Knowledge of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) among healthcare providers: A cross-sectional study in Indonesia

Objective:To assess healthcare workers’knowledge of novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)in the early phase of the outbreak in Indonesia.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 12 hospitals in Indonesia from March 6 to March 25,2020.Healthcare workers’knowledge on COVID-19 was assessed,and demographic data,workplace characteristics,and medical professional characteristics as well as the current local situation of COVID-19 were collected.To characterize determinants associated with knowledge,a logistic regression analysis was employed.Results:Out of 288 healthcare workers who completed the interview-assisted questionnaire,149(51.7%)respondents had a good knowledge.Nurses and other types of healthcare workers had lower odds of having good knowledge compared to doctors:adjusted odds ratio(aO R):0.38;95%CI:0.20-0.72 and aO R:0.31;95%CI:0.13-0.73,respectively.Compared to healthcare workers who had medical practice experience less than 5 years,those who had worked for more than 10 years had lower knowledge(a OR:0.43;95%CI:0.20-0.90).Healthcare workers who worked in the infection department had higher knowledge compared to those in the emergency room(aO R:14.33;95%CI:3.67-55.88).Conclusions:The knowledge of COVID-19 among surveyed healthcare workers was relatively low.The COVID-19 response in Indonesia will require further education and enhancement of the capacity of healthcare workers in the emergency room where COVID-19 patients may be treated the earliest.

Quality-Oriented Climate and Service Quality Among Healthcare Providers： Evidence From a Rehabilitation Center in Italy

The importance of quality in service provision is widely recognized in health service research. However, a limited number of studies have investigated antecedents of quality in healthcare service provision. This article tries to shed further light on this under-researched field. Specifically, the aim of this study is to verify the relationship between the quality-oriented climate and service quality as perceived by employees. The study was conducted in a private non-profit Rehabilitation Centre in Italy using a questionnaire administered to all healthcare workers. The questions focused on perceptions of quality-oriented climate （priorization of quality care, social cooperation, and exchange）, four different connotations of the quality in healthcare provision （provision of high quality service, adequacy of time spent with patients, freedom in clinical decisions, and continuing relationships with patients）, as well as on respondents＇ background. Of the 248 healthcare workers, 183 completed the questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to study the relationship between quality-oriented climate and outcome variables （quality in healthcare provision）. The results suggest that a quality-oriented climate does explain service quality in Healthcare settings： When an organization has implemented a quality-oriented climate, the service care provided by healtheare workers can determine an increase for three of the four investigated aspects of quality service provision （quality of care, freedom to make clinical decisions to meet patients＇ needs, and continuing relationships with patients）. The paper demonstrates that the offer of quality services involves in a different way the various healthcare professionals and/or management staff. This research provides interesting findings for healthcare manager in Health Service settings regarding the management of a quality-oriented process of service provision.

The Success of Healthcare Providers Who Fought the Epidemic of the Meiji Era in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan

Introduction: Knowing an epidemic existed in Mizunami city and knowing the healthcare provided to overcome the disease may give hints on how the epidemic was handled. Aim: To examine the literature on the epidemic that occurred in the Meiji era and the contributions of healthcare providers who were active in the history of Mizunami city. Method: This is a historical study, mainly using literature. In collaboration with the Mizunami City Board of Education, we searched for materials stored by Mizunami city. In addition, with the cooperation of the local residents of the healthcare providers who were active in Mizunami city, we collected materials in reference to our purpose. Result: The outbreak of the epidemic near Mizunami city was seen as a fight against smallpox. In addition, cholera, dysentery, Spanish flu, and typhoid fever also occurred. Vaccinations were carried out in the Tono region. Healthcare providers who were active in the Meiji era include six doctors and two midwives. Discussion: In the future, it will be necessary to provide more in-depth evidence through surveys, such as interviews with the cooperation of relatives of the active healthcare providers. Conclusion: In the Meiji era, in the vicinity of Mizunami city, doctors and midwives actively fought against epidemics, such as smallpox and other infectious diseases.

Post-2015,why delay to seek healthcare?Perceptions and field experiences from TB healthcare providers in northern Malawi:a qualitative study

Background:Malawi is a low-income country with high Tuberculosis(TB)burden.TB diagnosis delay and untimely initiation of treatment is still a major problem in Malawi which could increase the risk of tuberculosis transmission in the communities.This study investigated factors related to the diagnostic delay of tuberculosis from TB healthcare providers in the northern region of Malawi.Methods:Nine focus group discussions were conducted with 57 participants in total.The participants were healthcare cadres including district TB officers,clinical officers,TB nurses,laboratory technicians and Health Surveillance Assistants(HSAs).NVivo(11.0)software was used for data analysis.Results:The factors related to diagnostic delay were categorized into three themes:client factors,institutional factors and healthcare provider related factors.Client’s stigma and fear for HIV test,resource shortage within healthcare institutions and the healthcare workers’poor attitude against potential patients were among the most influential factors behind the TB diagnostic delay.Conclusions:The TB control strategies should aim to reduce HIV stigma,improve resource supply and improve TB healthcare workers’morale in order to achieve timely TB diagnosis.

COVID-19-induced anxiety,depression and stress among healthcare professionals in Sri Lanka

Objective:To assess the degree of anxiety,depression and stress due to the COVID-19 epidemic among healthcare professionals in Sri Lanka.Methods:Healthcare professionals from 6 selected government and private hospitals located in Gampaha District were recruited for the study.The socio-demographic factors,knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals on COVID-19 was collected through a self-administered questionnaire,while Depression,Anxiety and Stress Scale score was used to assess the psychological wellbeing.Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression techniques were used for data analysis.Results:Totally 324 healthcare professionals were included and the respondents had a high overall level of knowledge towards COVID-19.Twenty-five percent of the respondents had different levels of anxiety,while 10.8%had mild depression,and 4.6%had moderate depression.Interestingly,40.4%of the respondents had mild stress,and 11.1%had moderate stress.Young people(20-35 years),medical laboratory technologist and nursing officer,being quarantined,having a SARS-CoV-2-infected family member,involvement in COVID-19 patient care,and limited availability of personal protection equipment,were recognized as significant risk factors associated with anxiety,depression and stress.Conclusions:The healthcare professionals are high-risk groups to experience psychological impacts from COVID-19.Continuous monitoring and implementing appropriate intervention activities and provision of counseling support are highly recommended.

Evaluation of adolescent/youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services:A 7-year systematic review from January 2016 to April 2022

Adolescent/youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services(SRHS)play a vital role in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with adolescent SRH.This review examined studies carried out on adolescent/youth-friendly SRHS with focus on availability,accessibility,utilization as well as perception of health care providers,and adolescents about the services.The study design was systematic review of empirical studies using a well-defined strategy.Online journal was searched comprehensively using Web of Science,Google Scholars databases,PubMed,Medline,and EMBASE.Other sources were identified through the scanning of references of selected sources.The articles selected were between 2016 and 2022 and had qualitative/quantitative and mixed methods.The articles that met the selection criteria were also screened using PRISMA-P guidelines and SPIDER framework for systematic review was further used for inclusion criteria based on the following concepts:sample,phenomenon of interest,design,evaluation and research type.A total number of 32 studies were included in the study and findings were reported based on the five emerging themes.The review showed that majority of the adolescents were not aware of adolescent/youth-friendly SRHS,some health care providers were not also in support of the services which accounted for low utilization of the services among adolescents.The review further showed poor accessibility and nonavailability of AYFSRHS as the only available SRHS were meant for married adults.Therefore,these findings serve as evidence for policy-makers at all the levels of healthcare delivery system to considered all the factors observed in this review and develop strategies that will make adolescent/youth-friendly SRHS available and accessible to adolescents.More so,other stakeholders,especially health care providers must improve their attitude toward provision of adolescent/youth-friendly SRHS.

Childhood Development Cross Culturally:Implications for Designing Childhood Obesity Interventions and Providing Culturally Competent Care

United States is experiencing significant growth in its foreign-born population,especially Chinese American population comprising of 1.2%of the U.S.population.Many healthcare providers are challenged in their efforts to provide culturally competent healthcare to this population.To provide culturally competent healthcare,healthcare providers should understand variations in cultural attributes that impact health.One group in which cultural variation holds great influence is that of children.Culture influences a child's behavior,development and health.This article provides a cross-cultural,comparative examination of important cultural influences on child behaviors development and health in China and the U.S.Using the findings about these two populations,interventions for childhood obesity cross culturally are addressed through the analysis of a U.S.based Children's Obesity Program.The author suggests that uniquely different approaches to childhood obesity intervention research are needed based upon the cultural differences identified within this paper.

Assessing Biomedical Solid and Liquid Waste Management in University Hospital Centers (CHU) in Togo, 2021

Introduction. Biomedical waste represents an environmental concern and a risk to healthcare workers, users of healthcare services, and the surrounding population. This study aimed to assess the management of solid and liquid biomedical waste in University Hospitals Centers (UHC) in Togo in 2021. Methods. This is a cross-sectional, evaluative and analytical study undertaken in 2021. It involved 3 UHCs, 25 departments, 340 care providers and departments randomly selected, 72 directors or deputies, supervisors and heads of departments, 27 collection and incineration agents selected by a reasoned choice technique, and 44 patients and attendants selected by an accidental choice technique. Data analysis was done using Pearson’s Chi2 statistical test for comparing proportions and logistic regression. Results. Solid and liquid waste management was “poor” due to non-use of waste management guidelines (ORa = 3.50;p = 0.0000), insufficient training of healthcare providers and collection agents (ORa = 6.55;p = 0.0000 and ORa = 6.08;p = 0.0000 respectively), insufficient user awareness sessions (ORa = 4.04;p = 0.0001), insufficient coordination of activities (ORa = 5.07;p = 0.0002), insufficient supervision of service providers and collection agents (ORa = 2.34;p = 0.0000), insufficient monitoring and follow-up of activities (ORa = 20.40;p = 0.0000). The sorting was not systematic (74.1%), and the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the effluents were relatively high. Conclusion. Managing solid and liquid biomedical waste is insufficient in Togo’s university hospitals and represents a potential risk to human health and the environment.

Psychosocio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on gastroenterology and endoscopy practice

Beyond posing a major health crisis,the COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted profound psychological,social,and economic impacts on populations worldwide.Mass quarantines and social isolation have affected the mental health of the wider population,exacerbating other stressors,including fear of the virus and its repercussions,general uncertainty,and financial insecurity.The pandemic has challenged the broader delivery of healthcare––ranging from the need to triage limited hospital resources to balancing risk mitigation with maintaining medical care.Specific to gastroenterology,severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)has not only been associated with complicating extant medical conditions of the gastrointestinal(GI)tract,but has also forced a shift in the practice of gastroenterology by patients,families,and healthcare providers alike.The gastroenterology field has been required to adapt its practices to minimize the possibility of viral spread while still upholding patient care.Healthcare practitioners in GI have helped to treat COVID-19 patients,stratified inpatient and outpatient visits and procedures,and shifted to telemedicine.Still,as is the case with much of the general population,healthcare providers working in GI practice or endoscopy have faced personal and professional stressors,mental health difficulties,social isolation,financial pressures,and familial burdens––all of which can take a toll on practitioners and,by extension,the provision of GI care overall.This article will highlight how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the psychological wellbeing,social engagement,and economic conditions of the public,healthcare providers,and GI professionals specifically.Recommendations for strategies that can continue GI services while maintaining safety for both caregivers and patients are put forth to help uphold critical GI care during this worldwide crisis.