Showing 19 results for Covid-19
Reyhaneh Sefidkar, Sajjad Bahariniya, Farzan Madadizadeh,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (3-2021)
Abstract
Dear Editor in Chief
During the disease epidemic in Iran, the government first considered emergency measures for the center of the disease epidemic, the Qom province, and after that by observing new cases in Tehran, Gilan, and Mazandaran provinces, which are the adjacent provinces to Qom province, the emergency measures for these three provinces were considered as well (1).
Sajjad Bahariniya, Mohammad Ezati Asar, Farzan Madadizadeh,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (12-2021)
Abstract
In this letter, we provide recommendations to improve taking care of the elderly with covid-19.
Farzan Madadizadeh, Seyed Yaser Ghelmani, Tahare Fallah Tafti,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: . Yazd province is the center of Iran and the highway for travelers to other cities. This province is susceptible to disease transmission in Iran. this study aimed to spatial analysis of corona virus prevalence, predicting the spread and determination of hot spot areas in Yazd province, central part of Iran.
Methods: This analytical Cross-sectional study was conducted in Yazd province from February 2020 to January 2021. Patients with COVID-19 admitted to hospitals in Yazd province were selected by census. Required information includes the number of patients as well as their place of residence were collected through the hospital information system (HIS) of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, Iran. The inclusion criteria were positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 and registration of patient information in the hospital emergency department. After collecting the data, it was entered into the ArcGIS software is 9.3.1. software. Moran's I measure and chi square test were used to data analysis. Significant level were considered 5 %.
Results: Overall disease prevalence in Yazd province was equal to 0.0053. The prevalence of disease was higher in men (55.7% , 3412 cases). The highest prevalence of the disease occurred in Yazd city (0.0096) and the highest death occurred in Meybod city (20.8%). Bahabad city also had the highest number of transfer (2.7%). Areas one (15.2% and 932 patients) and two (15.9% and 975 patients) of Yazd city were the most infected areas. There was no significant spatial pattern between the prevalence of the disease in the cities (Moran's Index: 0.18, P-value = 0.58).
Conclusion: There was no spatial pattern in the prevalence of the disease and only in the city of Yazd, regions one and two need the special attention of policymakers.
Covid-19 disease, geographical distribution, Yazd, Iran.
Moslem Taheri Soodejani, Mohammad Mohammadi Abnavi, Mohammad Hassan Lotfi,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (6-2022)
Abstract
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel respiratory viral disease which has caused a worldwide emergency due to its rapid spread and high mortality rate causing severe disorders (1). According to the latest reports by World Health Organization(WHO), as of May 2, 2021, 151.8 million people have been infected and 3.2 million deaths have been reported worldwide, most of which occurred in the United States, India, Brazil, France and Turkey respectively. In Iran, 2.5 million people have been infected and 72,000 deaths have been reported (2).
Nkonyeasua Kingsley Egun , Jude C. Igborgbor ,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction: The rollout of COVID-19 vaccine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by infodemic. This study ascertained the influence of infodemic on individuals’ willingness to be vaccinated for increased vaccine coverage in Delta State.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2500 respondents across the twenty five Local Government Areas in Delta State, with age of at least 15 years were selected using stratified random sampling to provide an appropriate demographic representation. A researcher – made questionnaire including demographic characteristics and questions related to participants' knowledge and attitude regarding COVID-19 vaccine was used. Descriptive Statistics of Frequency (Percentage) was used for data analysis using Microsoft Excel software version 2016.
Results: Demography of respondents showed that secondary education was highest (43%), while 50% of the respondents were urban dwellers. 80.44% of the respondents admitted to the existence of the virus, while 45.84% admitted to its existence in Delta State. 27.68% of the respondents were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine; while 58.08% declined. 63% of respondents had access to social media; and majority of them (52%) admitted to not verifying health information seen on social media with medical experts. Majority of the respondents willing to take the vaccine were aged 45 to 60 years (42.37%); reside in urban areas, have tertiary education, access to social media; and often verified health information with medical experts. Infodemic about the COVID-19 vaccine and lack of trust in the government were identified as the major debilitating factors to the public acceptance of the vaccine.
Conclusion: Improving COVID-19 vaccine coverage in Delta State requires a holistic approach of combating misinformation about the vaccine,, regulation of health information shared on the social media space, and criminalizing the act of infodemic.
Infodemic, COVID-19 vaccine, health information, social media, public health, Delta State.
Reza Bidaki, Stare Kashkouli, Mojtaba Mahmodi, Atena Dadgari,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (12-2022)
Abstract
No Abstract
Khalil Kalavani, Zahra Zare, Mahdiyeh Heydari,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (12-2022)
Abstract
No Abstract
Farzin Bagheri Sheykhangafshe, Zeinab Sayarfard,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (12-2022)
Abstract
No Abstract
Mohammad Ziaadini, Mohammad Sadegh Abolhasani, Homa Khazaee, Mohammad Zarezadeh, Sedigheh Asadi, Farzaneh Ghorbani, Elaheh Salarikhah,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background: Spread of COVID-19 worldwide created anxiety, stress. In the meantime, healthcare workers have been suffering from significant psychological distress due to providing direct care to the patient, side injuries and quarantine. The present research aims to investigate and identify the factors involved in reduction of psychological effects of COVID-19 by interpretive structural modeling.
Methods: This study was a mixed study (quantitative and qualitative). The study population included doctors, supervisors and nurses of the clinical departments of Khatam-ul-AnbiyaAbarkoh Hospital in Yazd. The participants were selected using the snowball sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. In the qualitative part of the research, mainly library studies and expert opinions were used. In the quantitative part of the research, the structural self-interaction matrix was used. The final analysis was performed by MATLAB2018.
Results: The results show that the most psychological effects of Covid-19 are related to "appropriate measures to reduce the disease such as environmental ventilation" and "financial support of personnel" and "sufficient provision of personal protective equipment" and "dedicated sufficient manpower to the involved departments" (with a power of 8). And the lowest influence is related to "continuous training of stress management and constant presence of a psychologist" (with an influence of influence 5)
Conclusion: The basic factors in the research model include continuous stress management training, the presence of a psychologist, and inspection of infected areas. By the management team and providing adequate personal protective equipment.
Somayeh Fazaeli, Zahra Ebrahimi, Shaghyegh Yousefi, Mehdi Yousefi, Nafiseh Arfa Shahidi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background: Healthcare workers caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at high risk of contracting the infection. This study is designated in imam Reza hospital in Mashhad, which is the largest hospital in east Iran, to determine COVID-19 cases characteristics among healthcare workers (HCWs).
Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional, single-center study in Imam Reza hospital in Iran, we enrolled confirmed healthcare workers with COVID-19 who worked at the forefront to fight against COVID-19 since its outbreak 2020. Demographic characteristics and work status and disease symptoms were studied in the affected personnel. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software. The chi square test was used to investigate the relationship between the variables.
Results: In total, out of 2195 people working in the two departments, 154 (7.01%) had coronary heart disease. most of HCWs who were infected to covid19 were nurse (60%) and women (65%) and the lowest has been observed in para clinical staff (1%). There was no significant difference between the use of personal protective equipment and disease in the general department (GD) and high-risk department (HRD). It was indicated that the HRD group had a higher risk of developing COVID-19 compared with the GD group. Common symptoms were Sweating (91.1%), fever (84.93%), Cough (79.31%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (78.77%).
Conclusion: Results have found that Sweating and fever are common in HCWs with COVID-19. Also HCWs worked in HRD had a higher risk of COVID-19. However, further large sample studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Hemalatha Kumarasamy, Prabha Thangaraj,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected countries all over the world. Assessment of risk perception and scaling up appropriate behavioral practices are of utmost importance for its prevention and control. The objectives of this study were identifying risk perception, behavioral changes and perceived impact as a result of COVID-19 and its associated factors among general population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was done during the first wave of COVID-19 among general population in Tamil Nadu, India. A semi-structured questionnaire was prepared in Google forms and circulated using WhatsApp during April and June 2020. The sample size was calculated at 384. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0. Association between the variables was analyzed using Chi-square test. P-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Mean age was 38.4 ±13.8, and 52.1% of the participants were females. Almost 2/3rdhad perceived risk of catching COVID-19, which was more among respondents aged 20-39 and residing in urban area. Among the behavior change measures, wearing mask in public places was practiced by 95%, followed by hand washing (90.4%) and social distancing (80%). More than 50% had some form of psychological stress that included inability to perform their daily routines, anxiously browsing media for information about COVID-19, not going to work .etc.
Conclusion: General public staying in rural areas have not completed secondary school education, and the elderly have to be targeted to provide appropriate information about COVID-19 and its preventive measures.
Farahnaz Afrough, Mohamad Reza Sadeghian Shahi, Farahnaz Ayatizadeh Tafti, Behzad Aria,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background: In the face of stressful situations, people can be helped with purposive exercises that enhance cognitive functions but don’t reduce social performances. The present study seeks to examine the effects of mindfulness exercises on the psychological health indices of active and inactive girl students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study focuses on three major indicators of psychological health including attention, concentration, and stress.
Methods: To this end, 80 girl students ranging from 15 to 18 years of age were selected from some schools in the city of Yazd, Iran. The selection was based on the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). In the pre-test phase, the students filled out a questionnaire about concentration and a stress questionnaire (DASS-21). They were then randomly classified into experimental active, experimental inactive, active control, and inactive control groups. The test groups attended 45-minute mindfulness training sesseions once a week for four weeks, while the control groups did their life routines. At the end of the last training session, the students took a post-test, and the results were recorded. The data were analyzed through repeated measures multivariate ANOVA in the SPSS software version 26.
Results: The mindfulness exercises could significantly affect the active and inactive students’ attention, concentration, and stress (p < 0.05). Also, a comparison of the groups showed that the attendants in the test groups outperformed those in the control groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the findings, mindfulness trainings seem to be useful to improve girl students’ psychological health indices.
Sahar Mohammadnabizadeh, Ali Asghar Najafpoor,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (11-2023)
Abstract
Background: COVID-19 has not only damaged the individual's physical health, but also the community’s mental health. The current study is conducted to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on mental health and anxiety level of the university students.
Methods: In the current cross-sectional study, 216 students from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences were collected using simple random sampling during COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. To determine anxiety symptoms relevant to COVID-19, Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) was used, and to assess the status of mental health, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used. Data were analyzed through SPSS software. Descriptive analysis statistics was performed using frequency percentages, and mean and standard deviation indexes. Furthermore, multiple linear regressions were calculated with psychological and physical symptoms of CDAS and mental health scores. The significance level of all statistical tests was 0.05.
Results: 84.3% (182 participants) of the participants had medium and high levels of psychological symptoms of Corona disease anxiety, and regarding physical symptoms, approximately more than half of the participants (55.6%, 120 participants) experienced medium and high levels of anxiety. Both the psychological and physical symptoms of the disease anxiety were associated significantly with mental health (ß standard = 0.14, p value = 0.004), and psychological symptom variable was the stronger predictor (ß standard = 0.53, p value = 0.0001).
Conclusion: The wide spread of anxiety during COVID-19 lockdown is a warning to health educators and policy makers that significant time, attempt, and funding of the services for mental health should be spent to control anxiety.
Corresponding Author: Sahar Mohammadnabizadeh
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Seyed Mostafa Mirmohamadi Meybodi, Nasrollah Jafari,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, in some countries, mandatory vaccination programs were put to practice. However, there were widespread opposition against vaccination, which is investigated in this research.
Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical research and data collection was conducted by referring to documents, books and articles in library.
Results: With the emergence of corona virus in the world and the need to end this dangerous pandemic, various countries, including Iran's legal system, decided to implement "compulsory vaccination" mechanisms. The findings of this study indicated that the government from the perspective of various schools (even the school of individual originality) was not only allowed to legislate rules to make vaccination obligatory, but also it was expected to enact appropriate laws to create public safety.
Conclusion: According to the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and law, including the priority of collective interests over the individual, the rule of no harm, and the authority of the Supreme Leader, the government is not only authorized but also obliged to enact laws for making vaccination obligatory.
Elham Nakhaei, Saeed Hosseini, Mohsen Mirzaei, Mahmood Vakili, Narjes Hazar,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: One of the potential consequences of COVID-19 is the interruption of childhood vaccination. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of vaccination delay in children during the COVID-19 outbreak in Yazd, Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study in 2020, 667 children living in Yazd were enrolled through multi-stage sampling method. Date of birth, vaccination dates of 2-, 4-, and 6- months of age, gender, family size, birth order and municipal area were extracted from the Integrated System Information Block (SIB) system. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22.
Results: among 667 infants, 322 (48.3%) were girls and 345 (51.7%) were boys. In total, 53.5% of children had delay in vaccination at 2-month of age, 54%, at 4-month, and 45% at 6-month regarding vaccination appointment. Moreover, the dangerous delay was 3% in vaccination rounds for 2-month-olds, 5.4% for 4-month-olds, and 1.7% for 6-month-olds. At all the three appointments, there was a statistically significant difference between both the family size (P-value: 0.025, 0.017 and 0.004, respectively) and birth order (P-value: 0.015, 0.007 and 0.013, respectively) regarding vaccination delay.
Conclusion: Despite the high frequency of one or more than one day delay for 2-, 4-, and 6-month-old infants regarding vaccination appointments, dangerous delay in the mentioned times was relatively infrequent. Meanwhile, family size and birth order were two influential factors respecting vaccination delay in children. It is essential to raise awareness among families, particularly those with larger size and higher number of children about the importance of timely vaccination.
Roshni C Miranda, Girijaprasad Patil, Priyanka D Chate,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Despite extensive first-dose coverage, delays in second doses and late first doses prompted a study on vaccine hesitancy and non-compliance.
Methods: In 2022, a cross-sectional survey was conducted at a Mumbai vaccination center, involving 504 individuals who had received either the first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The study, conducted from February to April 2022, included interviews using a pre-validated schedule to assess vaccine acceptance, refusal, socio-demographics, and reasons for hesitancy. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software 23.0 to understand factors influencing vaccine delay and non-compliance.
Result: The study interviewed 504 participants at a Mumbai vaccination center. Most were male (63.9%), aged 18-44 (80%), and skilled workers (22.6%). Of those surveyed, 64 had received only the first vaccine dose. The delay in receiving the second dose was 37.4% for BBV152 and 41% for ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. The primary reason for delay was lack of time (50.6%), followed by fear of the vaccine (14.8%). Reasons for getting vaccinated later included resolving constraints (40.5%) and compulsion (25.8%). Vaccine choice reasons varied significantly (p < 0.0005), but delay proportions were similar across vaccines (p = 0.531).
Conclusion: Even after many efforts by the government, large numbers of people have not taken vaccine on time. One of the reasons, as seen in the study is a busy work schedule which has hindered timely vaccination in individuals. Making vaccine available at work place may address this issue to some extent, besides ownership of the program by the public.
Farzan Madadizadeh, Sepideh Abdollahi-Dehkordi, Nima Hamzian, Korosh Saber,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Due to the crowds of people in radiation therapy centers and the importance of not interrupting the treatment process, preventive measures to deal with COVID-19 is one of the most important measures; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the intercultural compatibility, reliability and validity of COVID-19 prevention measures in a radiation therapy center.
Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was performed with 20 personnel at the radiation therapy center of Yazd, Iran, using a census method in September 2021. A 29 items COVID-19 prevention scale was used as measurement tool. First, cultural adaptation was performed and then face validity was determined by calculating the Impact Score. Content validity was assessed by calculating the content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI) and reliability was determined using the Test-Retest method and Kuder–Richardson (KR20) alpha coefficient and calculating intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). All analyses were performed in SPSS software version 24 with a significance level of 5%.
Results: 30% (6 people) were male and 70% (40 people) had less than 15 years of work experience. Four items of the questionnaire were removed based on the minimum Lawshe's CVR values, as their CVR was less than 0.62. Finally, the Kuder Richardson coefficient, Scale-level CVI, and ICC were 0.827, 0.98, and 0.52, respectively.
Conclusion: The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed; therefore, this Persian version of 25-item scale is proposed as a suitable and effective tool for COVID-19 prevention measures in Persian language countries.
Fatemeh Owlia, Roqayeh Hakimian,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (1-2025)
Abstract
Background: Dental students have experienced changes in their learning format due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate their perspectives on E-learning during this time.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study utilizing a validated and reliable questionnaire and an online self-report was conducted with dental students in 2022 in Yazd. The study included 120 dental students from the last three years of their program. Socio-demographic and academic data were collected, and certain questions explored students' perspectives on E-learning and its impact on dental education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Responses were rated using a four-point Likert-like scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS (v. 24) with paired T-tests, one-way ANOVA, Tukey tests, and Pearson correlation (P < 0.05).
Results: There was an insignificant difference between the two genders across all dimensions. Overall, 39 students (32.5%) believed that online courses are more appealing than in-person classes, whereas 72 students (60%) found dental professional courses with a laboratory format more engaging than online courses. A significant difference in the fear of COVID-19 was noted among 5thyear students compared to 4thyear and 6thyear students (P-value = 0.0001). Endodontics (39.2%) and prosthodontics (30.8%) were the two fields that were most negatively affected.
Conclusions:
The results of this study indicated that online activity could serve as a beneficial substitute for dental students during the quarantine. Overall, students expressed positive views about the impact of E-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, a significant correlation was found between the fear of COVID-19 infection and the positive experiences associated with online activity.
Shirin Hasanizadeh, Hadis Varaee, Fatemeh Mirjalili, Azadeh Najarzadeh, Masoud Mirzaei,
Volume 14, Issue 1 (1-2025)
Abstract
Background: Previous studies indicated the risk factors for COVID-19. Malnutrition is one of the main causes of immune system failure. This study aims to investigate the effect of nutritional status on the outcomes of COVID-19 in participants of Yazd Health Study (YaHS).
Methods: 279 people who had taken a blood test before contracting COVID-19 were included in this study in 2022. Data of PO2 level, rate of hospitalization, "supplementation with oxygen" rate, BUN, and creatinine were extracted. Malnutrition status was evaluated using hemoglobin levels and body mass index (BMI). The authors applied analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent sample t-test to show differences between levels of BMI and hemoglobin. All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS version 22.0 software.
Results: The results showed a significant difference between hemoglobin levels and different BMI levels (P = 0.03). However, there was no significant relationship between different BMI levels and BUN (P = 0.34), creatinine (P = 0.42), BUN/Cr (P = 0.14), PO2 (P = 0.34), supplementation with oxygen (P = 0.26), and hospitalization rates (P = 0.97). The results according to the normal and abnormal hemoglobin levels were not significant.
Conclusion: According to the criteria used in this study to assess nutritional status (BMI and hemoglobin levels), there was no significant relationship between nutritional status (different levels of BMI and hemoglobin) and COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization rate, “supplementation with oxygen” rate, and low PO2 levels. Further studies in different countries using other nutritional status assessment tools are needed to confirm these findings.
