Awareness, Attitudes, Prevention, and Perceptions of COVID-19 Outbreak among Nurses in Saudi Arabia

Assessment of ICU nurses' competency towards delirium among critically ill patients

BACKGROUND

ICU nurses play a critical role in managing delirium in critically ill patients, yet their competency in this area remains under-explored.

AIM

To assess ICU nurses' competency including their knowledge, practice, and attitudes toward delirium among critically ill patients.

METHODS

A correlational descriptive study was conducted with 67 nurses in the medical intensive care unit at Suez Canal University Hospitals. Data was collected using an online survey and analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation.

RESULTS

Nurses showed a moderate knowledge level (M = 8.55), a low practice level (M = 6.62), and positive attitudes (M = 21.65) toward ICU delirium. ANOVA results indicated significant differences in practice scores based on educational level, F (2, 64) = 3.361, p = .041, and in knowledge scores based on ICU experience, F(3, 63) = 6.455, p < .001. Nurses with Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees had higher practice scores than those with diplomas or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees. There were no significant differences in knowledge and attitude scores based on educational level or age. Gender differences were minimal, with male nurses slightly outperforming female nurses. Correlation analysis showed positive relationships between age, education, ICU experience, and ICU nurses' levels of knowledge and practice.

CONCLUSION

ICU nurses demonstrate a knowledge-practice gap in delirium management. Targeted educational interventions, mentorship programs, and a focus on practical skills are essential to enhance delirium care.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive delirium education and training programs for ICU nurses. By improving nurses' knowledge and practice, healthcare organizations can significantly enhance the early detection, prevention, and management of delirium, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced length of stay in the ICU.

Vaccination Status, Vaccine Awareness and Attitudes, and Infection Control Behaviors of Japanese College Students: A Comparison of 2021 and 2023

Background: Now that the spread of COVID-19 has been controlled, it is important to investigate changes in young people's perceptions of the vaccine and their behavior toward infection. The objectives of this study were as follows: (1) to investigate the association between Omicron strain vaccination rates among college students, their perceptions of the vaccine, and past adverse reactions to the vaccine; (2) to compare 2021 (when COVID-19 was spreading) and 2023 (when COVID-19 was strained) to identify changes in attitudes toward vaccination and motivations for vaccination and changes in infection prevention behavior. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted via e-mail from 5 January to 30 January 2023. All students at Hiroshima University were sent an e-mail, which provided them access to the survey form and requested their cooperation. The questionnaire consisted of 33 items related to attributes, vaccination status, adverse reactions after vaccination, motivation for vaccination, perception of the vaccine, presence of coronavirus infection, sequelae, and infection prevention measures. Results: A total of 1083 students responded to the survey. Over 50% of the students were vaccinated with the Omicron booster. Regarding trust in vaccines, the majority of both male and female respondents said they had some trust in vaccines, although this was less than that observed in the 2021 survey. As for infection control measures, only 2% of males and 0.3% of females answered that they did not take any infection control measures. The most common response was "wear a mask", as in the 2021 survey, with 476 men (96.6%) and 575 women (99.5%). Conclusions: The survey showed a high Omicron-responsive vaccination rate of more than 50%. In addition, more than 99% of the students were found to be taking measures to prevent infection, such as wearing masks.

Standard precautions compliance and its associated factors among nurses in Kazakhstan: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, with many nurses being infected, understanding compliance with standard precautions (SP) among nurses in Kazakhstan is crucial for improving infection prevention and control and preparedness for future emergencies. The study aimed to assess Kazakh nurses' SP compliance amid the COVID-19 pandemic and examine the factors associated with their compliance.

METHODS

Quantitative, cross-sectional design. This research surveyed 241 clinical nurses in Astana, Kazakhstan using a standardized tool from December 2021 to April 2022.

RESULTS

This study found 76.0% SP compliance among the nurses. The highest compliance was observed in the dimension "Decontamination of spills and used articles" (86.0% compliance rate), followed by "Use of protective devices" (83.5% compliance rate), "Prevention of cross-infection from person to person" (72.7% compliance rate), "Disposal of sharps" (65.4% compliance rate), and "Disposal of waste" (56.0% compliance rate). Nurses' age and educational qualification influences the nurses' SP compliance.

DISCUSSION

While the nurses' compliance rate in this study was moderate, specific areas warrant more attention, such as their compliance with proper waste and sharps disposal.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted the experiences of nurses in Kazakhstan on their compliance with SP during the pandemic.

Covid-19 pandemic? Mental health implications among nurses and Proposed interventions

Background

With its abrupt and huge health and socio-economic consequences, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a uniquely demanding, intensely stressful, and even traumatic period. Healthcare workers (HCW), especially nurses, were exposed to mental health challenges during those challenging times.

Objectives

Review the current literature on mental health problems among nurses caring for COVID-19 patients.

Methods

This is a narrative review and critical evaluation of relevant publications.

Results

Nurses experienced higher levels of stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, frustration, stigma, and depersonalization compared to other HCW. Factors that increased this symptomatology included concerns about infection or infection of family members, inadequate staff protective equipment, extended working hours, insufficient information, a reduced sense of security, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The factors that improved the psychopathology included a general positive attitude, job satisfaction, adequate information and education, harmonious group relationships, post-traumatic development, emotional intelligence, psychological counseling, mindfulness-based stress reduction, stable leadership, guidance, and moral and practical administrative support.

Conclusions

Recent studies clearly show that nurses, especially women, are the most vulnerable subgroup among HCW and are particularly prone to mental health impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The documented mental health vulnerability of frontline nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic requires preventive nursing management actions to increase resilience and to develop relevant defense mechanisms.

Influences of healthcare workers' behaviours towards infection prevention and control practices in the clinical setting: A systematic review

AIM

To systematically evaluate empirical studies investigating the influences of healthcare workers' behaviours towards infection prevention and control practices in the Coronavirus clinical space, and to appraise and synthesise these findings.

DESIGN

A systematic review of the literature.

METHODS

The review used a five-step framework described by Khan et al. (Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 2003, 96 and 118) of Framing questions for a review; Identifying relevant work; Assessing the quality of studies; Summarising the evidence; and Interpreting the findings. Searches were conducted in CINHAL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to retrieve relevant peer-reviewed literature published in English between 2019 and 2023. Covidence and Joanna Briggs Quality appraisal tools were used for critical assessment. To improve transparent reporting, this review used a Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) in systematic review guidelines, as informed by Campbell et al. (BMJ, 2020, 368).

RESULTS

Twenty studies were included in this review, identifying nine themes describing factors influencing HCWs' behaviours towards IPC practices in the coronavirus environment. The overarching influences emerged as knowledge-oriented, person-oriented, and environment-oriented.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare workers' responsibilities at point-of-care involve providing direct care to patients with highly transmissible infections and working in clinical settings that may be ill-designed for IPC practices, increasing the risk of transmission. Given the lack of a definitive solution to eradicate new mutant viruses and that IPC practices are the mainstay of prevention and control of transmissible, measures to improve are imperative. The identified HCWs' domains on behaviours towards IPC are critical in strategies to mitigate risks and further set an opportunity for developing an IPC model congruent with the rapid response required for HCWs during emerging or re-merging mutant virus outbreaks. This is significant, given that HCWs' preparedness with IPC practices at point-of-care is central to patient care, the workforce and community safety.

Infection control measures at diagnostic imaging departments in governmental hospitals, Gaza-Strip

INTRODUCTION

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is crucial in safeguarding patient safety and minimizing the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

AIM

The study investigated infection prevention and control measures for diagnostic imaging departments at governmental hospitals in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

METHODS

The study design was a cross-sectional analytical study. The sample included all radiographers (81) and radiologists (40) working at Al Shifa Medical Complex and European Gaza Hospital (EGH). Data was collected using an interview questionnaire (121) and an observation checklist. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26, and the result was significant (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

Only 27.3 % of the participants revealed the availability of training courses for IPC. More than half of the participants received their last training sessions one year ago, and most of them attended five basic in-service training sessions related to IPC. Radiologists' and medical radiographers' knowledge and practice scores regarding IPC measures were 85.3 % and 61.7 %, respectively, and there were statistically significant differences between the participants' practice domain and their years of experience (p-value .014). There is inadequate hand hygiene among radiographers in the radiology department, and only 29 % of the staff washed their hands immediately upon arrival at the unit. The total score of the Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework domains is almost equal at the two hospitals (280/500). The total score of the eight domains of the IPC Assessment Framework is 568.5/800 for Al Shifa Hospital and 516/800 for EGH, which indicates an intermediate IPC level.

CONCLUSION

Efforts are needed to enhance the scope and quality of implementation and to concentrate on creating long-term plans to sustain and promote the existing IPC program activities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Regular assessments should be conducted to monitor progress, identify gaps, and guide quality improvement efforts. Assessment feedback should be used to develop targeted interventions and continuously enhance IPC measures.

Assessing COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices among hospital employees: identifying sociodemographic determinants for improved public health strategies

Background

The working environment of healthcare institution during pandemic puts all hospital employees at high-risk of being exposed to contagious infections. An individual's behavior and response are largely determined by their level of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) toward a disease. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate and assess the KAP toward COVID-19 among hospital employees working in various positions and to identify the sociodemographic determinants associated with the level of KAP.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July 1 to July 15, 2020 in Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Alhasa, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia in which 221 hospital employees with varied job titles participated. The data for demographics and history of COVID-19 exposure, KAP related to COVID-19 spread and prevention were collected online using a web-based platform (Survey Monkey). Student's t-test/One-way ANOVA were used to compare total mean and standard deviation of KAP scores with demographic profiles and history of exposure.

Results

89.1% employees knew that COVID-19 virus is mostly transmitted from human-to-human, and 76.0% employees acknowledged droplet transmission. 64.7% employees preferred to take a sick person with unconfirmed COVID-19 to a health facility. Physicians had higher knowledge scores for COVID-19 infection and non-medical employees had the lowest scores (7.47 ± 1.23 and 6.47 ± 1.44, respectively). Nurses had the highest practice scores and non-medical employees lowest practice score (6.16 ± 0.74 and 5.37 ± 1.14, respectively). Attitude scores were similar among all the employees. All employees reported an increase in hand-washing frequency and physical contact avoidance.

Conclusion

The study results revealed socio-demographic factors; level of education, nationality, and field of service are associated with COVID-19 KAP. The study highlights that there is a gap in the level of knowledge about COVID-19, especially among nonmedical employees. Targeted interventional programs need to be planned and implemented to improve COVID-19 awareness among non-medical employees.

Determining the nurses' perception regarding the effectiveness of COVID-19 protocols implemented in Eastern Province: Saudi Arabia

Background

The global impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been profound, affecting public health, the global economy, and overall human life. Past experiences with global pandemics underscored the significance of understanding the perception of HCWs and hospital staff in developing and implementing preventive measures. The World Health Organization (WHO) provided protocols to manage the spread of COVID-19 and assist healthcare workers and health systems globally in maintaining high-quality health services.

Objective

This study aims to assess nurses' perception, awareness, and compliance regarding the implementation of COVID-19 protocols and explore factors influencing their perception.

Methodology

A quantitative cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted, distributing a constructed survey among nurses in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Results

Out of 141 participants, most adhered to protocols such as hand sanitization, social distancing, and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) usage. The predominant age group among respondents was 31 to 40 years (n = 71, 50%). A significant portion of participants reported holding a bachelor's degree (n = 86, 61%), with only 14% possessing advanced degrees (n = 19). Nearly a third of the nurses in the study had accumulated 6 to 10 years of professional experience (n = 49, 34.8%). A noteworthy percentage of nurses were engaged in daily shifts exceeding 8 h (n = 98, 70%). Gender differences were observed, with females exhibiting a higher tendency to avoid shaking hands and social gatherings. Saudi nationals were more inclined to shake hands and engage in gatherings. Non-Saudi nurses and those aged between <25 to 40 years demonstrated proper donning/doffing practices. Nurses with over 6 years of experience avoided social gatherings, while those working >8 h adhered better to PPE usage, proper donning/doffing, and disposal of PPE in designated bins.

Conclusion

Understanding COVID-19 protocols is crucial for tailoring interventions and ensuring effective compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures among nurses. More efforts should be made toward preparing the healthcare nursing to deal with the outbreak. Preparing healthcare nursing with the right knowledge, attitude, and precautionary practices during the COVID-19 outbreak is very essential to patient and public safety.

Influencing factors of quality of life among front-line nurses who collected nucleic acid samples during COVID-19: a path analysis

Aim

The aim of this study is to investigate the quality of life of nurses who collected nucleic acid samples throughout the COVID-19 epidemic's routine management, as well as the factors that may have influenced it.

Background

After the outbreak of COVID-19, normalized epidemic prevention and control throughout China were implemented. Nucleic acid testing has become an effective measure for the early detection of virus-infected individuals. Nurses collecting nucleic acid samples undertake important tasks. Their quality of life is significant to maintaining team stability and containing the epidemic. However, research on their quality of life is still limited.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1,292 nurses who collected nucleic acid samples from five tertiary general hospitals in Xi'an through self-reported electronic questionnaires (including general demographic information, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Social Support Rating Scale, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Scale). Descriptive, one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression were performed using SPSS 26.0. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the influencing factors.

Results

The nurses collecting nucleic acid samples had a modest level of quality of life. Age, marital status, average daily sleep duration, frequency of exercise, psychological resilience, and social support were all influencing factors of quality of life, according to multiple linear regression analysis. Quality of life was found to be significantly related to psychological resilience and social support.

Conclusion

Demographic characteristics, psychological resilience, and social support are the factors affecting the quality of life of nurses who collect nucleic acid samples. Nursing managers should focus more on these factors to improve the quality of life for nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nursing managers should realize the importance of the quality of life of nurses who collect nucleic acid samples in maintaining a vigorous nursing team and ensuring optimized epidemic control. Social support should also be provided to nurses to improve their psychological resilience, thereby improving their quality of life.

Influence of the Psychological Effect of COVID-19 on Saudi Student Nurses' Attitudes toward Nursing and Their Future Career Plans

BACKGROUND

The effects of COVID-19 on the attitude of student nurses toward the nursing profession remain unclear because few studies have been conducted on this topic. Thus, this study examines the influence of the psychological effects of COVID-19 on student nurses' attitudes toward the nursing profession and their desire to become nurses.

METHOD

The study utilised a quantitative, cross-sectional, and observational design. It surveyed a convenience sample of 726 student nurses in Saudi Arabia during the first semester of the 2021-2022 academic year.

RESULTS

The students reported low levels of COVID-19 fear, anxiety, stress, phobia, and obsession. The students reported positive attitudes toward the nursing profession and 86.0% highlighted their desire to continue with nursing as their future profession. Gender, knowing someone infected with COVID-19, confidence in the government's pandemic response, fear, anxiety, and phobia were significant predictors of the nurses' attitudes. Community, family members in the profession, "COVID-19-related anxiety", and "preference for the nursing profession" were significant predictors of the student's desire to continue nursing.

CONCLUSIONS

Living in a rural community, having family members in the nursing profession, having low levels of COVID-19-related anxiety, and having positive attitudes toward nursing increased the likelihood of nursing students continuing their nursing careers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond heroism: a qualitative study on the lived experiences of nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 in Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Healthcare professionals around the globe suffered severely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to explore the lived experiences of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in Pakistan.

METHODS

The study is a qualitative exploration of the lived experiences caring for patients with COVID-19 in Pakistan. This research was conducted in two government hospitals there. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted amongst 30 nurses who had been selected using purposive sampling technique. Thematic analysis was applied to extract the themes from respondents' answers.

RESULTS

By using thematic analysis, social response, impacts on physical and mental health, and experience of handling COVID-19 patients were extracted as major themes.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this research are of immense importance in showing the impact of COVID-19 on mental and physical health, along with the social and personal consequences for nurses providing care to COVID-19 patients.

Assessment of knowledge, accessibility, and adherence to the use of personal protective equipment and standard preventive practices among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

Healthcare workers are at risk of acquiring infectious agents while providing services to patients. Thus, the need for evaluating and closely monitoring healthcare worker knowledge, perception, and adherence levels is critical. This study evaluates the knowledge, accessibility, and adherence regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) and preventive protocols among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design and methods

A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to September 2021. The study participants were 187 healthcare workers who replied to a 31-item questionnaire using an online tool.

Results

A total of 187 participants responded to the questionnaire. Most of the participants 102 (54.5%) were in the age group of 25-34 years. Of the 187 participants, 98 (52.4%) were medical doctors, and 92 (49.2%) had correct knowledge regarding donning and doffing of PPE. The vast majority (93.7%) had access to essential PPE. The average adherence level was 82.1%. Accessibility (p = 0.003) and adherence (p < 0.01) were found to be significantly high in older age participants.

Conclusion

The study showed most of the healthcare workers had appropriate knowledge and, they also adhered to the proper use of PPE and infection control protocols. However, few of them identified with poor knowledge about COVID-19, inappropriate doffing of PPE, non-adherence to the protocol, and unacceptable practices. We recommend the provision of adequate training that will lead to minimizing the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 among healthcare providers.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of infection prevention and control among radiographers in a resource constraint setting in Namibia

Background

Radiographers' role as healthcare workers places them at constant risk for hospital-acquired infections. Practical, evidence-based methods are necessary to reduce the transmission of pathogens to and from patients and healthcare workers.

Objective

The main objectives of this study were to determine knowledge, attitude, and practice levels regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies among radiographers in Windhoek and Oshakati, and measure their relationships with other variables.

Method

A quantitative descriptive design was employed. To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice levels among radiographers, a self-administered questionnaire was used. Twenty-seven radiographers took part in the study, producing a 68% response rate.

Results

The study revealed that the majority of the radiographers showed an appropriate level of overall knowledge and attitude toward infection prevention and control. However, the majority of their practice levels were poor. Pearson rank correlation test revealed that the radiographers' knowledge was significantly associated with attitudes (P= 0.004; r=0.53) and practices (P=0.03; r=- 0.41) with a moderate positive and negative correlation, respectively.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the study revealed that radiographers are knowledgeable about IPC strategies, and have good attitudes toward them. However, their practice was poor and inconsistent with the level of knowledge demonstrated. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare service managers establish efficient and rigorous means of monitoring adherence to IPC strategies and improving practices to reduce incidences of health-acquired infections among radiographers, especially in the age of a pandemic.

The Effect of Coronovirus Perceptions and Attitudes of Pediatric Nurses on Quality of Life

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aims to explore the effect of pediatric nurses' perceptions and attitudes of coronavirus on their quality of life. Methods: It was carried out between the dates of June-August, 2021. The sample of the study consisted of 80 pediatric nurses working in the pediatric clinics of a university hospital. “Perceptions and Attitudes Evaluation Scale towards the COVID-19 Pandemic” and "WHOQOL-BREF-TR Scale" were used to collect data which were collected by online survey method. Results: It was determined that the mean score of the spiritual and social domains of the quality of life of the pediatric nurses was at a moderate level, while the mean scores of the physical and environmental domains were found to be below the medium level. According to the results of the regression analysis, the nurses' coronavirus perception and attitude sub-dimensions of dangerousness, macro, cognitive avoidance, common area avoidance and personal contact avoidance scores explained 30% of spiritual domain scores, and macro and common area avoidance sub-dimension scores explained 25% of social domain scores, macro and complo sub-dimensions scores explained 22% of environmental domain scores. Conlusion: As a result, it was determined that pediatric nurses' perceptions and attitudes towards coronavirus effect their quality of life. In order to increase the quality of life of pediatric nurses, attempts should be made to help nurses in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide necessary protection conditions to minimize the physical, spiritual, social, and environmental effects of the pandemic.

The relationship between nurses' risk assessment and management, fear perception, and mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia

During this pandemic, it is crucial to implement early interventions to help nurses manage their mental wellbeing by providing them with information regarding coping skills, preventive risk assessment approaches (such as hospital preparedness and rapid risk assessment), and the ability to respond. This study evaluated the effect of fear and risk assessment management on nurses' mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. A total of 507 nurses who worked in tertiary public hospitals were asked to take a descriptive design survey. Three survey scales were used to assess the survey: the Risk Assessment Scale, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Independent t-tests and a one-way ANOVA were used to examine the association between fear of COVID-19 and nurses' demographic characteristics on their mental wellbeing. A multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the predictors associated with mental wellbeing. Findings revealed that almost half of the participants showed moderate positive mental wellbeing, 49.7%, while only 14% had low levels of fear on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well being Scale. Most of the respondents had low levels of fear on the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, 45%, while only 15% had high levels of fear on the scale. Then, some demographic variables, such as "age," "nationality," "total years of experience in the current hospital," and "region you work at" had statistically significant differences with p < 0.5. Meanwhile, risk assessment is also associated with mental wellbeing scores. All items on the Fear of COVID-19 Scale showed no significant difference with a P > 0.05. In conclusion, most nurses providing direct patient care to a patient with COVID-19 emphasized the importance of wearing PPE and performing hand hygiene before and after any clean or aseptic procedure. Meanwhile, although almost all nurses were vaccinated, they were still afraid of a COVID-19 infection. Additionally, the results reported that the older the nurses are, the better their mental wellbeing scores. Non-Saudi nurses had higher perceived mental wellbeing scores than Saudi nurses, and different working environments corresponded to different mental wellbeing scores. Finally, nurses' risk assessment was associated with mental wellbeing scores.

Knowledge of COVID-19 and Its Treatment Among Healthcare Worker in Al-Ahsa Region of Saudi Arabia

Objective

To find out how well healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia's eastern region knew about the novel coronavirus illness 2019 (COVID-19) in terms of its symptoms, transmission, and treatment.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in the Saudi Arabian region of Al-Ahsa. Between December 2020 and March 2021, a questionnaire was distributed in the main hospitals in the eastern region: King Fahad Hospital, Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Hospital, Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, and Maternity and Children's Hospital. Participants' knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms, transmission, and treatment was assessed using our developed questionnaire tool. The Student's t-test/ANOVA test was used to compare the mean knowledge scores of different demographic groups.

Results

A total of 300 HCWs participated in this study. Our study sample's mean knowledge score was 6.9 (SD = 2.1) out of 13 (53.1%), indicating a marginal degree of understanding. The duration of practice had a significant effect on the participants' knowledge of COVID-19. Senior and non-Saudi HCWs had a higher knowledge score than the rest of the groups (p ≤ 0.05). The majority of the participants were able to identify that COVID-19 is transmitted from human to human through respiratory droplets, populations at higher risk of developing severe complications, populations needing screening for COVID-19, main clinical symptoms of COVID-19, and were following the WHO guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19.

Conclusion

According to our findings, HCWs only had marginal knowledge about the symptoms, transmission, and treatment of COVID-19. As our findings represent early investigation at the start of the pandemic, more research is needed to evaluate the degree of information gathered two years after the outbreak began. Furthermore, future research should identify knowledge gaps in the targeted population of HCWs and provide strategies to address them.

Nursing knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 pandemic in Jordanian intensive care units

Objectives

The goal of this study was to find out the level of knowledge and perception among the nurses in intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods

The study was set up in a cross-sectional design. During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses completed a self-reporting questionnaire to assess their knowledge and perception of the pandemic. 182 ICU nurses were asked for information. We used statistical analyses that were both descriptive and inferential.

Results

There was a statistically significant link between nurses' knowledge and their years of experience (r = 0.15, p = .03), their experience with COVID-19 infection (r = 0.83, p = .01), and having a first-degree relative who had COVID-19 (r = 0.17, p = .02). Also, nurses knew a fair amount about COVID-19. There was a statistically significant link between how nurses felt and how they were trained to care for COVID-19 patients (r = 0.15, p = .034), nurses who had COVID-19 infection (r = 0.30, p = .001), and having a first-degree relative who had COVID-19 infection (r = 0.18, p = .014).

Conclusion

The Jordanian nurses' understanding of COVID-19 disease is categorized as average because the majority of their responses ranged between 56 % and 86 %. The nurses' knowledge was related to their length of experience in the field, and their perceptions were related to how they had been trained to care for COVID-19 patients.

Nurses' Experiences of Caring for Patients with COVID-19: A Qualitative Study

The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' experiences, abilities, and willingness to care for patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). A descriptive qualitative study was conducted among 12 nurses working with patients with COVID-19. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from two national hospitals in Jordan. Semi-structured interviews (45-90 minutes each) with open-ended questions were held via Zoom to collect data. Four major themes emerged from the data analysis. The first theme, uncertainty, consisted of two subthemes: new experience and lack of training. The second theme was related to social stigma by society and other staff members. The third theme of front-line fighters consisted of two subthemes: empowering the main health caregiver and community acknowledgment. The fourth theme was related to challenges and consisted of two subthemes: physical and psychological challenges. At the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19, the nurses had experienced a lack of certainty, physical and psychological challenges, and social stigmatization, which had negatively affected their willingness and ability to fight the outbreak. However, the nurses reported growing professionally and psychologically with time and becoming more knowledgeable, skillful, powerful, and confident care providers during the pandemic. Being able to fulfill their responsibilities and being acknowledged by others gave the nurses a sense of achievement. Early education and training about COVID-19, clear infection control protocols and guidelines, psychological counseling, and adequate social support are essential steps for enhancing nurses' mental well-being and willingness and ability to fight COVID-19.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of ICU nurses regarding subsyndromal delirium among 20 hospitals in China: a descriptive cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to investigate nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices, and analyse the influencing factors for subsyndromal delirium (SSD).

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

E-questionnaires were distributed to intensive care unit (ICU) nurses from 20 tertiary-grade, A-class hospitals in Henan Province, China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 740 ICU nurses participated in the questionnaire survey.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Each dimension score is converted to a percentage scale. A score of ≤60% on each dimension of the questionnaire was considered a negative score, <80% was considered a intermediate score and ≥80% was considered an excellent score.

RESULTS

A total of 733 questionnaires were included in the study. More than half of the nurses were at the intermediate level, and a few nurses were at the excellent level. Nurses self-assessed their level of knowledge was intermediate. In the attitudes dimension, nurses' attitudes were negative. The results of the practical dimension showed that most nurses could carry out the clinical practice. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that educational level and received SSD training were influencing factors.

CONCLUSIONS

ICU nursing staff overestimated their knowledge of SSD and showed a negative attitude towards it. Various forms of education and training are necessary.

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding occupational protection against COVID-19 among midwives in China: A nationwide cross-sectional study

Midwives assume the roles in protecting perinatal women and newborns, meanwhile defending their own safety during the epidemic of COVID-19. Since there is currently no specific treatment available that targets the disease, strictly compliance with various infection prevention and control measures appears utmost important to achieve their occupational safety. We then explored the status quo and influencing factors of the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of occupational protection against the COVID-19 among midwives in China. This online cross-sectional survey was conducted on 2663 midwives across the China during the early stages of the pandemic with a self-reported structured questionnaire. 97.4% and 92.9% of them were identified with positive attitude and appropriate practice, respectively, whereas only 6.4% showed good level of knowledge about the occupational protection toward the COVID-19. Midwives with older age, keeping on working during the breakout period, completing the training programs, caring the confirmed COVID-19 cases and having family members with cold-like symptoms were significantly associated with their KAP status. This study could provide valuable information not only for policy makers and administrators to optimize resource allocation and design education programs on targeted midwives, but also serve as a baseline for measuring changes in subsequent, post-intervention KAP studies.

Quantitative research on the impact of COVID-19 on frontline nursing staff at a military hospital in Saudi Arabia

AIM

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between stress, psychological symptoms and job satisfaction among frontline nursing staff at a military hospital in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Data were collected using an online survey. All Registered Nurses (N = 1,225) working at a military hospital between February to April 2021 were contacted, 625 responded (51%). Data were analysed using descriptive and multivariate analysis, Student's t-test for independent samples and one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's multiple comparison tests.

RESULTS

Stress was experienced more significantly than depression or anxiety. Approximately 29% of the change in scores for psychological symptoms was explained by age group, being a Saudi national and working in emergency departments (F_[3,620]  = 19.063, p < 0.0001). A 37% change in nursing stress scores was explained by nationality and work department. (F_[5,618]  = 19.754, p < 0.0001). A 29% change in job satisfaction scores was explained by nationality and work department (F_[3,620]  = 19.063, p < 0.0001).

COVID-19 and Saudi Arabia: Awareness, Attitude, and Practice

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has transformed our appreciation of healthcare awareness worldwide. The amount of related data accumulated during this time has surpassed any other outbreak of a viral pathogen. Healthcare awareness is related to one of the nine pillars of the “World health organization (WHO) operational planning guidelines to support country preparedness and response”. This review is structured around the awareness/knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP)-related publications in Saudi Arabia up to date to understand the impact of COVID-19 on these domains. The excellent communication effort response from governments, international, and individuals to keep the public informed about the outbreak is highlighted. Unraveling such impacts on the Saudi communities, including healthcare workers (HCWs)/professionals (HCPs), students, patients with different diseases, and non-professional individuals, is essential in containing the outbreak and planning preventive measures in case of future outbreaks.

Awareness, Knowledge, and Perceptions of COVID-19 Precautions Among Employees of Al-Imam Abdulrahman Al Faisal Hospital in Riyadh, KSA

Background

The global pandemic of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) was announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) in early 2020. The consequences of the pandemic were vast, where healthcare systems, education, and the economy of many countries were greatly affected. As such, extraordinary precautions and measures were implemented to the public as well as to the healthcare systems in order to counter the spread of the disease. However, the success of these measures depends largely on the individual's adherence to them as well as their awareness about COVID-19. Indeed, healthcare workers and their non-medical co-workers play a crucial role in that, as they are considered the front line in fighting the infection.

Objectives

To assess the knowledge, awareness and perceptions of the healthcare workers (HCWs) regarding COVID-19 in Al-Imam Abdulrahman Al Faisal Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional study design, a previously validated questionnaire was used as an online survey to assess the knowledge, awareness and perceptions (KAP) of HCWs regarding COVID-19. The targeted population of this study was all the healthcare workers in Al-Imam Abdulrahman Al Faisal Hospital, including their non-medical co-workers.

Results

The study included 274 respondents consisting of 53.65% males and 46.45% females with an average age between 30-39 years. The majority of the respondents were paramedics with a percentage of 30.66%. The governmental references were the main source of information regarding COVID-19 for 69% of the respondents. Questions with accurate responses that exceeded 90% were about the COVID-19 complications, transmission, and measures to reduce its transmission. In this study, overall knowledge was significantly associated with the gender of the participants (P=0.01).

Conclusion

There was a good level of knowledge and perception in health care professionals and co-workers regarding SARS-CoV-2.

Association between health literacy and COVID-19 prevention behaviors among pregnant and postpartum women

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between health literacy and COVID-19 prevention behaviors among pregnant and postpartum women in Japan.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional, web-based, self-reported questionnaire survey, we investigated the association between health literacy and COVID-19 prevention behaviors among pregnant and postpartum women in Japan. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association with adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics.

RESULTS

There were 926 respondents, comprising 368 pregnant and 558 postpartum women. Women with high health literacy scores accounted for 42% of the respondents. This group had a significantly higher proportion of actively adopting preventive behaviors than the low health literacy group (33.5 vs. 25.4%, p = .008). The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed high health literacy was significantly associated with high preventive behaviors scores compared to low health literacy (adjusted odds ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-2.27).

CONCLUSION

Higher health literacy was significantly associated with a higher proportion of COVID-19 prevention behaviors among women who are pregnant or postpartum.

Potential impact of great lockdown on students' knowledge, attitude and practices towards the COVID-19 outbreak

Background : Despite variation in the types of COVID-19 vaccines and genetic variation in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, using preventive measures remains the first choice to reduce risks associated with COVID-19 infection. Methods: This cross-sectional study highlights students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward SARS-CoV-2 infection during the lockdown. The study was conducted at the Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected from 43 male preparatory students via an online self-structured questionnaire. Knowledge level was determined using mean scores, while chi-square and t-tests were performed to detect significant differences between groups. Results: Males aged 17-20 displayed better knowledge regarding COVID-19 than other groups (t = 2.03, p = 0.049). Most participants recognized the typical symptoms and transmission routes; 93% indicated they viewed social distancing as a crucial preventive measure. Following lockdown, a 1.7-fold increase in the number of participants who believed that mask-wearing was an effective preventive measure was observed; however, 37.2% did not trust this practice. There was a 2.2-fold increase in the number of participants who took part in awareness programs during lockdown. Students' knowledge increased from 73.2% to 81.5% following the lockdown. Specifically, mean knowledge regarding the role of contaminated tools in disease transmission increased from 33.7% to 75.5%. After lockdown, 58.1% of participants were anxious and afraid of having contact with their colleagues, while 39.5% missed their classes due to anxiety. Two sources of information impacted students' knowledge following the lockdown: university studies (t = 2.149, p = 0.038) and friends (t = 2.6, p = 0.013). Conclusions: The findings suggest that IAU preparatory-year students have acceptable knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards COVID-19 infection. This reflects the impact of media on the improvement in preventive measure uptake. Knowledge of the pandemic may increase if health education programs are designed to target students.

Do Contextual and Demographic Factors Help Malaysian Nurses Prepare in Dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic?

As of 11 October 2020, Sabah comprised a quarter of all COVID19 cases reported in Malaysia since the start of the pandemic last January 2020. In this pandemic, nurses serve in vital roles to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. This study aims to explore the nurses’ preparedness in managing the COVID-19 outbreak situation in Sabah, Malaysia, examining the contextual (e.g., participated in an actual major disaster event) and demographic factors (e.g., age and working experience that may influence nurses’ preparedness for managing the COVID-19 pandemic). A total of 317 nurses in Sabah, Malaysia were involved in this study. The Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) contained 41 items and was used to assess civilian nurses’ perceived familiarity with 9 competency dimensions of preparedness. The mean scores of nurses’ preparedness indicated a moderate level of nurses’ preparedness in managing the COVID-19 pandemic (mean ranging from 2.89 to 3.79). The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the nurses who actively participate in an actual major disaster event and who were not active in a total of preparedness and all dimensions (t = 2.79, df = 285, p = 0.006) (except in familiarity with decontamination and familiarity with special populations), across working experience (F(2,291) = 5.09, p = 0.007) (except familiarity with Incident Command System and role), and age among nurses ((F(3,290) = 2.68, p = 0.047)) (total of preparedness, familiarity with ethical issues in triage, epidemiology, and surveillance, and psychological issues). Overall, this study has made a significant theoretical contribution, as well as in clinical implications in the field of nursing practice, by addressing the impact of contextual and demographic factors on nurses’ preparedness in managing the COVID-19 outbreak situation. This study will help nurses to understand the skills, abilities, knowledge, and actions needed to respond, mitigate, and prepare for emergencies during pandemics and disasters.

[A qualitative study on nurses' experiences with social stigma in the context of COVID-19]

Aim

This study aimed to examine the social stigma experienced by healthcare workers caring for people diagnosed with COVID-19.

Methods

This research employed a qualitative-phenomenological approach. It was conducted at the COVID centers of the Hail region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Both purposive and snowball sampling were used, resulting in 15 participants. However, saturation was identified in the 11th participant. Interviews were conducted online through a Zoom platform, with at least 50 min per participant. Thematic analysis was used in analysing the data.

Results

The nurses recorded four themes and three subthemes based on one-on-one interviews. These themes included (1) Labeling nurses as "COVID Nurses," with a subtheme of frustration, (2) "Fear of the unknown," with a subtheme of "uncertainties," (3) Nurses' need for support, and (4) the Love for the profession, with a subtheme of "nurses' worth."

Conclusion

Nurses who cared for patients diagnosed with COVID-19 experienced stigma. They were labeled "COVID Nurses." They experienced fear of the unknown and uncertainties and felt they needed support. Despite these experiences, the nurses felt fulfilled as they have a high regard for their profession. The experiences of these nurses call for intervention to help them before, during, and after any health-related crisis. In this context, nurses will be prepared mentally and emotionally to face the challenges in their career.

Knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 epidemic preparedness and response among health care workers in Makkah city

Objective:

This study determined and examined the knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and response measures by health care workers (HCWs) in Makkah city.

Methods:

This descriptive study used a quantitative method with a cross-sectional design. A survey (questionnaire) collected data from 251 HCWs working in 10 hospitals and 80 health care centers.

Results:

The total score for the knowledge level was high (range: 50–76, mean ± SD = 65.370 ± 4.805). There was a relationship between the participants’ workplace and education levels to the nature of the disease (p = 0.009*, 0.037*, respectively). Job descriptions were related to the transmission of the disease (p = 0.003*). The participants’ age groups and years of experience were also associated with their actions in suspected, probable, and confirmed cases (p = 0.015*, 0.03*, respectively). The HCWs’ knowledge of precautionary measures was not related to their demographic data, except for the education level shown (p = 0.037*).

Discussion:

A similar level of knowledge and awareness was detected in Saudi Arabia in Riyadh and Al-Jouf, the UAE, Vietnam, and Uganda. Further study is recommended to measure the factors affecting HCWs’ knowledge and awareness during an epidemic situation.

Sleep Quality and the Depression-Anxiety-Stress State of Frontline Nurses Who Perform Nucleic Acid Sample Collection During COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective

To explore the sleep quality and depression-anxiety-stress state of frontline nurses in high-risk areas who conduct nucleic acid sampling testing for COVID-19 to provide a basis for formulating intervention programs in crisis management.

Methods

From August 22 to 30, 2021, a convenient sampling method was used in Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, China. A total of 248 frontline nurses who performed nucleic acid sample collection were selected. The following tests were used: the general information questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (PSQI), and Depression–Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21).

Results

A total of 236 nurses completed the survey; 88.14% (n = 208) were women, the average age was 33.02±6.81, the PSQI score was 15 (13–17), and 231 (97.88%) nurses had sleep disorders during the period in Zhangjiajie, 219 nurses (81.36%) had anxiety, 135 nurses (45.76%) had depression, and 112 nurses (42.59%) felt stressed. Spearman correlation analysis was used to associate the PSQI with the DASS-21. The results showed that the use of hypnotic drugs was negatively correlated with DASS-21 (P<0.05), while the rest were positively correlated. The results of the multivariate analysis of sleep disorders showed that depression, anxiety, and stress were related to sleep quality (P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference in the other variables.

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the sleep quality and depression-anxiety-stress state of the frontline nurses performing nucleic acid testing were adversely affected. Sleep disturbance is a serious problem among nurses testing for the delta strain during the pandemic. Anxiety, stress, and depression are associated with sleep disorders. It is necessary to take corresponding measures and conduct crisis management interventions to improve sleep quality and mental health adjustment during public health emergencies.

Digital Health Platforms in Saudi Arabia: Determinants from the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience

COVID-19 poses a significant burden to healthcare systems. Healthcare organisations with better health innovation infrastructures have faced a reduced burden and achieved success in curbing COVID-19. In Saudi Arabia, digital technologies have played a vital role in fighting SARS-CoV-2 transmission. In this paper, we aimed to summarise the experience of optimising digital health technologies in Saudi Arabia as well as to discuss capabilities and opportunities during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. A literature search was conducted up to September 2021 to document the experience of using DHTPs in Saudi Arabia in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We also considered any published data, press briefings, and announcements by the MOH in Saudi Arabia. The findings were synthesised in narrative form. Health officials succeeded in optimising and maintaining a strategy to mitigate the spread of the virus via different digital technologies, such as mobile health applications, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The quick digital response in Saudi Arabia was facilitated by governmental support and by considering users and technology determinants. Future research must concentrate on establishing and updating the guidelines for using DHTPs.

Relationship between Quality of Nursing Work Life and Uniformed Nurses' Attitudes and Practices Related to COVID-19 in the Philippines: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly worldwide. Uniformed nurses have played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines; however, uptake of literature is limited. This study assessed the relationship between quality of nursing work life (QNWL) and nurses’ attitudes and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. Participants were recruited from four government hospitals in the Manila metropolitan area of the Philippines. Participants completed three questionnaires in an online survey: a demographic questionnaire, a QNWL questionnaire, and the attitude and practices toward COVID-19 questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, a one-way analysis of variance, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and hierarchical linear regression were applied for data analysis. (3) Results: The mean age of the participants was 29 years. Most of the participants were single women who were not certified in their specialties. A total of QNWL scores were high, indicating that the participants displayed favorable attitudes and practices in relation to COVID-19. A statistically significant relationship was observed between QNWL, specialty certification, and practices related to COVID-19. Practices related to COVID-19 were a significant predictor of QNWL and one of its subscales, work design. (4) Conclusion: Young adult uniformed nurses in the Philippines have assumed numerous responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing these frontline nurses with comprehensive specialized education and training is crucial.

COVID-19 pandemic: determinants of workplace preventive practice among primary healthcare workers in Sabah, Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 pandemic has placed the entire world, including Malaysia in a state of fear. The rising burden on healthcare facilities has put healthcare workers consistently at risk of healthcare-associated infection. We sought to identify determinants of preventive practice against COVID-19 at work among primary healthcare professionals in Sabah, Malaysia.

METHOD

This was a cross-sectional study involving healthcare workers of the Penampang and Putatan districts of Sabah, Malaysia. A total of 167 health professionals from primary healthcare settings took part in this study via a self-administered questionnaire from November 2020 until January 2021. Independent t-test and Analysis of Variance were used to determine differences in preventive practice for categorical independent variables. Pearson product-moment correlation was applied to assess the relationship between Job Satisfaction, burnout, and preventive practice. Subsequently, predictors of preventive practice at work among healthcare workers in Sabah were identified through Binomial Logistic Regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of good preventive practice among health professionals at work was 71.3%. There was no difference in preventive practice between professions. Almost all participants reported having good personal protective equipment compliance and hand hygiene practice at work. Marital status (AOR = 4.170, 95% CI = 1.787, 9.733; p = 0.001), average sleep hours (AOR = 1.775, 95% CI = 1.144, 2.754; p = 0.01), and pandemic-related burnout (AOR = 0.905, 95% CI = 0.847, 0.967; p = 0.003) were identified as significant predictors of preventive practice at primary healthcare facilities.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcome of this study is beneficial to the healthcare organization. It can serve as a useful guide to tackle issues related to poor preventive practice against COVID-19 at work for health professionals.

COVID-19 Community Transmission among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Care Cardiac Center

Aim: To determine the frequency, mode of transmission, and outcome of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in a tertiary care cardiac center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: This is a retrospective study of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected HCWs and was conducted from 2 March to 31 December 2020. Data related to the presence of COVID-19 symptoms, mode of transmission, hospitalization, and mortality were collected from the patients’ medical records. Results: Of the 4462 patients tested for COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 203 (4.5%) HCWs were positive; of these, 125 (61.6%) were males, and the most common age group was <40 years. The most commonly encountered health professionals were nurses (74, 36.4%), followed by therapists/technicians (48, 23.6%), housekeepers (25, 12.3%), and physicians (21, 10.4%). The majority (184, 90.6%) of the HCWs contracted COVID-19 in the community, and only 19 (9.4%) were healthcare-associated infections. Of the infected HCWs, 169 (83.3%) had mild symptoms and were managed in home isolation. The most common symptoms were fever (128, 63.1%), body ache (124, 61.8%), headache (113, 55.7%), dry cough (123, 60.6%), sore throat (97, 47.8%), body weakness (97, 47.8%), and fatigue (94, 46.3%). Comparing males and females, there was a significantly higher number of female nurses; in contrast, there was a higher number of male physicians, housekeepers, therapists/technicians, and other specialty HCWs. A significantly lower number of nurses, therapists/technicians were infected in the ≥40 years age group compared to <40 years. Furthermore, a significantly higher difference was observed among non-Saudi nurses compared to Saudi nurses. No mortality was documented among the included HCWs. Conclusions: In the largest tertiary cardiac center in KSA, most HCWs who contracted COVID-19 developed mild symptoms; nurses and those aged <40 years were most commonly infected, and most infections were acquired in the community. HCWs’ adherence to mitigation measures outside of the workplace is vital to curb the current pandemic and decrease nosocomial transmission risk.

Infection Prevention Performance among In-Flight Cabin Crew in South Korea

COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic in 2020; thus, preventing in-flight infection transmission is important for stopping global spread via air travel. Infection prevention (IP) performance among aircraft cabin crew is crucial for preventing in-flight transmission. We aimed to identify the level of IP performance and factors affecting IP performance among aircraft cabin crew during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. An online survey was conducted with 177 cabin crew members between August and September 2020. The survey assessed IP performance, and IP awareness, using a five-point Likert scale, and also evaluated simulation-based personal protective equipment (PPE) training experience, and organizational culture. The average IP performance score was 4.56 ± 0.44. Although the performance level for mask-wearing was high (4.73 ± 0.35), hand hygiene (HH) performance (4.47 ± 0.56) was low. Multivariate analysis showed that IP performance was significantly associated with IP awareness (p < 0.05) and simulation-based PPE training experience (p < 0.05). Since HH performance was relatively low, cabin crew and airlines should make efforts to improve HH performance. Furthermore, a high level of IP awareness and PPE training experience can improve IP performance among cabin crew members. Therefore, simulation-based PPE training and strategies to improve IP awareness are essential for preventing in-flight infection transmission.

Creative social media use for Covid-19 prevention in Bangladesh: a structural equation modeling approach

In recent years, information dissemination has been quicker than earlier years with the sky-high development of diverse social media platforms, e.g., Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube and so on, which are more used in creative production. This advancement of social media disclosures has numerous merits and demerits to prevent and control contagious diseases like the Covid-19 pandemic. In this respect, this research scrutinizes the role of creative social media use in preventing the Covid-19 outbreak in Bangladesh utilizing the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. To this end, this study uses an online survey from June to October 2020 engaging 265 (N = 265) Bangladeshi people as respondents at different ages. The study results establish that creative social media use helps enhance the knowledge of Covid-19 precautions online, and this pertinent knowledge contributes to preventing Covid-19 outbreak in Bangladesh. It implies that creative social media use has a significant indirect effect on Covid-19 prevention, whereas knowledge of Covid-19 precautions online mediates this relationship between creative social media use and Covid-19 prevention. The results also discover that the educational level of the people has a significant direct and positive impact on Covid-19 prevention. Therefore, the study suggests more creative use of social media in preventing the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic in Bangladesh.

Awareness of COVID-19, Protective Measures and Attitude Towards Vaccination among University of Jeddah Health Field Community: A Questionnaire-Based Study

This cross-sectional study aimed to measure the awareness, and attitude towards COVID-19 disease as well as new vaccine acceptance, among health field community (healthcare workers, health fields teaching staff and students) at the University of Jeddah, Jeddah Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was designed in English language and included a set of 44 multiple-choice close-ended questions that covered demographic profile of participants, awareness of symptoms and practice against COVID-19. It also included a set of questions that attempted to investigate the attitudes and perceptions towards the uptake of vaccine. Out of the total 186 who participated in this study, 48.4% were 24 years old or younger and 55.9% were health field students. The results showed that majority of participants were aware of most common symptoms and causes of COVID-19 and had positive attitude toward the protective measures against the disease. Regarding the acceptability of vaccination against COVID-19, around 44% of the total participants showed hesitancy to uptake the vaccine of whom, 68.3% were concerned about the adverse effects of the vaccine. Significant differences were found between gender and current position at university of Jeddah in term of vaccine acceptance with p-values of < 0.001. Despite this high level of awareness, health field community at the university of Jeddah have medium acceptance level of disease vaccine. Thus, health educational programs are important to increase the acceptance level among such societies which will contribute to increase the acceptance level among the whole society.

Observational study on the potential psychological factors that affected Italian nurses involved in the COVID-19 health emergency

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK

The present study aimed to identify the potential psychological malaise factors affecting the Italian nurses on the front lines of Covid-19 patient care since evidence suggested that they are at high risk of developing psychological disorders.

METHODS

An online questionnaire was administered to 291 Italian nurses, containing information on: sex, years of work experience, region of Italy where nurses worked and the intensive care unit assignment. Then, the anxiety disorders, the impact of the event, the depression and the insomnia conditions and their principal psychological factors influencing nurses during the health emergency. were assessed Results. Nurses worked in Northern Italy registered higher anxiety scores than others (p=0.023); the assignment to the intensive care unit (p=0.042) not influenced these scores. The total impact of event (IES-R) values ​​evidenced that women recorded higher "Avoidance" (p=0.032) and "Hyperarousal" (p=0.003) values ​​than men. The nurses who worked in Northern Italy recorded higher scores of "Hyperarousal" (p=0.010) and IES-R total (p=0.044). More women than men showed insomnia conditions (p=0.038) and nurses with a number of years of work experience not exceeding 10 years recorded greater levels of depression than the others (p=0.031). The psychological factors affected nurses included: the "Pleasure/Interest" dimension which correlated with the "Uncontrollable Thinking" (p=0.007), the "Unsatisfactory sleep/wake rhythm" (p=0.004), and the "Unmanageable pain and weakness" (p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Urgent need to intervene with psychological support programs for health professionals, such as nurses who are facing the health emergency from Covid-19 on the front line.