Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 Using Traditional and Folk Medicine: A Content Analysis Study

Paxlovid reduces the 28-day mortality of patients with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

In this study, we aim to explore the efficacy of paxlovid on reducing mortality of COVID-19 patients in clinical setting, especially whether paxlovid modifies the risk of death in these severe and critical patients.

METHODS

Our retrospective cohort study was conducted on the medical records of patients, consecutively admitted for COVID-19 to five hospitals in Chongqing, China from Dec 8, 2022 to Jan 20, 2023. Based on whether patients received paxlovid during their hospitalization, patients were grouped as paxlovid group and non-paxlovid group. We used 1:1 ratio propensity score matching (PSM) in our study to adjust for confounding factors and differences between groups. Statistical analysis were performed by SPSS 23.0. The differences in 28-day mortality between these two groups and its influencing factors were the main results we focused on.

RESULTS

There were 1018 patients included in our study cohort. With 1:1 ratio PSM, each of the paxlovid group and non-paxlovid group included 237 patients. The results showed that patients using paxlovid have a lower 28-day mortality in overall population either before PSM (OR 0.594, 95% CI 0.385-0.917, p = 0.019) or after PSM (OR 0.458, 95% CI 0.272-0.774, p = 0.003) with multivariable adjusted logistic regression models. Meanwhile, in severe subgroup, it showed similar findings.With paxlovid treatment, it showed a significantly lower 28-day mortality in severe subgroup both before PSM (28% vs.41%, p = 0.008) and after PSM (19% vs.32%, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Paxlovid can significantly reduce the risk of 28-day mortality in overall population and severe subgroup patients.This study distinguished the severe subgroup patients with COVID-19 who benefit more from paxlovid treatment.

The relationship between spiritual health and quality of life among COVID-19 patients with long-term complications in the post-coronavirus era

Objective

COVID-19 has varied manifestations and can cause complications that affect quality of life. Spiritual health may be a source of adaptation for these patients. This study investigated the relationship between spiritual health and quality of life among COVID-19 patients with long-term complications in the post-coronavirus era.

Participants/methods

This study enrolled 475 COVID-19 patients through convenience sampling from medical facilities located in the Central Province of Iran. Data collection occurred between November 2022 and July 2023. A demographic checklist was utilized to ascertain the presence of potential COVID-19 complications. Patients exhibiting at least one long-term complication of COVID-19 were classified into the group with complications, while those without such complications were categorized into the group without complications. Subsequently, spiritual health and quality of life were assessed utilizing Paloutzian and Ellison's Spiritual Well-Being Scale and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS-20.

Results

The mean scores of spiritual well-being and quality of life for participants without COVID-19 complications were 70.87 ± 22.44 and 61.30 ± 18.33, respectively. In contrast, the mean spiritual health scores and quality of life for participants with COVID-19 complications were 41.20 ± 12.49 and 33.66 ± 1.46, respectively. Moreover, spiritual well-being was positively associated with quality of life among COVID-19 patients (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study indicates that COVID-19 complications can impair patients' spiritual health and quality of life, leaving them vulnerable and distressed. However, patients with higher spiritual health can cope better and enjoy a higher quality of life, despite challenges. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of addressing the spiritual needs of patients with COVID-19 complications and providing them with adequate support and care.

Examining the effect of training with a teaching for understanding framework on intravenous therapy administration's knowledge, performance, and satisfaction of nursing students: a non-randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Nursing students require improvement in their intravenous infusion therapy management skills, yet traditional training models possess deficiencies. The Teaching for Understanding (TfU) Framework can enhance the teaching-learning process and support quality education. Therefore, utilizing TfU framework for training may promote the performance of nurses.

METHODS

Utilizing a non-synchronized design, 102 nurses were recruited using a convenience sampling method. Fifty-one student nurses from August 2019 to January 2021 were designated as the control group, and 51 student nurses from February 2021 to July 2022 were included as the intervention group. The control group received traditional teaching methods, while the intervention group was trained based on TfU framework. The impact was gauged through medical education environment perception, theory and practice assessments, and learning satisfaction surveys.

RESULTS

After the training, there was no significant difference between the control group and the intervention group in the theory assessment. However, the practice assessment scores of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Compared with the control group, the learning satisfaction scores of the trained nurses in the intervention group were significantly higher, exhibiting significant differences, particularly in communication ability, teamwork cooperation, summing up capability, and interest in learning improvement. Furthermore, the scores of the learning perceptions, atmosphere, social self-perceptions, and total scores of the intervention group were significantly higher.

CONCLUSION

Training using TfU framework can heighten students' understanding and command over knowledge and skills, fuel their learning fervor, and enhance their communication and collaboration abilities. TfU framework should be disseminated in medical education to improve the quality of education.

Do Medical Sciences Students Have the Proper Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice, Regarding the Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Iran?

Background

The increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has changed expectations of healthcare professionals concerning the knowledge, attitude, and practice of CAM. The present study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of students of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Iran) in 2020 concerning CAM.

Methods

The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 226 medical sciences students using targeted quota sampling. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on valid scientific articles and literature. The questionnaire was comprised of 92 items and assessed students' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding CAM.

Results

The study participants' mean CAM knowledge and attitude scores were 14.12±6.1 and 58.7±29.28, respectively. The primary information sources included mass media, the internet, and friends. Most participants (63.4%) were willing to use CAM methods. The most common CAM was herbal therapy (29.1%), and the most common reason for using, was gastrointestinal problems (39.2%).

Conclusion

The participants indicated moderate knowledge and poor attitude regarding CAM. Thus, considering the extensive application of CAM methods among the participants and their insufficient knowledge and inappropriate attitude, that is recommended to include CAM methods be included besides the conventional medicine, in the academic curriculum of students of medical sciences.

Emergency Nurses' Compliance with Standard Precautions during the COVID-19 Pandemic at Governmental Hospitals in Hail City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background

This study was conducted to assess nurses' compliance with standard precautions during COVID-19 pandemic at emergency departments, Hail city, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the year 2021, at emergency departments of governmental hospitals in Hail city, Saudi Arabia. A total of 138 emergency nurses were selected using a census sampling method, and included in the current study. Of them, 56(40.6%) were from King Khalid Hospital, 35(25.4%) from King Salman Specialist Hospital, 28(20.3%) from Sharaf Urgent Care Hospital, and 19(13.8%) from Maternity and Child Hospital. The compliance with standard precautions scale was used, and socio-demographic characteristics were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 28.

Results

A large percentage (71.0%) of the studied nurses were females, and (78.3%) were Saudi. The mean scores of compliances with standard precautions ranged from 3.1 to 3.9 out of 4. The overall compliance rate with all components of standards precautions was optimal (92.75%). Significant statistical differences were found in the mean scores of the "prevention of cross infection from person to person" with age; and between the mean scores of the "decontamination of spills and used article" with profession carrier P-values = 0.013, and 0.016, respectively.

Conclusions

The compliance with standard precautions by emergency nurses was optimal (more than 90%). The mean compliance scores with the standard precautions could be associated with age and professional category. Continuous training program to enhance compliance with standard precautions among emergency nurses with continuous follow up and evaluation are recommended.