scholarly journals Protocol to assess the values and preferences towards SARS-CoV-2 self-testing among the general population and their representatives, healthcare personnel and decision-makers in health: a multi-country mixed methods study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonjelle Shilton ◽  
Elena Ivanova Reipold ◽  
Albert Roca ◽  
Guillermo Z. Martínez-Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
General Population ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Views And Perceptions

UNSTRUCTURED Background: Accessible, safe and client-centred SARS-CoV-2 testing services are an effective way to halt its transmission. Testing enables individuals to isolate or quarantine to prevent further transmission. In countries with limited health systems and laboratory capacity, the provision of accessible and safe screening for COVID-19 is challenging. Self-testing provides a convenient, private and safe testing option. However, it also raises some important concerns relating to a lack of counselling and a clear pathway to ensure timely reporting of self-test results to national surveillance systems. Investigating community members’ views and perceptions is crucial to inform the most effective and safe strategies for implementing SARS-CoV-2 self-testing. Methods: This study will be conducted in nine countries: Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines and South Africa. It is a multi-site, mixed methods, observational study that consists of two components: cross-sectional surveys and a qualitative inquiry among four respondent groupings: the general population, general population representatives, healthcare workers and decision-makers. Our main research question is how useful, and under which circumstances, would SARS-CoV-2 self-testing be for populations in low-resource settings, to diagnose and prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2? The general population and the healthcare worker surveys will be analysed separately, using bivariate and multivariate inferential analysis and descriptive statistics. The qualitative inquiries, which will comprise semi-structured interviews and group interviews, will be audio recorded, transcribed and coded. Thematic analysis will be conducted. Discussion: The views and perceptions of local populations are crucial for leading the discussion around the safest strategies for implementing SARS-CoV-2 self-testing. This study intends to generate evidence about the different sociocultural specificities that may hinder or accelerate the widespread utilisation of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing. Dissemination of results will be via publications, presentations at conferences, and dissemination events specifically targeted at local decision makers, civil society and patient groups.

scholarly journals Usability and Acceptability of Oral-Based HCV Self-Testing Among Key Populations: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation in Tbilisi, Georgia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Fajardo ◽  
Victoria Watson ◽  
Moses Kumwenda ◽  
Dali Usharidze ◽  
Sophiko Gogochashvili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
High Educational Level ◽  
Key Populations ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Error ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background: Hepatitis C virus self-testing (HCVST) is an additional approach that may expand access to HCV testing. We conducted a mixed-methods cross-sectional observational study to assess the usability and acceptability of HCVST among people who inject drugs (PWID), men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender (TG) people in Tbilisi, Georgia. Methods: The study was conducted from December 2019 to June 2020 among PWID at one harm reduction site and among MSM/TG at one community-based organization. We used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Usability was assessed by observing errors made and difficulties faced by participants. Acceptability was assessed using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. A subset of participants participated in cognitive and in-depth interviews.Results: A total of 90 PWID, 84 MSM and 6 TG were observed performing HCVST. PWID were older (median age 35 vs 24) and had a lower level of education compared to MSM/TG (27% vs 59%). The proportion of participants who completed all steps successfully without assistance was 60% among PWID and 80% among MSM/TG. The most common error was in sample collection and this was observed more often among PWID than MSM/TG (21.1% vs 5.5%; p=0.002). More PWID requested assistance during HCVST compared to MSM/TG (22.2% vs 7.8%; p=0.011). Acceptability was high in both groups (98% vs 96%; p=0.407). Inter-reader agreement was 96.7% among PWID and 98.9% among MSM/TG. Qualitative data from cognitive (n=20) and in-depth interviews (n=20) was consistent with the quantitative data confirming a high usability and acceptability. Conclusions: HCVST was highly acceptable among key populations in Georgia of relatively high educational level, and most participants performed HCVST correctly. A significant difference in usability was observed among PWID compared to MSM/TG, indicating that PWID may benefit from improved messaging and education as well as options to receive direct assistance when self-testing for HCV.

scholarly journals Adverse maternal outcomes associated with Cesarean deliveries and their determinants: hospital based cross sectional, mixed- methods study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulugeta Meles Dibabi ◽  
Alemu Tamiso Debiso ◽  
Kaleb Mayisso Rodamo
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Medical Illness ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cesarean Deliveries ◽  
Set Up

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine adverse outcomes associated with cesarean deliveries and to assess potential confounding factors.Design/methodology/approachA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1−30, 2019 using mixed methods of data collection. Multistage sampling was used to draw the eligible study participants. The sample size was calculated using the single population proportion formula. A systematic random sampling technique was used to draw the sample size. 180 original medical records were excluded because of having missed information, leaving 1,618 women as the study population. We used the questionnaire adapted from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey to collect quantitative data and analyzed using SPSS version 22, while thematic analysis for qualitative measures was used to generate themes regarding associated perspectives of participants from a community.FindingsMore than 383 women delivered by cesarean section. 20% of the mothers with the mean age at birth of 26.1 ± 4.8 experienced adverse outcomes. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was used to measure the association of determinants and was 2.95 (95% CI 1.19–7.29) for nonuse of antenatal care, 3.18 (95% CI 1.43–6.94) for nonuse of prophylaxis, 4.28 (95% CI 1.58−11.61) for history of medical illness and 7.09 (95% CI 1.19−45.59) for use of substandard operation set up compared with their counterparts.Research limitations/implicationsStrengths of the study include the finding of the study are reliably reported in mixed study methods examining hospital-based institutional and personal risk factors and exploring the whole community's perspectives. However, the important limitations of the study indicate that the study poses a number of challenges related to studying design, therefore there was not sufficient evidence of causality to draw conclusions from the findings. In addition, the study was conducted at a single hospital so that it is not convenient to generalize the findings of the study for setting different in social and economic status.Originality/valueBased on the findings, attention has been drawn to healthcare personnel to provide training and consultation services for pregnant women and for health care administration to ensure standard set up for operation.

scholarly journals Psychosocial determinants of healthcare personnel’s willingness to carry real-time locating system tags during daily inpatient care in hospital managing COVID-19 patients: insights from a mixed-methods analysis

JAMIA Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiling Guo ◽  
Zhilian Huang ◽  
Jeanette Y P Yeo ◽  
Yinchu Wang ◽  
Angela Chow
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Inpatient Care ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Willingness To Use

Abstract Objective Real-time locating systems (RTLS) enable contact tracing and hand hygiene reminders, to improve hospital safety. Successful implementation requires healthcare personnel (HCP) to carry RTLS tags continuously. We assessed for determinants of HCP’s willingness to use RTLS tags during routine inpatient care, and evaluated concerns using mixed-methods analysis. Materials and Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in the 330-bed purpose-built National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore, from January 15 through February 4, 2020. The anonymous survey comprised 24 questions based on constructs from behavioral models and an open-ended question. Principal component analysis was performed to derive the latent factor structure applied in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Concerns were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Of 260 HCP (nurses [40.8%], ancillary and administrative staff [23.1%], allied health professionals [18.5%], and physicians [17.7%]), 75% were willing to use the RTLS tag. After adjusting for age, gender, healthcare professional group, and duration of practice, the acceptance of the use of the RTLS tag (adjusted OR 11.28 [95% CI 4.39–29.00], P < .001) was highly associated with the willingness to use the RTLS tag. HCP who perceived the tag to be easy to use (adjusted OR 2.80 [95% CI 1.37–5.72], P = .005), were also more willing to use the tag. HCP were willing to carry the RTLS tag for the purpose of contact tracing despite privacy concerns. Conclusion More communications on the intentions and data protection standards of the RTLS, and accessory enhancements for HCP’s convenient and sustained use of the RTLS tag are crucial, to optimize RTLS’s usefulness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals CUPID COVID-19: emergency department attendance by paediatric patients during COVID-19 - project protocol

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thérèse McDonnell ◽  
Eilish McAuliffe ◽  
Michael Barrett ◽  
Ciara Conlon ◽  
Fergal Cummins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Utilisation ◽  
Medical Intervention ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Urgent Care ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Paediatric Patients ◽  
The Impact

Background: Measures introduced to delay the spread of COVID-19 may result in avoidance of emergency departments (EDs) for non-COVID related illness. Clinicians and medical representative bodies such as the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) have expressed concern that some patients may not seek timely urgent medical intervention. Evidence from previous epidemics found that hospital avoidance during outbreaks of MERS and SARS was common. While ED attendance returned to normal following SARS and MERS, both outbreaks lasted 2-3 months. As the COVID-19 pandemic is forecast to extend into 2021, little is known about the impact COVID-19 will have on paediatric attendance at EDs as the pandemic evolves. Aims: This project aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on paediatric emergency healthcare utilisation, to understand how the health seeking behaviour of parents may have altered due to the pandemic, and to identify how any barriers to accessing care can be removed.   Methods: Administrative data records from five EDs across Ireland and one Urgent Care Centre will be analysed to identify changes in attendances at emergency healthcare. Qualitative inquiry will be utilised to capture the experience of staff providing emergency healthcare to paediatric patients during COVID-19, and their feedback on identified trends will inform the interpretation of findings. A cross-sectional survey of parents will capture experiences, concerns and decision-making on accessing healthcare for their children during the pandemic. Results and Conclusion: This information will help decision makers respond rapidly to meet the clinical needs of paediatric patients as the circumstances of the pandemic unfold and reduce the disruption to normal paediatric ED services during the onset of COVID-19. As the health of a child can deteriorate more rapidly than that of an adult, any delay in seeking care for an acutely ill child may have serious consequences.

scholarly journals Community incidence of pathogen-specific gastroenteritis: reconstructing the surveillance pyramid for seven pathogens in seven European Union member states

2012 ◽  
Vol 141 (8) ◽  
pp. 1625-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. HAAGSMA ◽  
P. L. GEENEN ◽  
S. ETHELBERG ◽  
A. FETSCH ◽  
F. HANSDOTTER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
General Population ◽  
Union Member ◽  
International Comparisons ◽  
European Population ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Member States ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
European Union Member States

SUMMARYBy building reconstruction models for a case of gastroenteritis in the general population moving through different steps of the surveillance pyramid we estimated that millions of illnesses occur annually in the European population, leading to thousands of hospitalizations. We used data on the healthcare system in seven European Union member states in relation to pathogen characteristics that influence healthcare seeking. Data on healthcare usage were obtained by harmonized cross-sectional surveys. The degree of under-diagnosis and underreporting varied by pathogen and country. Overall, underreporting and under-diagnosis were estimated to be lowest for Germany and Sweden, followed by Denmark, The Netherlands, UK, Italy and Poland. Across all countries, the incidence rate was highest forCampylobacterspp. andSalmonellaspp. Incidence estimates resulting from the pyramid reconstruction approach are adjusted for biases due to different surveillance systems and are therefore a better basis for international comparisons than reported data.

scholarly journals Household Drug Stockpiling and Panic Buying of Drugs During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study From Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sura Al Zoubi ◽  
Lobna Gharaibeh ◽  
Hatim M. Jaber ◽  
Zaha Al-Zoubi
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Drug Shortages ◽  
Drug Supply Chain

The coronavirus disease that emerged in 2019 (COVID-19) has affected health, societies and economies. Policies that have been imposed by different countries to slow the spread of the disease, including national lockdowns, curfews, border closures and enforcement of social distancing measures have disturbed the drug supply chain and resulted in drug shortages. Uncertainty concerning the pandemic has also led to the panic buying of drugs and the stockpiling of drugs in households, which has amplified the problem. In this cross-sectional study, a self-developed questionnaire was distributed online in order to a) assess the practice of household drug stockpiling prior to the national lockdown in Jordan, b) investigate the factors affecting it and c) measure peoples’ knowledge about the consequences of this behaviour. Results from this study show that drug purchasing was reported by 44.3% of the participants and was most common among participants from non-medical backgrounds (336, 75.7%) or those who have chronic diseases (261, 58.8%) and taking chronic supplements (282, 63.5%) regardless of their age, gender, living area or the possession of health insurance. Analgesics and antipyretics were the most frequently purchased drugs (225, 70.5%) and anticipation of their need was the most common reason for purchasing drugs (231, 52.0%). Buyers were also less aware, when compared to non-buyers, that panic buying and drug stockpiling may lead to drug shortages (204, 45.9% vs 325, 58.1%) and that this behaviour can pose a health hazard, especially to children (221, 47.5% vs 342, 61.2%). Our study shows that panic buying of drugs and household drug stockpiling were common in Jordan during the COVID-19 pandemic and this was related to participants’ medical knowledge and educational backgrounds. Therefore, educating the general population regarding rational drug use is urgently needed. This is also a compelling case for the development of national guidelines for drug management that target the general population and healthcare personnel, especially pharmacists, to avoid drug shortages during crises.

scholarly journals Psychological Aspects of COVID-19 in Iran: How the Disease May Affect Mental Health of Medical Staff and General Population?

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-99
Author(s):  
Mohsen Saffari ◽  
Mehdi Raei ◽  
Mohamad Amin Pourhoseingholi ◽  
Masoum Khosh Fetrat
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference

Introduction: The disease related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has now been a pandemic throughout the world. Although the epidemiological studies and clinical trials are utilized to find standard measures and medicines to prevent and control COVID-19, addressing the mental health and psychology of the people who may be at risk of the disease may also be effective to find comprehensive methods to better overcome this pandemic. This study aimed at investigating the mental status of both the general population and healthcare personnel during this pandemic in Iran. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of 296 medical staff and 532 people living in Tehran city of Iran were included in the study. The assessment was performed by Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale short-form (DASS-21). Two groups were matched in terms of some demographical factors such as age, gender, and marital status. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was utilized to perform comparisons between the two groups. Results: Both samples of the general population and medical staff had high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The mean score of anxiety and depression among medical staff was higher than that of the general population (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of stress level. Conclusion: It seems both the Iranian general population and healthcare personnel are under mental pressure caused by COVID-19, indicating an urgent need for intervention and using preventive measures to control the negative impacts of the diseases on the psychological well-being of these people. Further studies in other regions affected by the disease may provide more evidence in this regard.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice with Regard to Preventive Measures of Covid-19 across Community in the above 18-Years Age Group in Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (48) ◽  
pp. 2872-2878
Author(s):  
Raja Vikram Prasad ◽  
Deepa Latha Ciddhavaduta ◽  
Vivekanandan Kalaiselvan ◽  
MadhaviLatha Midde ◽  
Sri Ramachandra Murthy R.V.S ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Police Personnel ◽  
News Bulletin ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

BACKGROUND Present pandemic COVID-19 outbreak in China is spreading globally. WHO confirmed 8.126 million cases and deaths were 445K globally. India recorded 377974 confirmed cases and 14240 deaths and Andhra Pradesh 7071 confirmed cases and 90 deaths, with a mortality of 3.3 % according to sources of health ministry and from updates 18th June 2020 news bulletin. METHODS This is a prospective cross sectional observational, study conducted in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh. 1734 participants (384 general population, 250 doctors, 450 nurses, 550 class IV staff, 50 pharmacists and 50 police personnel) were included and modified predesigned WHO Questionnaire was used to collect the data. 1350 participants frontline healthcare personnel, pharmacists and police were enrolled for hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis; 384 participants used preventive measures like masks, social distancing, hand washing, staying at home, and usage of Aarogya Setu App. The collected data was analysed using SPSS version-22 software. Results were tabulated for demographic details, knowledge, attitude, practice analysis and statistical analysis. RESULTS 39.6 % had knowledge, 68 % had attitude to adopt measures and 72.7 % were following preventive measures and 3.1 % were using Aarogya Setu App to protect themselves from COVID-19. 1350 participants were HCQ prophylaxis for 7 weeks; in these participants, pre- and post-tests were done and were found to be negative for corona infection; 1.6 % had mild ADRs. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, 100 % awareness among the community is required. CONCLUSIONS Though general population had 39.6 % knowledge on preventive measures for corona, 72.7 % were following them. On the other hand, frontline healthcare professionals and workers who were on hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis were found to be negative for corona infection. KEYWORDS COVID-19, Face Masks, Hand Washing, Social Distancing, Aarogya Setu App, HCQ Prophylaxis

AWARENESS ABOUT INDOOR AIR POLLUTION IN GENERAL POPULATION OF RAWALPINDI AND ISLAMABAD

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-83
Author(s):  
Nadia Tariq ◽  
Tamkeen Jaffry ◽  
Rahma Fiaz ◽  
Abdul Majid Rajput ◽  
Sadaf Khalid
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
General Population ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Indoor air pollutants are increasingly being associated with respiratory illnesses leading to high degree of morbidity and mortality. There are not sufficient epidemiological studies from Pakistan which assess level of awareness of indoor air pollution resulting in respiratory diseases in population. Methods: This cross sectional survey was carried out on general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Sample size was 223 study subjects selected by non-probability convenient sampling. Knowledge of the study subjects was determined with regard to indoor air pollution, its effects on health and different sources of indoor air pollution with the help of a questionnaire. The influence of age, gender, educational status and socio economic status on the level of awareness was also analyzed. Results: Out of total 223 participants, 115 were males and108 females. Participants aware of indoor air pollution were 91.5% and adequate awareness about its sources was 80.7%. Those who knew indoor air pollution is detrimental to health were 95.1%. Awareness about building construction dust as source of indoor air pollution was maximum (84.8%). There was significant difference in awareness among participants with different monthly incomes and educational status and also between males and females. Conclusion: This study concludes that general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad has fairly good awareness about sources of indoor air pollution. Use of harmful material causing indoor air pollution should be limited or substituted with better ones where possible.

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