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Influenza Prevalence and Risk Factors: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Influenza Prevalence and Risk Factors: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study Authors: Balakrishnan, Kiran Ganesh; Manaf, Mohd Rizal Abd; Hassan, Mohd Rohaizat; dkk. Abstract: Background: Influenza infection can lead to mortality and morbidity. In densely populated Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the transmission of influenza-like illness (ILI) is high. This study assessed the prevalence and epidemiology of influenza in the target population. Methods: A cross-sectional convenience sample study was conducted in government clinics of Cheras, Malaysia, from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023. Consent was sought from patients older than 18 years with symptoms of ILI (fever, cough, and onset within 10 days). A nasopharyngeal swab preceded an influenza rapid test. Logistic regression was used in SPSS 22.0 to evaluate the data. Results: Among 438 patients, 55 (12.6%) tested positive for influenza type B, 9 (2%) tested positive for type A, and 374 (85.4%) were negative. Patients in the group that was 10 years older than the younger group had 1.47 times the odds of having influenza. The odds of positive influenza rose 1.133 times per unit of body mass index (BMI). Patients with chronic lung illness were 6.7 times (95% confidence interval, 2.742–16.287) more likely to test positive for influenza. Sex and smoking history did not affect the rate of influenza infection (p > 0.05). Conclusions: An association was found between age, BMI, and chronic lung disease with influenza infection but not with sex or smoking.

Factors Associated with Postacute COVID-19 Syndrome Among Patients in Malaysia

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Factors Associated with Postacute COVID-19 Syndrome Among Patients in Malaysia Authors: Ballasingam, Ahtheemathurra; Islahudin, Farida; Aziz, Siti Azdiah Abdul; Makmor-Bakry, Mohd Abstract: Background: Post-acute COVID-19 is known to affect multiple organs. It is essential to determine factors that affect post-acute COVID- 19 syndrome and medications needed by patients for optimized care. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among patients recruited by stratified sampling from two COVID-19 hospitals in Malaysia. Patients were followed up for 6 months using a standard questionnaire to identify demographics, symptoms, medications taken, and factors associated with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. Results: A total of 388 were successfully followed up. The most frequently reported symptom was respiratory symptoms (N = 168, 43.30%), of which cough (N = 134, 34.54%) was the most common. After 12 weeks of follow-up, respiratory syndrome (N = 56,14.43%) was frequently reported, of which cough (N = 41, 10.57%) was the most common. For respiratory syndrome, patients were commonly managed with diphenhydramine cough suppressants (N = 6, 1.55%, month 4) and metered dose inhaler (MDI) salbutamol (N = 7, 1.8%, month 4). The risk factors for post-acute COVID-19 syndrome were increased by 1.02 times (95% CI: 1.01, 1.04) with each advanced year of age and 2.87 times (95%CI: 1.51 –5.48) in the presence of co-morbidities. Conclusions: Post-acute COVID-19 causes multiorgan involvement, and symptoms may remain for months, with patients taking various medications. Patients with risk factors should be monitored closely for post-acute COVID-19 symptoms.

Relationships between Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward the Nursing Profession, Fear of COVID-19, and Intolerance of Uncertainty: A Cross-sectional Study

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Relationships between Nursing Students’ Attitudes Toward the Nursing Profession, Fear of COVID-19, and Intolerance of Uncertainty: A Cross-sectional Study Authors: Terzi, Banu; Azizoğlu, Fatma; Seven, Çağla Abstract: Background: Nursing students were caught unprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the inability to control the epidemic and the interruption of education caused students to experience fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. This study investigates the relationships between nursing students’ attitudes toward the nursing profession and their fear of COVID-19 and intolerance of uncertainty. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 727 nursing students who were members of the Student Nurses Association and who volunteered to participate in the research. Research data were collected using the Student Information Form, The Fear of COVI D- 19 Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12), and the Attitudes Towards Nursing Profession Scale. Results: Statistically significant positive relationships were found between the fear of COVID-19 and intolerance of uncertainty levels (p < 0.01) and attitudes toward the nursing profession in general (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Students had a mid-level of fear of COVID-19, a high level of intolerance of uncertainty, and positive attitudes toward the nursing profession. To decrease nursing students’ intolerance of uncertainty during pandemic-like crisis situations, preventive and reformative activities should be planned.

Health Profession Education Students’ Satisfaction toward Online Courses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Health Profession Education Students’ Satisfaction toward Online Courses during the COVID-19 Pandemic Authors: Soemantri, Diantha; Salsabila, Zhafirah; Yorasaki, Vernonia Abstract: Background: Given the extensive use of e-learning, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, a validated instrument is deemed important for continuous evaluation. This study aimed to measure health profession education students’ satisfaction toward the elearning process within all health sciences cluster (HSC) courses, following further validation of the satisfaction scale for the e-learning process. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to validate the 29-item Indonesian version of the satisfaction scale for the e-learning process. That the validated tool was used to measure 2,471 students’ satisfaction toward the e-learning process. Results: The EFA resulted in 19 items divided into three subscales: the teaching process (5 items), the instructional content (4 items), and the interaction and evaluation (10 items). The scores of students’ satisfaction toward the e-learning process are at 84– 94% of the possible maximum score of the whole instrument or each subscale. Conclusions: The Indonesian version of the satisfaction scale for the e-learning process serves as a valid tool to measure students’ satisfaction toward e-learning. Current students have relatively good perceptions toward e-learning used in all HSC courses, including the interaction domain, which is an important aspect in an e-learning system. Strategies are warranted to maintain and further improve the e-learning process.