Web-based Cross-sectional Study Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of COVID-19 in Adolescents Attending Covid Vaccination Center in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolkata, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among adolescents in India, recognizing the vital role this demographic plays in pandemic control. Materials and Methods: Conducted at the Medical College, Kolkata COVID-19 vaccination center from June to August 2022, this web-based prospective cross-sectional study included individuals aged 13–19 years. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire in multiple languages, ensuring broad accessibility. Ethical standards were upheld with online informed consent and rigorous data confidentiality measures. Results: The study revealed balanced gender representation among participants, with most enrolled in the 10th or 12th standard. Parents’ educational backgrounds varied, but a significant proportion had family members employed in the health-care sector (66.7%). Knowledge about COVID-19 in India was surprisingly limited: only 3.7% knew about oxygen saturation and its utility. 18.75% considered depression as a comorbidity of COVID-19. 73.8% of the participants relied on social media for information about COVID-19. A majority (66.25%) of the participants believed 2 doses of the vaccine would protect them from the disease. Twice as many women believed in the protection offered by vaccines. Conclusion: This research, distinct from conventional scoring-based studies, emphasized uncovering misconceptions and knowledge gaps. Importantly, many adolescents lacked awareness of the true COVID-19 situation in India, potentially undermining the pandemic gravity perception and preventive measures. Although participants showed awareness of common COVID-19 symptoms and preventive measures, knowledge about comorbidities’ influence on mortality rates was limited.

Association between Atopic Dermatitis and Cigarette Smoking Among the General Population in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most prevalent inflammatory skin conditions. AD symptoms include dry skin and an itchy rash, significantly reducing the quality of life. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of AD is 19.8% overall. The increased prevalence of AD in smokers raises the possibility that smoking is a risk factor and one of the biggest obstacles to global public health. Purpose: In Saudi Arabia, little is known about the connection between smoking and AD despite substantial studies being done worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether there is a connection between AD and smoking among Saudi Arabia’s general populace. Methods: A web-based descriptive cross-sectional study was done in Saudi Arabia. The minimal required sample was estimated to be 385 participants. The overall samples were collected to a maximum of 496 participants. Data were obtained through an online questionnaire directed to the Saudi population and were statistically analyzed using the SPSS program version 26. To determine the association between the variables, the Chi-squared test (χ2) was applied. Results: Four hundred and ninety-six participants satisfying the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. 22.6% were smokers. One hundred and thirty-two (26.6%) had been diagnosed with AD (eczema) by a doctor during the past year; 30 participants were smokers, 57 participants were secondhand smokers, and 31 participants had smoked an electronic cigarette. The prevalence of previous diagnoses with AD by a doctor during the past year was higher among females (P ≤ 0.05). Previous diagnosis of AD was not associated with other participants’ demographics, physical activity, body mass index, and participants’ smoking status (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: Previous diagnosis of AD was not associated with participants’ smoking status.

Changes in sleep, physical activity, and health behaviors among Nigerian fasting adults in Ramadan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is limited data on sleep, physical activity, and health-related behaviors among the general public during Ramadan, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with sleep and physical activity changes among Nigerian Muslims during Ramadan fasting. A nationwide web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Nigerians aged ≥18 years who performed diurnal fasting during Ramadan. The target sample size was obtained using Fisher's formula, and snowball sampling was employed. Adapted versions of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II were used to evaluate sleep and physical activity. Correlates of change in physical activity and sleep quality were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Seven hundred and seventy individuals participated in the study. During Ramadan, 39.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 35.6%-42.6%) reported decreased physical activity, and 56.6% (95% CI; 53.0%-60.2%) stated having self-reported good sleep. The independent correlates of physical activity were female sex (adjusted odds ratio (aOR):0.5, 95% CI: 0.4-0.8), having very good sleep (aOR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7), and obesity (aOR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1-3.7). In addition, factors associated with improved self-reported sleep quality were perceived good health state (aOR: 8.8, 95% CI: 1.1-72.4), sleeping 7-9 h per day (aOR: 5.5, 95% CI: 2.6-10.3), and sleeping for over 9 h per day (aOR: 4.6, 95% CI: 2.1-14.1). Although physical activity decreased by about a third, over half of the respondents lost weight and slept well during Ramadan. Strategies to include intermittent fasting in positive lifestyle changes could improve the health and well-being of the population.

Knowledge and Practice of Face Mask Use and Handling during COVID-19 Pandemic among Dental Students and Intern at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences

Background: The outbreak of Corona Virus Diseases (COVID-19) has been deemed a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). Face mask is one of the prevalent used methods to reduce the spread of infection. Due to their widespread use, it is crucial to use these masks properly because improper use or disposal could potentially speed up the pace of transmission. The objective was to assess the knowledge and practice of face mask use and handing in undergraduate dental students. Methods: A web based cross sectional study was conducted among BDS third, fourth, fifth year and interns at College of Dental Surgery, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences between May-June 2021. A structured proforma was prepared and modified based on relevant literature and expert’s advice. The Google Forms with questionnaires were created using docs.google.com/forms, and the link was shared with the signed-up participants via messaging apps Viber and WhatsApp. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 21 was used to analyse descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage. Results: A total of 144 participants responded to the questionnaire. Eighty-five (59.03%) participants responded that minimum numberof layers in face mask that work better to help stop the spread of COVID-19 outside health care setting is three. Sixty-seven (46.53%) participants responded that they touch front surface of the face mask while wearing it. Conclusion: Campaigns to raise awareness about the proper use of face masks during this pandemic will be useful in educating dentistry students and interns.

Factors Affecting Time Management Ability among Medical Sciences Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Time management (TM) is a crucial academic ability, especially as schools transition from conventional to virtual instruction delivery during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of the study was to identify the variables affecting medical science undergraduate students in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021. Participants included medical students and students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in medical sciences. They were conveniently selected from medical universities across Iran. A demographic questionnaire and the Trueman and Hartley Time Management Questionnaire were used as study instruments. Telegram and WhatsApp were used for data collection and sampling. The SPSS program (version 22.0) and multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis were used to analyse the data. In total, 1,183 students completed the questionnaires in their entirety. The mean of their age was 22.08±3.15 years and the majority of them were female (62.04%). The mean TM score was 45.19±8.3 (with a range of 14–70), and gender, grade point average (GPA), daily study time, daily internet use time, work status, and kind of university were the significant predictors of TM ability (p < 0.05). Iranian students have a moderate level of TM skill, and their work status, GPA, daily study time, daily Internet usage, and type of university are the main predictors of their TM. The shift from traditional to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of equipping medical students with necessary TM skills.

Problematic Use of Internet Among Indonesia University Students: Psychometric Evaluation of Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form.

Social media addiction and internet gaming disorder may cause mental health problems among a minority of university students. The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and the 9-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF) are commonly used worldwide. However, they have not been translated or validated into Indonesian. The present study aimed to translate and validate the BSMAS and IGDS9-SF in an Indonesian context among young adults. A multi-center, web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 458 university students (74% female; mean age 22.5 years) in Indonesia from June to December 2021. The BSMAS and IGDS9-SF were translated into Indonesian. Internal consistency (using Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω) and factor structure (using confirmatory factor analysis) of the two instruments were examined. Concurrent validity of BSMAS and IGDS9-SF was examined using their correlations with two external concepts: nomophobia and psychological distress. Internal consistency of the Indonesian BSMAS and IGDS9-SF were both acceptable (Cronbach's α=0.80 and 0.90; McDonald's ω=0.86 and 0.92). Both instruments were unidimensional with good factor loadings (0.54-0.78 for BSMAS; 0.63-0.79 for IGDS9-SF). Moreover, BSMAS and IGDS9-SF had stronger associations with nomophobia (r=0.58 and 0.12; p<0.001) than with psychological distress (r=0.43 and 0.15; p<0.001). The Indonesian versions of the BSMAS and IGDS9-SF had good psychometric properties in terms of linguistic validity, unidimensionality, and reliability. The findings indicate the tools are appropriate for assessing the risk of social media addiction and internet gaming disorder among university students in Indonesia.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Anxiety, and Preventive Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Among Healthcare Providers: A Developing Country's Perspective.

Background In early 2020, the rapid global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presented healthcare workers (HCWs) with an unprecedented challenge. The constant influx of new information about the virus created knowledge gaps, and the relentless demands of their work schedules left many feeling overwhelmed. This paper explores the knowledge, attitudes, anxiety levels, and preventive behaviors of HCWs in the twin cities of Pakistan, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of this crisis, it is essential to gain insights into the experiences and needs of these frontline heroes. Methodology We conducted a descriptive web-based cross-sectional study among healthcare professionals to delve into the multifaceted aspects of their experiences. This included analyzing sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge levels, attitudes, practices, and the psychological implications of the pandemic. By employing both quantitative and qualitative analysis, we aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of these parameters. Results Out of the 1150 responses collected, it became evident that breathing problems were the most recognized symptom of COVID-19 among HCWs. Impressively, 95.7% of participants believed in the primarily symptomatic nature of treatment, although 37% held the misconception that antibiotics were effective against the virus. Another noteworthy discovery was that 68.2% of HCWs favored testing before initiating treatment, yet a concerning 22.7% of treated patients received no testing. A significant proportion, approximately 19.6%, experienced heightened anxiety levels during the pandemic, leading to an increased frequency of handwashing. In terms of preventive behaviors, a majority of respondents displayed a heightened sense of caution. Nearly 59.1% reported avoiding the use of others' accessories and emphasized not reusing face masks. Furthermore, 84.1% of participants preferred staying at home during quarantine. Conclusion The study reveals the profound impact of COVID-19 on healthcare providers in Pakistan's twin cities, highlighting elevated anxiety levels among most. This underscores the urgent need for mental health support. Beyond physical effects, the pandemic significantly strains their psychological well-being. To address this stress, vital strategies include workload reduction, structured shifts, stressor minimization, and improved knowledge sharing. Cultivating a healthy work environment is equally crucial for healthcare providers' overall well-being. These insights are essential for crafting policies and interventions to better protect and support frontline workers in a developing nation like Pakistan, demonstrating healthcare professionals' resilience and dedication amid unprecedented challenges.

University Students' Knowledge and Attitudes about Plagiarism: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's ideas, words, or work without giving them proper credit and presenting it as your own. It is considered a serious ethical and academic offense in most educational institutions and professional settings. The main objective of this research was to find the level of knowledge and attitudes about plagiarism among university level students and various associated factors affecting for level of knowledge and attitudes. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 288 universities level students using non probability sampling. Collected information was checked for completeness and coded with serial number and then analyzed using SPSS-22. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used for data analysis. In the descriptive statistics frequency and percentage were calculated for the categorical variable while mean and SD were calculated for continuous variables. In the inferential statistics to find the association between level of knowledge and attitude Chi-Square test were used. p-value &lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The mean±SD of age was 24.4±3.15 years. This study revealed that 68.4% students know the meaning of plagiarism. Also, 46.2 % students had good (with 95% CI 40.44%-51.95%). Likewise, 51% students had positive attitude level of attitude (with 95% CI 45.22 %-56.77%). Academic year, level of education, type of university was found to be statistically significant with outcome variable (knowledge and attitude) (p-value&lt;0.05). More than half of university students were still unaware of the concept condition as well as of type, its significance, consequences and remedies for plagiarism. So, the academic community of concerned authorities needs to pay close attention, not just as a breach of ethics and regulations, in order to create a harmonious academic environment.

Mediating Role of Psychological Distress on the Relationship Between Fear of COVID-19 and Burnout Among Healthcare Providers: A Cross-sectional Study in Selangor, Malaysia

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of primary healthcare providers in Malaysia, focusing specifically on the role of depression, anxiety, and stress in mediating the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and burnout. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 1280 healthcare providers from 30 government primary care clinics. Participants completed several scales, including the COVID-19 Fear Scale, Copenhagen Burn Inventory Scale, and DASS-21 Scale, and mediation analysis was performed using Smart-PLS. Results: The majority of respondents were female (82.4%) and Malays (82.3%), with a mean age of 36 years and an average working experience of 11 years. Nurses (47.4%) were the largest group, followed by doctors (26%), medical assistants (11.9%), healthcare assistants (7.1%), medical laboratory technicians (6.4%), and drivers (1.3%). The findings revealed that fear of COVID-19 was positively associated with psychological distress, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as burnout. Additionally, psychological distress played a mediating role in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and three domains of burnout: personal burnout (β=0.154, p&lt;0.001), work-related burnout (β=0.187, p&lt;0.001), and client-related burnout (β=0.175, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: These results highlight the need for interventions to address the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of healthcare providers, particularly in reducing depression, anxiety, and stress, which were found to play a positive mediating role in the development of burnout.

Quality of Sleep and Associated Factors Among Healthcare Providers During Covid-19 in Malaysia: A Web-based Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: COVID-19 has placed enormous strain on healthcare providers (HCPs). This study aimed to determine the quality of sleep (QoS), and associated factors, of HCPs in primary care clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a web-based cross-sectional study of HCPs from 30 primary care clinics in Malaysia. QoS was assessed using a validated single-item scale, and the response ranged from 0 (poor) to 10 (excellent). SPSS version 26 was used for the analysis. Results: Our study included 1280 respondents. The mean QoS score was 6.725 = 1.961. One demographic factor that was positively associated with QoS was age. Having one workplace, nurse, medical assistant, medical laboratory technician (or healthcare assistant compared to being a driver, were also significantly positively associated with QoS. Personality factors that were significantly positively associated with QoS were HCPs’ abilities to cope with work stress and be altruistic. There were negative correlations between QoS and being a male HCP, concern about COVID-19 mortality and perceived risk of exposure to COVID-19. Conclusion: HCPs with clinical roles who were older, had a single workplace, were altruistic and could cope with work stress had better QoS. To maintain the QoS of HCPs, healthcare organisations should promote regular activities supporting the staffs’ mental health and encourage compassion for the organisation and an altruistic work culture, especially among younger employees.

A crisis amidst many others: COVID-19 response satisfaction during the economic collapse and post-Beirut port explosion in Lebanon

The COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon has been compounded by the economic collapse and devastating ‎Beirut port explosion, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. This study aimed to assess the satisfaction of ‎the Lebanese population with the government's response to the pandemic and evaluate the public ‎perception of the economic crisis and the Beirut port blast's impact on the COVID-19 situation. This is a web-based cross-sectional study that utilized a self-administered questionnaire comprising closed-ended ‎questions with predefined response options. To identify predictors of the governmental response score, a ‎multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. A total of 2,384 participants were enrolled, with a mean ‎COVID-SCORE of 15.38 ± 5.28 (out of 40 points). The majority of participants‎‏ ‏‎ (2,163, 90.7%) expressed ‎mistrust in the Lebanese government's ability to effectively address unexpected health threats related to the ‎COVID-19 pandemic. Two-thirds of the participants (1,849, 77.6%) ‎ believed that the economic crisis had ‎impacted the government's response to the pandemic. Nearly 70% of the participants perceived that the ‎Beirut port explosion contributed to COVID-19 transmission. Government mistrust, along with the ‎economic crisis impact, were significantly associated with lower satisfaction scores (P &lt; 0.001). This study ‎revealed a significant level of dissatisfaction among the Lebanese population regarding the government's ‎response to the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring a lack of trust in its ability to effectively manage the ‎crisis. The compounding challenges arising from the Beirut port explosion, economic collapse, and depleted ‎resources have further impeded Lebanon's ability to navigate the pandemic successfully. Urgent ‎interventions and collaborative efforts are required to effectively manage the economic and political ‎repercussions, rebuild a resilient healthcare system, and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. ‎

Knowledge, attitude and practice toward oral anticoagulants among patients with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia that increases the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular complications. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are effective in reducing this risk. To investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) toward OACs among patients with AF. This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted at local Hospital between April 2023 and May 2023, and enrolled AF patients. A total of 491 valid questionnaires were collected, with 293 (59.67%) male and 73.93% resided in urban areas. The KAP scores were 4.64 ± 3.28, 21.09 ± 2.33 and 26.18 ± 2.15, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that junior high school [odd ratio (OR) = 0.346, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.145-0.825, P = 0.017], junior college/bachelor and above (OR = 6.545, 95% CI = 2.863-14.963, P < 0.001), monthly income ≥5,000 (OR = 2.343, 95% CI = 1.074-5.111, P = 0.032), never taken OACs (OR = 0.015, 95% CI = 0.004-0.059, P < 0.001), and having been diagnosed AF (6-10 months, OR = 4.003, 95% CI = 1.653-9.692, P = 0.002;over 20 months, OR = 4.046, 95% CI = 1.753-9.340, P = 0.001) were independently associated with knowledge. Knowledge (OR = 1.376, 95% CI = 1.162-1.629, P < 0.001), junior high school (OR = 0.258, 95% CI = 0.084-0.792, P = 0.018), monthly income ≥5,000 (OR = 5.486, 95% CI = 1.834-16.412, P = 0.002), and never undergone AF ablation (OR = 0.214, 95% CI = 0.097-0.471, P < 0.001) were independently associated with attitude. Knowledge (OR = 1.128, 95% CI = 1.030-1.235, P = 0.009), 70-79 years (OR = 2.193, 95% CI = 1.166-4.124, P = 0.015) and ≥80 years (OR = 4.375, 95% CI = 2.034-9.411, P < 0.001) were independently associated with proactive practice. Patients with AF had inadequate knowledge, suboptimal attitude and inactive practice towards AF and OACs. Improving patient education, especially among those with lower education levels, enhances understanding and management of AF and OACs.

A cross-sectional assessment of patient satisfaction with community pharmacy services in Lebanon: The IMPHACT-LB study

Background: After the pharmacy profession has shifted from product-oriented practices to a more patient-centered approach, patient satisfaction has become an essential indicator of overall quality of care. This study aimed to assess the impact of pharmacy services and pharmacist-patient relationships on patient satisfaction in a crisis context, considering patient characteristics, economic factors, access to care, and health status. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study (April 11-April 27, 2023) assessed patient satisfaction using validated tools among 865 Lebanese adults. Results: Satisfaction with pharmaceutical care was moderate (60%), varying between 58% and 63%. Notably, higher satisfaction was significantly and positively correlated with having private health insurance (Beta=0.583), taking more medications (Beta=0.166), and receiving advice from pharmacists about a healthy lifestyle (Beta=0.651), while lower satisfaction was associated with a university level of education (Beta=-0.505), older age (Beta=-0.022), and perceiving pharmacists as medication experts (Beta=-1.007). Conclusion: Age, education, health coverage, and patient expectations, in addition to services offered by community pharmacists, significantly affected satisfaction in times of crisis. Stakeholders should address pharmaceutical care holistically, acting concomitantly on improving health coverage, access to care, reasonable expectations, and optimising community pharmacy services.

Knowledge and Attitude Towards Cutaneous Complications of Tattoos and Piercings Among the General Population in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Tattooing and piercing, which were uncommon in affluent countries, have recently spread throughout societies. Over the past two decades, young people have shown considerable excitement for the practice. This reported growth creates more difficulties because of the numerous operations performed without awareness of health and hygiene requirements. This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes of the general population toward the cutaneous complications of tattoos and piercings in Saudi Arabia. Methods This was a web-based descriptive cross-sectional study. An online questionnaire was developed by the study researchers, which included participants' demographic data, their knowledge of tattoos and piercings with associated health effects and possible infections, their attitude towards tattoos and piercings, and their practice and experienced complications regarding tattooing and body piercing. The final validated questionnaire was made publicly available via social media until no more new responses were obtained. Results Eight hundred and forty-eight individuals completed the study questionnaire. The ages of the participants varied from 18 to more than 55 years old, with a mean age of 25.2 ± 13.9 years, and (589 [69.5%]) were female. The most reported health effects and infections were bacterial infections in place of body modification (479 [56.5%]), purpura (380 [44.9%]), cutaneous abscesses (380 [44%]), melanoma (338 [39.9%]), hepatitis B virus (321 [37.9%]), HIV (311 [36.7%]), sepsis (306 [36.2%]), allergic contact dermatitis (296 [35%]), and hepatitis C virus (279 [33.1%]). In total, 336 (39.6%) had an overall good knowledge of tattooing and body piercing hazards, with higher knowledge among females with high education (p< 0.05). Conclusion This study revealed that one in three individuals knew about the health risks and infections associated with tattooing and body piercing. Higher awareness was found among females with high education levels. Of all the associated complications, procedure-related infections were the most common among participants.

Knowledge of Osteoporosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Mongolia: Web-based Cross-sectional Study During COVID-19 Pandemic

Knowledge of Osteoporosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Mongolia: Web-based Cross-sectional Study During COVID-19 Pandemic

Investigation of the Relationship Between Workload Perception and the Work-life Balance of Intensive Care Nurses Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-based Cross-sectional Study

Investigation of the Relationship Between Workload Perception and the Work-life Balance of Intensive Care Nurses Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-based Cross-sectional Study

Association between alexithymia, emotional intelligence, smoking addiction, and alcohol use disorder among a sample of Lebanese adults.

Alexithymia can be associated with worse addictive traits, while emotional intelligence is associated with better addictive outcomes. In Lebanon, the prevalence of cigarette and waterpipe smoking is on the rise, although people are aware of the associated harms. Also, around 11% of Lebanese adults have experienced alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study aimed to assess the association between alexithymia, emotional intelligence, smoking (cigarette and waterpipe), and AUD among a sample of Lebanese adults. A web-based cross-sectional study carried out between February and April 2020, during the lockdown period, enrolled 408 community-dwelling adults. The survey link was shared on social media to reach participants from all Lebanese districts/governorates. Taking antidepressants (Beta = 4.37) was significantly associated with more cigarette dependence, while female gender (Beta = -1.52) and having a high vs. low monthly income (Beta = 1.02) were significantly associated with less cigarette dependence. None of the variables, including alexithymia, were significantly associated with waterpipe dependence. Female gender (Beta = -0.15) and higher emotional intelligence (Beta = -0.003) were significantly associated with less AUD, whereas higher alexithymia (Beta = 0.003) was significantly associated with more AUD. This study could demonstrate a significant association between alexithymia and cigarette smoking and alexithymia and alcohol consumption. Future research is warranted to investigate the mediating effect of emotional intelligence and how these results may be used to meet the needs of alexithymic individuals with addictions.

Unpacking COVID-19 Vaccine Attitudes: Exploring Hesitancy and Acceptance Among Undergraduate Students in Bangladesh.

Vaccine hesitancy is a significant global health concern, and mass vaccination is essential in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Undergraduate students need to be prioritized for vaccination as they continue their academic curriculum physically. However, limited research explores vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among undergraduate students in Bangladesh. Therefore, this study evaluated vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among this population. A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2021 using a structured questionnaire to assess COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among undergraduate students in Bangladesh. The Oxford Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Scale was used to measure vaccine hesitancy. The study used convenient sampling. Across the country, 334 undergraduate students participated in this study on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, with a mean age of 22.4 years. Most participants were male and unmarried, most having spent four years at university. 89.52% of participants would accept a COVID-19 vaccine if it were suggested by educational institutions or available, while 4.49% refused to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Participants showed low levels of vaccine hesitancy, with a mean score of 10.77 on the Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Scale. Most participants had a positive attitude towards receiving the vaccine, with the majority wanting to get it as soon as it becomes available. No association was found between vaccine acceptance and participants' background characteristics. Our study found a high level of vaccine acceptance among undergraduate students in Bangladesh, indicating that this group can be vaccinated quickly, significantly accelerating vaccination goals. However, further large-scale studies are recommended among vulnerable groups, including school and college students, to ensure vaccine preparedness.

SARS-COV-2 INFECTION AND ITS SYMPTOMS AMONG COVID-19 VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED HEALTH-CARE WORKERS

Objective: India’s national coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programs started during January 2021 and prioritized health-care workers (HCWs). In this study, we are attempting to measure post-vaccination product-specific (ChAdOx1_nCoV-19/COVISHIELD) COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among vaccinated hospital HCWs and also to assess symptoms in HCWs with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Methods: This is an online web-based cross-sectional study conducted in June 2021 among vaccinated HCWs, comparing SARS-CoV-2 incidence and symptoms. In this study, demographic data such as age, gender, and profession were collected. Other data collected were vaccination status at the time of infection, the gap between COVID-19 positivity and vaccination, symptoms, hospitalization, time to recovery, and previous positive history before vaccination. Results: A total of 1685 HCWs were vaccinated with the COVISHIELD vaccine from January 16 to March 18, 2021. Out of 1685 HCWs, 82 (4.8%) were tested positive by RT-PCR after vaccination. Out of 82 positive HCWs, 84% experienced mild symptoms, 12.2% experienced moderate symptoms, and 3.7% had severe manifestations leading to hospitalization. Among these positive HCWs, 25.6% recovered within 7 days, 35.3% recovered in 7–10 days, 15.8% recovered in 11–14 days, and 23.1% recovered after 2 weeks from the 1st day of experiencing symptoms. Conclusion: Although COVID-19 vaccination by COVISHIELD may not fully prevent from infection by SARS-CoV-2 or its different variants, majority of positive cases present with asymptomatic/mild symptoms. Post-vaccination-positive cases may also present with severe symptoms and require hospitalization.

To Assess The Knowledge And Perceptions Regarding Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) During The First Surge Among Healthcare Workers Of Banke District, Nepal

Background: Human Coronaviruses (HCoVs), a large family of single-stranded RNA viruses in humans causes mainly respiratory tract infections. The current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 has emerged as pandemic causing severe public health issue of international concern. This study aims to assess the knowledge and perception regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19) during first wave of pandemic among healthcare workers working at various Health care institutions. Method: This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 174 health care workers of Banke district, Nepal between May-July 2020 during first wave of COVID-19 pandemic using an online self-administered questionnaire. A 35-item self-administered survey instrument was developed using WHO course materials on emerging respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, and covered the domains of HCWs characteristics, knowledge, and perceptions of HCWs related to COVID-19. Descriptive statistics were reported as proportion and frequencies. Bivariate analysis was performed using chi-square test to assess the association of level of knowledge, and perception about COVID-19 with participants’ characteristics. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All the statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS software, version 23. Findings: Most of the participants (94.8%) had known about the virus from news (70.1%) and social media (68.4%). Among them only 36.2% participants had the opportunities to attend lectures, discussions, and training about the virus COVID-19. Overall, 55.7%, and 52.9% of the HCWs had adequate knowledge, and positive perception about COVID-19, respectively. Bivariate analysis showed no significant association of knowledge regarding COVID-19 among health care worker with participants characteristics whereas, the variables such as gender, occupation, working department showed significant association of perception regarding COVID-19 among health care worker. Conclusion: This study revealed lower level of knowledge and positive perception regarding COVID-19 and infection control measures among HCWs. There is a need of adequate training to enhance the knowledge and perception about covid-19 and safety measures to the HCWs.