METHODS: A multi-centric cross-sectional web-based study was conducted from 29th May to 27th July 2020 among HCWs in Perlis, Malaysia using a 19-item validated questionnaire [Cronbach's alpha: 0.61 (knowledge domain), 0.74 (attitude domain), and 0.72 (practice domain)]. Challenges when working during MCO were identified from a self-rated five-point Likert scale of 14-item.
RESULTS: There were a total of 373 respondents (response rate more than 40%); 48.0% were nurses, 14.7% were medical doctors, and 12.9% were administrative and technical support staffs. Majority of HCWs (90.1%, n = 336) had good knowledge, optimistic attitude (54.7%, n = 204) and good COVID-19 preventive measure practices (90.9%, n = 339). Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that profession was the single significant factor for good COVID-19 KAP. Though having lesser odds of good knowledge (aOR 0.07, 95% CI:0.01-0.36, p = .009), nurses showed greater odds of good attitude (aOR 3.14, 95% CI: 1.71-5.76, p = .011) and practice (aOR 10.69, 95% CI:2.25-50.86, p = .022) as compared to doctors and dentists. Main challenges identified when working during MCO were increased workload (44.5%, n = 166), difficulty going out shopping (48.3%, n = 180), to exercise (40.2%, n = 150) and meet with family members (64.3%, n = 240).
CONCLUSION: Generally, HCWs in Perlis had good KAP with regards to COVID-19 infection and its preventive measures. Challenges underlined by HCWs while working during the MCO were increased workload, difficulty to shop for daily essentials, exercise and meet with family members. Should good COVID-19 KAP be sustained, they might contribute to success in combating this disease.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to enroll 600 eligible respondents using stratified sampling from 6 public hospitals in Penang, Malaysia. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed with statistical significance defined as p
METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study carried out at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Malaysia. Records of patients with focal thyroid nodules on ultrasound (US) for which US-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed and pathology results were available, from January 2014 to May 2016 were selected for review. Correlation of the U Classification with pathology results was assessed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were calculated in a conservative and non-conservative method. The threshold for statistical performance was set at 0.05. Each sonographic feature was also compared with its pathology results.
RESULTS: A total of 91 patients with 104 nodules were eligible. 12 nodules out of 104 (11.5%) were malignant. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 100%, 91.3%, 11.5, 0.0, 60%, 100% and 92.3%, and 100%, 91.4%, 11.7%, 0.0, 78.6%, 100% and 93.5%, for the non-conservative and conservative method of calculations respectively.
CONCLUSION: The U Classification is reliable in predicting thyroid malignancy. More evidence is nevertheless necessary for widespread adaptation and use.
METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Pakistan to investigate the knowledge and perception about hand hygiene, self-reported hand hygiene practices, adherence to hand hygienic guidelines, and barriers to optimal hand hygiene. Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Regression model were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: There was a significant difference in area-based knowledge (P = 0.026), beliefs (P = 0.027), and practices (P = 0.002) regarding hand hygiene. The results of regression analysis revealed that people in urban areas were more likely to have better knowledge (β = 0.108, CI = 0.076 - 0.05, P = 0.008) and better adherence (β = 0.115, CI = 0.514 - 2.68, P = 0.004) to hand hygienic practices.
CONCLUSION: Advertisements on television and other electronic media with appealing slogans could be effective in making people more compliant to optimal hand hygienic practices.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2020 and January 2021, in the Infectious Disease clinic and ward. One hundred ninety-one patients were recruited via convenience sampling. Patients' sociodemographic were obtained, followed by Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale -21 (DASS-21), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and M.I.N.I. international neuropsychiatric interview (M.I.N.I.) The cut off DASS-21 point for depression is ≥5, for anxiety, ≥ 4. Mann-Whitney U and Chi square test were used to analyse the association between variables, and logistic regression to find predictability.
RESULTS: Of the 191 participants, 89.5% outpatient, mean age 40 years (SD 0.742), 91.1% male, 65.4% single, 71.2% working, 46.1% Malaysian Chinese, 59.8% non- heterosexual, mean 6 years of being HIV positive; mean CD4 count 449/μL; mean viral load 116,690 (median = 20). 85.9% were taking antiretroviral therapy. The prevalence of depression was 35.1% (n = 67); anxiety was 42.9% (n = 82). Regression analysis revealed anxiety and stress increased odds of depression by 3.8 times (p = .001) and 12 times (p < .001) respectively. Those 40 years old and younger had 2.3 times odds of anxiety (p = .048). Increased social support from friends increased odds of anxiety by 1.7 times (p = .018). Depression and stress increased odds of anxiety by 4.4 times (p = .001) and 3.7 times (p = .008) respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Depression and anxiety among people with HIV is often under-recognised. Early identification and treatment of the mental illness is warranted. Screening with DASS-21 is useful to detect depression in patients with HIV.
METHODS: We conducted a nation-wide cross-sectional survey among the general population in Yemen, a low-income conflict country. Participants from all provinces in Yemen were included in the study. We evaluated factors that influence agreement to accept a COVID-19 vaccine and any potential correlation between vaccine hesitancy and lack of access to vaccines.
RESULTS: Overall, 50.1% of the 5329 respondents agreed to accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Only 39.9% of participants agreed that they had access to a COVID-19 vaccine, with females indicating lower access than males. Potential determinants of vaccine acceptance included being male, updating self on the development of vaccines against COVID-19, opinion about severity of COVID-19, anxiety about contracting COVID-19, concerns about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, and lack of access to vaccines.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the immediate threat in Yemen toward achieving population immunity is the severe shortage and lack of access to vaccines, rather than vaccine hesitancy.