Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information Research Articles

An Intelligent COVID-19-Related Arabic Text Detection Framework Based on Transfer Learning Using Context Representation

The misleading information during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic’s peak time is very sensitive and harmful in our community. Analyzing and detecting COVID-19 information on social media are a crucial task. Early detection of COVID-19 information is very helpful and minimizes the risk of psychological security which leads to inconvenience in daily life. In this paper, a deep ensemble transfer learning framework with an understanding of the context of Arabic text COVID-19 information is proposed. This framework is inspired to spontaneously analyze and recognize the text about COVID-19. The ArCOVID-19Vac dataset has been used to train and test our proposed model. A comprehensive experimental study for each scenario is performed. For the binary classification scenario, the proposed framework records better evaluation results with 83.0%, 84.0%, 83.0%, and 84.0% in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, respectively. For the second scenario (three classes), the overall performance is recorded with an accuracy of 82.0%, precision of 80.0%, recall of 82.0%, and F1-score of 80.0%, respectively. In the last scenario with ten classes, the best evaluation performance results are recorded with an accuracy of 67.0%, a precision of 58.0%, a recall of 67.0%, and F1-score of 59.0%, respectively. In addition, we have applied an ensemble transfer learning model for this scenario to get 64.0%, 66.0%, 66.0%, and 65.0% in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, respectively. The results show that the proposed model through transfer learning provides better results for Arabic text than all state-of-the-art methods.

Traditional and Social Media Usage Associated With COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Sapporo, Japan.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between specific information source usage and uptake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. We analyzed 3348 participants aged 20 to 65 years who were not diagnosed with COVID-19 in a case-control study in Sapporo, Japan. The most prevalent information source on COVID-19 was television (TV; 87.8%), followed by online news sites (74.3%), newspapers (38.7%), websites of public institutions (30.9%), and families (29.7%). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the adjusted odds ratios of incompletion of second vaccinations for users of TV and newspaper to gather COVID-19 information were 0.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] [0.21, 0.44]) and 0.32 (95% CI [0.20, 0.50]), respectively, whereas those for users of books, commercial video sites, Facebook, and "personal blog or bulletin board system" were 3.34 (95% CI [1.58, 7.06]), 2.22 (95% CI [1.44, 3.43]), 2.36 (95% CI [1.24, 4.48]), and 4.81 (95% CI [2.72, 8.48]), respectively. Social media use among older or male participants was associated with lower vaccine uptake.

Peritraumatic Distress among Chinese Canadians during the Early Lockdown Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sociodemographic and Pandemic-Related Predictors

The current study investigates the peritraumatic distress of Chinese residents living in Canada and identifies the associated sociodemographic and pandemic-related predictors during the initial phases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown (i.e., from April 2020 to June 2020). A final sample of 457 valid participants aged 18 or older completed an online survey in which peritraumatic distress was assessed with the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). The results showed 32.76% of the sample was in the mild to moderate range (i.e., 28–51) and 5.03% in the severe range (i.e., 52 to higher) for peritraumatic distress. The hierarchical regression models on the continuous CPDI score identified life satisfaction as a consistent protector for the CPDI (absolute values of βs = −1.21 to −0.49, ps < 0.001). After controlling for life satisfaction, the following sociodemographic risk factors were identified: being middle-aged, being employed (relative to retired people/students), living in Ontario (rather than elsewhere), and a poor health status. Furthermore, the following pandemic-related risk factors were identified: a higher self-contraction worry, more of a COVID-19 information authenticity concern, a higher future infection rate prediction, and a higher personal health hygiene appraisal. The results of our study shed light on cognitive, experiential, behavioural, and sociodemographic factors associated with peritraumatic distress for Chinese residents living in Canada during the early outbreak stage of the pandemic.

Psychological status of residents at the onset of nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in low- and medium-risk areas of China.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a dual threat to public physical and mental health, prompted an investigation into the psychological well-being of residents in low- to medium-risk areas of China during the initial stages of the pandemic. We administered WeChat-based questionnaire surveys and employed chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression to analyze correlations between residents' age, gender, education, symptoms, COVID-19 close contact history, information sources, and anxiety, depression, and attitudes toward lockdown measures. We received 10,433 valid questionnaires, revealing 26% anxiety and 19.5% depression. Support for lockdown measures reached 98.2%. Factors such as female gender, self-diagnosed pneumonia symptoms, close contact history, and higher education levels increased anxiety risk. Having a doctorate posed a severe anxiety risk, at 4.5 times (P = .019, 95% CI 1.29-15.73). Older age acted as a protective factor, reducing severe anxiety risk to 0.98 and 0.22 times (P < .001, 95% CI 0.14-0.34). Females with a master degree or below and those receiving COVID-19 information from multiple channels faced higher depression risk. Pneumonia symptoms were a risk for all anxiety and depression degrees. Attitudes toward lockdown measures had no significant impact on psychological status, nor did any of the analyzed factors affect residents' overall attitude toward lockdown. Our findings underscore the need for increased psychological counseling, particularly for young females with lower educational backgrounds or self-suspected infection symptoms, to mitigate mild to moderate anxiety and depression in future epidemics or pandemics. The public, especially those of working age with doctorates or higher education, bears the highest risk of severe anxiety. Lockdown measures enjoy strong support in low- to medium-risk areas of China.

Preparedness, response, and preventive behaviors for a pandemic disaster caused by COVID-19 among primary school students in Krabi province, Thailand.

The global impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been enormous. The primary school's role and responsibilities include providing students with education and training, cooperating and supporting educational management, and monitoring, following up, and evaluating the school's operations. The goals of this study were to evaluate the conditions of preparation for the COVID-19 epidemic's prevention and response, as well as to investigate the relationship between predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors in preventing the spread of COVID-19 among primary school students in the educational area. A cross-sectional analytical study was used as the research design. The informants are kids in grades 4-6 at Anuban Krabi School in Krabi province. Data is gathered in a computational quantitative manner. Purposive sampling was used to choose the informants. The researchers employed a questionnaire with a content validity index (CVI) of 0.89 and a reliability coefficient (Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient) of 0.89. For quantitative data analysis, the Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used. In preparation for the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a high degree of knowledge, behaviors, and self-conduct (x=2.78, 2.55, 2.66, and 2.78). The perception and awareness of the COVID-19 epidemic were statistically significant at P < 0.01 in terms of the relationship between perception, awareness, behavior, and self-conducting in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Conclusion: At P < 0.01, regarding the relationship between COVID-19 epidemic perceptions, behaviors, and self-conducting. The correlation between awareness, behaviors, and self-conducting in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak was statistically significant at P<0.01. To prepare and response for COVID-19 enhance and concern perceived policy and COVID-19 information, participation with stakeholders or communities emphasize COVID-19 prevention and all of organization and family.

COVID-19 information seeking a survey of residents of Chilinde and Chinsapo Townships in Malawi

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak spread anxiety among the general public, which was exacerbated by an excessive amount of misleading information. This study investigated the behaviour of Chilinde and Chinsapo residents in seeking COVID-19 information. The study used a quantitative research approach, whereby a modified Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) questionnaire was used to collect data from 627 participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the characteristics of the study participants and the sources and types of COVID-19 information used. Most of the participants (71.3%, n=447) reported that they had looked for information about COVID-19 from different sources. Doctors and healthcare providers were the main sources of information on COVID-19. There were 58.1% (n=364) of participants who indicated that they were extremely worried about getting infected with COVID-19. It was further found that there was limited use of online platforms to access COVID-19 information. Multiple logistic regression results showed that male respondents had a higher chance of having online access to COVID-19 information than their female counterparts. Chilinde participants were more likely to have online access, unlike those residing in Chinsapo. This study recommends raising awareness to the masses regarding the use of reputable online sources in crisis situations in the future.

Vietnamese Americans' level of trust in sources of information and willingness to participate in COVID-19 clinical trials

Abstract The survey investigates COVID-19 information source trust levels and Vietnamese Americans’ willingness to participate in clinical trials. An analysis of 212 completed surveys revealed that trust in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clinical trial information from university hospitals and drug companies was associated with willingness to participate in clinical trials. Trust in COVID-19 information from federal governments and state governments was also associated with willingness to participate in clinical trials. However, trust in local health facilities was linked to trial participation reluctance. The results suggest that Vietnamese Americans’ participation in clinical trials can be increased by identifying and using trusted sources of information.

Comparison of Perceived Importance and Performance of Community Pharmacists' Role in South Korea During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

This study aimed to identify the roles of community pharmacists (CPs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the differences in their role performance compared with their perceived importance, and limiting factors. A cross-sectional online survey of CPs was conducted. The CPs self-measured the importance and performance of each role during the pandemic using a 5-point Likert scale. A paired t-test was used to compare each role's importance and performance scores. A logistic regression analysis of the roles with low performance scores, despite their level of importance, was conducted to determine the factors affecting performance. The limiting factors were also surveyed. The 436 responses to the questionnaire were analyzed. The performance scores were significantly lower than the perceived importance scores for 15 of the 17 roles. The source and update frequency of COVID-19 information and participation in outreach pharmaceutical services were associated with low performance scores. Insufficient economic compensation, the lack of communication channels, and legal limitations were the limiting factors in performing the CPs' roles. The participation in outreach pharmaceutical services, economic compensation, and communication channel should be improved to motivate the CPs in performing their roles.

Pandemic politics: Exploring the intersection of state political affiliation and public universities' COVID-19 policies and messaging.

As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread within the United States, the challenge of responding to a large-scale health crisis was compounded as the federal government struggled to deliver a unified response. Decision-making powers for pandemic protocols were passed to individual states, whose responses were heavily influenced by their administrations' partisan political leanings. This study explores differences in the transparency of COVID-19 information on university websites and the restrictiveness of the measures they implemented by examining university messaging in all-Republican and all-Democrat controlled states. This study employs a quantitative content analysis of a census of websites (N = 265) from public universities located in states with government trifectas. The data reveal that masking, vaccination, and testing measures were significantly more restrictive among universities located in Democratic trifectas than in Republican trifectas. Additionally, universities in Democratic trifectas communicated more transparently, such that they were more likely to have a direct link to COVID-19 information on their homepages. The results indicate that universities in states where a single political party holds power implemented COVID-19 protocols that reflected the political -viewpoints on the health and economic responses to the pandemic. This finding offers important evidence that both governments and public universities based their public health decisions on political factors.

Impact of Language Barriers on Outcomes and Experience of COVID-19 Patients Hospitalized in Quebec, Canada, During the First Wave of the Pandemic.

Language barriers (LB) contribute to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health inequities. People with LB were more likely to be SARS-CoV-2 positive despite lower testing and had higher rates of hospitalization. Data on hospital outcomes among immigrants with LB, however, are limited. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 cases by LB, immigration status, ethnicity, and access to COVID-19 health information and services prior to admission. Adults with laboratory-confirmed community-acquired COVID-19 hospitalized from March 1 to June 30, 2020, at four tertiary-care hospitals in Montréal, Quebec, Canada were included. Demographics, comorbidities, immigration status, country of birth, ethnicity, presence of LB, and hospital outcomes (ICU admission and death) were obtained through a chart review. Additional socio-economic and access to care questions were obtained through a phone survey. A Fine-Gray competing risk subdistribution hazards model was used to estimate the risk of ICU admission and in-hospital death by immigrant status, region of birth and LB Among 1093 patients, 622 (56.9%) were immigrants and 101 (16.2%) of them had a LB. One third (36%) of immigrants with LB did not have access to an interpreter during hospitalization. Admission to ICU and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between groups. Prior to admission, one third (14/41) of immigrants with LB had difficulties accessing COVID-19 information in their mother tongue and one third (9/27) of non-white immigrants with a LB had difficulties accessing COVID-19 services. Immigrants with LB were inequitably affected by the first wave of the pandemic in Quebec, Canada. In our study, a large proportion had difficulties accessing information and services related to COVID-19 prior to admission, which may have increased SARS-CoV-2 exposure and hospitalizations. After hospitalization, a large proportion did not have access to interpreters. Providing medical information and care in the language of preference of increasing diverse populations in Canada is important for promoting health equity.

Differential practice and associated factors of COVID-19 personal preventive measures among the slum and estate communities of Uganda: A community-based cross-sectional survey.

Compliance with personal preventive measures (PPMs) remains essential in the prevention and control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and future infectious disease outbreaks. This study aimed at examining and comparing the practice of COVID-19 PPMs and associated factors in selected slum and estate communities of Uganda. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 1025 slum and estate residents in Uganda. The outcome variable was compliance with COVID-19 PPMs, including face mask use, hand washing/hygiene, and social distancing. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the associated factors, using SPSS (version 26). Of the 1025 participants, 511 and 514 were slum and estate residents, respectively. Compliance with PPMs was as follows; face mask use (slum 45.0% vs. estate 49.6%; P = 0.27), hand washing/hygiene (slum 38.4% vs. estate 44.9%; P = 0.04), and social distancing (slum 19.4% vs. estate 36.0%; P < 0.001). Compared to estate residents, slum residents had more knowledge related to COVID-19, perceived COVID-19 would have a longer timeline and larger impact on their life, had more depression and anxiety symptoms, and faced more difficulties to access information. Illness perceptions, infection risk, and severity perceptions were associated with higher odds of PPMs compliance in both groups, except for perceiving a high chance of contracting COVID-19, which was associated with lower odds of social distancing in the slum community. Depression and anxiety symptoms were associated with higher odds of PPMs compliance in both groups. Frequent exposure to COVID-19 information through health care workers and family members and friends was associated with higher odds of all the PPMs in both communities. Moreover, getting COVID-19 information from local channels was significantly associated with higher odds of mask use and hand hygiene, but only in the estate community. Our findings provided implications to improve PPMs compliance in future infectious disease outbreaks. To improve PPMs compliance rates, redesigning community education to focus on fostering positive perceptions and addressing the water and sanitation needs of slum communities are essential. Moreover, designing programs that provide free or subsidised face masks and soap to the most vulnerable and engaging religious leaders are also vital strategies.

Glycemic Control and Mucormycosis during COVID-19 Pandemic in India a Study of Stage and Outcome.

Mucormycosis mostly targets immunocompromised patients or those with uncontrolled diabetes but is now an important complication after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The stage of mucormycosis at presentation greatly impacts its treatment course and prognosis. Prior research has failed to evaluate an association of patient factors, especially glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and random blood sugar (RBS) at presentation, with the stage and outcome of mucormycosis. To investigate the relationship between glycemic control and the stage of mucormycosis at presentation and to investigate various factors affecting mucormycosis outcome. All patients with clinicopathologically confirmed mucormycosis presenting to Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, during the COVID-19 pandemic were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire consisting of demographic information, comorbidities, history, and treatment of COVID-19 and diabetes was filled out at the time of admission. Blood glucose and HbA1c levels at presentation were noted. The above-noted parameters were compared with the stage and outcome of mucormycosis. The data obtained was analyzed. A total of 75 mucormycosis patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the participants was 45.17 years, and 85.33% of them survived the disease course. There was no statistically significant difference between the survivors and nonsurvivors concerning mean HbA1c and RBS levels. But there was a statistically significant correlation such that the stage of mucormycosis increased with progressive worsening glycemic control markers HbA1c and RBS. The most common comorbid condition was diabetes mellitus (72%); however, only coronary artery disease in the patient was significantly correlated with mortality. A history of COVID-19 infection was reported in 67.6% of the patients, but this was not significantly associated with mortality outcomes. Patients without a history of COVID-19 reported significantly higher RBS and HbA1c levels at presentation than the COVID-19-associated mucormycosis group. The study showed a positive correlation between the stage of mucormycosis and serum glycemic control markers at presentation. Clinicians must order blood sugar and HbA1c levels at presentation as cues for a better understanding of disease severity. A thorough clinical examination and history taking for patient risk factors predisposing to mucormycosis are also crucial since the presence of proptosis and coronary artery disease are significantly correlated with the mortality outcomes. The extent of poor glycemic control at presentation was not associated with mortality outcomes. How to cite this article: Sharma V, Kriplani K, Tuli IP, et al. Glycemic Control and Mucormycosis during COVID-19 Pandemic in India a Study of Stage and Outcome. J Assoc Physicians India 2023;71(9):61-66.

Addressing COVID-19 inequities using bidirectional crisis and emergency risk communication and vaccine clinic interventions: a descriptive study

BackgroundIm/migrants (immigrants and migrants, including refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals without legal documentation) experience unique assets and needs in relation to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is one way to engage im/migrant communities. Rochester Healthy Community Partnership (RHCP) is a CBPR partnership in Rochester, Minnesota. RHCP partners noted that credible COVID-19 information was not available to their communities. In response, RHCP formed a COVID-19 Task Force and adapted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) framework to create an intervention that prioritized im/migrant groups experiencing health disparities. In the CERC intervention, communication leaders delivered COVID-19 health messages to their social networks and documented related concerns. RHCP relayed these concerns to regional leaders to ensure that im/migrant experiences were included in decision making. Once vaccines were available, RHCP continued to deploy the CERC intervention to promote vaccination equity. The aims of this paper are to (1) describe the implementation of a bidirectional CERC intervention for vaccination equity, and (2) describe a community-engaged and community-based vaccine clinic intervention.MethodsFirst, we surveyed participants (n = 37) to assess COVID-19 experiences, acceptability of the CERC intervention, and motivation to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Second, we collaborated with community partners to hold vaccine clinics. We report descriptive statistics from each intervention.ResultsWhen asked about the acceptability of the CERC intervention for vaccine equity, most participants either reported that they ‘really liked it’ or ‘thought it was just ok’. Most participants stated that they would recommend the program to family or friends who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine. Almost all participants reported that they felt ‘much more’ or ‘somewhat more’ motivated to receive a COVID-19 vaccine after the intervention. We administered 1158 vaccines at the vaccination clinics.ConclusionsWe found that participants viewed the CERC intervention for vaccination equity as an acceptable way to disseminate COVID-19-related information. Nearly all participants reported that the intervention convinced them to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In our experience, community-engaged and community-based clinics are a successful way to administer vaccines to im/migrant communities during a pandemic.

Infodemic, Health Promotion Efforts, and Preventive Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia: A Quantitative Analysis Study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the first pandemic in history where technologies and social media are used on a large scale to make people safe, informed, productive, and connected. At the same time, these technologies enabled the rise of the infodemic, which endangered pandemic control. This study aimed to assess COVID-19 information exposure in the community, the efforts to find related information in online media, and COVID-19 preventive behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 909 participants in Indonesia using the consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed through social media (WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook) and analyzed using univariate analysis, bivariate analysis (Chi-square test), and multivariate analysis (multiple logistic regression). The results showed that about 838 (92.2%) participants said they often or always obtain information about COVID-19 online, 662 (72.8%) participants stated that information from online sources increased their knowledge of the disease, and 728 (80.1%) said that online information enabled them to make preventive efforts. Marital status (AOR: 1.81, p-value = 0.002) and perceived susceptibility (AOR: 1.42, p-value= 0.011) were the most influential factors for COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Information sources and channels frequently accessed by the community must be professionally managed by the government as valuable tools for mitigating an epidemic or pandemic.

Farmers’ perception on the potential impact of Coronavirus disease on their livelihood in Malawi

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was a global health crisis. Its effects did not spare the smallholder farmers. This study aimed at assessing smallholder farmers’ perceived potential impact of COVID-19 on their livelihood in Malawi. During the first wave of the COVID-19, 606 smallholder farmers residing in 12 districts in Malawi were interviewed through an online survey. Farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices on COVID-19 were evaluated. Results showed that 81% of the farmers had knowledge on transmission, prevention, signs and symptoms, groups which were at high risk, and that there was no availability of COVID-19 treatment. The majority of the farmers (96%) reported that the measures which the Government of Malawi instituted to contain the spread of the disease were effective. All the farmers interviewed reported practicing at-least one of the preventive measures as advised by the Government through the Ministry of Health. Ninety nine percent of the farmers reported that they would report using the channels designated by the Government through the Ministry of Health if they suspected that one has symptoms of COVID-19. The critical sources of COVID-19 information for the farmers were radio and television stations (80%), and digital platforms (73%). Based on the farmers’ views, the first wave of the disease negatively impacted their income (85%) and food (63%) sources. These results pinpoint the need for COVID-19 inclusive programming in existing and new developmental initiatives targeting smallholder farmers.

Exposure to risk communication, compliance with preventive measures and information-sharing behavior among students during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeDuring the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, public health risk communication has been a vital work. Students account for a large proportion of the population and are often highly mobile; thus, they face a high risk of contagion and spreading the disease. Therefore, risk communication to this group during the pandemic has been essential. This research examines the relationship between risk communication to students and their appropriate behaviors (compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and COVID-19 information sharing).Design/methodology/approachThis research used structural equation model (SEM) and generalized structural equation model (GSEM) to analyze the data collected from students during the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsThe findings revealed that risk communication in mass media was positively associated with students' compliance with preventive measures and sharing pandemic-related information. Additionally, their compliance behavior was positively associated with their information-sharing behavior.Practical implicationsThis research offers some implications regarding the containment of a highly-infectious virus, especially for the context when the risk of outbreak is high and an effective vaccine is not available, by focusing on risk communication and compliance and information-sharing behaviors.Originality/valueThis research is one of the early attempts to examine the risk communication to students, their compliance with preventive measures and their information-sharing behavior during a pandemic.

How Motivation to Reduce Uncertainty Predicts COVID-19 Behavioral Responses: Strategic Health Communication Insights for Managing an Ongoing Pandemic

During highly uncertain times such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is vital to understand and predict individuals’ responses to governments’ crisis and risk communication. This study draws on the Orientation-Stimulus-Orientation-Response (O-S-O-R) model to examine (1) whether uncertainty reduction motivation (a pre-orientation factor) drove Americans to turn to traditional news media and/or social media (stimuli) to obtain COVID-19 information; (2) if these media preferences shaped their COVID-19 knowledge, cognitive information vetting, and trust in government communication (post-orientation factors); and finally (3) whether these factors contributed to their intended and actual behaviors (responses), such as getting vaccinated. Thus, this study explores how multiple communicative and cognitive mechanisms contribute to public compliance with government health recommendations during a pandemic. Mediation analyses showed positive indirect effects between uncertainty reduction motivation and behavioral outcomes via use of social media (in relation to traditional news media) and COVID-19 knowledge and cognitive information vetting. This study discusses theoretical and practical health communication implications of these findings.

The Factors Influencing Pregnant Women's Selection of Media Sources to Obtain Information on COVID-19 in Japan in 2021.

Pregnant women presumably gather information about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from various sources. However, it is difficult for pregnant women who are not medical professionals to source the appropriate information because of the infodemic related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the objective of our study was to investigate how pregnant women gathered information about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination. To address this issue, we conducted an online questionnaire survey between 5 October and 22 November 2021, which was approved by the Ethics Committee of Nihon University School of Medicine. We received 4962 responses after excluding 1179 insufficient answers. Our study found that age, occupation, and infection-risk anxiety influenced the selection of media for obtaining information. Pregnant women who were older, medical professionals, public servants, or educators tended to rely on specialized medical websites, whereas housewives tended to use mass media, social media, and sources with uncertain scientific evidence. Additionally, the number of weeks of gestation and the method of conception (natural or assisted reproductive conception) affected the selection of media. The accessibility of COVID-19 information for pregnant women was determined by their social background and pregnancy status. We need to continue making efforts to ensure that appropriate information is readily available to pregnant women and their families.

Studi Kasus: Persepsi Warga Binaan Pemasyarakatan Laki-laki Indonesia tentang COVID-19

The prevalence of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in correctional facility has increased. Analysis of the handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic has never explored the perceptions of prisoners in prisons in Indonesia and it is important to know the perspective of prisoners in prisons. This research has never been conducted in Indonesia. The aim of this research is to describe the perceptions of male prisoners towards COVID-19 in correctional institutions in Indonesia. The design used by researchers is a case study. Data collection was carried out by in-depth interviews with five male inmates at Correctional Institution of Ambarawa Class IIA. The data analysis used is the Collaizi interpretation method. The results show that prisoners perceive it as normal and there are also prisoners who are worried if they contract COVID, prisoners also have attitudes and behaviors that support self-care in carrying out the COVID-19 health protocol. The conclusion of this case study is that prisoners during the COVID-19 outbreak followed officers' directions to comply with health protocols and obtain COVID-19 information from the media and officers

Clinical characteristics and factors associated with COVID-19-related mortality and hospital admission during the first two epidemic waves in 5 rural provinces in Indonesia: A retrospective cohort study.

Data on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clinical characteristics and severity from resource-limited settings are limited. This study examined clinical characteristics and factors associated with COVID-19 mortality and hospitalisation in rural settings of Indonesia, from 1 January to 31 July, 2021. This retrospective cohort included individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 based on polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen diagnostic test, from five rural provinces in Indonesia. We extracted demographic and clinical data, including hospitalisation and mortality from a new piloted COVID-19 information system named Sistem Informasi Surveilans Epidemiologi (SISUGI). We used mixed-effect logistic regression to examine factors associated with COVID-19-related mortality and hospitalisation. Of 6,583 confirmed cases, 205 (3.1%) died and 1,727 (26.2%) were hospitalised. The median age was 37 years (Interquartile range 26-51), with 825 (12.6%) under 20 years, and 3,371 (51.2%) females. Most cases were symptomatic (4,533; 68.9%); 319 (4.9%) had a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia and 945 (14.3%) presented with at least one pre-existing comorbidity. Age-specific mortality rates were 0.9% (2/215) for 0-4 years; 0% (0/112) for 5-9 years; 0% (1/498) for 10-19 years; 0.8% (11/1,385) for 20-29 years; 0.9% (12/1,382) for 30-39 years; 2.1% (23/1,095) for 40-49 years; 5.4% (57/1,064) for 50-59 years; 10.8% (62/576) for 60-69 years; 15.9% (37/232) for ≥70 years. Older age, pre-existing diabetes, chronic kidney disease, liver diseases, malignancy, and pneumonia were associated with higher risk of mortality and hospitalisation. Pre-existing hypertension, cardiac diseases, COPD, and immunocompromised condition were associated with risk of hospitalisation but not with mortality. There was no association between province-level density of healthcare workers with mortality and hospitalisation. The risk of COVID-19-related mortality and hospitalisation was associated with higher age, pre-existing chronic comorbidities, and clinical pneumonia. The findings highlight the need for prioritising enhanced context-specific public health action to reduce mortality and hospitalisation risk among older and comorbid rural populations.