Coronavirus Disease Of 2019 Research Articles

Assessing Resilience and Its Correlates among Residents of Fort McMurray during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a global health crisis that has affected the psychological well-being of individuals across the world. The persistence of the pandemic and measures to curtail it have tested people's ability to cope successfully and bounce back from the pandemic, otherwise referred to as resilience. The present study examined resilience levels among residents of Fort McMurray and identified the demographic, clinical and social factors associated with resilience. The study used a cross-sectional survey design and collected data from 186 participants using online questionnaires. The survey included questions assessing sociodemographic information, mental health history and COVID-19-related variables. The main study outcome was resilience measured using the six-item Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The data from the survey were analyzed using chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression analyses in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25. The results showed that seven independent variables (age, history of depression, history of anxiety, willingness to receive mental health counselling, support from the government of Alberta and support from employer) were statistically significant within the context of the logistic regression model. A history of an anxiety disorder was demonstrated to best predict low resilience. Participants who had a history of anxiety disorder were five times more likely to show low resilience compared to those without such a history. Participants with a history of depression showed a three-fold likelihood of having low resilience in comparison to those who did not have a history of depression. Individuals who expressed a desire to receive mental health counselling had a four-times likelihood of having low resilience than those who did not express a desire to receive mental health counselling. The results also showed that younger participants were more prone to low resilience compared to older participants. Receiving support from the government and one's employer is a protective factor. This study highlights the importance of examining resilience and its associated factors during a pandemic such as COVID-19. The results demonstrated that a history of anxiety disorder, depression and being younger were important predictors of low resilience. Responders who reported the desire to receive mental health counselling also reported expressing low resilience. These findings could be used to design and implement interventions aimed at improving the resilience of individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination Rates and Public Measures on Case Rates at the Provincial Level, Thailand, 2021: Spatial Panel Model Analyses.

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) was a pandemic that caused high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The COVID-19 vaccine was expected to be a game-changer for the pandemic. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of COVID-19 cases and vaccination in Thailand during 2021. An association between vaccination and case rates was estimated with potential confounders at ecological levels (color zones, curfews set by provincial authorities, tourism, and migrant movements) considering time lags at two, four, six, and eight weeks after vaccination. A spatial panel model for bivariate data was used to explore the relationship between case rates and each variable and included only a two-week lag after vaccination for each variable in the multivariate analyses. In 2021, Thailand had 1,965,023 cumulative cases and 45,788,315 total administered first vaccination doses (63.60%). High cases and vaccination rates were found among 31-45-year-olds. Vaccination rates had a slightly positive association with case rates due to the allocation of hot-spot pandemic areas in the early period. The proportion of migrants and color zones measured had positive associations with case rates at the provincial level. The proportion of tourists had a negative association. Vaccinations should be provided to migrants, and collaboration between tourism and public health should prepare for the new era of tourism.

Sentiments Analysis of Covid-19 Vaccine Tweets Using Machine Learning and Vader Lexicon Method

The novel Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has subsequently named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have tormented the lives of millions of people worldwide. Effective and safe vaccination might curtail the pandemic. This study aims to apply the VADER lexicon, TextBlob and machine learning approach: to analyze and detect the ongoing sentiments during the affliction of the Covid-19 pandemic on Twitter, to understand public reaction worldwide towards vaccine and concerns about the effectiveness of the vaccine. Over 200000 tweets vaccine-related using hashtags #CovidVaccine #Vaccines #CornavirusVaccine were retrieved from 18 August 2020 to 20 July 2021. Data analysis conducted by VADER lexicon method to predict sentiments polarity, counts and sentiment distribution, TextBlob to determine the subjectivity and polarity, and also compared with two other models such as Random Forest (RF) and Logistic Regression (LR). The results determine sentiments that public have a positive stance towards a vaccine follows by neutral and negative. Machine learning classification models performed better than the VADER lexicon method on vaccine Tweets. It is anticipated this study aims to help the government in long run, to make policies and a better environment for people suffering from negative thoughts during the ongoing pandemic.

PULM14: Long-haul ECMO as Bridge to Transplant in COVID-19 ARDS

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation (LT) is an established treatment modality for refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Per the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) database, 215 patients supported on ECMO due to the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) related ARDS underwent LT between August 2020 and June 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic limited donor availability and increased duration of ECMO support in ECMO-dependent patients listed for LT. Outcomes of long-term ECMO as bridge to transplant (BTT) in this population remain unclear, and no cases of VV ECMO greater than 200 days has been documented in the literature. Methods: A single-center review was conducted to identify patients cannulated for VV-ECMO to treat COVID-19 associated ARDS between January 1, 2021 and January 1, 2022. Patients were selected who were supported by VV-ECMO for ARDS secondary to COVID-19 for greater than 200 days before receiving a lung transplant. Detailed analysis was performed for the outcomes and characteristics of all patients who received a lung transplant for post-COVID-19 ARDS after >200 days of VV-ECMO support. Results: Three patients were identified as long-term ECMO as BTT recipients (>200 days) for COVID-19-associated ARDS. Average age was 38 years (22,52), BMI 32.9 (31.6,34) and no patients had any known relevant respiratory medical history. One patient had a history of daily e-cigarette use. All patients were unvaccinated at the time of first positive COVID-19 test. All were successfully bridged to bilateral lung transplant (BLT) off of VV-ECMO. None required VV-ECMO post-operatively. One patient required VA-ECMO post-operatively for elevated pulmonary arterial pressures related to incidentally discovered septal defects. Average ECMO duration was 278 days (250, 324). Two patients were cannulated as bridge to recovery, and one as bridge to decision. Patients remained ambulant on ECMO support until they were able to undergo the transplant procedure. Cannulation strategies included double lumen right internal jugular (RIJ), RIJ to right femoral vein, and bifemoral venous cannulation. Complications on ECMO included sepsis, hemorrhage, stroke, reconfiguration, and atrial fibrillation. Two were discharged to home and one to inpatient rehabilitation. Average length of stay after transplant was 27 days (16,37). All 3 patients have continued to do well. Conclusion: We present three patients with the longest documented VV-ECMO support for COVID-19 ARDS a bridge to lung transplant. Our findings suggest long-term VV-ECMO support is a feasible bridge to LT for patients with COVID-19-related ARDS when used in the long-term (>200 days). The duration of ECMO support remains associated with known ECMO-related complications. Post-transplant survival to-date suggests that survival in long-term ECMO support as a BTT may be comparable to short-term ECMO in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS.

The Effect of COVID-Focused Expressive Writing on Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Distress in College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been associated with increased levels of distress for college students. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a COVID-focused expressive writing intervention in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress. Methods: A total of 169 college students were assigned either to a COVID-focused expressive writing intervention or to a nonwriting control group. All participants completed a 1-month follow-up assessment, and all study procedures were completed online due to COVID-19 restrictions. Depression was measured with the Beck Depression Inventory-II, anxiety was measured with the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and distress was measured with a Likert-scale question that measured distress specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Results indicated that participants in the expressive writing group demonstrated a significant decrease (b = -1.35) in anxiety symptoms whereas participants in the control group did not. None of the participants in either group demonstrated a significant decrease in depression symptoms. Ratings of distress in the expressive writing group were significantly lower (d = -0.51) at the 1-month follow-up when compared to the control group. Discussion: COVID-focused expressive writing is a relatively brief and inexpensive intervention that has been associated with lower symptoms of anxiety and distress in college students. Theoretical implications are discussed.

EPH47 Active Surveillance for Safety Monitoring of COVID-19 Vaccines in Saudi Arabia

It is generally accepted that the world will not return to the pre-pandemic normally situation until safe and effective vaccines become available. However, the rare and unknown adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) are not usually detected in the clinical trials. Thus, monitoring the safety of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in real-world population is essential. Therefore, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) performed a post-marketing safety surveillance of AEFIs following administration of COVID-19 vaccines. A prospective cohort study conducted and followed subjects who received COVID-19 vaccines from the first day of vaccination for seven days after the first and second doses, then biweekly for three months. All information from the vaccinee (demographic information, vaccine type and AEFIs) were collected by phone through a standardized online questionnaire. Baseline characteristics and AEFIs were analyzed descriptively by SPSS software. AEFIs classified according to medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA). 544 subjects of 8867 agreed to be part of the study. Among them, 218 subjects completed the study. Out of 218, 87 (39.91%) individual received Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, 45(20.64%) received Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, 5(2.3%) individual received Moderna vaccine, and 81 (37.2%) received two different COVID-19 vaccines. The reported events were categorized to system organ class (SOC) according to MedDRA. The most reported SOCs were skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (n=66 with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, n=34 with Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, n=5 with Moderna vaccine), nervous system disorder(n=20with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, n=18with Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, n=3with Moderna vaccine) infections and infestations (n=23 with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, n=33 with Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, n=4 with Moderna vaccine), musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (n=53with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, n=46 with Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, n=7 with Moderna vaccine). Only 10 (4.6%) cases were serious and required medical intervention. The preliminary results shows the short-term safety profiles of included COVID-19 vaccines are acceptable in Saudi Arabia.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Antimicrobial Stewardship: Before, during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an ongoing phenomenon. It is a significant public health issue that has existed long before the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It develops as microorganisms undergo genetic mutations that allow them to survive despite antimicrobial treatment. This process is highly associated with excessive and often unnecessary antimicrobial pharmacotherapy, which was often discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores how the pandemic has affected antimicrobial stewardship by shifting the focus away from antimicrobial resistance, as well as the impact of enhanced antibiotic usage and measures such as lockdowns, mandatory testing and vaccination on antimicrobial resistance. Although these measures were regarded as successful in terms of limiting the pandemic, they have significantly contributed to an already escalating AMR issue. Outpatient methods in primary care and intensive care units aiming to prevent severe COVID-19 disease have contributed to the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria, while laboratories burdened with COVID-19 testing have indirectly interrupted the detection of these bacteria. In this review, we summarize the pathogens whose AMRe has been greatly affected by COVID-19 measures and emphasize the importance of efficient antimicrobial stewardship in future pandemic and non-pandemic states to promote the responsible use of antibiotics and minimize AMR.

New and Expanding Populations of People Experiencing Homelessness in British Columbia, Canada During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This community-based research examines the impact of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on service provision to people experiencing homelessness and concurrent disorders (PEHCD) in British Columbia, Canada. Using mixed methods, 119 service providers from across BC participated in a survey, and of those, 25 participated in semi-structured interviews. Several gaps emerged in service delivery to PEHCD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, service providers adapted to support their clients’ needs, which included supporting new and expanding service groups: (a) people who were experiencing homelessness for the first time due to pandemic-related job loss, (b) people who receive low incomes and are experiencing food insecurity, (c) more complex mental health needs, (d) seniors, (e) youth/students, and (f) family members fleeing violence in the home (e.g., intimate partner violence and child abuse). In the absence of Point-in-Time Counts in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic as per physical distancing protocols, this data on new and expanding service groups highlights the critical need to embed considerations for social vulnerabilities and secondary impacts into pandemic planning and response efforts.

Role of Natural Products in the Management of COVID-19: A Saudi Arabian Perspective.

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented circumstance that has never previously occurred. This has caused the Saudi Arabian people to recognize the necessity of preventive measures and explore alternative systems, such as using natural products (NPs), for treating their infection. Therefore, the specific objectives of this study were to explore the factors that influence the selection of NPs for COVID-19 management and to know the outcome of using NPs in COVID-19 infection management. This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between February and April 2022. The validated pretested questionnaire was distributed among different regions of the country via a purposive snowball sampling procedure. Both descriptive statistics and stepwise regression analyses were carried out to evaluate the parameters related to the use of medicinal plants for the prevention of COVID-19 and the treatment of respiratory symptoms during the pandemic. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Of the 677 participants, 65% reported using NPs for themselves or family members during COVID-19. Utilizing NPs is always given priority by a significant (p < 0.001) percentage of survey respondents. Further, a highly significant (p < 0.001) percentage of participants felt that using NPs reduced their COVID-19 symptoms without having any remarkable (p < 0.001) adverse effects. Family and friends (59%) were the most frequent sources of information about utilizing NPs, followed by personal experience (41%). Honey (62.7%) and ginger (53.8%) were the most utilized NP among participants. Moreover, black seeds, garlic and turmeric were used by 40.5%, 37.7% and 26.3% of the surveyors, respectively. Those who used NPs before COVID-19 were 72.9% more likely to use them during COVID-19. NPs are more likely to be used by 75% of people who live in the central part of the country and whose families prefer it. This is true even if other factors are considered, such as the practice of using NPs along with traditional therapies and the fact that some participants' families prefer it. Our findings show that NPs were commonly used to treat COVID-19 infection among Saudi Arabian residents. Close friends and family members mainly encouraged the use of NPs. Overall, the use of NPs was high among those who participated in our study; such practices are strongly impacted by society. It is essential to promote extensive studies to improve the recognition and accessibility of these products. Authorities should also educate the people about the benefits and risks of using commonly used NPs, especially those reported in this study.

Enlarged dimensions of cardiac chambers and the root of the aorta as a significant cardiovascular impact of pandemic COVID-19: a population-based study

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National Centre of Science. Background The long-term complications in the cardiovascular (CV) system that the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may cause are not fully understood. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of a coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on echocardiographic (ECHO) and electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters. Methods This was single-center prospective cohort study. The study population consisted of 2 groups: the group before the COVID-19 pandemic (713 probands tested from 18. March 2018 to 17. March 2020) compared to the group during the COVID-19 pandemic (425 probands tested from 14. July 2020 to 02. March 2022). The comprehensive assessment was performed including laboratory parameters, ECHO and ECG. Results The studied populations did not differ by sex, age, body mass index and systolic blood pressure (BPs), while diastolic BP (BPd) was significantly lower in the group during the COVID-19 pandemic (p&amp;lt;0.001). In the group during COVID-19 the dimensions of all cardiac chambers, i.e., left atrial dimension (p&amp;lt;0.001), left atrial volume index (LAVI) (p&amp;lt;0.001), right atrial volume (p&amp;lt;0.001), left ventricular dimension (p=0.013), right ventricular dimension (p=0.046) and aortic root dimension (p=0.001) were larger compared to the pre-pandemic population. The ECG showed longer P-wave (p=0.022), PQ segment (&amp;lt;0.001) and QRS complex durations (p=0.042) in the pandemic population compared to the pre-pandemic population. In contrast, there was no significant statistical difference between the analyzed groups in terms of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) assessed by ECHO or ECG criteria. In addition, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations was significantly higher in the population during COVID-19 (p=0.011). Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 has had an impact on the cardiovascular system by increasing the size of all heart chambers and the root of the aorta which may have deleterious effects in the future. Careful monitoring of long-term effects is needed.

Association of right and left atrial strain with laboratory, anthropometric and echocardiographic markers - the influence of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National Centre of Science. Background The exploration for the impact of surviving a coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) on the cardiovascular system and cause-and-effect relationships is still a challenge for researchers. Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the parameters of right and left atrial deformation using strain imaging in echocardiography (ECHO) among undergoing COVID-19, their relationship to the survival of this disease, and to investigate whether there is a relationship between these parameters and laboratory, anthropometric and echocardiographic markers. Methods The study consisted of 134 patients of the study group - subjects examined 6-9 months after hospitalisation due to COVID-19 infection, and 134 control subjects - participants of the Bialystok PLUS project, examined before the pandemic (the assumed start date of the pandemic in Poland is 18 March 2020). The groups were matched for age and gender. In all subjects, an extensive medical history was taken, anthropometric measurements, a comprehensive panel of laboratory tests, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured. ECHO was performed including assessment of right (RA) and left atrial (LA) strain parameters. Results Individuals after COVID-19 had significantly lower RA strain parameters, such as: global longitudinal strain (40.5±13.8% vs. control group 47.2±13.4%, p&amp;lt;0.000) and global circumferential strain (26.9±16.5% vs. 32.8±16.5%, p=0.014), while no differences were found for LA strain. Significantly lower values of parameters characterising LV diastolic function, i.e. E/A (p=0.003) and septal e' velocity (p=0.012), were also observed in COVID survivors. Troponin (hs-TnT) (p&amp;lt;0.000) and CRP protein (hs-CRP) (p=0.011) levels were significantly higher in the survivors group, while total cholesterol (p=0.001) and LDL fractions (p&amp;lt;0.000) were significantly lower. Subjects after COVID-19 also had significantly higher neck, waist, hip circumferences (p=0.013; p=0.045, p=0.001 respectively) and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.045). The groups did not differ in metabolic markers (fasting glucose, glycated haemoglobin, HOMA-IR index). A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to assess which parameters might be related to the RA strain parameters. The results were shown in the table 1. Conclusions COVID-19 infection results in worsening of right atrial strain parameters. This phenomenon requires deeper analysis.

Healthcare utilization and adverse outcomes stratified by sex, age and long-term care residency using the Alberta COVID-19 Analytics and Research Database (ACARD): a population-based descriptive study

BackgroundUnderstanding the epidemiology of Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in a local context is valuable for both future pandemic preparedness and potential increases in COVID-19 case volume, particularly due to variant strains.MethodsOur work allowed us to complete a population-based study on patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in Alberta from March 1, 2020 to December 15, 2021. We completed a multi-centre, retrospective population-based descriptive study using secondary data sources in Alberta, Canada. We identified all adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) tested and subsequently positive for COVID-19 (including only the first incident case of COVID-19) on a laboratory test. We determined positive COVID-19 tests, gender, age, comorbidities, residency in a long-term care (LTC) facility, time to hospitalization, length of stay (LOS) in hospital, and mortality. Patients were followed for 60 days from a COVID-19 positive test.ResultsBetween March 1, 2020 and December 15, 2021, 255,037 adults were identified with COVID-19 in Alberta. Most confirmed cases occurred among those less than 60 years of age (84.3%); however, most deaths (89.3%) occurred among those older than 60 years. Overall hospitalization rate among those who tested positive was 5.9%. Being a resident of LTC was associated with substantial mortality of 24.6% within 60 days of a positive COVID-19 test. The most common comorbidity among those with COVID-19 was depression. Across all patients 17.3% of males and 18.6% of females had an unplanned ambulatory visit subsequent to their positive COVID-19 test.ConclusionsCOVID-19 is associated with extensive healthcare utilization. Residents of LTC were substantially impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic with high associated mortality. Further work should be done to better understand the economic burden associated with related healthcare utilization following a COVID-19 infection to inform healthcare system resource allocation, planning, and forecasting.

Metabolic and endocrine complications of long COVID-19: A review.

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), centralized the interest of the health care systems and the scientific world. Majority of the COVID-19 infected individuals fully recover. However, about 12%-50% of patients experience a variety of mid- and long-term effects after recovering from the initial illness. These mid- and long-term effects are collectively known as post-COVID-19 condition or 'long-COVID'. In the coming months, the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on the metabolic and endocrine systems may expect to rise and pose a global health care challenge. This review article aims to discuss the possible metabolic and endocrine complications of long-COVID and the relevant research findings.

Uncovering a neurological protein signature for severe COVID-19

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has sparked a global pandemic with severe complications and high morbidity rate. Neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients, and neurological sequelae post COVID-19 recovery have been extensively reported. Yet, neurological molecular signature and signaling pathways that are affected in the central nervous system (CNS) of COVID-19 severe patients remain still unknown and need to be identified. Plasma samples from 49 severe COVID-19 patients, 50 mild COVID-19 patients, and 40 healthy controls were subjected to Olink proteomics analysis of 184 CNS-enriched proteins. By using a multi-approach bioinformatics analysis, we identified a 34-neurological protein signature for COVID-19 severity and unveiled dysregulated neurological pathways in severe cases. Here, we identified a new neurological protein signature for severe COVID-19 that was validated in different independent cohorts using blood and postmortem brain samples and shown to correlate with neurological diseases and pharmacological drugs. This protein signature could potentially aid the development of prognostic and diagnostic tools for neurological complications in post-COVID-19 convalescent patients with long term neurological sequelae.

Protocol of a scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses about COVID-19 vaccines and associated adverse events from vaccination.

The continuous dissemination of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) literature can inform decision-makers and the public. Since the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines, more systematic reviews have summarized the effectiveness and reported adverse events associated with vaccination. Previous systematic and scoping reviews on COVID-19 summarized various aspects surrounding COVID-19, however, a scoping review is needed to summarize the characteristics of COVID-19 vaccines and associated adverse events reported in systematic reviews and meta-analyses to provide comprehensive evidence for informed medical decision-making. We will conduct a scoping review concerning COVID-19 vaccines and adverse events from vaccines. We will search from December 2019 to present in Epistemonikos, Campbell Library, CINAHL (Ovid), MEDLINE (Ovid), Scopus, CENTRAL (Ovid), Web of Science, WHO COVID-19 database, Joanna Briggs Institute of Excellence, and COVID-19 Evidence Reviews resource. We will include systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or both of randomized controlled trials and observational studies and exclude individual randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Abstracts and full-texts will be screened prior to selection. Investigators will independently use a calibrated quantitative and qualitative data extraction sheet and rate the quality of articles with AMSTAR, resolving disagreements to aim for good agreement (≥80%). An updated scoping review of the characteristics and safety of COVID-19 vaccines would highlight the accuracy of the evidence to inform decision-making concerning COVID-19 vaccination.

Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: The Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is a catastrophic emerging global health threat caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 has a wide range of complications and sequelae. It is devastating in developing countries, causing serious health and socioeconomic crises as a result of the increasingly overburdened healthcare system. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Ethiopia. Methods: Electronic databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Research Gate, Embase, and Scopus were thoroughly searched from March to April 2022 to identify relevant studies. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality scale for cross-sectional studies. STATA-12 was used for analysis. A random-effects model was used to compute the pooled prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The heterogeneity was quantified by using the I2 value. Subgroup analysis was done for sex, age of study subjects, population type, diagnostic methods, and publication year. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger’s test. A sensitivity analysis was also done. Result: 11 studies consisting of 35,376 study participants (15,759 male and 19,838 female) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 8.83%. There was substantial heterogeneity, with an I2 value of 99.3%. The pooled prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was higher in males (9.27%) than in females (8.8%). According to the publication year, a higher prevalence was obtained in 2021 (12.69%). Similarly, it was higher in the population of specific groups (16.65%) than in the general population (5.75%). Conclusion: the national pooled prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Ethiopian population was 8.83%. This indicates that the burden of COVID-19 is still high, which urges routine screening and appropriate treatment.

Comparison of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests during the COVID-19 pandemic with those before the pandemic: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, directly and indirectly, affected the emergency medical care system and resulted in worse out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) outcomes and epidemiological features compared with those before the pandemic. This review compares the regional and temporal features of OHCA prognosis and epidemiological characteristics. Various databases were searched to compare the OHCA outcomes and epidemiological characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic with before the pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, survival and favorable neurological outcome rates were significantly lower than before. Survival to hospitalization, return of spontaneous circulation, endotracheal intubation, and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) decreased significantly, whereas the use of a supraglottic airway device, the incidence of cardiac arrest at home, and response time of emergency medical service (EMS) increased significantly. Bystander CPR, unwitnessed cardiac arrest, EMS transfer time, use of mechanical CPR, and in-hospital target temperature management did not differ significantly. A subgroup analysis of the studies that included only the first wave with those that included the subsequent waves revealed the overall outcomes in which the epidemiological features of OHCA exhibited similar patterns. No significant regional differences between the OHCA survival rates in Asia before and during the pandemic were observed, although other variables varied by region. The COVID-19 pandemic altered the epidemiologic characteristics, survival rates, and neurological prognosis of OHCA patients. Review registration: PROSPERO (CRD42022339435).

Environmental Exposure: Effect on Maternal Morbidity and Mortality and Neonatal Health.

Environmental factors are important causes that impair global pregnancy outcomes and are, importantly, responsible for maternal morbidity and mortality. However, apart from the direct reasons for maternal deaths, mainly obstetric and neonatal complications, such factors are ignored or given less importance. The recent surge in research on the impact of various environmental factors on pregnancy outcomes suggests the need for immediate attention to such factors and device-specific policies to counter the situation. Moreover, the recent coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, global warming, and climate change showed a lack of preparedness to counter the impact of such events on maternal survival and safe and successful pregnancy outcomes. In the present review, we have emphasized the specific factors responsible for increased maternal and neonatal deaths and their association with specific environmental factors. Increased attention on maternal healthcare, preparedness to counter sudden environmental challenges and improvement of the conventional requirement for better maternal healthcare access and nutrition at a global level may improve the scenario.

The Effect of The Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic on The Learning Situation

The global pandemic of Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) adversely affected the various aspects of human life. There was a severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the academic years 2076, 2077, and 2078 BS in the Nepalese education system. Though other sectors of the nation have been affected by such a pandemic, significant influence of it has been seen in the education sector. In this regard, this paper aims to explore the effect of the Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on classroom instruction and to find out the challenges of virtual and face-to-face modes of school education. This research work follows qualitative design. Purposive sampling method was used to select the participants and the data were collected through open ended interviews, observation checklists, and focus group discussion. The analysis has been made in thematic way following the rigor of qualitative research. The study shows a great effects of the Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the school education of Gorkha municipality. The virtual mode of instruction has been seen less effective during COVID-19 pandemic situation in the study area. Physical classes were effectively conducted before and after the pandemic. Several challenges have been noted in the virtual mode of instruction. They include the lack of internet access, limited access to electronic devices, and a lack of electricity in the district. The findings of the study entail that the blended mode could be more suitable to the students studying in the schools of Gorkha Municipality which could create opportunities for face-to-face and virtual learning together if they can be supported with easy access to the internet and electronic devices.

Prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension and its associated factors among children attending high schools in a rural panchayath of Kerala

Abstract CONTEXT: Hypertension (HTN) in childhood and adolescence causes premature atherosclerosis and early cardiovascular disease. Although asymptomatic, they may have target organ damage. In 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated the Clinical Practice Guideline for screening and managing high blood pressure (BP) in children and adolescents. However, no published studies from India have utilized this updated criterion for pediatric HTN. The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced many children to spend long hours indoors, with increased exposure to digital devices and decreased physical activity. Hence, this study was done to assess the prevalence of HTN among children and to find associated risk factors. AIMS: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of elevated BP and HTN among children attending high schools of a rural panchayath in Kerala, to evaluate the anthropometric and epidemiological factors associated with elevated BP among them, and to find the prevalence of obesity among these children. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This is a school-based cross-sectional study conducted among students attending high schools in Ambalappuzha North panchayat of Alappuzha, Kerala. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted over 9 months from November 2022 to July 2023. Consent was requested from parents of all children (N = 847) studying in high schools. Children who provided assent and met the inclusion–exclusion criteria were enrolled (N = 576). Data were collected using a pre-validated semi-structured questionnaire. Children were interviewed about their lifestyle, including physical activity, sleep, diet, and exposure to smoking. Height and weight were recorded, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. BP was measured using a digital oscillometric apparatus (OMRON HEM 7143T1A). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 software. RESULTS: The study population comprised 345 boys and 231 girls. Elevated BP affected 12.3%, while stage I HTN affected 0.7% of the screened children. Additionally, 16% of the screened children were overweight, 8% were obese, and 7.5% were undernourished. The prevalence of abnormal BP (elevated BP + HTN) was 10.3% among children with normal BMI, 18.47% among overweight. and 26.08% among obese children. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated BP, HTN, obesity, and overweight are prevalent among adolescent children in Ambalappuzha North Panchayath, a rural coastal area. High BMI correlates with elevated BP and HTN and should be the focus of interventions.