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Nursing Open Jul 2024To determine how nurses' experiences with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic affected their knowledge, awareness, and compliance related to the use of personal...
AIM
To determine how nurses' experiences with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic affected their knowledge, awareness, and compliance related to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.
DESIGN
A descriptive cross-sectional study.
METHODS
A total of 247 nurses in South Korea participated in this study between May 10 and 19, 2023. An online self-report questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic and occupational characteristics, COVID-19 experience, knowledge, awareness, and compliance related to the use of PPE. Factors affecting compliance were analysed using hierarchical multiple linear regression.
RESULTS
Mean age of the nurses was 31.92, and 94.3% were women. Most had a bachelor's degree or higher and the mean clinical experience as a nurse was 6.45 years. Knowledge of the use of PPE was 8.45 out of 10, awareness was 3.52 out of 5, and compliance was 4.28 out of 5. Knowledge and awareness were correlated with compliance related to PPE use. Awareness (β = 0.234, p < 0.001), knowledge (β = 0.218, p < 0.001), experience caring for COVID-19 patients (β = 0.234, p = 0.004), optional fourth dose vaccine (β = 0.150, p = 0.017), clinical experience (β = 0.140, p = 0.022), and COVID-19 infection control education (β = 0.115, p = 0.037) were found to have a significant impact on compliance.
CONCLUSION
During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses' knowledge and awareness of PPE use was a crucial factor in compliance. factors such as clinical experience, experience in caring for COVID-19 patients, optional vaccination, and completion of COVID-19 education also influenced compliance. We hope that these factors can provide a basis for developing training programs for nurses to respond to future emerging infectious diseases.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Cross-Sectional Studies; Personal Protective Equipment; Female; Adult; Male; Republic of Korea; Surveys and Questionnaires; SARS-CoV-2; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Pandemics; Nurses; Guideline Adherence
PubMed: 38958036
DOI: 10.1002/nop2.2235 -
Journal of the Indian Society of... Apr 2024The evaluation of tonsil size, Friedman Tongue Position (FTP), and Friedman staging in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) holds significant clinical importance,... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Interexaminer agreement among pediatric dental specialists in assessment of tonsil size, Friedman tongue position, and Friedman staging of obstructive sleep apnea in children: An observational study.
BACKGROUND
The evaluation of tonsil size, Friedman Tongue Position (FTP), and Friedman staging in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) holds significant clinical importance, offering manifold advantages in diagnosis and surgical management.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to assess the reliability of pediatric OSA evaluation by determining inter-examiner agreement among pediatric dental specialists.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Conducted at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, PMS College of Dental Science and Research Hospital (2023-2024), this observational study utilized conventional consulting rooms, headlights, and examination chairs. Thirteen medical practitioners reviewed video recordings of the oropharyngeal regions of twelve pediatric patients exhibiting mouth breathing. Friedman staging was determined based on tonsil size and tongue position gradings.Inter-examiner agreement was evaluated using Fleiss kappa analysis.
RESULTS
Observers, including residents and practitioners in pediatric dentistry, demonstrated poor agreement regarding FTP and tonsil grading.
CONCLUSION
Understanding the nuances of tonsil size and FTP in pediatric OSA evaluation, along with identifying avenues for refinement, can enhance medical decision-making among healthcare providers, including pediatric dentists.
Topics: Humans; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Palatine Tonsil; Child; Pediatric Dentistry; Male; Observer Variation; Tongue; Female; Reproducibility of Results; Child, Preschool
PubMed: 38957905
DOI: 10.4103/jisppd.jisppd_85_24 -
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Dec 2024In 2020-21, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a free influenza vaccination program was initiated among the elderly residents in Ningbo, China. The impact of the COVID-19...
In 2020-21, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a free influenza vaccination program was initiated among the elderly residents in Ningbo, China. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and free vaccination policy on influenza vaccine uptake needs to be evaluated. The influenza vaccine uptake among individuals born before 31 December, 1962 from 2017-18 to 2022-23 season in Ningbo was analyzed. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and free vaccination policy. Our analysis included an average of 1,856,565 individuals each year. Influenza vaccination coverage increased from 1.14% in 2017-18 to 33.41% in 2022-23. The vaccination coverage among the free policy target population was 50.03% in 2022-23. Multivariate analysis showed that free vaccination policy increased influenza vaccine uptake most (OR = 11.99, 95%CI: 11.87-12.11). The initial phase of the pandemic was associated with a positive effect on influenza vaccination (OR = 2.09, 95%CI: 2.07-2.12), but followed by a negative effect in the subsequent two seasons(2021-22: OR = 0.75, 95%CI: 0.73-0.76; 2022-23: OR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.39-0.40). COVID-19 vaccination in the current season was a positive predictor of influenza vaccine uptake while not completing booster COVID-19 vaccination before was negative predictor in 2022-23. Having influenza vaccine history and having ILI medical history during the last season were also positive predictors of influenza vaccine uptake. Free vaccination policies have enhanced influenza vaccination coverage among elderly population. The COVID-19 pandemic plays different roles in different seasons. Our study highlights the need for how to implement free vaccination policies targeting vulnerable groups with low vaccination coverage.
Topics: Humans; China; Influenza Vaccines; COVID-19; Aged; Influenza, Human; Vaccination Coverage; Male; Female; Aged, 80 and over; Vaccination; Immunization Programs; Seasons; Health Policy; Pandemics; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38957901
DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2370999 -
Ghana Medical Journal Dec 2023The Scimitar syndrome or pulmonary venolobar syndrome is a rare, complex and variable congenital anomaly of cardiopulmonary development characterised by an abnormal...
UNLABELLED
The Scimitar syndrome or pulmonary venolobar syndrome is a rare, complex and variable congenital anomaly of cardiopulmonary development characterised by an abnormal right-sided pulmonary venous drainage in the inferior vena cava, malformation of the right lung, abnormal arterial supply and sometimes cardiac malformations. These serious anomalies notwithstanding, their presentation is varied, ranging from asymptomatic to severe symptoms, particularly in the neonatal and early infantile period. Some symptomatic cases are misdiagnosed as recurrent lower respiratory tract infections or as heart failure, missing the underlying congenital anomaly. Considering associated serious complications such as pulmonary hypertension and a high mortality rate, accurate and timely diagnosis is mandatory. This requires a high index of suspicion, not only by clinicians but also by radiologists who encounter suggestive chest radiographs in asymptomatic children. Still, the classic radiological finding for which the condition is named is seen in only about 50% of all cases and only 10% in affected infants. We highlight this case to heighten clinicians' and radiologists' suspicions about Scimitar syndrome.
FUNDING
None declared.
Topics: Humans; Scimitar Syndrome; Infant; Male; Radiography, Thoracic; Female
PubMed: 38957849
DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v57i4.9 -
Ghana Medical Journal Dec 2023To compare clinical characteristics of COVID-19 among vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in a major treatment facility in Ghana. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVES
To compare clinical characteristics of COVID-19 among vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in a major treatment facility in Ghana.
DESIGN
A retrospective study drawing on data from COVID-19 patients' records visiting the facility from March 2021 to December 2021.
SETTING
Ghana Infectious Disease Centre, Ga East Municipality, Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
PARTICIPANTS
In-patients and outpatients who reported to the facility from 1st March 2021 to December 2021 were included in the study, and patients with missing data on vaccination were excluded.
OUTCOME MEASURES
underlying conditions, symptoms, case management information, hospital service rendered (OPD, HDU or ICU), length of hospital stay, treatment outcome.
RESULTS
The study included 775 patient records comprising 615 OPD and 160 hospitalised cases. Less than one-third (26.25%; 42) of the patients hospitalised were vaccinated compared to almost 40.0% (39.02%; 240) of the patients seen at the OPD. Vaccinated individuals were nearly three times (aOR = 2.72, 95%CI:1.74-4.25) more likely to be managed on an outpatient basis as compared to the unvaccinated. The death rate among the vaccinated group and the unvaccinated were (0.71%; 2) and (3.45%; 17), respectively, with a significant reduction in the risk of dying among the vaccinated compared to the unvaccinated (aOR = 0.13, 95%CI: 0.028 0.554).
CONCLUSIONS
Less than half of the in-patient and OPD patients were vaccinated. Mild infections, fewer days of hospitalisation, outpatient treatment and higher chances of survival were associated with being vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Prudent measures should be implemented to encourage the general public to take up SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
FUNDING
None declared.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Ghana; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; COVID-19 Vaccines; Middle Aged; Adult; Hospitalization; Vaccination; SARS-CoV-2; Aged; Length of Stay; Young Adult; Adolescent
PubMed: 38957848
DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v57i4.6 -
Ghana Medical Journal Dec 2023To assess the knowledge and acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines among HCWs.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the knowledge and acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines among HCWs.
DESIGN
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2021 among eligible HCWs using a self-administered questionnaire.
SETTING
The study was conducted in a southern Nigerian tertiary hospital.
PARTICIPANTS
All HCWs not on annual or study leave were eligible to participate. The number of HCWs in each occupational category was determined by proportional allocation. HCWs were selected by stratified sampling technique.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines was assessed using 25 questions. The minimum and maximum scores were 0 and 25, respectively. Scores were converted to percentages. Scores of 50% and above were rated as good knowledge. Participants were also asked if they were willing to receive the vaccine.
RESULTS
The mean age of 512 participating HCWs was 33.4±7.8 with an M:F ratio of 1:1.1. Overall, 399 (76.6%) had good knowledge. Occupation and exposure to COVID-19 were predictors of knowledge. Three hundred and twenty-eight respondents (63.0%) were willing to take the vaccine. Predictors of willingness to accept vaccination were age, sex, number of years in employment and knowledge about the vaccines (p< 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Most HCWs had good knowledge and were disposed to accepting the COVID-19 vaccine. Educational interventions are necessary to improve HCWs knowledge as they may provide vaccine-related information to the general public.
FUNDING
None declared.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Nigeria; Cross-Sectional Studies; Tertiary Care Centers; COVID-19 Vaccines; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; COVID-19; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Personnel; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2; Young Adult; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Vaccination
PubMed: 38957845
DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v57i4.5 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024Tuberculosis (TB) persists as a global health challenge, with its treatment hampered by the side effects of long-term combination drug therapies and the growing issue of...
BACKGROUND
Tuberculosis (TB) persists as a global health challenge, with its treatment hampered by the side effects of long-term combination drug therapies and the growing issue of drug resistance. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic strategies is critical. This study focuses on the role of immune checkpoint molecules (ICs) and functions of CD8+ T cells in the search for new potential targets against TB.
METHODS
We conducted differential expression genes analysis and CD8+ T cell functional gene analysis on 92 TB samples and 61 healthy individual (HI) samples from TB database GSE83456, which contains data on 34,603 genes. The GSE54992 dataset was used to validated the findings. Additionally, a cluster analysis on single-cell data from primates infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis and those vaccinated with BCG was performed.
RESULTS
The overexpression of LAG-3 gene was found as a potentially important characteristic of both pulmonary TB (PTB) and extrapulmonary TB (EPTB). Further correlation analysis showed that LAG-3 gene was correlated with GZMB, perforin, IL-2 and IL-12. A significant temporal and spatial variation in LAG-3 expression was observed in T cells and macrophages during TB infection and after BCG vaccination.
CONCLUSION
LAG-3 was overexpressed in TB samples. Targeting LAG-3 may represent a potential therapeutic target for tuberculosis.
Topics: Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 Protein; Humans; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Tuberculosis; Animals; Antigens, CD; BCG Vaccine; Macrophages; Interleukin-2; Gene Expression Profiling; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Interleukin-12; Perforin; Male
PubMed: 38957797
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1410015 -
International Journal of Chronic... 2024Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) stands as a predominant cause of global morbidity and mortality. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between...
BACKGROUND
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) stands as a predominant cause of global morbidity and mortality. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) and COPD diagnosis in the context of immune infiltration, ultimately proposing a PRG-based diagnostic model for predicting COPD outcomes.
METHODS
Clinical data and PRGs of COPD patients were sourced from the GEO database. The "ConsensusClusterPlus" package was employed to generate molecular subtypes derived from PRGs that were identified through differential expression analysis and LASSO Cox analysis. A diagnostic signature including eight genes (CASP4, CASP5, ELANE, GPX4, NLRP1, GSDME, NOD1and IL18) was also constructed. Immune cell infiltration calculated by the ESTIMATE score, Stroma scores and Immune scores were also compared on the basis of pyroptosis-related molecular subtypes and the risk signature. We finally used qRT - PCR to detect the expression levels of eight genes in COPD patient and normal.
RESULTS
The diagnostic model, anchored on eight PRGs, underwent validation with an independent experimental cohort. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC) for the diagnostic model showcased values of 0.809, 0.765, and 0.956 for the GSE76925, GSE8545, and GSE5058 datasets, respectively. Distinct expression patterns and clinical attributes of PRGs were observed between the comparative groups, with functional analysis underscoring a disparity in immune-related functions between them.
CONCLUSION
In this study, we developed a potential as diagnostic biomarkers for COPD and have a significant role in modulating the immune response. Such insights pave the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for COPD.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Pyroptosis; Databases, Genetic; Predictive Value of Tests; Gene Expression Profiling; Lung; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Genetic Markers; Case-Control Studies; Transcriptome; Aged; Reproducibility of Results; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Prognosis
PubMed: 38957709
DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S438686 -
Ghana Medical Journal Sep 2023To determine the clinical presentation, imaging features and outcomes of children with adenoid hypertrophy in our setting.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the clinical presentation, imaging features and outcomes of children with adenoid hypertrophy in our setting.
DESIGN
A retrospective study.
SETTING
The paediatric clinic of a private hospital in Enugu.
PARTICIPANTS
51 children, aged 2 to 108 months, with suggestive clinical features and radiographic report of adenoid hypertrophy who presented over 3 years.
INTERVENTIONS
Clinical information was obtained from the patient's medical records. Data was analysed for the clinical characteristics of the patients, the relationship between the degree of airway narrowing on a postnasal space (PNS) radiograph and treatment outcomes.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Degree of airway narrowing as measured on a PNS radiograph, the type of and outcomes of treatment.
RESULTS
There was an almost equal male (54.7%): female (45.1%) ratio in the occurrence of adenoid hypertrophy, with a mean age of occurrence of 31.50 ± 3.64 months. Noisy breathing was the commonest symptom (94.1%); history of atopic rhinitis in 64.7% of cases and hyperactive airway disease in 45.1% more than 50% of cases with airway narrowing resolved with medical management only.
CONCLUSION
Adenoid hypertrophy should be considered in evaluating the upper airway in children under five. Paediatricians should be conversant with diagnosing and managing this common cause of upper airway obstruction.
FUNDING
None declared.
Topics: Humans; Adenoids; Male; Female; Nigeria; Retrospective Studies; Hypertrophy; Child, Preschool; Child; Infant; Treatment Outcome; Radiography; Adenoidectomy; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Airway Obstruction
PubMed: 38957679
DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v57i3.7 -
Ghana Medical Journal Sep 2023To describe the clinical characteristics and identifiable risk factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in a real-world clinical setting.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical characteristics and identifiable risk factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in a real-world clinical setting.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study among patients with COPD.
SETTING
The Respiratory clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
PARTICIPANTS
Consecutive patients with spirometry confirmed COPD on follow-up for ≥3 months. There were 79 participants.
INTERVENTION
None.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
COPD risk factors, disease severity, comorbidities, and the severity of airflow limitation.
RESULTS
The mean age of the participants was 63.3± 12.4 years, and 47 (59.5) were male. There was a high symptom burden (73.4% had COPD assessment test (CAT) score >10), 33 (41.8%) and 4 (5.1%) had GOLD 3 and GOLD 4 airflow limitation, respectively. Risk factors were identified for 96.2% of the participants: history of asthma in 37 (46.8%), tobacco smoking 22 (27.8%), occupational exposure 15 (19%), biomass exposure 5 (6.6%), post-tuberculosis 3 (3.8%), old age (3.8%), and prematurity 1 (1.3%). Fifty-nine (74.7%) had Asthma COPD Overlap (ACO). There were no significant associations between the risk factors and disease severity. Participants with ACO had lower lung function and a high frequency of allergic rhinitis.
CONCLUSION
Asthma was the most commonly identifiable risk factor for COPD, underscoring asthma risk reduction and management optimisation as priorities toward COPD burden mitigation. Future studies need to validate these findings and identify the predominant COPD phenotypes in our setting.
FUNDING
None declared.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Male; Nigeria; Female; Risk Factors; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Aged; Spirometry; Severity of Illness Index; Asthma; Tertiary Care Centers; Comorbidity; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 38957678
DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v57i3.3