohol-based hand rub, and standard precautions for infection prevention at health facilities. Rural-urban differences and public-private differences in access to services were calculated. We also compared population level access to health facility access to services. RESULT Overall, 16,456 health facilities from 18 countries were included. Across countries, an estimated 88 % had an improved water source, 94 % had an improved toilet, 74 % had soap and running water or alcohol-based hand rub, and 17 % had standard precautions for infection prevention available. There was wide variability in access to water, sanitation and hygiene services between rural and urban health facilities and between public and private facilities, with consistently lower access in both rural and public facilities. In both rural and urban areas, access to water, sanitation and hygiene services was ubiquitously better at health facilities than households. CONCLUSIONS Availability of WASH services in health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa has improved but remains below the global target of 80 % in many countries. Ensuring adequate access to WASH services and enforcing adherence to safety and hygiene practices in health facilities will be essential to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mufaro Kanyangarara
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, SC 29201 Columbia, USA
| | - Savannah Allen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, SC 29201 Columbia, USA
| | - Safia S Jiwani
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - David Fuente
- School of Earth, Ocean and the Environment, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC USA
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Jatrana S, Hasan MM, Mamun AA, Fatima Y. Global Variation in Hand Hygiene Practices Among Adolescents: The Role of Family and School-Level Factors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094984. [PMID: 34067142 PMCID: PMC8125682 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
While appropriate hand hygiene practices (HHP) are protective against infections, the paucity of evidence on global estimates and determinants of HHP in adolescents limits effective design and planning of intervention to improve HHP in young people. We examined the prevalence and correlates of HHP in adolescents. We used nationally representative data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey (2003–2017) from 92 countries. HHP were categorized as “appropriate”, “inappropriate” and “lacking” based on the information about “hand washing before eating”, “hand washing after using the toilet”, and “hand washing with soap”. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess the role of socio-demographic, health, lifestyle, school, and family-related variables in HHP. Among 354,422 adolescents (13–17 years), only 30.3% were found to practice appropriate hand hygiene. Multivariable models suggest that sedentary behavior (adjusted relative risk ratio (ARRR) 1.41, 95% CI 1.31–1.51)), and bullying victimization (ARRR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10–1.30) promoted inappropriate HHP. In contrast, parental supervision (ARRR 0.55, 95% CI 0.50–0.59) and parental bonding (ARRR 0.81, 95% CI 0.75–0.87) were protective against inappropriate HHP. From a policy perspective, hand hygiene promotion policies and programs should focus on both school (bullying, exercise) and family-level factors (parental supervision and parental bonding) factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Jatrana
- Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University, Mount Isa, QLD 4825, Australia;
- School of Demography, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC 3220, Australia
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
| | - Md. Mehedi Hasan
- Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, QLD 4068, Australia; (M.M.H.); (A.A.M.)
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (The Life Course Centre), The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, QLD 4068, Australia
| | - Abdullah A. Mamun
- Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, QLD 4068, Australia; (M.M.H.); (A.A.M.)
- The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (The Life Course Centre), The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, QLD 4068, Australia
| | - Yaqoot Fatima
- Centre for Rural and Remote Health, James Cook University, Mount Isa, QLD 4825, Australia;
- Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly, QLD 4068, Australia; (M.M.H.); (A.A.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Kyazze AP, Bongomin F, Ninsiima S, Nattabi G, Nabakka W, Kukunda R, Odanga H, Ssekamatte P, Baluku JB, Kibirige D, Andia-Biraro I. Optimizing diabetes mellitus care to improve COVID-19 outcomes in resource-limited settings in Africa. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2021; 8:20499361211009380. [PMID: 33996072 PMCID: PMC8107937 DOI: 10.1177/20499361211009380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for both severe disease and
death due to coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). About 19 million of the 463 million
persons living with DM (PLWD) globally are found in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
The dual burden of DM and poverty in SSA, coupled with the rising number of
cases of COVID-19 in this region, predisposes PLWD to inadequate care and poor
glycemic controls due to the disruption to the economy and the healthcare
system. The risk of acquisition of the severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) among PLWD is the same as those in the general
population. Therefore, the standard preventive measures outlined by the World
Health Organization must be strictly adhered to. In addition, maintaining
adequate glycemic control is associated with better outcomes in DM patients with
COVID-19. In SSA, adequate supply of DM medication while patients stay at home
is crucial to minimize routine hospital visits since DM clinics are usually
overcrowded and have longer waiting times, which may maximize risk of SARS-CoV-2
transmission to PLWD across the region. Psychosocial support to improve
adherence to anti-hyperglycemic medications may improve COVID-19 outcomes.
Trained healthcare professionals should diagnose and evaluate severity
comprehensively as well as evaluate the need for in-patient care for PLWD with
COVID-19 irrespective of disease severity. Due to the increased risk of severe
disease, a multi-disciplinary approach to the management of COVID-19 in PLWD
should preferably be in a setting where close monitoring is available, typically
a health facility, even for mild disease that may require home management
according to local guidelines. In conclusion, DM complicates COVID-19 outcomes
and the on-going COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects DM care at individual and
global public health levels. PLWD should be prioritized as COVID-19 vaccines are
being rolled out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Peter Kyazze
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, UgandaDepartment of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Sandra Ninsiima
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gloria Nattabi
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Winnie Nabakka
- Department of Medicine, Uganda Martyrs Hospital Lubaga, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rebecca Kukunda
- Department of Medicine, Uganda Martyrs Hospital Lubaga, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Henry Odanga
- Department of Medicine, Uganda Martyrs Hospital Lubaga, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Phillip Ssekamatte
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Baruch Baluku
- Division of pulmonology, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, UgandaDirectorate of Programs, Mildmay Uganda
| | - Davis Kibirige
- Department of Medicine, Uganda Martyrs Hospital Lubaga, Kampala, UgandaMedical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Irene Andia-Biraro
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, UgandaMedical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, UgandaDepartment of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease (ITD), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Nath B, Majumder S, Sen J, Rahman MM. Risk Analysis of COVID-19 Infections in Kolkata Metropolitan City: A GIS-Based Study and Policy Implications. GEOHEALTH 2021; 5:e2020GH000368. [PMID: 33786406 PMCID: PMC7995155 DOI: 10.1029/2020gh000368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected daily lives of people around the world. People have already started to live wearing masks, keeping a safe distance from others, and maintaining a high level of hygiene. This paper deals with an in-depth analysis of riskness associated with COVID-19 infections in Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) at the subcity (ward) level. Attempts have been made to identify the areas with high or low risk of infections using GIS-based geostatistical approach. Cosine Similarity Index has been used to rank different wards of KMC according to the degree of riskness. Four indices were computed to address intervention objectives and to determine "Optimized Prevention Rank" of wards for future policy decisions. The highest risk areas were located in the eastern and western part of the city, to a great extent overlapped with wards containing larger share of population living in slums and/or below poverty level. On the other hand, highly infected areas lie in central Kolkata and in several wards at the eastern and northeastern periphery of the KMC. The "Optimized Prevention Rank" have indicated that the lack of social awareness along with lack of social distancing have contributed to the increasing number of containments of COVID-19 cases. The rankings of the wards would no doubt provide the policy makers a basis to control further spread of the disease. Since effective antiviral drugs are already in the market, the best application of our research would be in the ensuing vaccination drive against further COVID-19 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibhash Nath
- Department of GeographyHunter College of the City University of New YorkNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Santanu Majumder
- Formerly at Department Geology & GeophysicsTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTXUSA
| | - Jayanta Sen
- Department of EconomicsWest Bengal State UniversityKolkataIndia
| | - Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation (GCER)Faculty of ScienceThe University of NewcastleCallaghanNSWAustralia
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Nazir R, Ali J, Rasul I, Widemann E, Shafiq S. Eco-Environmental Aspects of COVID-19 Pandemic and Potential Control Strategies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:3488. [PMID: 33801704 PMCID: PMC8037994 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A new coronavirus-strain from a zoonotic reservoir (probably bat)-termed as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-has recently claimed more than two million deaths worldwide. Consequently, a burst of scientific reports on epidemiology, symptoms, and diagnosis came out. However, a comprehensive understanding of eco-environmental aspects that may contribute to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread is still missing, and we therefore aim to focus here on these aspects. In addition to human-human direct SARS-CoV-2 transmission, eco-environmental sources, such as air aerosols, different public use objects, hospital wastes, livestock/pet animals, municipal wastes, ventilation facilities, soil and groundwater potentially contribute to SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Further, high temperature and humidity were found to limit the spread of COVID-19. Although the COVID-19 pandemic led to decrease air and noise pollution during the period of lockdown, increased use of masks and gloves is threatening the environment by water and soil pollutions. COVID-19 badly impacted all the socio-economic groups in different capacities, where women, slum dwellers, and the people lacking social protections are the most vulnerable. Finally, sustainable strategies, waste management, biodiversity reclaim, eco-friendly lifestyle, improved health infrastructure and public awareness, were proposed to minimize the COVID-19 impact on our society and environment. These strategies will seemingly be equally effective against any future outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashid Nazir
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Abbottabad Campus, COMSATS University Islamabad, University Road, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan;
| | - Jawad Ali
- Department of Biotechnology, Abbottabad Campus, Tobe Camp, COMSATS University Islamabad, University Road, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan;
| | - Ijaz Rasul
- Plant Virology Section, Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan;
| | - Emilie Widemann
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A5B7, Canada;
| | - Sarfraz Shafiq
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A3K7, Canada
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Tiruneh A, Yetneberk T, Eshetie D, Chekol B, Gellaw M. A cross-sectional survey of COVID-19 preparedness in governmental hospitals of North-West Ethiopia. SAGE Open Med 2021; 9:2050312121993292. [PMID: 33623703 PMCID: PMC7878997 DOI: 10.1177/2050312121993292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The novel coronavirus was first reported in December 2019, from Wuhan, China, and it has been declared as a pandemic by World Health Organization on 7 January 2020, and from that time till now the disease transmitted across the world. Hospitals need to be prepared for the overwhelming COVID-19 cases in their respective hospitals. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the level of hospital preparedness for COVID-19 in South Gondar Zone Governmental Hospitals, 2020. Methods: The institutionally based survey was conducted in South Gondar Zone Hospitals from 20 July to 25 July 2020. We used the World Health Organization preparedness checklist for COVID-19, and the checklist has three options for eight hospitals (not started, in progress, and started), so each hospital evaluated out of 208 points (104 items × 2) to assess each hospital their preparedness based on the checklist. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version 21, is used for the analysis of the data. We used descriptive statistics and explained by using text and tables. Results: We evaluated all eight hospitals in these zone hospitals and only one hospital was in an acceptable level of preparation (>146 points), three hospitals were in an insufficient level of preparation (73–145 points), and the other four hospitals were grouped under the unacceptable level of preparation (<72 points) for COVID-19. And in all hospitals, there was no laboratory diagnostic method and treatment center for the COVID-19 virus. Conclusion: From the level of COVID-19 pandemic preparation from eight hospitals, only one hospital reaches the level of an acceptable level of preparedness. Mobilizing the community and other stakeholders to equip the hospital with resources and prioritization is recommended to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abebe Tiruneh
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Tikuneh Yetneberk
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Denberu Eshetie
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Bassazinew Chekol
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Moges Gellaw
- Department of Anesthesia, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
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Finlay BB, Amato KR, Azad M, Blaser MJ, Bosch TCG, Chu H, Dominguez-Bello MG, Ehrlich SD, Elinav E, Geva-Zatorsky N, Gros P, Guillemin K, Keck F, Korem T, McFall-Ngai MJ, Melby MK, Nichter M, Pettersson S, Poinar H, Rees T, Tropini C, Zhao L, Giles-Vernick T. The hygiene hypothesis, the COVID pandemic, and consequences for the human microbiome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2010217118. [PMID: 33472859 PMCID: PMC8017729 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2010217118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to affect the human microbiome in infected and uninfected individuals, having a substantial impact on human health over the long term. This pandemic intersects with a decades-long decline in microbial diversity and ancestral microbes due to hygiene, antibiotics, and urban living (the hygiene hypothesis). High-risk groups succumbing to COVID-19 include those with preexisting conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, which are also associated with microbiome abnormalities. Current pandemic control measures and practices will have broad, uneven, and potentially long-term effects for the human microbiome across the planet, given the implementation of physical separation, extensive hygiene, travel barriers, and other measures that influence overall microbial loss and inability for reinoculation. Although much remains uncertain or unknown about the virus and its consequences, implementing pandemic control practices could significantly affect the microbiome. In this Perspective, we explore many facets of COVID-19-induced societal changes and their possible effects on the microbiome, and discuss current and future challenges regarding the interplay between this pandemic and the microbiome. Recent recognition of the microbiome's influence on human health makes it critical to consider both how the microbiome, shaped by biosocial processes, affects susceptibility to the coronavirus and, conversely, how COVID-19 disease and prevention measures may affect the microbiome. This knowledge may prove key in prevention and treatment, and long-term biological and social outcomes of this pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Brett Finlay
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada;
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Katherine R Amato
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Meghan Azad
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Manitoba Interdisciplinary Lactation Centre, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
| | - Martin J Blaser
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8021
| | - Thomas C G Bosch
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Zoologisches Institut, University of Kiel, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Hiutung Chu
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
| | - Stanislav Dusko Ehrlich
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Metagenopolis Unit, French National Institute for Agricultural Research, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Eran Elinav
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 761000, Israel
- Cancer-Microbiome Division, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Naama Geva-Zatorsky
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Science, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3525433, Israel
| | - Philippe Gros
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Karen Guillemin
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403
| | - Frédéric Keck
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 75016 Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Sociale, Collège de France, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Tal Korem
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Systems Biology, Irving Cancer Research Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Irving Cancer Research Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032
| | - Margaret J McFall-Ngai
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822
| | - Melissa K Melby
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Anthropology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711
| | - Mark Nichter
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
| | - Sven Pettersson
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, 637715 Singapore
| | - Hendrik Poinar
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4M4, Canada
| | - Tobias Rees
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Transformations of the Human Program, Berggruen Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90013
| | - Carolina Tropini
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Liping Zhao
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
| | - Tamara Giles-Vernick
- Humans and the Microbiome Program, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada;
- Anthropology & Ecology of Disease Emergence, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
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Hossain MB, Alam MZ, Islam MS, Sultan S, Faysal MM, Rima S, Hossain MA, Mahmood MM, Kashfi SS, Mamun AA, Monia HT, Shoma SS. Population-Level Preparedness About Preventive Practices Against Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Adults in Bangladesh. Front Public Health 2021; 8:582701. [PMID: 33505950 PMCID: PMC7832348 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.582701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the preparedness regarding the preventive practices toward the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the adult population in Bangladesh. Data were collected through an online survey with a sample size of 1,056. We constructed four variables (individual, household, economic, and community and social distancing) related to preparedness based on the principal component analysis of eight items. We employed descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that the accuracy rate of the overall preparedness scale was 68.9%. The preparedness level related to economic, individual, household, and community and social distancing was 64.9, 77.1, 50.4, and 83.2%, respectively. However, the economic preparedness significantly varied by sex, education, occupation, attitude, and worries related to COVID-19. Individual preparedness was significantly associated with education, residence, and attitudes. The household preparedness significantly varied by education, residence, and worries, while the respondent's community and social distancing-related preparedness significantly varied by sex, region, residence, and attitude. This study implies the necessity of the coverage of financial schemes for the vulnerable group. Increased coverage of health education regarding personal hygiene targeting the less educated and rural population should be ensured.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Md. Zakiul Alam
- Department of Population Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Syful Islam
- Department of Population Science, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Shafayat Sultan
- Department of Population Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Mahir Faysal
- Department of Population Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sharmin Rima
- Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Anwer Hossain
- Department of Population Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Abdullah Al Mamun
- Department of Population Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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47
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Orenes-Piñero E, Baño F, Navas-Carrillo D, Moreno-Docón A, Marín JM, Misiego R, Ramírez P. Evidences of SARS-CoV-2 virus air transmission indoors using several untouched surfaces: A pilot study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 751:142317. [PMID: 33182011 PMCID: PMC7836800 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, there is an important controversy about coronavirus air transmission. The aim of this study was to determine aerosol transmission from patients with coronavirus infection using "COVID-19 traps" that included different untouched surfaces within them. 42 swab samples of 6 different surfaces placed in the rooms of 6 patients with a positive diagnostic of COVID-19 were analyzed with RT-PCR technique to evaluate the presence of the virus and its stability. Samples were collected at 24, 48 and 72 h. Patients were in an intensive care unit (ICU) and in a COVID-19 ward unit (CWU) at a Spanish referral hospital. None of the samples placed in the ICU unit were positive for COVID-19. However, two surfaces, placed in a CWU room with a patient that required the use of respiratory assistance were positive for coronavirus at 72 h. Surfaces could not be touched by patients or health workers, so viral spreading was unequivocally produced by air transmission. Thus, fomites should be considered as a possible mode of transmission of coronavirus and frequent disinfection of surfaces should be taken into account. Our results, although preliminary, point the importance of SARS-CoV-2 virus air transmission indoors and may shed some light in this debate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Orenes-Piñero
- Proteomic Unit, Instituto Murciano de Investigaciones Biosanitarias (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.
| | - Francisco Baño
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-A, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Moreno-Docón
- Department of Virology, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Juana María Marín
- Department of Emergencies, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Rocío Misiego
- School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA
| | - Pablo Ramírez
- Department of Surgery, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Carlitz RD, Makhura MN. Life under lockdown: Illustrating tradeoffs in South Africa's response to COVID-19. WORLD DEVELOPMENT 2021; 137:105168. [PMID: 32895596 PMCID: PMC7455114 DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
This research note sheds light on the first three months of the COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa, where the virus has spread faster than anywhere else in the region. At the same time, South Africa has been recognized globally for its swift and efficient early response. We consider the impact of this response on different segments of the population, looking at changes in mobility by province to highlight variation in the willingness and ability of different subsets of the population to comply with lockdown orders. Using anonymized mobile phone data, we show that South Africans in all provinces reduced their mobility substantially in response to the government's lockdown orders. Statistical regression analysis shows that such mobility reductions are significantly and negatively associated with COVID-19 growth rates two weeks later. These findings add an important perspective to the emerging literature on the efficacy of shelter-in-place orders, which to date is dominated by studies of the United States. We show that people were particularly willing and able to act in the provinces hit hardest by the pandemic in its initial stages. At the same time, compliance with lockdown orders presented a greater challenge among rural populations and others with more precarious livelihoods. By reflecting on South Africa's inequality profile and results of a recent survey, we demonstrate how the country's response may deepen preexisting divides. This cautionary tale is relevant beyond South Africa, as much of the continent - and the world - grapples with similar tradeoffs. Along with measures to contain the spread of disease, governments and other development focused organizations should seriously consider how to offset the costs faced by already marginalized populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth D Carlitz
- Department of Political Science, Tulane University, United States
| | - Moraka N Makhura
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension & Rural Development, University of Pretoria, South Africa
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49
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Olapeju B, Hendrickson ZM, Rosen JG, Shattuck D, Storey JD, Krenn S, Shaivitz M, Serlemitsos E, Tseng TY, Tsang SW, Rimal RN, Babalola S. Trends in handwashing behaviours for COVID-19 prevention: Longitudinal evidence from online surveys in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 1:e0000049. [PMID: 36962110 PMCID: PMC10021665 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Handwashing is essential for respiratory virus prevention, but uptake of handwashing in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic remains under-explored. This study examines trends in and determinants of handwashing practices for COVID-19 prevention in 10 countries in West, East, and Southern Africa. Data are derived from an online global Facebook survey assessing COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices, fielded in July (Round 1) and November 2020 (Round 2). Adults ≥18 years (N = 29,964) were asked if they practiced handwashing with soap and water in the past week to prevent COVID-19. Design-corrected F-statistics compared knowledge and practice of handwashing, at country and regional levels, between survey rounds. A country-level fixed-effects logistic regression model then identified socio-demographic and ideational correlates of handwashing at Round 2. Most participants were >30 years-old, men, post-secondary educated, and urban residents. Between survey rounds, handwashing prevalence declined significantly across regions and in each country, from a 14% decline (Δ84%-70%) in Tanzania to a 3% decline (Δ92%-89%) in South Africa. Handwashing was higher among participants aged >30 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.15-1.35) and with post-secondary education (aOR = 1.62, 95%CI: 1.49-1.77) but lower among men (aOR = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.64-0.78). Ideational factors associated with handwashing included perceived effectiveness of handwashing (aOR = 2.17, 95%CI: 2.00-2.36), knowing someone diagnosed with COVID-19 (aOR = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.18-1.40), and perceived importance of personal action for COVID-19 prevention (aOR = 2.93; 95%CI: 2.60-3.31). Adjusting for socio-demographic and ideational factors, country-level marginal probabilities of handwashing ranged from 67% in Tanzania to 91% in South Africa in Round 2. COVID-19 prevention messages should stress the importance of handwashing, coupled with mask use and physical distancing, for mitigating respiratory disease transmission. Behaviour change communications should be sensitive to resource heterogeneities in African countries, which shape opportunities for sustainable handwashing behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolanle Olapeju
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Zoé Mistrale Hendrickson
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Joseph G Rosen
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Dominick Shattuck
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - J Douglas Storey
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Susan Krenn
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Marla Shaivitz
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Serlemitsos
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Tuo-Yen Tseng
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Samantha W Tsang
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Rajiv N Rimal
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stella Babalola
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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50
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Islam SMDU, Mondal PK, Ojong N, Bodrud-Doza M, Siddique MAB, Hossain M, Mamun MA. Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste disposal practices as COVID-19 response strategy: insights from Bangladesh. ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY 2021; 23:11953-11974. [PMID: 33424423 PMCID: PMC7778416 DOI: 10.1007/s10668-020-01151-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global emergence, and the absence of a proven vaccine or medicine has led to the implementation of measures to prevent and control the spread of the virus. Wearing protective equipment like mask and gloves, washing hands via soap, frequent use of antiseptic solution and maintaining social distance are being applied globally to reduce the transmission rate. Therefore, this study was intended to investigate water, sanitation and hygienic (WASH) behaviour, protective equipment use and their disposal practices among Bangladeshi residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the study aims, data were collected mainly via an online survey and analysed through a set of statistical tools including T test, one-way ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA). This study found that almost 89.80% of the respondents reported to know about the COVID-19 and its preventive measures. WASH status of the respondents is found quite good, where 94.60% stated to have available potable water, 99% have improved toilet facilities, 95% wash their hands via soap, and 79.80% clean their house and toilets by antiseptic solutions properly. Moreover, nearly 94.50% and 54.80% people reported to use face mask and hand gloves, respectively, but the disposal practice of these protective equipment is inappropriate. More than 50% of people reported disposing of their used mask, gloves and tissue with other household wastes, which is alarming for public health and environmental perspective. Moreover, the WASH and waste disposal practices of the marginal people were found very poor and not at a satisfactory level. The results of statistical analysis focused on WASH and waste disposal practices as well as the factors which influence these practices. It is found that gender, occupation, area of residence, and level of education of the participants mainly influence the WASH and waste disposal practices. It is expected that this study exposed the necessity to introduce proper infectious waste management policy and also the increase in awareness level among mass people regarding the preventive measures of COVID-19 infection to combat against disease transmission and environmental pollution. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version of this article (10.1007/s10668-020-01151-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nathanael Ojong
- International Development Studies, 324 Founders College, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Canada
| | - Md. Bodrud-Doza
- Climate Change Programme (CCP), BRAC, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212 Bangladesh
| | | | - Moazzem Hossain
- Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology of Bangladesh (IACIB), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammed A. Mamun
- Centre for Health, Innovation, Networking, Training, Action and Research-Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, 1342 Bangladesh
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