Epidemiology and Health System Journal
Volume:9 Issue: 3, Summer 2022

Due to the widespread prevalence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to overcome and understand these conditions, it is necessary to survey the physical and psychological implications on individuals within the community to uncover effective solutions. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the level of physical activity and psychological well-being due to quarantine induced by COVID-19 in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.  This is a cross-sectional study during the first peak of COVID-19 disease (April 10 to May 10, 2020). The International Online Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Short Mood Assessment Questionnaire were used to assess physical activity (before and during outbreak) and mood status (during outbreak), respectively, among 627 people in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.  The samples consisted of male (20%) and female (80%) subjects. Upon comparing the physical activity before the disease outbreak and during the initial outbreak, it was demonstrated that the intensity (P < 0.001), duration (P < 0.001), and frequency (P < 0.001) of physical activity significantly decreased after the outbreak of COVID-19. However, there was no difference between men and women in intensity, duration, and frequency of physical activity as well as psychological status (P = 0.099). Further, no significant relationship was observed between physical activity variables (intensity, P = 0.214, duration, P = 0.386, and repetition, P = 0.122) and psychological status. However, a significant positive relationship was found between adherence to quarantine and mental wellbeing (P = 0.001).  According to the results, the level of physical activity of the subjects decreased during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to before the outbreak, but the decrease in physical activity did not affect their mental state. However, the individuals who adhered to quarantine conditions experienced a worse negative mood compared to other groups. It seems that in addition to observing social distancing measures and adherence to quarantine, individuals’ overall health and physical activity levels are effective factors that can improve the body’s physiological systems and the psychological state and influence the positive mood of people.

Fertility is among the major components of the population, the reduction of which can cause irreparable socioeconomic damage to the country. Unfortunately, the fertility rate is declining, and it is lower than the critical level in Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the factors influencing fertility desire in order to reveal more aspects of this issue.  This descriptive-analytical study included all the rural and urban families referring to healthcare centers in Ferdows, Iran, in 2020. The participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. Finally, 400 married men and women referring to the centers were assessed by the fertility desire scale (FDS). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as the Mann- Whitney and Spearman tests by SPSS 19.0.  In this study, 81.2% of the participants were female, 52.5% of who aged 25-35 years old. The mean scores of fertility desire among urban and rural households were 66.69 ± 9.61 and 65.06 ± 9.08, respectively (P = 0.03). In all dimensions of the questionnaire except for childbearing worries, significant differences were observed between urban and rural households. These dimensions included positive childbearing motivations (P = 0.05), social beliefs (P = 0.04), and preferences (P = 0.004).  The results obtained from this study can be used in population policies in order to build culture, support parents, and increase childbearing desire, especially in rural areas.

To identify the pattern and causes of death and to deal with them are among the most appropriate strategies to increase human life expectancy. The pattern of death in society must be identified to cope with the causes of premature deaths. The aim of this study was to epidemiologically investigate the causes of death in people aged 5-14 years in northeastern Iran.  Data on the deaths of people aged 5-14 years from Khorasan Razavi province during 2013- 2019, drawn from the Causes of Mortality Classification System of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, were used to conduct the study.  Data on 2084 deaths were examined, of which 824 (40.04%) occurred in girls. The number of deaths was 976 (53.83%) and 1108 (46.17%) in the age group of 5-9 and 10-14, respectively. Traffic accidents, cancers, external causes (unexpected events), and circulatory system diseases were found as the main causes of death. Among the cancers, lymphoid leukemia, malignant brain tumors, and myeloid leukemia (18%, 12%, and 7%, respectively) were the most common cancers, leading to death. In rural areas, unexpected events (20%) were the leading cause of death, followed by traffic accidents and cancers (19% and 13%, respectively).  Overall, the mortality rate in children aged 5-14 years due to traffic accidents and unexpected events (suffocation, burns, and the like) seems to be substantially higher in Iran compared to some developing countries and some neighboring countries such as Turkey. Given the possibility of taking preventive measures in this regard, it is necessary to develop policies to reduce the mortality rate in the age group.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and its incidence is higher among black folks for reasons yet unclear. Although few risk factors have been linked to the development of PCa among Nigerian men, it remains unclear whether these risk factors modulate the odds of PCa.  The case-control study comprised forty-three cases and one hundred and twenty-nine age-matched controls (± 5 years) without PCa by prostatic specific antigen (PSA) examination. Conditional logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors associated with PCa at P < 0.05 using SPSS 20.  Increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.7-4.5) was the strongest risk factor for PCa, followed by increasing age at first sex (AOR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1-1.4) and sexual activity (AOR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.9) as a protective risk factor against PCa in this Nigerian Population.  The study confirms age as a recognized risk factor and backed evidence for other hypothesized risk factors. The study recommends findings with other confirmatory studies that can help to guide policies for better health care decisions among Nigerian men and interventions centered on routine screening for PSA with an emphasis on the elderly clinic is encouraged.

The prevalence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was associated with many psychological consequences among personnel of hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety and depression, stress, and anxiety among administrative staff and nurses.  This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in January 2022. All 100 nurses and administrative staff of a hospital participated in this study. Demographic information questionnaires, Corona Disease Anxiety Scale, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) were employed to collect data. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 24.  The mean ± standard deviation age of participants was 33.53 ± 6.73 years. The median (interquartile range) disease anxiety in nurses and administrative staff was equal to 7 (4.25) and 10 (8), respectively. Further, COVID-19 anxiety was significantly higher in administrative staff (P = 0.001); moreover, a significant relationship was found between the history of COVID-19 disease and disease anxiety (P = 0.04). Nurses reported higher stress than administrative staff (P = 0.02), and no significant relationship was found between COVID-19 anxiety and components of DASS (P > 0.05).  In this study, COVID-19 anxiety was significantly higher in administrative staff. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to pay attention to all jobs. Nurses reported higher stress and depression. Therefore, it is suggested that the necessary psychological measures be taken to improve their psychological states. Increasing the number of nurses, improving working conditions, reducing workload, and training can be effective in improving the mental health of nurses.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging transmissible infection that can be prevented by proper hygiene measures and vaccination. With the rise and rapid spread of the Omicron variant, vaccines are currently the best protective measure. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess knowledge, practice, and attitude towards COVID-19 virus and vaccines, particularly Sinopharm, among medical students in Mansoura University, Egypt, from July to September 2021.  A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 35-item questionnaire covering demographic data. COVID-19 knowledge/practice and knowledge/attitude towards vaccines were distributed on medical students’ university Facebook group. A score was calculated for knowledge (KS), practice (PS), and attitude (AS). A 60% cutoff was considered satisfactory, and the statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA, linear regression, and Pearson’s coefficient.  A total of 837 students participated in this study. The majority (73.12%) of participants showed satisfactory COVID-19 KS and Sinopharm AS (54.77%) but unsatisfactory PS (68.99%) and Sinopharm KS (62.75%). Knowledge had a significant effect on Sinopharm vaccine acceptance. Moreover, females indicated higher COVID-19 KS and PS, whilst males showed higher Sinopharm KS and AS. Gender and year group had a strong correlation with PS. Furthermore, the majority (92.4%) accepted vaccination and believed it should be mandatory (80.41%). The selected vaccines were Pfizer (44.84%) > AstraZeneca (33.86%) > Sinopharm (15.56%) > others. Efficacy, safety, and country of production were the main predictors of vaccine choice. More than half (59.48%) stated that the country in which the vaccine is produced is important when choosing their intended vaccine, and 20.87% stated that their decision is based on vaccine efficacy.  COVID-19 was a challenging pandemic; there are several available COVID-19 vaccines, but the most available in Egypt is the Sinopharm vaccine. The results of this study will provide a basis regarding the knowledge and attitude of medical students who play a crucial part in the cycle of infection. These results will help outline the main causes of misunderstandings that can be solved by providing educational needed interventions, implementing protective measures, and distributing scientifically correct data.

Children with thyroid disorders may be significantly exposed to a higher likelihood of constipation; however, the cause of this link remains unclear. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypothyroidism in children suffering from chronic constipation. 

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 380 infants over 30 days old with chronic constipation. All participants were asked for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 tests. 

The average age of participants was 64.62 ± 37.28 months. The overall hypothyroidism in the study population was estimated to be 4.2% based on the value of measuring serum TSH and 1.0% based on the value of serum-free T4. Further, abnormal values of both serum biomarkers led to the prevalence rate of 0.02% for hypothyroidism. 

According to the findings, there was a relationship between hypothyroidism and constipation in children; however, this relationship needs further evaluation.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) originated in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, and soon spread as a pandemic throughout China and many other countries until March 11, 2020.The spread of the disease worldwide was so rapid that it became the biggest public health threat in 2020.COVID-19 has a wide variety of symptoms such as high fever, dry cough, body aches, shortness of breath, and high transmission power, and it has affected the physical health and psychological states of many people in the world.The COVID-19 pandemic has caused fear, stress, and anxiety in many parts of the world.The lack of effective treatment for COVID-19 has posed a difficult challenge to all countries across the world. In this regard, several solutions were proposed, including home quarantine, social distancing, masking, closure of schools, universities, and high-risk jobs by governments to control and prevent the outbreak of COVID-19, but provided that a significant number of people around the world are vaccinated, one cannot expect the global COVID-19 pandemic to decrease dramatically. Finally, after much effort, the Food and Drug Administration licensed Pfizer- BioNTech vaccines from December 11 and Moderna from December 18. According to studies, these two vaccines are 95% effective against COVID-19 for people over 16 years of age.