International Archives of Health Sciences
Volume:11 Issue: 2, Apr-Jun 2024

This research aimed to evaluate the prevalence of myths, misinformation, risky behaviors, and preventive practices concerning COVID-19 among patients hospitalized due to novel coronavirus infection in Chattogram, Bangladesh. This study utilized a quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional online survey conducted among COVID-19 patients in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Data was collected through a validated, self-administered questionnaire distributed via Google Forms using a convenient sampling method with 408 participants. Data analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS version 24.0. Independent-samples t-test, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to identify predictors of outcome variables. Various myths were prevalent among COVID-19 patients, particularly during the initial wave of the pandemic. For instance, approximately half of the patients believed that regular consumption of black cumin, ginger, and clove, drinking hot water, and spraying bleaching powder could prevent coronavirus. Regression analyses indicated that factors such as having a family income exceeding BDT 50,000 [B=1.51 (95% CI: 0.27, 2.74)], regular media consumption [B=2.70 (95% CI: 1.41, 4.00)], and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic [B=3.15 (95% CI: 1.80, 4.49)] were predictive of better COVID-19 knowledge. Additionally, being female [B=-4.33 (95% CI: -5.41, -3.26)], residing in urban areas [B=1.73 (95% CI: 0.69, 2.77)], obtaining COVID-19 information from online media [B=1.16 (95% CI: 0.02, 2.30)], and contracting the infection during the first wave of the pandemic [B=-2.08 (95% CI: -3.22, -0.93)] were significantly associated with adherence to regular COVID-19 preventive behavior. This study underscores the prevalence of COVID-19-related myths and misinformation among hospitalized patients in Chattogram, Bangladesh, impacting both risky and preventive behaviors. The results emphasize the urgent need for tailored public health education and strategies in Bangladesh to combat misinformation and promote compliance with recommended preventive measures, thereby facilitating effective pandemic management in resource-limited settings.

This study aims to assess the efficacy of local heat therapy (Kaiy) in alleviating symptoms of mild to moderate idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A single-blind clinical trial was conducted involving patients with mild and moderate idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. A total of 120 patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Both groups utilized a medical wristband during nighttime. The intervention group received pen moxa as a local heat therapy tool (Kaiy) applied to the wrist region. The Boston questionnaire was employed for assessment. Heat therapy using Kaiy (pen moxa) significantly improved symptom severity (P≤0.0001), functional status (P≤0.0001), and pain scores (P≤0.0001) in patients with mild to moderate CTS compared to those in the control group without heat therapy. This study demonstrates the positive impact of heat therapy (Kaiy) as a non-surgical approach for reducing pain, symptom severity, and functional impairment in CTS patients. Integrating complementary and alternative medicine with conventional treatment modalities could enhance symptom management with minimal side effects.

The development of protective immunity through COVID-19 vaccines is influenced by both host factors and the composition of the vaccine. Therefore, it is essential to assess the efficacy and side effects of different vaccines among individuals with diverse socioeconomic and genetic backgrounds. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we examined 192 vaccinated individuals (126 recipients of Sinopharm and 66 recipients of AstraZeneca) for neutralizing antibodies two to four weeks after receiving their second vaccine dose. Additionally, we monitored these individuals for the presence or absence of COVID-19 symptoms and adverse effects over a one-month period following vaccination. There was no significant difference in mean antibody titers between the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccine groups (p=0.452). The percentage of positive antibody results in the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca groups was 69.8% and 84.8%, respectively, with no statistically significant variance (p=0.437). The most common side effect reported in the Sinopharm group was malaise (87.3%), while in the AstraZeneca group, malaise was also prevalent (95.5%). Compared to Sinopharm, the AstraZeneca group experienced a higher incidence of side effects (p<0.05). However, the Sinopharm group had a higher percentage of injection site pain as a complication (p<0.001). Our study revealed that there is no significant difference in efficacy between Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines in individuals without a history of COVID-19. Common side effects following COVID-19 vaccination were observed in both Sinopharm and AstraZeneca recipients, with higher frequencies noted in the AstraZeneca group in most cases. This information may aid individuals who are concerned about potential vaccine side effects in making informed decisions.

Opioid abuse is one of the most critical problems today, and individuals struggling with this issue often experience stress, anxiety, and depression disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effects of software-based cognitive bias modification on stress, anxiety, and depression disorders among patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment. This double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 2022. Eighty-four participants were selected through convenience sampling from individuals undergoing methadone maintenance treatment for opioid abuse at an addiction treatment center in Isfahan city. They were then randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n=42) or the control group (n=42). The intervention involved a four-week program utilizing software-based cognitive bias modification through the dot-probe task, with two sessions per week. Participants in both groups completed DASS21 questionnaires before, immediately after, and two months following the intervention. The repeated-measures ANOVA test revealed statistically significant differences in the mean scores of stress (P<0.001), anxiety (P<0.001), and depression (P<0.001) disorders in the intervention group before, immediately after, and two months post-intervention. The findings of this study suggest that software-based cognitive bias modification can lead to a reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression disorders among patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment. Therefore, incorporating this program alongside other treatment methods for individuals in methadone maintenance treatment is recommended.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of two different aerobic exercise programs on the Body Mass Index (BMI) and progranulin (PGRN) levels of overweight or obese female students. In this quasi-experimental study, 36 overweight or obese female students from Kashan University of Medical Sciences and Islamic Azad University volunteered to participate. They were randomly divided into three groups: two groups underwent progressively increasing interval or continuous aerobic exercise programs, while the third group served as a control. The exercise programs lasted for 8 consecutive weeks, with blood samples collected before and after the intervention. Progranulin levels were measured using the ELISA technique with Human PGRN, and BMI was assessed at the beginning and end of the program. The results of a one-way ANOVA test showed a significant decrease in progranulin levels (P=0.00) and BMI in both exercise groups compared to the control group (P=0.029). Both interval and continuous aerobic exercise programs were effective in reducing circulating progranulin levels and BMI in overweight or obese female college students. The exercise interventions led to a significant decrease in both variables. Further research is warranted to explore the effects of different aerobic exercise protocols on BMI and progranulin levels in normal adults.

The prevalence of multiple health hazards in various industries is on the rise, with noise and heat being common harmful factors in industrial environments in Iran. This study aimed to examine the immediate effects of simultaneous exposure to thermal stress and noise on human brain waves and perceived workload. Seventy-two students (36 men and 36 women) participated voluntarily in this study. Participants were subjected to varying levels of noise exposure, including four noise levels and heat stress (three levels of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) for 30 minutes each. EEG recordings were conducted for 10 minutes, with participants allowed a 30-minute rest period between each test condition. The combined exposure to noise and heat at two high levels (SPL95+WBGT34 and SPL95+WBGT29) resulted in a significant increase in perceived mental workload compared to the baseline state (P<0.05). EEG analysis indicated a decrease in absolute alpha power in the two high-level conditions compared to the baseline (t<0), while absolute beta power showed a significant increase in the two high-level conditions compared to the baseline mode (SPL45+WBGT22). The study demonstrated that simultaneous exposure to noise and heat, leading to an elevated perceived mental workload, was associated with decreased absolute alpha power and increased absolute beta power in the frontal and occipital regions. These findings suggest that these changes serve as reliable indicators of cognitive and physiological performance.

Various risk assessment tools have been developed to evaluate the risk of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. This study aims to estimate the risk of breast/ovarian cancer in a sample of the general population in Iran using the IBIS software. A total of 2020 women aged 18-79 years were consecutively selected from the gynecology clinic of Imam Hossein Medical Center between April 2019 and 2021. The Tyrer-Cusick (IBIS) questionnaire was used to collect data on variables such as age, BMI, age at menarche, age at first pregnancy, menopausal status, history of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and family history of breast/ovarian cancer. The risks of developing breast/ovarian cancer were calculated, with patients having a calculated risk of more than 20% considered high-risk and those below 20% considered low-risk. Out of the 2020 cases studied, 69 (3.4%) were classified as high-risk for developing breast/ovarian cancer. The moderate risk of breast/ovarian cancer in patients with a positive family history was 18.47%, compared to 10.15% in those without a family history. All high-risk individuals had a positive family history, while only 9.4% of the low-risk population had a family history; this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Routine assessment of family history of cancer in all patients is recommended, with positive cases being further evaluated using a cancer risk assessment tool and referred for genetic counseling as appropriate.

Music therapy has been recognized as an effective treatment for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. Given the limited number of studies on music therapy and its effects on schizophrenia in Iran, and the importance of incorporating multi-modal treatment approaches for this disorder, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of music therapy on the positive and negative symptoms and overall functioning of chronically schizophrenic patients. A pre-post clinical trial was conducted in 2021 at the Parham Care Center in Kashan, involving 43 patients with chronic schizophrenia diagnosed based on DSM-V criteria. Patients underwent three sessions of music therapy per week for six months. Assessment tools included the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and Global Assessment Function (GAF) scale administered before and after the intervention. Following music therapy, there was a significant decrease in overall scores and subscales as measured by PANSS and BPRS (P<0.001), accompanied by a significant improvement in patients' functioning based on the GAF scale (P<0.001). The study findings suggest that integrating music therapy, both active and passive, alongside standard pharmacotherapy for chronic schizophrenia can lead to a significant reduction in positive and negative symptoms while enhancing overall functioning.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common complication during pregnancy that can have severe consequences for both the mother and the fetus. ESBL-producing strains of E. coli present a significant challenge in terms of treatment during pregnancy. This study aims to identify pregnant women carrying beta-lactamase-producing E. coli and assess the antibiotic resistance patterns of these isolates. This cross-sectional study investigated the presence of broad-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli isolates in pregnant women attending medical centers affiliated with Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Vaginal colonization, associated complications, and antibiotic resistance profiles were assessed. The antibiogram test using the disc diffusion method was employed to determine colonization and antibiotic susceptibility, while PCR testing was used to detect genes associated with beta-lactamase production. Among the 175 samples collected, 51 samples tested positive for E. coli, with 15 of these samples containing ESBL-producing isolates. A significant correlation was observed between the frequency distribution of E. coli isolates and factors such as age, history of urinary tract infections, body mass index, and previous abortions in pregnant women. Among the 15 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates, the blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaCTX-M resistance genes were detected in 12 (80%), 9 (60%), and 1 (6.66%) isolates, respectively. The prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli in pregnant women underscores the urgent need for public health interventions to combat antibiotic resistance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on human social and economic structures, making it one of the most significant crises of the 21st century. The production and consumption of energy sources, such as electricity, oil, and gas, have also been affected by the pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to systematically review the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on energy consumption. This study presents a systematic review of the impact of the coronavirus on energy consumption. Initially, relevant keywords were selected, and a systematic search of studies was conducted in databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect from 2020 to May 2022. Following screening, articles meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the study. Through this systematic review, a total of 19,551 studies were identified, of which 18 met the eligibility criteria. All included studies investigated electricity consumption, while two studies focused on gas and fuel consumption, and only one study examined heating oil consumption. The most significant decreases in electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuel consumption were 55.4%, 32.4%, and 75.9%, respectively. On the other hand, heating oil consumption saw an increase of 12%. The results of this systematic review indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in reduced energy consumption across various sectors, including electricity, transportation fuel, and natural gas, leading to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. However, some studies reported an increase in electricity consumption in the residential sector due to prolonged periods of staying at home and remote work during quarantine.