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Oweidat KA, Toubasi AA, Alghrabli A, Khater Y, Saleh N, Albtoosh AS, Batarseh RS. Alterations in Patients' Clinical Outcomes and Respiratory Viral Pathogen Activity following the COVID-19 Pandemic. Viruses 2023; 15:1975. [PMID: 37896754 PMCID: PMC10611370 DOI: 10.3390/v15101975] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Before the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory pathogens such as influenza, parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial virus were the most commonly detected viruses among hospitalized patients with respiratory tract infections. METHODS This was a retrospective observational study of inpatients and outpatients who attended Jordan University Hospital and underwent Nasopharyngeal Aspiration (NPA) in the periods from December 2017 to December 2018 and from December 2021 to December 2022. The results of multiplex respiratory pathogen real-time PCR tests for nasopharyngeal swab specimens were extracted from the electronic-based molecular diagnostic laboratory record of JUH. We compared the prevalence of the detected viruses as well as the patients' characteristics and outcomes between the two periods. RESULTS The total number of included patients was 695. Our analysis showed that a higher percentage of patients with hypertension and diabetes presented before the pandemic compared to the same period after it (p-value < 0.001). The need for O2 devices, white blood cell counts, diastolic blood pressure, and the length of hospital stay were significantly higher among patients who presented before the pandemic (p-value < 0.050). Influenza H1N1 (8.70% vs. 4.03%), influenza B (1.67% vs. 0.25%), parainfluenza (1.00% vs. 0.00%), human metapneumovirus (5.35% vs. 0.76%), adenoviruses (6.35% vs. 3.02%), and coronaviruses (8.70% vs. 3.53%) were detected with higher frequency in the period before the pandemic (p-value = 0.011, 0.045, 0.045, 0.000, 0.035, 0.004). These results were similar in terms of changes in the detection rates of viruses after matching the number of tested patients between the periods before and after the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated a reduction in the detection of several viruses, which might be due to the increase in public awareness toward infection protection measures after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Al Oweidat
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (K.A.O.); (N.S.); (A.S.A.)
| | - Ahmad A. Toubasi
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Ahmad Alghrabli
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (A.A.); (Y.K.)
| | - Yasmeen Khater
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (A.A.); (Y.K.)
| | - Noor Saleh
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (K.A.O.); (N.S.); (A.S.A.)
| | - Asma S. Albtoosh
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan; (K.A.O.); (N.S.); (A.S.A.)
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Shrestha S, Malla R, Shrestha S, Singh P, Sherchand JB. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on COVID-19 among the general population in most affected districts of Nepal. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001977. [PMID: 37506061 PMCID: PMC10381065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the global health challenges in the current context. In Nepal, the first confirmed case was reported on 23 January 2020, and since then, it has resulted in several negative impacts, including economic disruption and deterioration of physical and mental health. In such a pandemic, it is indispensable to understand the knowledge and behavioral patterns of the general population regarding COVID-19. Therefore, our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices on COVID-19 among the general population in most affected districts and its relationship with socio-demographic conditions. The cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population above the age of 18 years from eight districts of Nepal including Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Morang, Sunsari, Rupandehi, Chitwan, and Kaski. A convenient non-probability sampling method was considered with total sample size of 702. The questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric statistical tests, and a logistic regression model were used for analysis. The study showed that 93.3% of respondents had knowledge of overall preventive practices, whereas only 32% had knowledge of overall symptoms of COVID-19. Regarding attitudes, only 14.3% strongly believed that the COVID-19 pandemic would end soon. The preventive practice was reduced after the lockdown compared to that of during the lockdown. The respondents with white-collar occupations, high-income, and unmarried were good at KAP. Similarly, highly educated and those residing in urban areas had good knowledge and practice. The study findings will help in the development of targeted programs to improve the general population's knowledge, attitudes and practices on COVID-19, which is paramount to dealing with the existing pandemic and also such possible future waves of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salina Shrestha
- Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Rabin Malla
- Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Sadhana Shrestha
- Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Interdisciplinary Center for River Basin Environment, University of Yamanashi, Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Pallavi Singh
- Nepal Red Cross Society, Head Office, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Jeevan B Sherchand
- Tribhuvan University, Institute of Medicine, Research Directorate, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Nepal Health Research Council, Government of Nepal, Ethical Review Board, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Rivadeneira MF, Salvador C, Araujo L, Caicedo-Gallardo JD, Cóndor J, Torres-Castillo AL, Miranda-Velasco MJ, Dadaczynski K, Okan O. Digital health literacy and subjective wellbeing in the context of COVID-19: A cross-sectional study among university students in Ecuador. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1052423. [PMID: 36711373 PMCID: PMC9874317 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1052423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has generated an avalanche of information, which, if not properly addressed, generates uncertainty and limits healthy decision-making. On the other hand, the pandemic has exacerbated mental health problems among young people and adolescents, causing a worsening of their wellbeing. Previous studies have found that digital health literacy has a positive impact on people's attitudes toward the disease. This study aimed to analyze the association between digital health literacy on COVID-19 with subjective wellbeing in university students. Methods A cross-sectional study was developed in 917 students from Ecuador. Subjective wellbeing was measured with the World Health Organization WellBeing Scale. Digital health literacy was assessed using the Spanish-translated version of the Digital Health Literacy Instrument adapted to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bivariate and multivariate linear regressions were performed. Results Digital health literacy and subjective wellbeing proofed to be significantly higher among males and among students with higher social status. The association between digital health literacy and subjective wellbeing was significant; for each increase of one point in the digital health literacy scale, an average increase of 9.64 points could be observed on the subjective wellbeing scale (IC 95% 5.61 - 13.67, p-value <0.001). This correlation persisted after adjust by demographic and socioeconomic variables. Conclusion Improving digital health literacy in health would improve the subjective wellbeing of university students. It is suggested strengthen the digital health literacy through public and university policies that promote access, search skills and discernment of digital information. Socioeconomic and gender inequalities related to digital health literacy need to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F. Rivadeneira
- Faculty of Medicine, Public Health Institute, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador,*Correspondence: María F. Rivadeneira ✉
| | - Carmen Salvador
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Lorena Araujo
- General Students Office, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - José D. Caicedo-Gallardo
- Faculty of Medicine, Public Health Institute, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - José Cóndor
- Faculty of Medicine, Public Health Institute, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Ana Lucía Torres-Castillo
- Faculty of Medicine, Public Health Institute, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - María J. Miranda-Velasco
- Department of Education Sciences, Faculty of Teacher Training, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Kevin Dadaczynski
- Department of Health Science, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany,Centre for Applied Health Science, Leuphana University Lueneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Orkan Okan
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Okada I, Yanagi I, Kubo Y, Kikuchi H. Descriptive, injunctive, or the synergy of both? Experimenting normative information on behavioral changes under the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1015742. [PMID: 36643703 PMCID: PMC9838221 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1015742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds The effectiveness of citizens' behavioral changes to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, such as avoiding large social events, relies on science communication from policymakers and collective action among peer citizens. Extant studies recognize the potential effects of information stimuli on citizens' behavioral changes, including what epidemiological experts request (injunctive information) and what surrounding people behave (descriptive information). Yet, they have insufficiently assessed the co-occurrence and possible interaction of multiple information stimuli. Methods 1,819 Japanese citizens aged 18 or over were recruited for an experimental survey during March 1-3, 2021 and asked their views on a hypothetical wedding attendance in Japan while being exposed to randomly assigned normative information stimuli. Their willingness to attend a wedding asked before and after the intervention was measured. Infection risk perception was also asked as a mediating variable. Results Findings suggest the constant supremacy of descriptive information and no synergistic effects in the interaction of multiple information stimuli. We also report that the effects of injunctive and descriptive information vary according to participants' risk perception, age, and trust in experts. Conclusion Our experimental test enables a systematic assessment of multiple normative information and confirms the primacy of descriptive information as the main driver of behavioral change. Communication by medical experts has limitations but is still effective in specific categories of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isamu Okada
- Graduate School of International Development, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan,*Correspondence: Isamu Okada,
| | - Itaru Yanagi
- School of Law, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Kubo
- Department of Urban Studies, School of Policy Studies, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Hyogo, Japan,Department of Law, Politics, and International Relations, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan,Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, Japan,Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA,Program on U.S.-Japan Relations, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA
| | - Hirokazu Kikuchi
- Area Studies Center, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization, Chiba, Japan
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Fatuhrahmah U, Widiana HS. Bibliometric visualisation of industrial and organisational psychology during COVID-19 pandemic: Insight for future research. SA JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [PMCID: PMC9557945 DOI: 10.4102/sajip.v48i0.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Orientation Industrial and organisational psychology (IOP) researchers have shown their contribution to solving COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace through the enormous number of studies. Research purpose This study intended to map IOP research related to the COVID-19 crisis to provide the research issues that have emerged and potential for future research. Motivation for the study All the IOP levels (worker, team and organisation) were impacted by COVID-19, and they continuously change. Researchers must be careful in directing their research and avoid focusing on certain levels or problems. Research approach/design and method A bibliometric visualisation analysis method was adopted in this study. Main findings The bibliometric results showed that the prominent keywords in IOP research-related COVID-19 are ‘human(s)’, ‘COVID-19’, keywords related to subject characteristics and mental health. Six clusters on the map showed the prominent themes: mental health, health care workers as the research subject, specific workplace issues, digital technology, methodologies used, and country. Furthermore, in every cluster, the depth overview of study results is presented. The top issues were at the worker-level, while the organisational-level issues gained limited attention. Practical/managerial implications For practitioners and managers, this study provides a complete picture of emerging issues during COVID-19 crisis ranging from causes, risk factors and solutions. For researchers, this study can provide insight for further research. Contribution/value-add This study provides a comprehensive overview of the IOP issues related-COVID-19 that will be beneficial as the basis for policymaking and recommendations for future potential areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ufi Fatuhrahmah
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Herlina Siwi Widiana
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
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Abbas W, M. A. M, Park A, Parveen S, Kim S. Evolution and consequences of individual responses during the COVID-19 outbreak. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273964. [PMID: 36048847 PMCID: PMC9436131 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In a long-lasting major disease outbreak such as that of COVID-19, the challenge for public health authorities is to keep people motivated and keen on following safety guidelines. In this study, a compartmental model with a heterogeneous transmission rate (based on awareness) is utilized to hypothesize about the public adoption of preventive guidelines. Three subsequent outbreaks in South Korea, Pakistan, and Japan were analyzed as case studies. The transmission, behavior change, and behavioral change ease rates of the disease were measured in these countries. The parameters were estimated using the maximum likelihood method with an additional identifiability analysis performed to determine the uniqueness of the estimated parameters for quantitatively comparing them during the first three waves of COVID-19. The mathematical analysis and simulation results show that individual responses had a significant effect on the outbreak. Individuals declining to follow the public health guidelines in Korea and Japan between the second and third waves contributed to making the third peak the highest of the three peaks. In Pakistan, however, individual responses to following public health guidelines were maintained between the second and third waves, resulting in the third peak being lower than the first, rather than being associated with the highest transmission rate. Thus, maintaining a high level of awareness is critical for containing the spread. Improvised public health campaigns are recommended to sustain individual attention and maintain a high level of awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim Abbas
- Department of Mathematics, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Masud M. A.
- Natural Product Informatics Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Gangneung, South Korea
| | - Anna Park
- Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Sajida Parveen
- Department of Mathematics, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
| | - Sangil Kim
- Department of Mathematics, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea
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