Dataset of knowledge, attitude, practices and psychological implications of healthcare workers in Pakistan during COVID-19 pandemic

Frequency, distribution and determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults and adolescents with gastric symptoms: cross-sectional epidemiological inquiry in district Haripur, Pakistan

Abstract Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a vital element in the etiology of peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. This research aimed to determine the frequency, distribution, and determinants of HP infection in adults and adolescents with gastric symptoms in district Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was performed from June 2018 to June 2020 at the Medical Laboratory Technology Department, The University of Haripur, Pakistan. Presence of HP was a research variable, while sex, age groups, education status, overcrowding, dining habits, milk intake, drinking water source and animal contact were grouping variables. Immuno-chromatographic technique (ICT) was used to for serological detection of HP antibodies. All variables were represented by frequency and percentage with 95%CI. Prevalence of HP and its distribution by eight socio-demographic variables was testified by the chi-square goodness-of-fit test while association was testified by chi-square test of association. Out of total 1160 cases, 557 (48%) were positive for HP. Population prevalence was higher in men, in the age group 20-40 years, illiterate, family size ≤ 10 persons, taking restaurant food, using tetra pack, using municipal water, and having animal contact. The observed prevalence of HP was similar to its expected prevalence in the population. The observed distribution of HP in the sample was different from its expected distribution in population by eight socio-demographic variables. Presence of HP was associated with all eight socio-demographic variables besides age groups.

Mental health assessment of healthcare workers in the emergency department of a low middle-income country during COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Emergency department (ED) healthcare workers in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic are facing an acute rise in mental illnesses. In this study, the authors aim to assess the frequency of anxiety and depression among healthcare workers in the ED.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online google form-based survey was conducted in the ED of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan between July and August 2020. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale was used for mental illness assessment among ED healthcare workers. Descriptive analysis of grading as per the Likert scale is done through frequencies, means, and standard deviations. Categorical variables were expressed as frequency (%). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare scores of various groups and sub-groups and the Chi-square test was used to assess the association of depression and anxiety categories among the groups.

RESULTS

In the ED, 127 healthcare workers (physicians and nurses) were included in this survey. The median depression score was 8 (IQR 6-10) with 21% (27) falling under depression and 39% (50) under borderline depression. The median anxiety score was 9 (IQR 7-12) with 33% (42) having abnormal, and 38% (48) having borderline anxiety. Healthcare workers working for > 45 h per week have odds of 3.62 [1.374-9.549] of developing depression compared to anxiety with a p-value of 0.009. Similarly, nurses and medical officers develop depression with odds of 2.18 [1.016-4.686] p-value 0.045 and 5.18 [0.197-1.02] p-value 0.002, respectively.

CONCLUSION

ED healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic suffered high levels of anxiety and depression, which is a matter of concern. Comprehensive support and training of ED healthcare workers are needed to promote physical and mental well-being and to develop guidelines that should be used during situations that can affect the mental health of healthcare workers.

PAKISTAN’S PERSPECTIVE ON COVID-19 VACCINES

As of May 10, 2021, the entire planet has reported approximately 188 million COVID-19 cases, with 2.54 million fatalities. Initially, lockdowns and softening measures have been thrown into turmoil throughout the world since the outbreak. Our social life will only return to normal once an appropriate vaccine is produced and proper authorized preventive techniques are implemented. To tackle this pandemic, governments and health experts all around the globe are experimenting with a range of measures and preventative strategies. Certain nations are considered to be more successful than others in terms of providing safety to their inhabitants and increasing their economic activities. A plethora of vaccinations have been produced, and a research anthology has been published. However, medical personnel are still searching for a viable treatment to limit this pandemic. Till date, only 5 vaccines have been approved by WHO for emergency use that includes Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Johnson & Johnson. Currently, confusing information about the COVID-19 vaccination is being disseminated across the world. During health emergency, rumors spread and caused panic, insanity, and anxiety. SARS-CoV-2 strains, on the other hand, are constantly appearing over the world. This article provides a Pakistan’s perspective towards COVID-19 vaccines with an updated review.