Frequent Hand Washing Research Articles

Nigerian undergraduate students’ perception towards COVID-19 prevention: Implications for policy

Objective: Universities provide a supportive and safe learning environment for students. To limit the transmission of COVID-19, the WHO has recommended several preventive measures including frequent washing of hands, hand sanitizer usage, the wearing of masks, social distancing, covering of mouth while sneezing, etc. Students need to comply with these personal hygiene practices to limit the transmission of COVID-19. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to assess the knowledge and practice of COVID-19 prevention among undergraduate students of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo Ogun State, Nigeria. 430 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows Version 21. A p-value of < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: 98.8%, 96.4%, and 84.1% of the respondents knew about COVID-19, know that it is a contagious disease, and know that a virus causes COVID-19 respectively. 60.4% and 56.7% heard about COVID-19 from the news and social media and had good knowledge of COVID-19 respectively. 38.2%, 36.7%, and 63.3% of the respondents have an average level of practice of COVID-19 prevention, had been vaccinated majorly with AstraZeneca brand of vaccine (20.6%), and are yet to be vaccinated respectively. There is no association between the knowledge of the prevention of COVID-19 and practice among undergraduate students of Babcock University (0.258, χ2=5.300). Conclusion: The majority of the students had good and average knowledge of COVID-19 and its prevention respectively. There was no significant association between knowledge and practice of COVID-19 prevention.

Spiritual Communication of Selakaran Among Sasak Muslim Community During The Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced unparalleled challenges to individuals worldwide, resulting in substantial alterations in lifestyles. These alterations encompass the adoption of health protocols, such as social distancing and frequent handwashing. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that certain Sasak Muslim communities have opted for a distinctive approach in confronting the pandemic. Their chosen strategy revolves around the performance of rituals. These rituals, executed collectively, are perceived by the Sasak Muslim community as a means to counteract the global COVID-19 pandemic. To comprehensively explore the significance of these rituals within the Sasak Muslim community's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this qualitative research employs an ethnographic approach. The overarching goal is to gain insight into how these rituals are construed and employed by the community. The study's findings unveil that the Sasak Muslim community perceives the pandemic as a typical ailment, one that can be alleviated through a deepened connection with Allah. One of the primary methods through which this closeness is sought is an increased engagement in dhikr, which involves the remembrance of Allah, and prayers performed within the framework of specific rituals such as Selakaran.

Increased Frequency of Hand Hygiene and Other Infection Prevention Practices Correlates with Reduced Surgical Wound Infection Rates in Spinal Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, many changes were done in the hospital practice, and new guidelines were issued in order to contain the infection spread. One of the most common measures is represented by a correct and frequent hand washing. Recently, an association between increased adherence to hand hygiene (HH) protocols and reduction in hospital infections was documented however no studies about the surgical wound infection rate were reported in the Literature. The present study represents a multicentric retrospective epidemiological study. The HH compliance rate was recorded through direct observations by trained nurses, 24 h a day. The primary outcome was HH compliance rate. The association of HH with spinal surgical wound infections was the secondary outcome. We reported a compliance to HH practices during the pandemic period of 85.2% compared with 57% observed during 2019. Our analysis showed an overall surgical wound infection reduction of 66.6% during the hospital stay in the pandemic period. Hand hygiene has always been considered one of the most effective, reproducible and low-cost weapons to deal with hospital infections. The good health habits acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic should be maintained even after the virus is eradicated.

Analysis of Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission Measures in People with HIV-AIDS at Jumpandang Baru Public Health Center, Makassar City

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, people with HIV-AIDS (PLWHA) are a population with a weakened immune system that requires more attention. People living with HIV-AIDS are advised to take the same precautions as the general public, including frequent hand washing, coughing etiquette, physical distancing, mask use, and medical attention in the event of symptoms. This study seeks to identify the factors associated with the prevention of COVID-19 transmission among HIV-positive patients at the Jumpandang Baru Public Health Center in Makassar.

Application of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behavior (COM-B) model to identify predictors of two self-reported hand hygiene behaviors (handwashing and hand sanitizer use) to prevent COVID-19 infection among U.S. adults, Fall 2020

BackgroundHandwashing with soap and water is an important way to prevent transmission of viruses and bacteria and worldwide it is estimated handwashing can prevent 1 in 5 viral respiratory infections. Frequent handwashing is associated with a decreased risk for infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when handwashing is not feasible can also help prevent the transmission of viruses and bacteria.ObjectiveSince early 2020, the public has been encouraged to handwash frequently with soap and water and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available to reduce COVID-19 transmission. This study’s objectives were to assess U.S. adults’ perceptions of components of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behavior (COM-B) Model in relation to these two hand hygiene behaviors and to identify relationships between these components and hand hygiene behaviors.MethodsItems assessing capability, opportunity, motivation, and hand hygiene behaviors were included in FallStyles, a survey completed by 3,625 adults in the fall of 2020 through an online panel representative of the U.S. population. We calculated composite capability, opportunity, and motivation measures and descriptive statistics for all measures. Finally, we conducted multiple logistic regressions to identify predictors of handwashing and hand sanitizer use.ResultsMost respondents reported frequently washing hands with soap and water (89%) and using alcohol-based hand sanitizer (72%) to prevent coronavirus. For capability, over 90% of respondents said that neither behavior takes a lot of effort, but fewer agreed that they knew when, or how, they should engage in handwashing (67%; 74%) and hand sanitizer use (62%; 64%). For opportunity, over 95% of respondents said lack of time didn’t make it hard to engage in either behavior; fewer said visual cues reminded them to engage in the behaviors (handwashing: 30%; sanitizer use: 48%). For motivation, the majority believed the two behaviors were good ways to prevent coronavirus illness (handwashing: 76%; sanitizer use: 59%). Regressions indicated that capability, opportunity, and particularly motivation were positively associated with both hand hygiene behaviors.ConclusionsThe COM-B model was a helpful framework for increasing understanding of hand hygiene behavior; it identified capability, opportunity, and motivation as predictors of both handwashing and hand sanitizer use.

Nosocomial infection and spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection among hospital staff, patients and caregivers.

There are difficulties in diagnosing nosocomial transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in hospital settings. Furthermore, mortality of cases of nosocomial infection (NI) with SARS-CoV-2 is higher than that of the general infected population. In the early stage of the pandemic in Taiwan, as patients were not tested for SARS-CoV-2 at admission, NIs often go undetected. Strictly applying the systematic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening, as a standard infection control measure was subsequently implemented to reduce NI incidence. However, evidence on risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 NIs among healthcare workers (HCWs) and caregivers is limited. To assess NI incidence of SARS-CoV-2 among hospital staff, hospitalized patients, and caregivers, and the transmission routes of clusters of infection. This descriptive retrospective analysis at our hospital from May 15 to August 15, 2021 included data on 132 SARS-CoV-2 NIs cases among hospital staff, inpatients, and caregivers who previously tested negative but subsequently identified with a positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) test results, or a hospital staff who tested positive following routine SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test. Chi-square tests were performed to compare the differences between hospital staff and private caregivers, and between clusters and sporadic infections. Overall, 9149 patients and 2005 hospital staff members underwent routine SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing, resulting in 12 confirmed cluster and 23 sporadic infections. Among the index cases of the clusters, three (25%) cases were among hospital staff and nine (75%) cases were among other contacts. Among sporadic infections, 21 (91%) cases were among hospital staff and two (9%) cases were among other contacts (P < 0.001). There was an average of 8.08 infections per cluster. The secondary cases of cluster infection were inpatients (45%), hospital staff (30%), and caregivers (25%). Private caregivers constituted 27% and 4% of the clusters and sporadic infections, respectively (P = 0.024); 92.3% of them were infected in the clusters. The mortality rate was 0.0%. The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection was relatively high among private caregivers, indicating a need for infection control education in this group, such as social distancing, frequent hand-washing, and wearing PPE.

Dermatological impact of hand hygiene practices during COVID-19: A cross-sectional web-based survey among doctors in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to persist throughout the world with intermittent exacerbation. The changing trend of hand hygiene practices during this pandemic has led to new onset or aggravation of pre-existing hand eczema, especially among doctors. There is a paucity of studies regarding skin changes seen with changing hand hygiene practices in the Indian subcontinent. To estimate the frequency of various cutaneous manifestations and associated factors with hand hygiene practices in doctors during COVID-19 via a web-based online questionnaire survey. It was a cross-sectional web-based survey conducted at a tertiary care teaching institute from July 2021 to September 2021. Those doctors (faculty, residents, and interns) of the hospital completing the questionnaire with electronic informed consent were included in the study. A total of 143 doctors completed the survey. The most common symptoms were dryness in 60 (42%) and itching in 25 (17.5%) doctors. The most common skin changes were scaling in 30 (21%) and redness in 16 (11.2%) doctors. There was a significant association between skin changes and frequency of hand washing and hand sanitizer use (p value < 0.05). The prevalence of hand changes and symptoms was 77% in doctors in our study. The most commonly seen hand changes were scaling followed by redness and symptoms observed were dryness and itching.

Pandemic publishing: A bibliometric review of COVID‐19 research in the crisis and disaster literature

Iconic events have traditionally instigated progression in the fields of crisis and disaster science. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pressing question is how this global health emergency impacted the research agendas of our field. We reviewed contributions in ten important crisis and disaster journals in the two and a half years following the COVID-19 outbreak from 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2022. Specifically, we conducted a bibliometric review using thematic mapping analysis to distill the major themes covered by the emerging COVID-19 literature within crisis and disaster science (N = 239 articles). Our results indicate that several well-known topics are applied to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as risk, crisis communication, governance, resilience and vulnerability. The pandemic also gave rise to new topics, such as citizen behavior, state power, and the business and mental health impact of crisis measures. Several studies are already looking ahead by identifying lessons for preparedness and mitigation of future pandemics. By taking stock of the surge of COVID-19 studies while this academic literature is still taking shape, this review sets the stage for future contributions to the crisis and disaster literatures. It provides valuable lessons for what topics are studied and what themes need more attention. The COVID-19 pandemic is destined to become an iconic event for our literature that not only strengthens and deepens existing debates, but also clearly offers the opportunity to draw in new perspectives and broaden the horizon of crisis and disaster science.

Adherence to safety precautions in the operation theatre among anaesthesiologists in the COVID era.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant infections among healthcare workers and deaths warranting the need for personal protective equipment. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of anaesthesiologists adhering to safety precautions and to evaluate their adherence patterns, difficulties faced and coping mechanisms in the operation theatre during the pandemic. This was a multicentric mixed methods study conducted among anaesthesiologists from two tertiary care hospitals. A paper-based questionnaire was given to all participants. The first part consisted of 21 questions regarding safety measures and extent of adherence. The second part was a response sheet regarding the various difficulties faced and coping mechanisms adopted. Following this, an in-depth interview was conducted to understand the same. The proportion of anaesthesiologists in different categories of adherence, patterns of adherence, difficulties faced, and coping mechanisms were computed and compared. Thematic framework analysis was done for in-depth interview. Sixty participants were included. The adherence levels for N95 masks and face shields were higher. Most participants practised frequent handwashing and took showers after work. Fogging, difficulty in communication, marks on the face were the commonly faced difficulties. Self reassurance, adjusting the fit of masks/face shields, or taking breaks were the coping mechanisms mostly followed. Themes generated from in-depth interview include waning of caution, adaptation through innovative methods and stress due to uncertainty. The N95 mask was the most preferred safety precaution. Ease of use and safety were important considerations for adherence. Physical and mental acclimatisation and improved knowledge of disease played a vital role.

Attitude and adherence to COVID preventive protocols of MBBS and BSc nursing students in West Bengal: a multicentric cross sectional study

Background: COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease is transmitted from human to human by respiratory droplets. Poor hand hygiene, poor cough etiquette, social gathering is responsible for spreading the disease. Droplet spread can be checked by proper wearing of face mask, frequent washing of hands, covering coughs and sneezes, social distancing, avoiding ill-ventilated areas. It is not easy to educate common people and change their health-related behaviours within a very short period of time. But medical students and nursing students are expected to be more stringent in adhering to these behaviours compared to common people. We aimed to evaluate the attitude and adherence to the SARS-COV-2 corona virus preventing health related behaviours of the MBBS students and nursing students and to evaluate similar behaviours in their family members.Methods: Cross sectional questionnaire based observational study among MBBS and BSc nursing students of 2 medical colleges at West Bengal, India.Results: 320 MBBS and BSc nursing students participated in the study. Majority of the subjects followed COVID protocol according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines but there were some lapses in attending protocols for social gathering, proper use of masks and proper hand hygiene and using public transports while attending examinations.Conclusions: Majority of the subjects followed COVID protocol but some more education is still needed, especially proper hand hygiene, proper use of masks and avoiding social gatherings. This is needed so that they can impart better education to the society.

COVID-19 emergency response in Southeast Asian region: A bibliographic analysis using VOSviewer software

Introduction: A Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the WHO designated the outbreak in China and surrounding countries in 2019. The Global board proclaimed public health emergency after research. The WHO encouraged states to step up their efforts before the instances grow. Six ASEAN members have confirmed early instances. WHO reports that the pandemic has reached all ten ASEAN countries. Unclear and inconsistent information and actions show Asia's delayed response to epidemics. Methods: This study uses VOSviewer to investigate ASEAN policy responses to the COVID-19 outbreak. A bibliographic data model can handle several data types. Categories, topics, density, and publication date are common article metadata. Results: Early decisions were taken without a plan to halt COVID-19 from spreading across Asia. Upon confirmation of the first case, national prevention and control measures were launched. Encouraging frequent hand washing, adequate mask usage, and other personal hygiene and sanitation habits were also addressed. Its nature leaves many data and information gaps. Major issues included preventing, detecting, and responding to disease outbreaks in public and medical contexts. Conclusion: The regional health systems came into action to help national health programs. The ASEAN countries have all responded to the COVID-19 outbreak. In order to prepare for and manage the COVID-19 outbreak, a thorough investigation is required.

Implikasi Dance Cuci Tangan Enam Langkah terhadap Kemampuan Cuci Tangan Siswa pada Masa New Normal

&lt;p align="justify"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Six steps handwashing using soap and running water is one of the efforts to prevent disease. This study aims to determine the implications of the six-step handwashing dance on students' handwashing abilities during the new normal period at SDN 1 Landungsari, Dau District, Malang Regency. The design in this study was pre-experimental with a one-group pretest-posttest design that involved a sample of 77 students using a purposive sampling method. The instrument employed in this study was in the form of a 6-step handwashing questionnaire. The data was analyzed using a T-Test. The inclusion criteria in this study were elementary school students in grades IV, V, and VI, present at the time of the study, participated in the study and were willing to take the pretest and posttest. Frequent handwashing is one of the effective steps to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Based on the study results, it was known that before the six-step handwashing dance (pre-test), respondents were not able to wash their hands properly and correctly. This was indicated by the wrong movements during the six-step handwashing practice. After being taught the six-step handwashing dance (post test), almost all of the respondents were able to wash their hands properly and correctly. The ability of respondents increased by 67.53%. Paired Sample T-Test results in a value of Sig. (2-tailed) 0.00 &amp;lt; 0.05 which can be concluded that there is an implication of the six-steps handwashing ability for students of SDN 01 Landungsari Malang Regency. This is because the material about the six steps of good and correct handwashing was delivered in an interesting method so that respondents could accept and remember the material easily.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="justify"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Keywords&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Baby shark; COVID-19; six-steps handwashing; dance; ability.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p align="justify"&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

A SURVEY ON HAND HYGIENE PRACTICES LEARNT FROM COVID19 PANDEMIC BY URBAN POPULATION IN WEST INDIA

Introduction- Hand washing with soap (HWWS) was suggested as effective measure for preventing SARS Cov -2 transmission and apart from COVID infection in has benet in prevention of gastrointestinal infection, soil borne parasitic infection and other respiratory infection therefore this hand hygiene practice if adopted as a life style change could prevent other infections. Study design- The present study is a questionnaire based one to access the compliance of general public if they could sustain hand hygiene practices in post pandemic period for better prevention of possible outbreaks in near future. Results– The total of 319 respondents participated in the study with 141(44.20%) males and 178 (55.8%) females. The frequency of hand washing in COVID19 pandemic was more than ten times a day as reported by 176(55.2%) of respondents followed by ve to ten times per day by 107(33.5%) and less than ve times a day by 36(11.3%) of respondents. The post pandemic hand washing frequency showed a decrease as 36(11.3%) respondents reported hand washing frequency of more than ten times a day, 29(9.1%) reporting ve to ten times a day and 254(79.60%) respondents with less than ve times a day. 204(63.9%) of respondents did not intend to follow hand hygiene practices after COVID19 pandemic phase is over in comparison to 115(36.10%) who wish to follow in post pandemic era.315 (98.80%) did wash hands after going for toilet, 142 (44.5%) before preparing food, 314(98.4%) before eating food, 82(25.70%) on arrival at home, 81(25.43%) after work , 95(29.80%) before touching face and 273(85.6%) after sneezing and coughing. However the sex wise difference was not statistically signicant. The frequencies of hand washing in pandemic and post pandemic time which shows decline in adoption of hand washing frequencies and the result was statistically signicant, p value &lt;.05. Conclusion- Hand hygiene should be emphasized, nurtured by frequent awareness programs and education so that our population adopts safe hygiene practices as hand hygiene is by far most effective way in curtailing spread of communicable and infectious disease making our masses prepared for future outbreaks.

Prevalence and risk factors of work-related contact dermatitis symptoms among healthcare cleaners during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northwest Ethiopia: a multicentre cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveThis study was aimed to explore the prevalence and risk factors of work-related contact dermatitis (WRCD) symptoms among cleaners working in healthcare institutions in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia, during the...

Protective behavior and SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in the population – Results from the Gutenberg COVID-19 study

BackgroundDuring the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, preventive measures like physical distancing, wearing face masks, and hand hygiene have been widely applied to mitigate viral transmission. Beyond increasing vaccination coverage, preventive measures remain urgently needed. The aim of the present project was to assess the effect of protective behavior on SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in the population.MethodsData of the Gutenberg COVID-19 Study (GCS), a prospective cohort study with a representative population-based sample, were analyzed. SARS-CoV-2 infections were identified by sequential sampling of biomaterial, which was analyzed by RT-qPCR and two antibody immunoassays. Self-reported COVID-19 test results were additionally considered. Information on protective behavior including physical distancing, wearing face masks, and hand hygiene was collected via serial questionnaire-based assessments. To estimate adjusted prevalence ratios and hazard ratios, robust Poisson regression and Cox regression were applied.ResultsIn total, 10,250 participants were enrolled (median age 56.9 [43.3/68.6] years, 50.8% females). Adherence to preventive measures was moderate for physical distancing (48.3%), while the use of face masks (91.5%) and the frequency of handwashing (75.0%) were high. Physical distancing appeared to be a protective factor with respect to SARS-CoV-2 infection risk independent of sociodemographic characteristics and individual pandemic-related behavior (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62–0.96). A protective association between wearing face masks and SARS-CoV-2 transmission was identified (PR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.96). However, the protective effect declined after controlling for potential confounding factors (PR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.68–1.36). For handwashing, this investigation did not find a beneficial impact. The adherence to protective behavior was not affected by previous SARS-CoV-2 infection or immunization against COVID-19.ConclusionThe present study suggests primarily a preventive impact of physical distancing of 1.5 m, but also of wearing face masks on SARS-CoV-2 infections, supporting their widespread implementation. The proper fit and use of face masks are crucial for effectively mitigating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the population.

ABOUT SOME FEATURES OF DISEASE DEVELOPMENT

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The aim of our study was to determine the role of gender as a factor in the development of disease during infection with COVID-19 and whether the age of the patient along with gender was an important factor in causing lethal outcomes and the infection was much more severe in men, than in women. At the same time irresponsible attitude among men reversibly affect their undertaking of preventive measures such as frequent handwashing, wearing of face mask, and stay at home orders. It is means that being male is also a factor. Our study showed that in people over 60 years of age, mortality was higher in men. However, with age, this difference became less noticeable due to certain circumstances. Finally, we would like to point out that, in our opinion, this new disease of the 21st century, COVID-19, has once again proven that the male and female immunity are significantly different from each other, and this gives us reason to believe that research in this direction will further develop in the future.

Determinants of self-reported adherence to COVID-19 regulations in Spain: social norms, trust and risk perception.

Failure of individuals to voluntarily observe regulations and recommendations around mitigating COVID-19 (e.g. social distancing; frequent handwashing) is often cited as a reason why some countries struggled to curtail the spread of the virus. Understanding the factors that are associated with people's willingness to comply with COVID-19 regulations and recommendations is an important step in helping policy makers and health officials reduce the impact of this (and future) pandemics. In the current study we examined this question in one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic: Spain. A large, representative survey (N = 2100) revealed that several factors were positively associated with willingness to comply to COVID-19 regulations and recommendations. In decreasing order of predictive value, these were: (i) perceptions of whether friends and family were complying (i.e. norms), (ii) trust in science as a basis for lawmaking, (iii) perceived effectiveness of regulations and (iv) perception of risk of infection. These results point to the importance of influencing social norms as the primary way to improve adherence to the health regulations of COVID-19; more important than intrapsychic considerations such as efficacy and risk.

Knowledge, attitude, practices and perceived job stress among physical therapists in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) and perceived job stress among physical therapists (PTs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A cross-sectional study design was adopted; 300 PTs working within the KSA were randomly selected, and the KAP questionnaire was distributed through email using a Google form during the first quarter of 2022. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information, KAP, and perceived stress level at the job. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 20.0. Most PTs are knowledgeable about the management of COVID-19 patients, where their overall correct response to the items of the knowledge-related questionnaire was 87%. Most PTs had positive attitudes toward successful control of COVID-19 (83%) and took necessary precautions, such as frequent handwashing (97.2%) and adherence to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) guidelines (91.5%) during practice. The overall job stress level of the PTs was 'Moderate' (76.5%). This study showed a significant association between the level of job stress experienced by the PTs and selected demographic variables. PTs have adequate knowledge, exhibit a positive attitude and adhere to CDC guidelines while managing patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most PTs are prone to moderate job stress while managing patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, and appropriate strategies must be devised to alleviate their job stress and improve their efficiency.

Breastfeeding Practices During COVID-19: A Narrative Article.

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic because of the rapid rise in cases worldwide. Since then, it has altered the ordinary lives of people around the globe. The surge in the pandemic also questioned breastfeeding practices. As breastfeeding is one of the most critical steps toward the wellness of the newborn and maternal health, whether to follow this practice with a child bornCOVID-19 positive or in the case of suspected infection in the mother was also questioned. There was little information and awareness on the influence of COVID-19 on breastfeeding and postnatal care of newborns; as a result, this situation created havoc and confusion about which processes were to be carried out and how. Thus, this article examines the supporting data and correct procedures to carry out while breastfeeding newborns born during the pandemic. For the collection of evidence, searches were conducted using PubMed and Web of Science along with multiple data published on the websites of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (MoHFW) between the period March 2020 to March 2022. Articles suggested significant changes in the hospital policies, such as disallowing visits to the mother or baby and changes in the mentality of mothers where a few mothers breastfed their newborn with all the septic care, like masks and frequent handwashing practices and others discontinued breastfeeding and used artificial feeds for the newborn. Even the WHO guidelines state that the mother should breastfeed the infant with good septic care. However, due to the havoc of the pandemic and miscommunication of the various policies, there was a gap in implementing the correct measures. This article provides insight into the breastfeeding scenario in COVID-19-positive or suspected mothers with COVID-19.

Cholera epidemic amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Moroto district, Uganda: Hurdles and opportunities for control.

On 21st March 2020, the first COVID-19 case was detected in Uganda and a COVID-19 pandemic declared. On the same date, a nationwide lockdown was instituted in response to the pandemic. Subsequently, more cases were detected amongst the returning international travelers as the disease continued to spread across the country. On May 14th, 2020, a cholera epidemic was confirmed in Moroto district at a time when the district had registered several COVID-19 cases and was in lockdown. This study aimed to describe the cholera epidemic and response activities during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the hurdles and opportunities for cholera control encountered during the response. In a cross-sectional study design, we reviewed Moroto district's weekly epidemiological records on cholera and COVID-19 from April to July 2020. We obtained additional information through a review of the outbreak investigation and control reports. Data were analyzed and presented in frequencies, proportions, attack rates, case fatality rates, graphs, and maps. As of June 28th, 2020, 458 cases presenting with severe diarrhea and/or vomiting were line listed in Moroto district. The most affected age group was 15-30 years, 30.1% (138/458). The females, 59.0% [270/458], were the majority. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was 0.4% (2/458). Whereas home use of contaminated water following the vandalization of the only clean water source in Natapar Kocuc village, Moroto district, could have elicited the epidemic, implementing COVID-19 preventive and control measures presented some hurdles and opportunities for cholera control. The significant hurdles were observing the COVID-19 control measures such as social distancing, wearing of masks, and limited time in the community due to the need to observe curfew rules starting at 6.00 pm. The opportunities from COVID-19 measures complementary to cholera control measures included frequent hand washing, travel restrictions within the district & surrounding areas, and closure of markets. COVID-19 preventive and control measures such as social distancing, wearing of masks, and curfew rules may be a hurdle to cholera control whereas frequent hand washing, travel restrictions within the district & surrounding areas, and closure of markets may present opportunities for cholera control. Other settings experiencing concurrent cholera and COVID-19 outbreaks can borrow lessons from this study.