Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Research Articles

SME digital transformation and the COVID-19 pandemic: a case study of a hard-hit metropolitan area

Abstract Cities and regions are facing diverse challenges, and the transformation to a digital economy is a core issue. The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had widespread impacts on business, and it has heightened the need for digitalization. We analyse if and to what degree the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the metropolitan region of Madrid. Our research strategy is based on a quantitative analysis of survey data at the company level. Our results show that a large share of SMEs invested in digital technologies as a response to the pandemic, but there are also important differences between basic and more advanced digital technologies and between manufacturing and service sector firms. SMEs’ previous knowledge and technological resources and capabilities, as well as their collaboration networks with providers are found to trigger adoption of digital technology. Implications for postpandemic policies are highlighted.

Experiences of family caregivers of individuals undergoing hemodialysis in Iran about caring during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected various aspects of public health. The virus poses a particular threat to individuals with kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis and their caregivers. The present study investigated the experience of family caregivers of individuals undergoing hemodialysis about caring during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted with 17 family caregivers of individuals undergoing hemodialysis in Bojnurd, Iran using inductive qualitative content analysis. The participants were selected using convenience and purposive sampling method with maximum variation. Semi-structured interviews were used in data collection based on the interview guide. The data were analyzed with MAXQDA10.ResultsThe results culminated in the identification of a main category of the COVID-19 care burden on caregivers and two generic categories including the COVID-19 Overt (financial/constraining) care burden (subcategories: Non-adherence to Health Protocols, COVID-19 Financial Costs, COVID-19 Restrictions and Hemodialysis Appointments, and Decreased Caregiver Support during the COVID-19 Era), and the COVID-19 Covert (emotional/psychological) Care Burden (subcategories: Caregiver’s Loneliness in the Care, Stress of Contracting COVID-19, Psychological Consequences of individuals undergoing hemodialysis Staying at Home, The burden of other Individuals’ Expectations of the Caregiver, and Physical and emotional pressure on the Caregiver).ConclusionCaregivers during the COVID-19 period have experienced both overt and covert care burden. The results of this study can contribute to understanding the experiences of caregivers of individuals with chronic diseases such as kidney failure, in critical conditions like the COVID-19 pandemic, by healthcare teams and devising strategies and programs to support them.

Knowledge and utilization of Integrated Child Development Services among antenatal women during COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the healthcare delivery system in both developed and developing countries. Many antenatal women skipped their regular antenatal check-ups due to fear of viral contamination and lack of transport facilities. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which plays a major role in antenatal care, also suffered a great deal during the pandemic. 1. To assess knowledge and utilization of ICDS services by antenatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2. To determine factors influencing the knowledge and utilization of ICDS services by antenatal women. 3. To determine the barriers to utilization of ICDS services during the pandemic. This study was conducted as a descriptive study in a tertiary care center. Antenatal women whose pregnancy period coincided with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The sample size was calculated as 198. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Around 61% of the study population had adequate knowledge about ICDS services. The proportion of antenatal women utilizing ICDS services reduced from 87.8% to 69.6% during the pandemic. Only a few of the mothers were followed up by the Anganwadi workers during the pandemic. The main barriers to not utilizing ICDS services were fear of the spread of the pathogen and lack of awareness about the availability of services during the pandemic. There has been a reduction in the utilization of ICDS services by antenatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures should be taken by the government to ensure undisrupted care for antenatal women during such hard times.

Otitis media with effusion in patients with COVID-19: A single-center study in China

BackgroundThe swift global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a respiratory ailment primarily marked by pulmonary symptoms, has been linked to the involvement of various organs, including the intestines, kidneys, throat, and ears. Otitis media with effusion (OME), often succeeding an upper respiratory tract infection, mirrors its incidence. As a respiratory infectious disease, it prompts the query of whether the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred an uptick in OME and whether the COVID-19 virus persists in middle ear effusion (MEE) for an extended period. MethodsTo gauge the incidence of OME in the population during the COVID-19 pandemic, a tailored questionnaire was disseminated and subsequently analyzed. Assessing the rise in OME incidence during the pandemic, we compared the proportion of OME cases in the otology outpatient department between pandemic and non-pandemic periods. Statistical analysis involved a t-test. Simultaneously, MEE was collected from patients with COVID-19-associated OME during the pandemic to ascertain the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in MEE via polymerase chain reaction. ResultsBased on the questionnaire data, the estimated OME incidence in the population is approximately 31.4 %. In contrast to the non-pandemic period, the percentage variation in the OME outpatient proportion was 71.4 % (P < 0.05). Among the 61 MEE samples, 13 polymerase chain reaction results were positive, constituting 21.31 %. Nasopharyngeal swabs yielded negative results. Notably, only one patient experienced OME recurrence after 1 month of auripuncture. ConclusionsCOVID-19 can trigger an escalation in OME cases. Even when nasopharyngeal swabs show negative results, SARS-CoV-2 can endure in MEE for an extended duration, suggesting the potential for asymptomatic COVID-19 transmission and recurrence within the population.

Protecting the mental health of healthcare workers in Pakistan using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic

The role of telehealth and its effect on reducing mental health burden from COVID-19 is of pressing concern. It is pertinent that the psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic must be recognized within the group of health care workers. Telemental health services are area that require imminent intervention for the support of health care workers in Pakistan, as they are applicable and practically feasible.

Factors influencing academic failure rate among first-year Indian medical students who experienced competency-based medical education curriculum during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The primary objective of the study was to assess the factors that influenced the increased failure rate among first-year Indian medical students who appeared for the Maharashtra University of Health Science (MUHS) summative university examination, having experienced the competency-based medical education (CBME) curriculum for the first time amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. A retrospective cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study was undertaken between July 2021 and November 2021, in which first-year Indian medical students who were enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program in the year 2019 and appeared for the MUHS summative university examination in February 2021 were invited to participate. Analysis was done using JASP (v0.16.0.0), and the odds ratio for failure was calculated at a significance level of P < 0.05. Responses were obtained from 360 individuals, of whom 74.5% had passed and 25.5% had failed (n = 360). The odds of failure in first-year MBBS summative university examination was higher in students with irregular Internet access, irregular device access, an unsupportive peer environment in college, a National Entrance cum Eligibility Test score below 500, an unsupportive family environment during the lockdown, severe stress, severe depression, testing positive for COVID-19 before the exam, death in the family during the exam, and failing in terms and prelims and students of male gender ( P < 0.01). The total failure rate of 27% in the MUHS examination was mainly attributed to interplay between the student's mental health, lack of devices or Internet, and the changed assessment part of the CBME curriculum. Surprisingly, lecture frequencies, teaching patterns, and study resources did not influence the failure rate. These results can be used to formulate interventions that will help to improve academic performance and mental health students and thus help them adapt to the new curriculum.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the elderly in the United Kingdom: A review study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly altered the lives and lifestyles of several older populations in the United Kingdom. It was important to note how it has affected their physical, mental, and social health and well-being during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. To study the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the imposed restrictions on the day-to-day lives of the elderly population in the United Kingdom. A review of the published literature on the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences on the older population in the United Kingdom is done. Search engines used for medical databases were Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Internet Explorer. It was found that physical as well as mental well-being was affected in the elderly citizens of the United Kingdom. Mental health studies noted an obvious increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Social isolation and reduced access to healthcare services had a deteriorating impact on their social health. Covid-19-related lockdown and pandemic-associated physical, mental, and social well-being effects have been evident in the elderly population in the United Kingdom. The reasons identified for such findings are lack of physical activity, poor social interactions, social isolation, the perceived threat of a pandemic, and poor access to healthcare facilities.

The Interplay Between Problematic Internet Use, Anxiety, Depression and Functional Impairment in Front-Line Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We aimed to assess the interplay between functional impairment and anxiety, depression, and problematic Internet use levels in front-line healthcare workers who work in inpatient clinics of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) were administered to assess the depression, anxiety, problematic Internet use, and functional impairment levels of the participants. Two hundred thirteen participants were enrolled in the present study. Medical doctors showed significantly higher scores of IAT than the nurses and other medical staff (Kruskal-Wallis=6.519, p=0.038). Levels of SDS total are significantly correlated with scores of IAT (r=0.257, p<0.001), BDI (r=0.383, p<0.001), and BAI (r=0.308, p<0.001). All subdomain scores of SDS (social, family, work) and total scores of SDS were significantly and positively correlated with BAI, BDI, and IAT scores (p<0.05). In the separation mediation analysis, problematic Internet use partially mediated the relationship between anxiety-depression and global functional impairment. Health politicians should produce policies to develop strategies for coping with consequences of anxiety and depression in healthcare professionals during any health crisis. In addition, we should raise healthcare professionals' awareness that problematic Internet use is not suitable for dealing with anxiety and depression and may even lead to increase of functional loss.

Role of Social Media in COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has produced a global health crisis that has had a deep impact on the way we perceive our world and everyday lives. Not only the spread rate of contagion and patterns of transmission endangered our sense of security, but the safety measures put in place to contain the spread of the virus also require social distancing by refraining from doing what is inherently human, which is to find comfort in the company of others. Within this context of physical threat, social and physical distancing, the role of the different mass media channels and social media in lives on individual, social and societal levels cannot be underestimated.

COVID-19 pandemic in Taiz Governorate, Yemen, between 2020 and 2023

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious and causes a series of health problems, particularly in Yemen, which has a fragile healthcare system and cannot handle public health emergencies.AimsThis analysis aimed to determine the epidemiological status of COVID-19 in the Taiz governorate between April 2020 and December 2023.MethodsA retrospective study based on surveillance data from the Taiz governorate was used. The required data were gathered from the Ministry of Health and Population in Aden and analyzed using SPSS.ResultsOut of 5826 suspected of COVID-19 cases, 1933 (33.18%) cases were positive for COVID-19 infection. The high rates of COVID-19 cases were reported at 35.40% in males, 37.80% in people aged 35–44 years, 47.20% in 2020, 72.73% in Dhubab district, and 27.78% in March 2021. The overall incidence rate of cases was reported at 6.2 per 10,000 people in Taiz governorate (8.85 in males and 3.80 in females). In addition, the high incidence rate of COVID-19 was observed among age groups ≥ 65 years, in 2021, and in Al-Mukha districts. In total, the rate of fatality cases was 14.12%, the higher rate of fatality cases was 15.46% among males and 32.23% among individuals aged ≥ 65 years, and 26.97% in 2020.ConclusionIn this finding, the incidence rate of COVID-19 is high. It is necessary to increase the public’s awareness of the transmission and prevention methods of COVID-19, as well as implement appropriate strategies to protect populations from infectious diseases.

Leveraging community health workers for COVID-19 response in Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda: roles, barriers, and facilitators

BackgroundThe Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic overwhelmed health systems and disrupted the delivery of health services globally. Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a critical role in linking communities to health systems, supporting the prevention and control of diseases in many low- and middle-income countries. However, their roles, barriers, and facilitators in the response and control of the COVID-19 pandemic have not been well documented. We described the roles of CHWs in the COVID-19 response, including the barriers and facilitators.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was used to assess the COVID-19 response in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda. This involved 110 key informant interviews with policymakers, health facility managers, district health managers, and CHWs to understand the role of CHWs in the COVID 19 response, selected purposively. The total sample size was based on information saturation in each of the countries. A document review on the COVID-19 response was also conducted. We searched Google, Google Scholar, and PubMed for published and grey literature. Data from the selected documents were extracted into a Google master matrix in MS Excel and analyzed thematically.ResultsIn COVID-19 Control, CHWs supported community-based surveillance, contact tracing, risk communication, community mobilization, and home-based care. To support the continuity of other non-COVID-19 services, the CHWs conducted community mobilization, sensitizations, outreaches, referrals, and patient follow-ups. CHWs were challenged by movement restrictions, especially in the initial stages of the lockdown, inadequate PPE, increased workload, low allowances, and motivation. CHW were facilitated by trainings, the development of guidelines, development partners’ support/funding, and the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools.ConclusionCHWs supported both the COVID-19 control and continuity of non-COVID-19 health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. CHWs are a critical resource that must be adequately supported to build resilient health systems.

Exploring the Dietary Supplement Use During COVID-19: Insights from Community Pharmacists, Pharmacy Staff, Academics, and Industry Experts.

Introduction: The increased use of dietary supplements is a consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although their efficacy has not been consistently proven, they have been perceived as a preventive tool against COVID-19. Less strict regulations and debates on their definitions in a regulatory framework raise concerns about safety issues. Apart from dietary supplement use, information demand has increased, and pharmacists have played a key role as accessible health professionals. This study aimed to reveal the opinions of community pharmacists, pharmacy staff, sector representatives, and academicians regarding the sale and use of dietary supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative study approach was followed, using grounded theory. Data were collected between September 2021 and July 2022, analyzed using MAXQDA 2020 software, and reported according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results: After refining the open codes, two themes emerged: dietary supplements and the effects of the pandemic. It was found that increased dietary supplement use was rooted in COVID-19 fear, promotional activities, and social media influence. The interaction between consumers and the dietary supplement industry is bidirectional. Conclusions: Pharmacies, as access points for these products, played a crucial role in struggling with the effects of the pandemic. Although dietary supplements are considered safe, their potential for adverse reactions poses a public health risk. Flexible regulations, unregulated alternative advertising channels, and a lack of awareness of the safety of these products pose a challenge to public health. In this regard, all stakeholders should work to minimize the risks from undergraduate education to professional life.

May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Republic of the Congo, in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

To determine the proportion of hypertension among opportunistic screenees in the Republic of the Congo, and the relationships between, blood pressure (BP), alcohol intake, and history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Screening was carried out in July and August 2021 in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Pokola, after ethical clearance had been obtained. The campaign followed the guidelines outlined in the MMM21 protocol, collecting ideally three BP readings for each participant. The screening was carried out during the partial confinement of the population, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing measures and protection against the transmission of COVID-19 were adhered to. A total of 2135 subjects were screened of which 1138 (53.3%) were male. The mean age was 29.9 ± 9.9 years (range: 18-69 years), and 2110 participants (98.8%) were of black ethnic origin. A previous COVID-19 positive test was reported in 217 (10.2%) and vaccination in 93 (4.4%). Diabetes was reported in 113 (5.3%), 16 (0.7%) were current smokers, 171 (8.0%) reported using alcohol intake at least once per month, and 539 (25.3%) reported meeting the WHO guidelines on physical activity. The proportion of participants with hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg or taking BP-lowering medication) was 34.1%, of whom 24.5% were aware, 11.9% were on medication, and only 4.0% were controlled (<140/90 mmHg). Rates of hypertension are high in the Republic of Congo, with low rates of awareness and treatment, and national authorities should address the contributing factors highlighted in this report to improve health care for the population.

Mortality in patients receiving renal replacement therapy in South Korea.

This study analyzed data from the end-stage renal disease patient registry collected by the Korean Society of Nephrology to explore trends in mortality among dialysis patients from 2001 to 2022. Mortality was analyzed in two ways: firstly, using the annual mortality rate; and secondly, by assessing survivability after a certain period of time since the initiation of dialysis. Additionally, we categorized the causes of death by disease group annually to observe how the proportions changed. Since 2001, annual mortality for dialysis patients generally declined, except for a rise in 2020 and 2021 among hemodialysis patients. Overall mortality rates for all dialysis patients dropped from 74.2/1,000 person-years in 2001 to 42.3/1,000 person-years in 2022, with a more pronounced decrease in peritoneal dialysis. While survival probability over the 5 years following initiation of dialysis has shown a steady increase, short-term mortality from 2018 to 2020 affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has shown a yearly increase by age group, with a greater effect in those aged 75 years and older. The leading causes of death for all dialysis patients have changed little, in the order of heart disease, infection, and vascular problems. While annual mortality and survival probability after dialysis initiation have generally improved in dialysis patients, there has been a temporary deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic, most pronounced in the elderly.

Association of Online Learning Tools and Students’ Health: A Case Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: This study aimed to determine the health effects on undergraduate students from online learning and connectivity devices, characterizing the association between significant confounding factors and the prevalence of health symptoms among undergraduates.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2021 and involved 219 undergraduates selected by simple random sampling from an academic institute within Thailand. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Kendall’s tau-c tests. All data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire.Results: Among participants, (1) tablets and smartphones were the major devices used (97.7% and 77.2%, respectively), (2) the prevalence of nervous-related and mental symptoms was over 80% for headache, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, stress, tiredness and anxiety, (3) the Chi-square test results for laptop devices revealed an association with anxiety and burnout effects (p-value&lt;0.05 for all), while anxiety presented as a positive correlation coefficient of Kendall rank (0.003), with desktop PC devices, and (4) learning media including video, PowerPoint and academic articles, played a major role in affecting health; especially academic articles, which exhibited a positive relationship in all related effects.Conclusion: The use of learning media during the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an impact on students’ mental health. Decisions regarding implementing mitigation measures and monitoring programs should be reconsidered to reduce risks to students’ health.

Perception of Virtual Education Learning among Dental Residents and Faculty during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted a rapid shift from in-person to virtual learning in dental education. This study aims to assess the perceptions of virtual education learning among dental residents and faculty and employ regulatory focus theory (RFT) to understand the impact of motivational orientations on virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 46 dental residents and 10 faculty members in a dental institution participated in the study (June-August 2021). Questionnaires were used to obtain data on demographics, perceptions of virtual learning, burnout, and RFT types (promotion and prevention focus). Multiple regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with perceptions of virtual learning and burnout. Overall, 70% of residents and 44% of faculty found virtual learning effective. Younger residents with less experience preferred virtual learning more than their older, experienced peers. Residents trained outside the U.S. and Canada favored in-person learning more than those trained within. Furthermore, residents with a higher promotion focus score found virtual learning more interactive for didactic courses. Additionally, 52% of residents experienced burnout, with a higher incidence among females (p = 0.044). Virtual learning is well received by dental residents and faculty, with potential for continued use post-pandemic. Future efforts should focus on creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment that meets the motivational and well-being needs of dental residents and faculty.

Gut microbiota: a potential influencer of insomnia occurring after COVID-19 infection.

The prevalence of insomnia has increased in recent years, significantly affecting the lives of many individuals. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has been found to have a substantial impact on the human gut microbiota (GM). Clinical studies have shown that the high prevalence, prolonged duration, and refractory treatment of insomnia symptoms following the COVID-19 pandemic may be related to the effect of COVID-19 infection on the GM. Therefore, the GM may be a potential target for the treatment of insomnia following COVID-19 infection. However, relevant studies have not been well-documented, and the GM has not been sufficiently analyzed in the context of insomnia treatment. Herein, we review the interaction between sleep and the GM, summarize the characteristics of COVID-19-induced abnormal changes in the GM and metabolites in patients with insomnia, and discuss potential mechanisms, including metabolic, immune, and neural pathways, by which these abnormal changes in the GM cause insomnia as well as the factors affecting the GM. Finally, we discuss the prospect of modulating the host GM community for the effective treatment of insomnia after COVID-19 infection and the need for further clinical studies.

Pre-COVID-19 short sleep duration and eveningness chronotype are associated with incident suicidal ideation during COVID-19 pandemic in medical students: a retrospective cohort study.

Cross-sectional evidence suggests that sleep problems increased the risk of suicide during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, a lack of longitudinal studies examined the relationship between pre-COVID-19 sleep duration, chronotype and incident suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, we examined these associations in a longitudinal study of medical students. From the Shantou College Student Sleep Cohort, a total of 333 first and second grade medical students (age 19.41 ± 0.82 years, female 61.26%), without suicidal ideation (SI) at pre-COVID-19 period, were followed up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Incident SI was defined by their response to the 9th question from the Beck Depression Inventory. Short sleep duration was defined as less than 7 h/night. The Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire was used to evaluate the participants' chronotype. Logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) was used to examine the association between sleep and SI. The incidence of SI during the COVID-19 pandemic was 5.71%. Logistic regressions with confounding factors adjustment showed that both short sleep duration (AOR = 4.91, 95% CI = 1.16-20.74) and eveningness (AOR = 3.80, 95% CI = 1.08-13.30) in the pre-COVID-19 period were associated with increased risk of incident SI during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-COVID-19 short sleep duration and eveningness predict incident SI during the COVID-19 pandemic in medical students. Prolonging sleep duration may help to decrease SI during major public health crises.

Evaluation of the Characteristics of Respiratory Viruses and Coinfections in Hospitalized Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Objective Studies have shown that more than one viral agent is not uncommonly detected simultaneously in respiratory tract infections of children. The aim of this study was to analyze our single-center experience with the seasonal distribution, clinical and laboratory outcomes of respiratory viruses, and coinfections in hospitalized children during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods During the pandemic period of June 1, 2021 to February 1, 2022, 156 pediatric patients hospitalized with non-COVID-19 respiratory tract infections were retrospectively analyzed. Among these children, 92 were found to be positive for respiratory pathogens. These children's ages, genders, polymerase chain reaction results, and blood parameters were analyzed. Results The median age of the patients was 8 months (10 days–17.1 years) and 63% were male. A total of 16.3% of the patients were neonates (0–28 days), 55.4% were infants (1–24 months), 16.3% were preschool (2–5 years), and 12% were school-aged (5–18 years); 73.9% of the patients were hospitalized in the pediatric ward, 16.3% in the neonatal intensive care unit, and 9.8% in the pediatric intensive care unit. In 76.5% of hospitalized patients, only one pathogen was identified. Respiratory syncytial virus was detected as a causative agent of either mono- or coinfections in 78.4% of all patients. There was no statistical difference between inflammatory parameters in the patients infected with single or multiple viral agents. Conclusion As a result of the precautions taken during the pandemic, we found that the viral distribution of respiratory tract infections changed. In addition, we believe that hematological parameters are not useful for distinguishing between mono- and coinfections.

Characteristics and quality of reporting qualitative nursing research related to the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic search and critical review

BackgroundThe COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease of 2019) pandemic caused major disruption to nursing research, especially qualitative research. Researchers had to overcome numerous challenges that potentially impacted the quality of the studies carried out.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to assess the characteristics and quality of reporting qualitative nursing articles on the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA systematic search and critical review using content analysis was conducted on published nurse-led articles using a qualitative approach related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A combination of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) and Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklists and additional items identified from the literature were used to assess the characteristics and overall quality of reporting of qualitative research.ResultsOut of 63,494 articles screened, 444 met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were published in high-impact, Quartile 1 journals, with the majority originating from the USA. Common themes included workforce experiences and the impact of pandemic restrictions. Methodological quality varied, with a notable underuse of standardized reporting checklists. Despite pandemic-induced challenges in data collection, interviews remained the predominant method. However, the adoption of remote research methods and analysis software was limited.DiscussionThe findings underscore the resilience and adaptability of nursing researchers during the pandemic. High-quality publications in top-tier journals indicate rigorous academic standards. However, the low utilization of reporting checklists suggests a need for greater emphasis on methodological transparency and adherence to established quality guidelines. This review highlights the importance of enhancing qualitative research practices to improve the rigor and reliability of studies, particularly in crisis contexts.