Information Technology Department Research Articles

The importance of backing up

Anyone who has ever lost an important document to a software or hardware failure understands the importance of having up-to-date backups of important material. But just as it is with data and documents, it’s important to have backups of business processes and activities. A good rule is to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Data and documents. Ideally, your organization regularly backs up important data and documents. If you don’t already know, check with your information technology department to find out exactly which files are backed up and how often. If necessary (and allowed), supplement that system with a backup program of your own. For example, do you keep current copies of important documents off-line, in case you need them when you don’t have access to the network or internet? Procedures. Are you the only person who knows how to do certain tasks? Not having people cross-trained

An Online Mobile Shopping Application for Uchumi Supermarket in Uganda

Supermarkets in Uganda simplify the life of many Ugandans by providing easy and quick shopping day and night; some even operate 24 hours a day. This has prompted the supermarkets in Uganda to provide and improve shopping. The purpose of the study was to design an online mobile shopping application that is used by people to shop using their mobile phones at any time of their convenience. The online mobile application was designed to focus on improving shopping services to avoid congestion in supermarkets in Uganda. Uchumi supermarket Kabalagala branch was taken as a case study where both the user and the clients were interviewed for the purpose of requirement elicitation. The online mobile shopping application system at Uchumi supermarket in Uganda has been designed to work with the Information technology unit or department (IT) to manage clients’ accounts and details, and the databases of the supermarket. Operating system (xp service pack 2 onwards) DBMS that will manage the database activities. Php and Java, to allow program access to data in the database. Keywords: Supermarkets, Quick shopping, Mobile phones, Mobile shopping, Information technology.

Building resilient hospital information technology services through organizational learning: Lessons in CIO leadership during an international systemic crisis in the United States and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic was an international systemic crisis which required an unprecedented response to quickly drive the digital transformation of hospitals and health care systems to support high quality health care while adhering to contagion management protocols. ObjectiveTo identify and assess the best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic by Chief Information Officers (CIOs) about how to build resilient healthcare IT (HIT) to improve pandemic preparedness and response across global settings and to develop recommendations for future pandemics. MethodsWe conducted a qualitative, interview-based study to sample CIOs in hospitals. We interviewed 16 CIOs from hospitals and health systems in the United States and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. We used in-depth interviews to capture their perspectives of the preparedness of hospitals’ information technology departments for the pandemic and how they lead their IT department out of the pandemic. ResultsResults showed that healthcare CIOs were ambidextrous IT leaders who built resilient HIT by rapidly improving existing digital business practices and creating innovative IT solutions. Ambidextrous IT leadership involved exploiting existing IT resources as well as exploring and innovating for continuous growth. IT resiliency focused on four inter-related capabilities: ambidextrous leadership, governance, innovation and learning, and HIT infrastructure. ConclusionsWe propose conceptual frameworks to guide the development of healthcare IT resilience and highlight the importance of organizational learning as an integral component of HIT resiliency.

Analisis Pengaruh Faktor-Faktor Teknologi Informasi Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai

The aim of this research are to examine and determine the factors of Information, Computer Network and Human Resource that influence the performance from Department of Information and Communication Technology Management Papua in simultaneously and partial and be known between those factor whose more in dominant towards it. The method used in this research is descriptive quantitative, with sample taking around 46 respondents. This research was using SPSS Verse 16.00 to see the issues arise and examine the truth of hypothesis from this research by using Testing data collection tool (test validity and reliability testing), Testing Linear Regression Model Analysis Tool (Test of linearity, Multikoilnearitas Test, Test heteroscedasticity, normality test), Data Analysis (Frequency Distribution Analysis, Multiple Regression Analysis, Hypothesis Testing F for the First and Second t-test for the hypothesis). The result of this research shown that simultaneous, information, Computer Networks and Human Resources have a significant effect on employee performance management of the Office of Information Technology and Communication Papua; Partially, information, Computer Networks and Human Resources have a significant effect on employee performance Department of Information Technology and Communication Management in Papua province, and Human Resources is the dominant factor that greatly affects the performance of the employee Department of Information Technology and Communication Management in Papua province.

Feasibility of implementing a performance monitoring system for health information technology students during the internship

Introduction: In universities of medical sciences, due to the key role of human resources in people's lives, their training during the internship period is of particular importance. Considering the role of effective assessment of the quality of students' performance, this research has been carried out with the aim of feasibility of implementing a system for monitoring the performance of health information technology students during internship.
 Methods: This research is descriptive-cross-sectional and among applied studies that was conducted in 1401. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with 5 sections including background information and technical, organizational, human and legal dimensions, and the research population was the professors of the health information technology department at the country. The questionnaire was sent via email and finally, the data of 20 completed questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 by descriptive statistics method.
 Results: The highest average scores for the possibility of implementing the performance monitoring system during internship was related to the legal dimension with 82.3%. And then there were the technical dimension with 80.6%, the organizational dimension with 79.6% and finally the human resource dimension with an average of 76.6%.
 Conclusion: It is possible to implement the performance monitoring system of health information technology students during internship from technical, organizational, legal and human resources aspects and considering the importance of the internship period and the effective role of performance monitoring tools in the management of activities, it is suggested that necessary measures be taken to implement this system.

Pharmacogenomics in practice: a review and implementation guide.

Considerable efforts have been exerted to implement Pharmacogenomics (PGx), the study of interindividual variations in DNA sequence related to drug response, into routine clinical practice. In this article, we first briefly describe PGx and its role in improving treatment outcomes. We then propose an approach to initiate clinical PGx in the hospital setting. One should first evaluate the available PGx evidence, review the most relevant drugs, and narrow down to the most actionable drug-gene pairs and related variant alleles. This is done based on data curated and evaluated by experts such as the pharmacogenomics knowledge implementation (PharmGKB) and the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC), as well as drug regulatory authorities such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicinal Agency (EMA). The next step is to differentiate reactive point of care from preemptive testing and decide on the genotyping strategy being a candidate or panel testing, each of which has its pros and cons, then work out the best way to interpret and report PGx test results with the option of integration into electronic health records and clinical decision support systems. After test authorization or testing requirements by the government or drug regulators, putting the plan into action involves several stakeholders, with the hospital leadership supporting the process and communicating with payers, the pharmacy and therapeutics committee leading the process in collaboration with the hospital laboratory and information technology department, and healthcare providers (HCPs) ordering the test, understanding the results, making the appropriate therapeutic decisions, and explaining them to the patient. We conclude by recommending some strategies to further advance the implementation of PGx in practice, such as the need to educate HCPs and patients, and to push for more tests' reimbursement. We also guide the reader to available PGx resources and examples of PGx implementation programs and initiatives.

Examination the effects of organizational innovation and knowledge management strategy in information technology companies in R&D departments on service quality and product innovation

PurposeThe purpose of the article is to examine the concepts of knowledge management strategies, innovation and service quality in information technology companies that have research and development (R&D) departments in the technoparks of research universities.Design/methodology/approachThe research was carried out in information technology companies with R&D departments in the technoparks of universities. Due to the “innovation” focus of the research, 302 engineers were selected by random sampling from engineers working in information technology companies in technoparks, and the prepared scale was sent to them via e-mail. In total, 302 units of data were subjected to path analysis and mediation effect analysis using the SmartPLS program.FindingsIn the research, it is supported by hypotheses that both knowledge management strategies and organizational innovation have a positive effect on the success of service quality and product innovation in information technology companies with R&D departments. At the same time, it can be explained as a result of analysis that innovation capability has both an independent and an intermediary variable effect.Research limitations/implicationsConsidering the limitations of the research, it is not correct to generalize the results of the analysis because the research was conducted only in information technology companies located in technoparks, and the data were collected from engineers working in these companies. For this reason, it is recommended that similar studies that are planned to be conducted in the future should do their research by taking this situation into account. At the same time, it is recommended to carry out future studies in different sectors and to bring the results obtained to the literature by comparing them.Practical implicationsThe importance of information is increasing in technology-oriented companies where competition is increasing. Companies that cannot go beyond imitation or offer similar products and/or services cannot compete with their competitors in a competitive environment. The fact that companies can be successful in a competitive environment is supported by hypotheses as a result of the analysis that they need to develop organizational innovation and knowledge, as well as develop innovation capability at the same time.Originality/valueThe research is an original study in terms of examining the R&D departments of information technology companies operating in the technoparks of universities. Innovation and knowledge management strategies are examined within the scope of the research model by collecting data from information technology companies with R&D departments.

Building public satisfaction with marketing communication strategy and service quality

Marketing starts from communicating information related to products and services to the right consumers. Marketing communication is a combination of two studies, namely communication, and marketing. Excellent service quality (ESQ) is an important relationship marketing activity influencing customer satisfaction. In the public sector, there are increasing public demands on the quality of services provided, especially in urban areas that are very easily accessible with the development of information technology and the increasing level of public education. This study aims to provide insight into the importance of marketing communication strategies and ESQ in the public sector to public satisfaction by taking the object of research of the Department of Communication and Information Technology (IT) of Madiun City. The study used a quantitative approach and questionnaires as a data collection tool. The research sample of 304 people represented three sub-districts included in the Madiun City area. The data analysis techniques used are simple linear regression & multiple linear regression analysis. The test results of this study show that the dimensions of ESQ consisting of tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, & empathy, both simultaneously and partially have a positive and significant impact on the satisfaction of the community who use the services of the Department of Communication & IT in Madiun City. The results of this study show the importance of marketing communication strategies and assessment of excellent service quality as an effort by the public sector to increase public satisfaction. Marketing communication strategies can also support government efforts in building regional branding.

Heritage entrepreneurship: Cultural and creative pursuits in business management. By VanessaRatten (Ed.), Palgrave Studies in Global Entrepreneurship. ISBN 978‐981‐19‐5148‐0, ISBN 978‐981‐19‐5149‐7 (eBook), https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5149-7

Thunderbird International Business ReviewEarly View BOOK REVIEW Heritage entrepreneurship: Cultural and creative pursuits in business management. By Vanessa Ratten (Ed.), Palgrave Studies in Global Entrepreneurship. ISBN 978-981-19-5148-0, ISBN 978-981-19-5149-7 (eBook), https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-5149-7 Deepak Kumar, Corresponding Author Deepak Kumar [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-5674-8358 Department of Industrial & Management Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, India Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia Correspondence Deepak Kumar, PS1 217, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author Deepak Kumar, Corresponding Author Deepak Kumar [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0001-5674-8358 Department of Industrial & Management Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, India Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia Correspondence Deepak Kumar, PS1 217, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 29 April 2023 https://doi.org/10.1002/tie.22345Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue RelatedInformation

Determinants of Software as a Service (SaaS) Adoption

ABSTRACT The extant literature on software as a service (SaaS) adoption has largely leveraged traditional and general factors identified in existing information system literature to examine determinant factors that affect firms’ adoption decisions. Anchoring our study in the technological-organizational-environmental (TOE) framework and following insights from information technology (IT) outsourcing literature, we examine determinants of SaaS adoption through a contextualized lens of technological, organizational, and environmental contexts. In particular, we hypothesize that firm performance and IT department size negatively affect SaaS adoption, while competitor adoption positively affects SaaS adoption. Our empirical analysis using a sample of 1,062,128 small and medium firm observations over 9 years supports the hypotheses. We discuss the implications that our findings have for research and practice.

Budget and capabilities of information technology governance: empirical analysis in higher education institutes

Despite empirical improvements in Ecuador's higher institutes in preparing for information technology (IT) governance, much remains to be done to improve understanding of the maturity of governance structures, processes, and relational mechanisms with the referential budget allocated to IT departments. In this sense, the objective of the work is to analyze the maturity of the IT governance mechanisms and the referential budget allocated, from the relational and predictive point of view, going through a descriptive process. The data that was analyzed comes from the 2020 opinion survey, conducted by a group of researchers with support from the National Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation of Ecuador (SENESCYT). In total, 18 institutes completed the survey with budget information. The findings show the considerable absence of internal processes, weak positive and negative relationship between variables; and the low level of maturity of the mechanisms of IT governance capacities, for the time being, is not significant for the institutional budget. In conclusion, this analysis can provide a baseline to assist in the preparation of action plans for institution-building. In addition, it allowed identifying several weaknesses and strengths, not only in institutions but also in research.

Viability of ESports Service Provider in the Local Market in the Second District of Albay: Opportunity of Investment

Online gaming is now a spectator sport, thanks to ESports. The experience is similar to watching a professional athletic event, but viewers see video gamers compete against one another instead of a physical contest. This qualitative research determined ESport’s viability status in the 2nd District of Albay. It sought to determine the status of the business requirements needed to establish an ESports business along with Network Infrastructure, Legal requirements, and Stability of power. It also evaluates the viability of ESports in the local market regarding technical and economic requirements. It focuses on the challenges of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) in providing opportunities for investment in e-services. Lastly, this research proposed a business process mapping model canvas that potential investors can adopt. The study revealed limited information regarding the stability of power in the context of ESports. No specific information was provided regarding how power stability is ensured or what measures are taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply during ESports tournaments. Likewise, power outages and fluctuations can cause disruptions and affect the gameplay, leading to frustration for players and viewers. Regularly maintaining electrical equipment and wiring is also necessary to prevent power outages and hazards. Technically ESports is viable, despite challenges that may be encountered, and does create a business model canvas.

Is COCOMO and Putnam relevant to e-Government? Software development efforts estimation in e-Government in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the process for estimation of efforts for software development and suggests a framework for estimating software development costs and ensuring quality of code in e-Government projects from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. With no established processes for estimation of efforts, the Government relied on open bids from the market to develop these e-Government applications.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts an exploratory case study approach to analyze the e-Government applications in Andhra Pradesh. Using data from the information technology department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the paper evolves a framework to compute costs of software development, based on the software development life cycle.FindingsThe framework helps in arriving at a hurdle price before the tender process. The study has shown that an e-Government application in AP state would cost Rs. 224,000, or US$2,969.25, for a simple application, and Rs. 33,60,000, or US$44,538.71, for a complex application over a five-year period, depending on the complexity and size of the application. This information would be useful to the Government decision-makers for expanding e-Government.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research may assess the utility of this framework for e-Government support activities like automation of data centers, video conferencing facilities and ushering in financial technologies for encouraging cashless payments.Originality/valueThe paper provides information that could be of value at a national level (for India) and at the same time providing a guide for other countries that would like to adopt this framework.

THE STATUS OF E-LEARNING IN THE 4.0 EDUCATION ERA (DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF INFORMATIC ENGINEERING STUDENTS

The development of technology and revolution 4.0 is challenging in the education sector. The era of education has adjusted to the 4.0 revolution era, where the integration of digital technology is the main thing in the implementation of education. One way to be done is to take advantage of digital technology through e-learning. This study aims to see the position of e-learning based on the perspective of students or students in the Informatics Engineering department. This study used a quantitative approach with a descriptive study model conducted at the Informatics Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, State University of Gorontalo. Respondents were 87 students majoring in Informatics Engineering. The research instrument used questionnaires and interviews. Data analysis using descriptive statistics. The indicators related to the position of e-learning assessed are (1) student perceptions regarding the use of e-learning in learning and (2) the position of e-learning in the education era 4.0 based on student perceptions. The study's results found: (1) Learning by utilizing e-learning to support learning can run both theoretical and practical material optimally according to student perceptions. (2) The position of e-learning is essential in the era of education 4.0. not only as a system but a multifunctional switch to become a container and learning media. (3) Most students choose the game-based e-learning model of their interest in the learning process using e-learning

Creating bespoke end-of-treatment summaries

Introduction The NHS Long Term Plan states that by 2021, every person diagnosed with cancer should have access to personalised care including an end-of-treatment summary. This summary document aims to provide both patients and their general practitioners with accessible information regarding all treatment received and potential side effects, signs/symptoms of disease recurrence and contact details for addressing concerns. Producing an individualised document meeting all the patient’s needs (considering the many different breast cancer pathways) is, however, both challenging and time consuming. Methods Work was conducted with the hospital information technology (IT) department to produce a breast cancer database and proforma that were built in to existing hospital IT systems. Patient information is entered on this database by the clinical team via the electronic proforma. Results Using this breast cancer database for the last 2.5 years has allowed the creation of personalised and detailed end-of-treatment summaries for patients and general practitioners (currently 765), and will facilitate accurate data collection for service quality improvement. In addition, 24 individual issues in the patient pathway have been identified and opportune identification of these issues allows for timely correction to minimise harm to patients. Conclusions The described approach utilises existing hospital IT systems to build a prospective, accessible, customised breast cancer patient database to generate quick but detailed and accessible end-of-treatment summaries. The implemented system has been found to be efficient and accurate while also rapidly identifying errors and areas for improvement in the patient pathway.

Heat waves and mortality in the Brazilian Amazon: Effect modification by heat wave characteristics, population subgroup, and cause of death.

The Brazilian Amazon faces overlapping socio-environmental, sanitary, and climate challenges, and is a hotspot of concern due to projected increases in temperature and in the frequency of heat waves. Understanding the effects of extreme events on health is a central issue for developing climate policies focused on the population's health. We investigated the effects of heat waves on mortality in the Brazilian Amazon, examining effect modification according to various heat wave definitions, population subgroups, and causes of death. We included all 32 Amazonian municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. The study period was from 2000 to 2018. We obtained mortality data from the Information Technology Department of the Brazilian Public Healthcare System, and meteorological data were derived from the ERA5-Land reanalysis dataset. Heat waves were defined according to their intensity (90th; 92.5th; 95th; 97.5th and 99th temperature percentiles) and duration (≥2, ≥3, and ≥4 days). In each city, we used a time-stratified case-crossover study to estimate the effects of each heat wave definition on mortality, according to population subgroup and cause of death. The lagged effects of heat waves were estimated using conditional Poisson regression combined with distributed lag non-linear models. Models were adjusted for specific humidity and public holidays. Risk ratios were pooled for the Brazilian Amazon using a univariate random-effects meta-analysis. The pooled relative risks (RR) for mortality from total non-external causes varied between 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01-1.06), for the less stringent heat wave definition, and 1.18 (95% CI: 1.04-1.33) for the more stringent definition. The mortality risk rose as the heat wave intensity increased, although the increase from 2 to 3, and 3-4 days was small. Although not statistically different, our results suggest a higher mortality risk for the elderly, this was also higher for women than men, and for cardiovascular causes than for non-external or respiratory ones. Heat waves were associated with a higher risk of mortality from non-external causes and cardiovascular diseases. Heat wave intensity played a more important role than duration in determining this risk. Suggestive evidence indicated that the elderly and women were more vulnerable to the effects of heat waves on mortality.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES WHEN TEACHING MATHS

Introduction. The article deals with the problem of digital education on the example of natural science disciplines, in particular Mathematics, when training students of Nizhny Novgorod Academy of Russian MIA (Ministry of Internal Affairs) – future specialists in the sphere of ensuring economic security.
 Purpose of research is to highlight specific features of training students in the conditions of digital educational process at the Nizhny Novgorod Academy of Russian MIA on the example of teaching “Mathematics”.
 Methods. Analysis and synthesis of psychological, pedagogical and didactic-methodical literature; generalization and systematization; monitoring, interview, pedagogical diagnostics, pedagogical experiment.
 Research results. This work deals with specific features of digital contemporary vocational education, advantages and disadvantages of educational process when using modern digital technologies. It represents the experience of using elements and resources of distance training system Moodle to deliver classes in natural science disciplines, in particular Mathematics, in order to realize the basic programs of vocational education. Apart from, the specificity of both planning and adoption of e-learning courses in electronic educational environment of higher school is determined in the article; it shows possibilities of how students can master specific knowledge, skills and necessary competences when training disciplines that are taught by teachers of Maths, Computing and Information technologies department and possibilities of further development of successful practice work in the sphere of economic security.
 Field of applying results. Research results can be the basis for drafting and using e-leaning courses in other disciplines as the tool for realizing digital education in various higher schools.
 Conclusions. The research work highlights the fact that traditional education in the conditions of digital technologies development is less effective especially if it concerns distance training. In order to improve its efficiency it is necessary to implement digital education elements, in particular the resources of SDE (System of Distance Education) LMS Moodle, to deliver classes in mathematical disciplines. The results of experiment and interviewing of both students and higher school teachers allow to identify both advantages and disadvantages of transformation from traditional to innovative education format. Digitalization has a lot of advantages but in order to get highly-quality education and a set of necessary competences when learning a discipline, it is important to consider both traditional and digital education as a single purposeful process of training and upbringing. The model of digital education is in need of training a highly-qualified specialist that would include in its system substantial aspects of training process; pedagogical methods and technologies; organization and management arrangements; all necessary facilities have to be created; and when training all possible ways of solving upbringing tasks should be highlighted.

ЗАДЪЛЖЕНИЯ И ИЗИСКВАНИЯ КЪМ КВАЛИФИКАЦИЯТА И УНИВЕРСИТЕТСКАТА ПОДГОТОВКА НА РЪКОВОДИТЕЛ НАПРАВЛЕНИЕ „ИНФОРМАЦИОННИ И КОМУНИКАЦИОННИ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ“ В БЪЛГАРСКОТО УЧИЛИЩЕ

The article analyzes the structure of a school institution and the place of the position of Information and Communication Technologies Department Chair in educational environments. An analysis was made of the necessary qualifications for occupying the position and the main duties according to the job description. The specific knowledge, skills and competences that are necessary for the creation of highly qualified personnel for the position are described. An analysis has been made of the specialized educational preparation by the higher educational institutions, so that the incumbents can be professionally qualified in the activities they have to perform. A survey related to the problems and prospects for the position was analyzed and summarized.

Cystic Fibrosis: A Descriptive Analysis of Deaths in a Two-Decade Period in Brazil According to Age, Race, and Sex.

The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis has improved in the last few years due to greater access to diagnostic tools and the evolution of molecular biology; the knowledge obtained has contributed to the understanding of its death profile. In this context, an epidemiological study was developed focusing on deaths from cystic fibrosis in Brazil from 1996 to 2019. The data were collected from the Data-SUS (Unified National Health System Information Technology Department from Brazil). The epidemiological analysis included patients' age groups, racial groups, and sex. In our data, between 1996 and 2019, Σ3050 deaths were recorded, totaling a ≅330% increase in the number of deaths resulting from cystic fibrosis. This fact might be related to a better diagnosis of the disease, mainly in patients from racial groups that are not commonly associated with cystic fibrosis, such as Black individuals, Hispanic or Latino (mixed individuals/Pardos) individuals, and American Indians (Indigenous peoples from Brazil). Regarding of race, the Σ of deaths was: nine (0.3%) in the American Indian group, 12 (0.4%) in the Asian group, 99 (3.6%) in the Black or African American group, 787 (28.6%) in the Hispanic or Latino group, and 1843 (67.0%) in the White group. The White group showed the highest prevalence of deaths, and the increase in mortality was ≅150 times in this group, while, in the Hispanic or Latino group, it was ≅75 times. Regarding sex, the numbers and percentage of deaths of both male (N = 1492; 48.9%) and female (N = 1557; 51.1%) patients were seen to be relatively close. As for age groups, the >60-year-old group presented the most significant results, with an increase of ≅60 times in the registered deaths. In conclusion, in Brazil, despite the number of deaths from cystic fibrosis being prevalent in the White group, it increased in all racial groups (Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, American Indian, or Asian individuals) and was associated with older age.

COVID-19 related risk perception and altruistic response amongst undergraduates on reopening of educational institutes.

To determine the coronavirus disease-2019-related risk perception and altruistic response among undergraduate medical students post-lockdown. The analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, at the Baqai Medical University, Karachi, and comprised undergraduates aged 16 and above, studying in medical, dental, physiotherapy, pharmacy and Information technology departments. Data was collected using a structured and standardised online questionnaire. Positive responses led to a perceived risk score ranging 0-9, with a higher score indicating a greater perception of risk. The score was corelated with demographic variables. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Of the 743 subjects, 472(63.5%) were females. The overall mean age of the sample was 21.34±1.8 years. The mean risk perception score was 3.8±2.5, and it was significantly associated with disease exposure (p<0.001). Altruism had a strong association with the perceived risk score (p<0.001), indicating lower risk perception. The risk perception among the students was low, pointing towards a need of psychological assistance programme for the students.