Management Of COVID-19 Pandemic Research Articles

Has the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more advanced breast cancer? A hospital-based retrospective study.

The suspension of breast cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic altered patient diagnosis and management. This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns, screening delays and reduced healthcare attendance on changes in tumour and treatment characteristics, particularly for biologically more aggressive breast cancers. This retrospective single-hospital analysis utilized data from a prospective cancer database between July 2019 and June 2022. Patient, tumour and treatment factors were compared across pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic groups. Symptomatic breast cancer increased from 42.3% in the pre-, 53.1% in the pandemic and 57% in the post- respectively (P ≤ 0.05). Compared to the pre-pandemic group (4.6%), an increase in stages 3 or 4 breast cancers in the pandemic (8.5%) and post-pandemic (7.1%) was found. Increased node-positivity in Ki67 > 20%, grade 3 or ER- tumours post-pandemic (+5.4%, +14.8%, +33.4%, respectively) was identified. More neoadjuvant chemotherapy was found in both the pandemic (+4.3%) and post-pandemic (+11.3%, P = 0.0261) groups. An increase in hypofractionated radiotherapy in the post-pandemic group (+9.4%) was also identified. Our study identified a decrease in early-stage cancers and an increase in node positivity, particularly for biologically more aggressive tumours. An increase in the number of patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy or hypofractionated radiotherapy during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods was also identified.

Understanding associations between the COVID-19 pandemic and menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in Ethiopia: findings from a mixed-methods longitudinal study

ObjectiveTo understand the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and menstrual hygiene management (MHM) among adolescent girls in Ethiopia and to explore which girls were most affected by pandemic disruptions.DesignTwo rounds...

The essential role of volunteer biologists in Lebanon’s COVID-19 pandemic management efforts

The essential role of volunteer biologists in Lebanon’s COVID-19 pandemic management efforts

Examining the impact of COVID-19 on Māori:non-Māori health inequities in Aotearoa, New Zealand: an observational study protocol

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had both direct and indirect impacts on the health of populations worldwide. While racial/ethnic health inequities in COVID-19 infection are now well known (and ongoing), knowledge...

The role(s) of community health workers in primary health care reform in Kerala, before and during the COVID 19 pandemic: a qualitative study.

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are Community Health Workers (CHWs) employed by the National Health Mission of the Government of India to link the population to health facilities and improve maternal and child health outcomes in the country. The government of Kerala launched primary health reform measures in 2016 whereby Primary Health Centres (PHCs) were upgraded to Family Health Centres (FHCs). The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 impacted essential health service delivery, including primary care services. The CHWs network of Kerala played a crucial role in implementing the primary care reforms and COVID-19 management efforts that followed. We carried out a study to understand the perspectives of the CHWs in Kerala about their role in the recent primary healthcare reforms and during the COVID-19 pandemic management efforts. We conducted in-depth interviews (IDI) with 16 ASHAs from 8 primary care facilities in Kerala from July to October 2021. We further conducted Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) (N = 34) with population subgroups in these eight facility catchment areas and asked their opinion about the ASHAs working in their community. We obtained written informed consent from all the participants, and interview transcripts were thematically analysed by a team of four researchers using ATLAS.ti 9 software. Our study participants were women aged about 45 years with over 10 years of work experience as CHWs. Their job responsibilities as a frontline health worker helped them build trust in the community and local self-governments. CHWs were assigned roles of outpatient crowd management, and registration duties in FHCs. The COVID-19 pandemic increased their job roles manifold. Community members positively mentioned the home visits, delivery of medicines, and emotional support offered by the CHWs during the pandemic. The CHWs noted that the honorarium of INR 6,000 (US$73) was inconsistent and very low for the volume of work done. The CHWs in Kerala play a crucial role in primary care reforms and COVID-19 management. Despite their strong work ethic and close relationship with local self-governments, low and irregular wages remain the biggest challenge.

The impact of social changes on MICE tourism management in the age of digitalization: a bibliometric review

AbstractThe meetings, incentives, conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism has intensively grown in recent decades. The MICE sector has also been strongly affected by social and technological changes, especially new social habits resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our research maps the state of the art in MICE tourism and its digitalization from 1997 (first published article found on the subject) to 2022, as well as the changes brought about by COVID-19 to the management of MICE tourism. To identify the main changes caused by COVID-19 pandemic in MICE tourism management, we carried out a survey based on surveys with Conference managers, Exhibition and Trade Fair Centers, and Convention Bureaus in Spain, a leading country in MICE tourism worldwide. For this purpose, we carried out a survey based on surveys with managers of Conference, Exhibition and Trade Fair Centers and Convention Bureaus in Spain, a leading country in MICE tourism worldwide, to identify the main changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in the management of this type of tourism. Based on the results obtained, a bibliometric analysis was carried out using the software SciMAT to find out the thematic evolution of the terms MICE tourism, digital and Business Tourism. This study identifies the most significant topics in MICE tourism management during the pre-pandemic period (1997–2019), the pandemic, and post-pandemic period (2020–2022). We also analyzed the most cited concepts during 1997–2019, as well as their evolution towards other concepts in 2020–2022. Considering the results obtained, future lines of research related to innovation, digitalization, social networks, and destination analysis are proposed for a better and more competitive management of this tourism activity.

Human Resource Management in the Post-Pandemic Era, the Case of the United States of America

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching impact on how U.S. employees should be managed, including where and when they work. This study intends to (1) explain the link between the COVID-19 pandemic and human resource management (HRM), (2) discuss HR challenges being impacted by the pandemic, and (3) suggest innovative and creative HR strategies that address those HR challenges in the post-pandemic era. This study argues that American organizations will not return to the pre-pandemic work situation and that the current “new normal” situation requires them to rethink and redefine their HR policies and practices. The implications and directions for future research are also discussed.

Diabetes Care and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives of Adolescents with Diabetes, Parents, and Providers.

This study explored ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic impacted adolescents' diabetes management and psychosocial functioning, and how adolescents, parents, and providers viewed telemedicine. We present data from three studies: (1) a comparison of psychosocial functioning and glycemic levels before and after pandemic onset (n = 120 adolescents; 89% with type 1 diabetes), (2) an online survey of parents about pandemic-related stressors (n = 141), and (3) qualitative interviews with adolescents, parents, and medical providers about the pandemic's impacts on adolescents' diabetes care and mental health (n = 13 parent-adolescent dyads; 7 medical providers). Results suggested some adverse effects, including disrupting routines related to health behaviors and psychosocial functioning and impairing adolescents' quality of life. Despite these challenges, most participants did not endorse significant impacts. Some even noted benefits, such as increased parental supervision of diabetes management that can be leveraged beyond the pandemic. Furthermore, telemedicine offers benefits to continuity of diabetes care but presents challenges to care quality. These findings underscore the varied and unique impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents with diabetes.

COVID-19 vaccination coverage among travellers at Lomé international airport (Togo), in 2022

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic management leads to new health policies including the requirement of a vaccination pass or a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for cross-border flights. The objective of this study was to estimate COVID-19 vaccination coverage among travellers, as well as factors associated with a full vaccination.
 Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in July 2022 at the Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport (LFW) in Lomé. Travellers met at LFW, aged 12 years or above, and who agreed to participate in the study have been submitted a questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with full vaccination defined as having received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine according to a validated vaccine schedule.
 Results: A total of 847 travellers were included. 67% were men The median age was 40 years, Interquartile Range [31-48]. The main health document presented by travellers was the vaccination pass (69.1%). The majority (84.4%) of travellers had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 63.9% had received at least two doses. Being 40 years of age or above (aOR=1.42; p=0.046), and travelling from a country outside Africa (aOR=2.18, p=0.003), were positively associated with full vaccination.
 Conclusion: Vaccination coverage among travellers at the LFW was relatively high. Travellers from a region outside Africa and aged 40 years or above were more likely to be full vaccinated. Better communication and strengthening of the vaccination strategies in Africa could help reduce these gaps.

Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Pandemic Management in Iran; a Commentary.

Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Pandemic Management in Iran; a Commentary.

COVID-19 vaccination coverage among travellers at Lomé international airport (Togo), in 2022.

COVID-19 pandemic management leads to new health policies including the requirement of a vaccination pass or a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for cross-border flights. The objective of this study was to estimate COVID-19 vaccination coverage among travellers, as well as factors associated with a full vaccination. A cross sectional study was conducted in July 2022 at the Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport (LFW) in Lomé. Travellers met at LFW, aged 12 years or above, and who agreed to participate in the study have been submitted a questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with full vaccination defined as having received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine according to a validated vaccine schedule. A total of 847 travellers were included. 67% were men The median age was 40 years, Interquartile Range [31-48]. The main health document presented by travellers was the vaccination pass (69.1%). The majority (84.4%) of travellers had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 63.9% had received at least two doses. Being 40 years of age or above (aOR=1.42; P=0.046), and travelling from a country outside Africa (aOR=2.18, P=0.003), were positively associated with full vaccination. Vaccination coverage among travellers at the LFW was relatively high. Travellers from a region outside Africa and aged 40 years or above were more likely to be full vaccinated. Better communication and strengthening of the vaccination strategies in Africa could help reduce these gaps.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine HIV care and cervical cancer screening in North-Central Nigeria

IntroductionCervical cancer is the fourth most diagnosed cancer among women globally, with much of the burden being carried by women in limited-resource settings often worsened by the high prevalence of HIV. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted organized screening efforts and HIV management regimens worldwide, and the impact of these disruptions have not been examined in these settings. The purpose of this paper is to describe whether uptake of cervical cancer screening and HIV management changed before, during, and since the COVID-19 pandemic in North-Central Nigeria.MethodsLongitudinal healthcare administration data for women who obtained care between January 2018 and December 2021 were abstracted from the AIDS Prevention Initiative Nigeria (APIN) clinic at Jos University Teaching Hospital. Patient demographics, pap smear outcomes, and HIV management indicators such as viral load and treatment regimen were abstracted and assessed using descriptive and regression analyses. All analyses were conducted comparing two years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the four quarters in 2020, and the year following COVID-19 restrictions.ResultsWe included 2304 women in the study, most of whom were between 44 and 47 years of age, were married, and had completed secondary education. About 85% of women were treated with first line highly active retroviral therapy (HAART). Additionally, 84% of women screened using pap smear had normal results. The average age of women who sought care at APIN was significantly lower in Quarter 3, 2020 (p = 0.015) compared to the other periods examined in this study. Conversely, the average viral load for women who sought care during that period was significantly higher in adjusted models (p < 0.0001). Finally, we determined that the average viral load at each clinic visit was significantly associated with the period in which women sought care.ConclusionsOverall, we found that COVID-19 pandemic mitigation efforts significantly influenced women’s ability to obtain cervical cancer screening and routine HIV management at APIN clinic. This study buttresses the challenges in accessing routine and preventive care during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in low-resource settings. Further research is needed to determine how these disruptions to care may influence long-term health in this and similar at-risk populations.

Know, comply, and live: the implications of protocols for COVID-19 management in sub-Saharan Africa

The aim of this study is to examine the factors influencing compliance with COVID-19 preventive management strategies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To address the lack of national data associated with this study, a comprehensive cross-sectional panel dataset by GeoPoll, encompassing 12 SSA countries, is used. The study employs a novel index and a cross-sectional pooled logit econometric regression with predicted margins to identify the determinants of behavioural responses to COVID-19 management strategies. The findings reveal that demographic factors, institutional measures, and country-specific characteristics significantly impact compliance with COVID-19 management strategies in SSA. Additionally, a gender analysis of disaggregated COVID-19 pandemic management protocols revealed that females exhibit different compliance behaviours compared to males, specifically in relation to public transport, hygiene practices, handwashing, and social distancing. However, no significant gender differences are observed in behaviours such as avoiding public places and working from home. Surprisingly, the composite index, which measures overall compliance with all protocols, does not demonstrate any gender differences. Based on the findings, policies aimed at enhancing compliance should consider demographic, institutional, and country-specific factors while also accounting for gender differences in specific compliance behaviours.

Effectiveness of the forced usage of alternative digital platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic in project communication management

The COVID-19 pandemic social distancing forced a shift from Face-to-Face (F2F) to virtual work sessions, applying innovative digital tools. These tools have previously been neglected, mainly due to a conservative approach or prioritization. Consequently, their effectiveness was never tested in depth. While applying these innovative digital tools during the COVID-19 pandemic was clearly preferable to shutting down organizational activity, managers and workers recognized the advantages of these alternatives and tended to apply them in the post-COVID-19 period. However, in this post-pandemic period, which is free from social distancing limitations, a relatively full space of choices was introduced again, which raised the question whether these alternatives should be kept. Therefore, this study examines whether digital communication tools can adequately substitute F2F sessions in project management. We conducted an experiment with participants (n=269),askingthem to perform project-oriented tasks on four platforms: as individuals, in an F2F group meeting, on Zoom, or using WhatsApp. The results indicate that while an F2F meeting is more effective than individual work, Zoom and WhatsApp are not. These findings appear surprising and may contradict the concept of group empowerment. The use of digital sharing platforms did not affect the tasks’ performances nor create synergy. This raises the issue of whether these digital means are here to stay, should be discarded, or must be upgraded.

Effects and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in supply chain management: a text analytics approach

ABSTRACT The coronavirus has had many effects on supply chains and logistics, most of which are negative. Due to the importance of logistics and supply chain in the world, any disruption or mismanagement causes many problems not only in the countries directly affected but also globally. In this article, new textual data are collected from reputable commercial and news websites related to the effects of COVID-19 on logistics and supply chains. After collecting textual data, valuable information about the impact of the coronavirus is extracted using various text mining techniques performed with R programming. Finally, issues related to COVID-19 and supply chains are identified and divided into five categories: suppliers and products, governments and organisations, health, evaluation, problems, and barriers. Also, categorising the problems and limitations of supply chains and logistics will provide managerial insights to minimise obstacles and disruptions. In particular, managers should consider several suppliers to reduce dependencies and also focus on domestic suppliers because of transportation limitations. Moreover, companies should pay attention to the health of societies and employ new policies, as well as pay attention to consumer behaviour such as their tendency to buy online.

Estimating COVID-19 cases on a university campus based on Wastewater Surveillance using machine learning regression models

Wastewater Surveillance (WS) is a crucial tool in the management of COVID-19 pandemic. The surveillance is based on enumerating SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in the community's sewage. In this study, we used WS data to develop a regression model for estimating the number of active COVID-19 cases on a university campus. Eight univariate and multivariate regression model types i.e. Linear Regression (LM), Polynomial Regression (PR), Generalised Additive Model (GAM), Locally Estimated Scatterplot Smoothing Regression (LOESS), K Nearest Neighbours Regression (KNN), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Random Forest (RF) were developed and compared. We found that the multivariate RF regression model, was the most appropriate for predicting the prevalence of COVID-19 infections at both a campus level and hostel-level. We also found that smoothing the normalised SARS-CoV-2 data and employing multivariate modelling, using student population as a second independent variable, significantly improved the performance of the models. The final RF campus level model showed good accuracy when tested using previously unseen data; correlation coefficient of 0.97 and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 20 %. In summary, our non-intrusive approach has the ability to complement projections based on clinical tests, facilitating timely follow-up and response.

Management of COVID-19 Pandemic by Immunity-modulating Ayurvedic Interventions: A Bright Panacea

Abstract: COVID-19, or SARS-CoV-2 or novel coronavirus 2019 (nCoV-2019), first reported in Wuhan, China, has become a global pandemic due to human-to-human transmission with no specific treatment available. This review highlights the history of coronavirus, its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention by immunity-modulating Ayurvedic interventions to manage the disease during the early chaotic days of the COVID-19 outburst. Immunity modulation is a documented mode of action for many Ayurvedic drugs, including Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera, Andrographis paniculata, Glycerrhiza glabra, Boerhaevia diffusa, Ocimum sanctum, Tribulus terrestris, Curcuma longa, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, etc. Several studies have been performed, and many trials have been registered to evaluate the effects of these herbal drugs to combat infectious diseases like COVID-19. Studies have also shown that Ayurvedic drugs, healthy diet, good lifestyle, and psychological aspects all have been researched over the years and found to have a significant role in increasing immunity and decreasing the number of comorbidities; hence, they should be considered in designing a module for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection.

Assessment of Employees Perception of Wema Bank Internal Communication Strategies in the Management of COVID-19 Pandemic

The study assessed employees’ perception of Wema Bank internal communication strategies inthe management of COVID-19. The objectives of the study were to assess the strategies adopted by Wema Bank internal communication before and during COVID-19 pandemic with a view to evaluating the level of workers’ satisfaction with the strategies adopted by the bank. The study was premised on Organizational Information Theory. The study adopted survey design with structured questionnaire as instrument of data collection through which two hundred and ninety-four (294) respondents were sampled from one thousand, one hundred and nine staff members of Wema bank branches across three states of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo. Findings showed that 83.1% of the respondents have communication engagement with the management of Wema bank daily, while others indicated less frequently. Prior to the pandemic, they communicated through multiple channels such as face to face (92.2%); individual official mail (96.1%), memo and circular (36.3%), WhatsApp messaging (22.1%), Zoom (18.8%) and notice board (12.3%), heads of departments (94.1%), corporate communication (96.8%) line managers (90.9%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, 47.4% of respondents that they received information from the management daily during 19.5% said weekly, 8.4% said monthly, while 24.7% said as the need arose. At this time, Wema bank management communicated majorly through individual E-mail (98.1%), WhatsApp loop (92.2%), Zoom (98.7%), corporate communication (96%), heads of departments (96.8%). and line managers (98.1%). 97.4% of the respondents indicated Internet/Online based communication as the major form of communication channel during COVID-19 outbreak. So, there was increased reliance on digital channels with pressure on technology infrastructure and resources. It was concluded that strategic communication effectively applied in crises contexts, enlists the employees as corporate brand disciples who are comm

Challenges and Obstacles during Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis Management Faced by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip

Background: The main aim of this study was to describe the main challenges and obstacles faced by the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) during the management of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis from a health policymakers' perspective in the Gaza Strip (GS). Methods: The researcher used a descriptive, exploratory qualitative design, targeting health policy-makers, with a sample size of 25, using a purposeful sampling technique. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, whereas the directed qualitative content analysis approach was adopted for the analysis of the interview data. Results: The study stated 26 challenges and obstacles faced by the Palestinian MoH and the health care system (HCS) and ways and measures taken by the MoH to deal with them. The study stated a set of challenges and obstacles faced by Palestinian MoH and HCS during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis management and ways and measures taken by MoH to deal with the following: 8 Challenges related to Shortage of oxygen and resources, as "The Shortage of produced amounts of oxygen, N=16”. 7 Challenges related to the nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as “Spreading of Covid-19 infection between medical personnel and Infection of the medical staff, N=6). 4 Challenges related to situational reality and community, as “Siege and closure of crossings and Impeding the entry of medical devices and equipment and vaccinations, N=11” 4 Challenges related to the health system and health services, as” the fragility of the health system as a result of repeated crises and attacks by the Israeli occupation, especially under the blockade, N=4”. 3 Challenges related to lack of information and knowledge, as “Lack of information and Knowledge about this new pandemic, N=15”. Conclusion: All of the participants agreed that MoH has done well since the beginning of the pandemic and over 3 despite the extreme shortage of resources and these challenges and obstacles. The study recommended activating and enhancing the role of the Palestinian PuHealth Emergency Operation Center (PHEOC) ].

International comparisons of COVID-19 pandemic management: What can be learned from activity analysis techniques?

The global spread of COVID-19 since early 2020 has resulted in significant humanitarian costs. The pandemic has affected most countries to varying degrees, and governments have implemented diverse policies to minimise the impact on public health. However, these policies have varied across regions and even within countries. This study proposes a nonparametric activity analysis methodology to assess how different countries have managed the pandemic. Specifically, we assess the effectiveness of 61 countries nine months into the pandemic using a robust directional Benefit of Doubt (BoD) model according to expert opinion and conditional on country contextual factors. We then estimate the marginal impact of structural and discretionary contextual variables on effectiveness using nonparametric regression analysis, which shows that effectiveness is strongly influenced by socioeconomic and cultural factors. The results reveal three main groups of countries according to their level of effectiveness in pandemic management, suggesting that an accurate assessment of countries’ management of the pandemic benefits greatly from operations research methods, as we obtain benchmarks and find out how these benchmarks (or best practices) vary when contextual factors are included in the analysis.