Prevent COVID-19 Transmission Research Articles

Impacts of indoor masks wearing on air contamination during 10-minute speaking in patients with SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant infection.

In 10-minute speaking, N95 respirators significantly decreased SARS-CoV-2 emissions compared with no-mask wearing. However, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the air even when wearing N95 and surgical masks in patients with high viral loads. Therefore, universal masking of infected and uninfected persons is important for preventing COVID-19 transmission via the air.

Description of the Knowledge and Attitudes of Pregnant Women Related to Prevention of Covid-19 Transmission

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARSCoV-2, which has a shape and behaviour similar to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. This disease has become a worldwide pandemic and causes acute respiratory tract disorders. Nationally, Indonesia is in the 19th highest position with total confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 49,578,590 cases and a death toll of 13.8 thousand cases. This research aims to determine the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women in preventing transmission of Covid-19 during pregnancy. The method used in this research is a quantitative method with a descriptive approach. The population in this study was 39 pregnant women who did not work or were housewives, with the majority having a high school education and an age range of 20 - 35 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data collection technique uses a questionnaire. The data analysis used in this research uses parametric statistics, and the scale used is based on interval and ratio measurements. Based on the results and discussion, the level of knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women regarding preventing the transmission of COVID-19 in Salatiga City is good.

Preventive Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Delaware's Underserved Communities: A Longitudinal Study (2021-2022).

The COVID-19 pandemic officially started in March 2020 and ended in May 2023. Preventive behaviors have been proven to be one of the most effective strategies for preventing COVID-19 transmission. Common preventive behaviors against COVID-19 include but are not limited to wearing a face mask, washing and sanitizing one's hands frequently, avoiding crowds, and avoiding traveling. Underserved communities and racial/ethnic minorities across the U.S. have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a three-wave longitudinal survey conducted from early 2021 to late 2022, the present study investigated changes in the adoption of COVID-19-preventive behaviors among residents living in Delaware's most underserved communities. We also examined whether changes in COVID-19-preventive behaviors differed by race. Our results indicated that fewer people adopted preventive behaviors as the pandemic progressed, and this finding is applicable to both Black people and White people. However, Black people had a consistently greater likelihood of adopting preventive behaviors compared to White people from early 2021 to late 2022. Scientific and policy implications are discussed.

Predictors of older adults’ health behaviours to prevent COVID-19 transmission: a multilevel analysis

ObjectivesWhile older adults showed higher mortality during COVID-19 pandemic, protective behaviours (knowledge regarding coping with COVID-19 symptoms and preventive behaviours) were highlighted to be important to prevent the spread of...

Social Vulnerability and Compliance With World Health Organization Advice on Protective Behaviors Against COVID-19 in African and Asia Pacific Countries: Factor Analysis to Develop a Social Vulnerability Index.

COVID-19 protective behaviors are key interventions advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent COVID-19 transmission. However, achieving compliance with this advice is often challenging, particularly among socially vulnerable groups. We developed a social vulnerability index (SVI) to predict individuals' propensity to adhere to the WHO advice on protective behaviors against COVID-19 and identify changes in social vulnerability as Omicron evolved in African countries between January 2022 and August 2022 and Asia Pacific countries between August 2021 and June 2022. In African countries, baseline data were collected from 14 countries (n=15,375) during the first Omicron wave, and follow-up data were collected from 7 countries (n=7179) after the wave. In Asia Pacific countries, baseline data were collected from 14 countries (n=12,866) before the first Omicron wave, and follow-up data were collected from 9 countries (n=8737) after the wave. Countries' socioeconomic and health profiles were retrieved from relevant databases. To construct the SVI for each of the 4 data sets, variables associated with COVID-19 protective behaviors were included in a factor analysis using polychoric correlation with varimax rotation. Influential factors were adjusted for cardinality, summed, and min-max normalized from 0 to 1 (most to least vulnerable). Scores for compliance with the WHO advice were calculated using individuals' self-reported protective behaviors against COVID-19. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the associations between the SVI and scores for compliance to WHO advice to validate the index. In Africa, factors contributing to social vulnerability included literacy and media use, trust in health care workers and government, and country income and infrastructure. In Asia Pacific, social vulnerability was determined by literacy, country income and infrastructure, and population density. The index was associated with compliance with the WHO advice in both time points in African countries but only during the follow-up period in Asia Pacific countries. At baseline, the index values in African countries ranged from 0.00 to 0.31 in 13 countries, with 1 country having an index value of 1.00. The index values in Asia Pacific countries ranged from 0.00 to 0.23 in 12 countries, with 2 countries having index values of 0.79 and 1.00. During the follow-up phase, the index values decreased in 6 of 7 African countries and the 2 most vulnerable Asia Pacific countries. The index values of the least vulnerable countries remained unchanged in both regions. In both regions, significant inequalities in social vulnerability to compliance with WHO advice were observed at baseline, and the gaps became larger after the first Omicron wave. Understanding the dimensions that influence social vulnerability to protective behaviors against COVID-19 may underpin targeted interventions to enhance compliance with WHO recommendations and mitigate the impact of future pandemics among vulnerable groups.

Correction to: OpenCV Based Customer Screening System for Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission in Retail Stores

Correction to: OpenCV Based Customer Screening System for Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission in Retail Stores

Optimal Control Strategies on Mobility for Preventing COVID-19 Transmission: A study with A Three-Patch Compartmental Model

Human mobility can be identified as one of the main factors that directly affect the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, human mobility must be controlled in a proper way to deficit the spread of COVID-19 as the economy of a country depends on human mobility. Nevertheless, due to the lack of proper management of the lockdown restrictions, the economy of many countries has already suffered a severe decline. In this research, a compartmental model (SIR) has been presented using optimal control theory to deficit the spread of COVID-19. Thus, the districts of Sri Lanka were divided into three regions (three-patch), and two control variables, were used to control the normal human mobility within the region and between the region. Also, when designing the cost function, two competing factors which deficit the spread of COVID-19 and save the country's economy were considered. Furthermore, optimal solutions were obtained using the Pontryagin's maximum principle and the data related to the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka from April 15 to May 15, 2021, have been used here. In this research, a lockdown policy has been mainly focused on formally imposing and removing lockdown restrictions to compromise both the competing factors of economic security and control the spread of disease. Based on the results, a clear idea could be obtained about the time limits that should be imposed lockdown restrictions within the region and between the regions. Consequently, it was apparent that starting the systematic removal of the lockdown limits within the regions and between the regions are approximately equal. Furthermore, effective reproductive number are used to check the spread of COVID-19. Hence, it can be assumed that the spread of disease is less when mobility controls are activated. The results which were obtained here can be used not only for COVID-19 but for any pandemic and endemic.

Disinfectant-induced ammonia oxidation disruption in microbial N-cycling process in aquatic ecosystem after the COVID-19 outbreak

Anthropogenic activities significantly impact the elemental cycles in aquatic ecosystems, with the N-cycling playing a critical role in potential nutrient turnover and substance cycling. We hypothesized that measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission profoundly altered the nitrogen cycle in riverine ecosystems. To investigate this, we re-analyzed metagenomic data and identified 60 N-cycling genes and 21 host metagenomes from four urban reaches (one upstream city, Wuhan, and two downstream cities) along the Yangtze River. Our analyses revealed a marked decrease in the abundance of bacterial ammonia monooxygenase genes, as well as in the host, ammonia-oxidizing autotrophic Nitrosomonas, followed by a substantial recovery post-pandemic. We posited that discharge of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) disinfectant may be a primary factor in the reduction of N-cycling process. To test this hypothesis, we exposed pure cultures of Nitrosomonas europaea to NaOCl to explore the microbial stress response. Results indicated that NaOCl exposure rapidly compromised the cell structure and inhibited ammonia oxidation of N. europaea, likely due to oxidative stress damage and reduced expression of nitrogen metabolism-related ammonia monooxygenase. Using the functional tagging technique, we determined that NaOCl directly destroyed the ammonia monooxygenase protein and DNA structure. This study highlights the negative impacts of chlorine disinfectants on the function of aquatic ecosystems and elucidates potential mechanisms of action.

Educating First-Grade Elementary Students to Soap Handwashing to Enhance COVID-19 Readiness during the New Normal Era

Educating First-Grade Elementary Students to Soap Handwashing to Enhance COVID-19 Readiness during the New Normal Era

Covid Classification System for Covid Detection

The ongoing global pandemic, which has now become an endemic has had a significant impact on the educational sector. Despite advancements in technology, there is no real- time prevention of COVID-19 transmission especially UiTM Tapah students that must go through crowd to reach health unit and have high possibility of spreading the disease. This research aims to develop a mobile application by utilizing machine learning for UiTM Tapah students to classify their COVID-19 status. To ensure a systematic and efficient development process, the research adopted the Mobile Application Development Life Cycle (MADLC) methodology. Within the application, the core of the machine learning functionality lies in the implementation of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). By using 5,434 samples of data that had previously been classified by previous studies that analyzed student data such as symptoms to identify potential cases of the virus. The ANN approach performed greatly with the accuracy of 98%. Feedback from 32 respondents helped identify students' difficulties during the pandemic, which results in majority of the respondents agreeing that MCO affecting them adapting to online learning, and access to healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the usability testing conducted using the System Usability Scale (SUS) provided valuable insights into the system's user-friendliness and effectiveness. The results indicated a high level of usability, with a SUS score of 88.3 from 30 UiTM Tapah students while 76.25 from UiTM Tapah lecturers. This system was usable to classify the risk of infection among students who had not yet been diagnosed, while having some room for improvements. The system's ability to identify infected individuals promptly and accurately aided in controlling the spread of the virus, thereby protecting both students and staff. Thus, the classification system by using ANN was a valuable tool for public health organizations in their efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis of the 50 Most Impactful Publications Pertaining to COVID-19 and Orthopaedic Surgery: What Have we Learned?

Purpose There has been abundant research published regarding the impact of COVID-19 on orthopaedic surgical patients which have varying degrees of impact on clinical practice. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the most influential articles relating to COVID-19 and patients undergoing orthopaedic surgical procedures. Though the global pandemic is over, it is beneficial to understand how the resilience of the healthcare system adapted to guide policy development and improve patient care amidst a worldwide time of crisis. Methods The Clarivate Web of Science Core Collection was searched for ‘COVID-19 AND orthopaedic surgery’ and returned 388 articles. The most influential peer-reviewed publications were determined by citation number. Expert opinion and review articles were excluded. Article title, journal name, type of study, country of publication, and clinically relevant findings of each study were collected. Results The top-50 most influential manuscripts concluded these articles were collectively cited 1875 times. The total citations ranged from 13 to 111 citations per article with a mean of 38 (95% confidence interval [31, 44]). England (14), the United States (11), and Italy (10) had the top number of publications. The top affiliations were IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi (5) and the University of London (4). The most popular journals were Bone & Joint Open (10) and International Orthopaedics (10). Though the articles were largely heterogeneous, they described the necessity of orthopaedic surgeons during the pandemic as well as safety precautions to prevent COVID-19 transmission in orthopaedic patients. Conclusion This comprehensive analysis identified the 50 most influential peer-reviewed clinical publications regarding COVID-19 and orthopaedic surgery, which is a concise resource that can be used to inform patient decision-making regarding orthopaedic care and COVID-19. The top-50 articles highlighted the importance of resource utilization, increased use of telemedicine, enhanced infection control measures, patient-centered care, and the well-being of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevention Efforts of Covid-19 Qualitative Study Transmission in East Java Province

East Java has seen a steady increase in COVID-19 cases, with 1,221 people affected and 3547 lives lost. The study used in-depth interviews with stakeholders supported by NGOs and the Integrated Command Post to understand the phenomenon. The sample included nine cities in East Java Province, including Surabaya, Malang, Kediri, Batu, Blitar, Madiun, Mojokerto, Pasempuan, and Probalingga. The results of these interviews were disseminated to health workers in East Java using the Question-and-Answer lecture method. The health department and stakeholders at the Integrated Command Post collaborated to socialize technical guidelines for preventing COVID-19 transmission. The material presented in the program policies aims to prevent COVID-19 transmission in East Java. Stakeholders' policies towards the Integrated Command Post capacity building program are crucial for preventing COVID-19 transmission. Regulations or laws are necessary to regulate efforts in East Java. Monitoring and evaluation are carried out by stakeholders at the integrated post in East Java, with the health department monitoring its evaluation through monthly reports sent through puskesmas and hospitals based on the COVID-19 examination laboratory network. The study aims to provide information on self-isolation and increase support and cooperation across sectors and local governments in handling COVID-19.

The impact of internet health information seeking on COVID-19 vaccination behavior in China

BackgroundAmid the COVID-19 pandemic, the significance of vaccination has been emphatically underscored. As the foremost and pivotal measure for preventing COVID-19 transmission, the COVID-19 pneumonia vaccine plays an instrumental role in the global response to this infectious respiratory disease. However, COVID-19 vaccination coverage remains challenging in low- and middle-income countries and regions. Studies have found that frequent seeking to health information is also associated with healthier behaviors, but these studies have not yet focused on the impact of Internet health information seeking on individual vaccination and the mechanism of this effect.MethodsData were obtained from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) conducted in 2021, which included 7,218 individual samples. This study used COVID-19 vaccination as indicators for the health of interest, the key independent variable is Internet health information seeking. This study tried to analyze the impact of Internet health information seeking on COVID-19 vaccination using an OLS model and PSM method.ResultsThe results show that Internet health information seeking has a significant positive impact on COVID-19 vaccination. This result passed a series of robustness tests. The mechanism analysis indicated that compared to non-Internet health information seeking individuals, Internet health information seeking individuals could know the superior advantages of vaccination and the potential for immunization through this method. And individuals who use Internet to seeking health information are more likely to acknowledge the constructive impact of online information on health behavior. This helps to explain why Internet health information seeking individuals have a higher rate of COVID-19 vaccination.ConclusionsThis study delves into the influence of Internet health information seeking on individual COVID-19 vaccination within the digital era. The outcomes underscore that Internet-mediated seeking vaccine information holds the potential to bolster individuals’ comprehension of vaccination benefits and foster increased acceptance of such information.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Teaching, Learning, Assessment, and Wellbeing in Higher Education.

Lockdown restrictions and social distancing regulations enforced by governments worldwide to prevent COVID-19 transmission have caused momentous disruption to the global education sector. Educators and students across all institutions and levels had to suddenly adapt to a new reality where in-person teaching was replaced by hybrid or remote learning activities. This chapter aims to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on teaching, learning and assessment in higher education. It discusses the challenges presented by the shift to online teaching and the pedagogical strategies developed to foster student engagement and assess their progress in a remote learning setting. Moreover, this chapter explores the impact of the pandemic on wellbeing and mental health of students and academic staff. The last section draws on the lessons learned from the pandemic to identify areas of good practice that are likely to positively shape the post-pandemic higher education panorama.

Risks and challenges in COVID-19 infection prevention and control in a hospital setting: Perspectives of healthcare workers in Thailand.

In hospital settings, awareness of, and responsiveness to, COVID-19 are crucial to reducing the risk of transmission among healthcare workers and protecting them from infection. Healthcare professionals can offer insights into the practicalities of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures and on how the guideline aimed to ensure adherence to IPC, including use of personal protective equipment (PPE), could best be delivered during the pandemic. To inform future development of such guideline, this study examined the perspectives of healthcare professionals working in a large hospital during the pandemic regarding their infection risks, the barriers or facilitators to implementing their tasks and the IPC measures to protect their safety and health and of their patients. In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 hospital staff coming into contact with possible or confirmed cases of COVID-19, or were at potential risk of contracting the disease, including medical doctors, nurses, virology laboratory staff, and non-medical workers. This qualitative study was carried out as part of a knowledge, attitudes and practice survey to prevent COVID-19 transmission at Ramathibodi Hospital in Thailand. We used content analysis to categorize and code transcribed interview data. Existing IPC guideline and evidence synthesis of organisational, environmental, and individual factors to IPC adherence among healthcare workers were used to guide the development of the interview questions and analysis. Factors identified as influencing the use of, and adherence to, prevention measures among healthcare workers included knowledge, perceived risk and concerns about the infection. The extent to which these factors were influential varied based on the medical procedures, among other features, that individuals were assigned to perform in the hospital setting. Beyond availability of PPE and physical safety, ease of and readiness to utilize the equipment and implement IPC measures were crucial to motivate hospital staff to follow the practice guideline. Having a ventilated outdoor space for screening and testing, and interaction through mobile technology, facilitated the performance of healthcare workers while reducing the transmission risk for staff and patients. Adequate training, demonstration of guided practices, and streamlined communications are crucial organisational and management support factors to encourage appropriate use of, and adherence to, implementation of infection prevention and control measures among healthcare workers. This finding could help inform the development of recommendations to optimise compliance with appropriate use of these measures, and to improve guidance to reduce HCW's risk of disease in hospital settings. Further study should explore the perceptions and experiences of health professionals in smaller health facilities and community-based workers during the pandemic, particularly in resource-limited settings.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Dentistry: A Study of the Knowledge and Attitudes of Parents in Jordan

Aims: This study aimed to assess parental knowledge of COVID-19, particularly in the dental setting, and to evaluate the attitudes of parents in Jordan with regard to prevention of COVID-19 transmission especially to children attending dental clinics.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among parents of pediatric dental patients in Jordan. A questionnaire composed of 37 questions divided into three sections was used. The first covered socio-demographic characteristics of the sample, the second assessed parental knowledge; and the third evaluated the attitudes of parents towards COVID-19, particularly with regard to children visiting the dentist. An online form of the questionnaire was published on social media platforms. Parents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were asked to complete the questionnaire and share it with acquaintances in a form of snowball sampling. Descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows. Statistical significance was set at 0.05.
 Results: The number of questionnaires included in the study was 671. Only 44% of the study sample reported that they had accompanied a child to a dental clinic during the COVID-19 outbreak and 60.3% reported that the visit was for emergency reasons. Almost all the parents (94.5%) talked about COVID-19 with their children.
 Conclusions: Parents had good knowledge, positive attitude, and appropriate practices towards COVID-19.

Rancangan video animasi edukasi kesiapsiagaan bencana non alam COVID-19 bagi ibu hamil. Uji validitas dan reliabilitas instrumen

Background: COVID-19 is transmitted through air transmission. Prevention of transmission of the COVID-19 virus in pregnant women will certainly reduce complications in pregnant women and the fetus. An educational animated video design can help increase pregnant women's understanding of preventing the transmission of COVID-19. The Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 in pregnant women will increase the risk of severe infection and pregnancy complications such as preterm labour. Pregnancy will cause physiological changes and maternal immunity, so pregnant women are in a high-risk group for COVID-19 infection. Prevention of COVID-19 virus transmission in pregnant women needs to be done to prevent complications in pregnant women and fetuses. Research objectives: The design of educational animated videos can help increase the understanding of pregnant women in preventing COVID-19 transmission and to test the validity and reliability of instruments.Method: Developing an educational video animation for non-natural disaster preparedness is carried out in several stages, namely making scenarios, storyboards, sketches, choosing colors, coloring, layering and combining them into animated videos. Then, the animated video was validated by a team of experts from the Langsa City Health Office. The content of this video is about preventing COVID-19 transmission in pregnant women. The animated video was tested on 20 respondents in June 2021 in Karang Anyar village, Langsa City. Furthermore, the instrument was tested for validity and reliability on 20 respondents in July 2021 in Paya Bujok Tunong Village, Langsa City.Results: Are 10 components assessed from educational animated videos, and the majority are very good ≥65%. The results of the validity and reliability tests show that the questionnaire is suitable for use in the condition of pregnant women when facing COVID-19 (p > 0,05). However, one invalid statement item was found. The reliability test results show that all variables have an alpha value above 0,378.Conclusion: Respondents can use and distribute animated videos and research instruments.

The Effectiveness of Face Masks in Preventing COVID-19 Transmission: A Systematic Review.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks have been among the cornerstones of COVID-19 prevention. Therefore, evaluating their preventive effects against COVID-19 is crucial. This review aimed to systematically search for the systematic review articles that explored the role of various types of face masks in preventing COVID-19. We browsed the keywords of this study in the online databases of Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane on 10th January 2023 and retrieved all the relevant systematic review articles. The records were downloaded into an Endnote file, and the duplicates were removed. A two-step screening process consisting of title/abstract and full-text screenings was conducted to select the most relevant articles. To ensure the validity and reliability of the results, this study adhered to the PRISMA protocol. A total of 28 systematic reviews were included in this review. Most studies found that face masks are beneficial against viral respiratory infections, such as COVID-19. Different types of masks were evaluated in included studies. It appeared that mask efficacy depends on the material, layers, fitting on the face and user compliance. N 95 respirator had maximum efficacy, especially when used continuously. Face masks have a beneficial effect against COVID-19. Home masks are less protective than surgical masks or N95 personal breathing masks. Besides, the use of masks may elicit a false sense of security in people, which may lead to poor hand hygiene and violation of social distancing. Therefore, the necessary training should be provided to the public to increase awareness and encourage the right practice of using the mask, emphasizing the preventive effects of washing hands, social distancing, and using a face mask against COVID-19.

Determinants of Adapted Behaviors on Employee and Entrepreneurs Against the Covid-19 Pandemic: Theory of Planned Behavior

New Normal is a change in behavior to continue carrying out normal activities but coupled with the implementation of health protocols to prevent Covid-19 transmission. In Indonesia itself, the new normal is applied as a realistic response from the Indonesian government to the existence of COVID-19 as well as the results of the analysis in various sectors of national life, especially the future of the national economy in the medium and long term. After the implementation of the new normal, it automatically affects the routine activities carried out by the community, especially those activities that were restricted by the government at the time of the New Normal. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence behavior change after the application of the New Normal in the Covid-19 Pandemic. A modified Theory of Planned Behavior is used in this study using testing through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS). A total of 427 respondents who have worked have answered the online questionnaire containing 61 questions. The results of this study indicate that knowledge and understanding of covid-19 make people understand the severity they feel and the vulnerabilities they may experience. The severity and vulnerability they feel also have an influence on their attitudes, behavior control, past behavior, and subjective norms so that they have a strong factor in building their intention to behave during the pandemic when the new normal is enacted. The intention that has been built with the support of attitudinal factors, past behavior, subjective norms, and behavior control also changes people's behavior. Employees are able to more moderate the relationship between attitudes towards intention and the relationship between past behavior and intention than entrepreneurs.

Efficacy of facemasks in preventing transmission of COVID-19 in non-healthcare settings: A scoping review.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an abundance of literature relating to the efficacy of face masks on reducing transmission of COVID-19 in non-healthcare settings emerged. The aim of this scoping review was to allow the identification of: types of evidence conducted in this area; knowledge gaps and common concepts relating to mask efficacy in non-healthcare settings. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase and the Irish Management Institute bibliographic database on December 15th, 2021. All types of face masks were included. Of 722 records, 16 were included after full text screening. Themes from an adapted model of Howard et al. framework were used to group results and identify common concepts. The grouped thematic results were then applied to the socio-ecological model. This illustrated the multifactorial elements determining the efficacy of masks themselves while also illustrating how other factors such as individual behaviours, social interactions, settings and national policy can influence the degree of the protective effect. The findings from this scoping review indicate that an abundance of experimental literature is available indicating that masks are effective at preventing COVID-19 transmission but their degree of efficacy is impacted by external factors. This review highlights that the quality of the evidence available is low.