|
 
 |
| REVIEW ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2020 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 3 | Page : 75-77 |
|
COVID-19 infection risk in pakistani health-care workers: The cost-effective safety measures for developing countries
Norina Usman1, Mohammed A Mamun2, Irfan Ullah3
1 Department of Genetics, VA Hospital Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States
2 Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University; Undergraduate Research Organization, Dhaka, Bangladesh
3 Undergraduate Research Organization, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Department of Internal Medicine, Kabir Medical College, Gandhara University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| Date of Submission | 13-May-2020 |
| Date of Decision | 14-Jun-2020 |
| Date of Acceptance | 20-Jun-2020 |
| Date of Web Publication | 27-Jul-2020 |
Correspondence Address:
Mohammed A Mamun
Undergraduate Research Organization, Gerua Road, Savar, Dhaka 1342
Bangladesh
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | 25 |
DOI: 10.4103/SHB.SHB_26_20
To combat the massive COVID-19 infection rates, the health-care workers (HCWs) are likely to work for long hours under substantial pressures, along with the infection risk. The consequence is that the HCWs become progressively hesitant to their works and psychologically impaired. In developing countries such as Pakistan, the health-care facilities are limited; hence, the HCWs safety measures are a great concern. Thus, these country needs a cost-effective strategy focusing on sympathetic discussions, that can be beneficial to reduce the psychological sufferings by ensuring the protection of the HCWs to facilitate proper services in combating with the COVID-19 crisis– which is provided in this commentary.
Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, healthcare, health-care professionals, safety guidelines, safety measures
How to cite this article:
Usman N, Mamun MA, Ullah I. COVID-19 infection risk in pakistani health-care workers: The cost-effective safety measures for developing countries. Soc Health Behav 2020;3:75-7 |
How to cite this URL:
Usman N, Mamun MA, Ullah I. COVID-19 infection risk in pakistani health-care workers: The cost-effective safety measures for developing countries. Soc Health Behav [serial online] 2020 [cited 2023 Jun 6];3:75-7. Available from: https://www.shbonweb.com/text.asp?2020/3/3/75/290975 |
| Introduction | |  |
On December 31, 2019, the Novel Coronavirus (also known as 2019nCoV) was first introduced in the Wuhan City Hubei Province, China.[1] Its' infection (known as COVID-19) as was initially rumored to be associated with the seafood exposures even though, recent epidemiologic data specify 2019-nCoV person-to-person transmission, and it was transmitted throughout the entire world within a month of the first documentation.[1],[2] As of May 12, 2020, the virus affected more than 210 countries and territories around the world, with a total of 4,088,848 cases and 283,153 deaths.[3] In February 2020, the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Pakistan and as per May 12, 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is 34,336 and 737 deaths.[4]
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted all aspects of human life (i.e., social, physical, and psychological), even though it led to suicide completions.[5],[6],[7],[8],[9] With the massive transmission rates, the healthcare systems are drained worldwide. To combat with COVID-19, the health-care workers (HCWs) are likely to work for long hours under substantial pressures. Besides, HCWs are at risk, both to disease infection and vulnerable to rumors and wrong information that is responsible for elevating their psychological issues such as anxiety, fear, depression, and stress.[10] Their exposures to infected patients by close contact caring, is concerned for their family transmission, especially among these who are immunosuppressed, elderly, and have chronic medical situations.[11] It will take months for the development of a vaccine and research to find out the proper medical treatment for COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, HCWs are under extreme psychological pressures that were likely reported in the previous pandemics too (for instance, that were peaked in SARS 2002 in response to cases of HCWs dying or falling ill[12]). The consequence is that the HCWs become progressively hesitant to their works and psychologically impaired.
| Using the Us Data to Interpret Pakistan's Health-Care Worker Difficulties | | |
Based on the US data (February 12–April 9, 2020), about 9282 HCWs have been confirmed with COVID-19 infection; About 73% were females, the median age was 42 years [Table 1].[13] This first world country scenario resembles the fact, i.e., protection and safety of the HCWs in developing countries such as Pakistan are arguably life-threatening. Because, the developing countries have a hard time in buying safety equipment as of lockdown-related economic crisis and fallout, and COVID19 cases increasement opposing to the limited health-care resources. However, at present, Pakistan is also facing a shortage of masks, gloves, and gowns which are bringing challenges for those who are working on the frontlines to combat with COVID-19. Few days before the first COVID-19 case was reported in the country, the drug regulatory authority, a legal frame that controls drugs, and medical equipment permitted the exportation of personal protective equipment (PPE), including 10,000 N-95 masks with a PKR 2.98 million (USD 18,500) profits,[14] which clearly figures the worst situation for the Pakistani HCWs. Thus, the country needs a cost-effective strategy focusing on sympathetic discussions, that can be beneficial to reduce the psychological sufferings by ensuring the protection of the HCWs to facilitate proper services in combating with the COVID-19 crisis.[15] | Table 1: Hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, and deaths of the health-care workers with COVID-19 - United States, February 12-April 9, 2020[13]
Click here to view |
| Potential Strategies for Health-Care Worker | | |
First, the precedence assurance in receiving a vaccination, testing, and treatment by the HCWs family members while these are available is urgent. This will enhance HCWs availability and confidence in service, but the priority of family advisability is not yet determined. Hence, ensuring front-line caregivers about the worries of the virus transmitting to family members, should be addressed as soon as possible.[11] Second, the point of discussion might be focused on safety arrangements for their homes such as separate bathrooms and a living area, and when it should be applied and instructions to follow after arriving home from hospital with the benefits of taking off shoes, removing and washing clothing, and straight showering. These are all safety protocols, but the evidence is uncertain, but they may be functional, other protocol includes changing clothing to hospital supplied scrubs and before leaving the hospital changing back to personal clothes before going home. The emphasis should be on clear management when recommendations happen, efforts to diminish misinformation, efforts to minimize anxiety, and sympathetic conversations.[16] Third, both the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) rules equally in highlighting the importance of firm hand hygiene in restricting of COVID-19 transmission. It is suggested to use at least surgical masks wherever they are caring for the suspected (or nonsuspected) COVID19 patients who have traveled (or not) to a high-risk area and while HCWs performing aerosol creating procedures such as non-invasive ventilation or bronchoscopy they should use N-95 respirator.[17] Besides with N-95 filtering facepiece respirator, other PPEs such as gloves, shoe covers, head covers, eye protection, face shields, goggles, and gowns, etc. in the healthcare settings to protect the HCWs from possible infection is mandatory.[18] Fourth, along with HCWs, the patients must follow standard handwashing methods, i.e., washing hands with water and soap for a minimum of 20 s when it seems to have touch with suspected objects; or using an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, after blowing the nose, before and after eating; sneezing or coughing, etc.[19] FIFTH, health-care service providers, and clinicians should arrange emergency and urgent visits and procedures now. These arrangements can reserve patient care supplies and staff PPE, should warrant for patient and staff safety, and increase existing hospital capacity. Delay all elective in and outpatient visits, delay elective inpatient and outpatient surgeries. Reschedule nonurgent admissions—Delay inpatient and outpatient elective surgical and procedural cases.[20] Sixth, HCWs should be provided with the latest and authentic information concerning COVID-19 patients caring and treating, and it is recommended not to collect the information from unauthentic sources such as social media rather than assessing the WHO, CDC, etc.[10] Finally, individuals with suspicious interactions and close contacts to COVID-19 patients need to be on an observation time frame for 14 days and immediate medical attention, prioritizing private transport over the public, wearing N95 masks, cleaning the vehicle with 500 mg/L chlorine-disinfectant to reduce possible infection among others and these individuals are highly forbidden in rush visit (instead of telemedicine care) to any of the HCWs who are not veiled with safety measures.[21]
| Conclusions | | |
The demand for HCWs increases during the COVID-19 outbreak so does their anxiety and reluctant to work. The COVID-19 transmission trend in Pakistan seems more concerns as the country has limited resources in providing the proper safety supports to the HCWs in caring for the large infected patients.[22] Thus, the cos-effective guideline should be supported and make available by the health authorities, that will facilitate in creating a comfortable caring environment for the HCWs.
Financial support
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
| 1. | Chan JF, Yuan S, Kok KH, To KK, Chu H, Yang J, et al. A familial cluster of pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus indicating person-to-person transmission: A study of a family cluster. Lancet 2020;395:514-23.  |
| 2. | Huang C, Wang Y, Li X, Ren L, Zhao J, Hu Y, et al. Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Lancet 2020;395:497-506. |
| 3. | |
| 4. | COVID-19 Health Advisory Platform by Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination; 2020. Available from: http://covid.gov.pk/. [Last retrieved on 2020 May 13]. |
| 5. | Mamun MA, Griffiths MD. First COVID-19 suicide case in Bangladesh due to fear of COVID-19 and xenophobia: Possible suicide prevention strategies. Asian J Psychiatr 2020;51:102073. |
| 6. | Bhuiyan AKMI, Sakib N, Pakpour AH, Griffiths MD, Mamun MA. COVID-19-related suicides in Bangladesh due to lockdown and economic factors: case study evidence from media reports. Int J Mental Health Addict 2020; Epub ahead of print. |
| 7. | Sakib N, Bhuiyan AKMI, Hossain S, Al Mamun F, Hosen I, Abdullah AH, et al. Psychometric validation of the Bangla Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Int J Mental Health Addict 2020; Epub ahead of print. |
| 8. | Mamun MA, Ullah I. COVID-19 suicides in Pakistan, dying off not COVID-19 fear but poverty? - The forthcoming economic challenges for a developing country. Brain Behav Immun 2020; Epub ahead of print. |
| 9. | Lin CY. Social reaction toward the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Soc Health Behav 2020;3:1-2. [Full text] |
| 10. | Su TP, Lien TC, Yang CY, Su YL, Wang JH, Tsai SL, et al. Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and psychological adaptation of the nurses in a structured SARS caring unit during outbreak: A prospective and periodic assessment study in Taiwan. J Psychiatr Res 2007;41:119-30. |
| 11. | Shanafelt T, Ripp J, Trockel M. Understanding and addressing sources of anxiety among health care professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA 2020;323:2133-4. |
| 12. | Wu P, Fang Y, Guan Z, Fan B, Kong J, Yao Z, et al. The psychological impact of the SARS epidemic on hospital employees in China: Exposure, risk perception, and altruistic acceptance of risk. Canadian J Psychiatry 2009;54:302-11. |
| 13. | |
| 14. | |
| 15. | Adams JG, Walls RM. Supporting the health care workforce during the COVID-19 global epidemic. JAMA 2020;323:1439-40. |
| 16. | Chen Q, Liang M, Li Y, Guo J, Fei D, Wang L, et al. Mental health care for medical staff in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. Lancet Psychiatry 2020;7:e15-e16. |
| 17. | Alhazzani W, Møller MH, Arabi YM, Loeb M, Gong MN, Fan E, et al. Surviving sepsis campaign: Guidelines on the management of critically ill adults with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Intensive Care Med 2020;48:e440-69. |
| 18. | |
| 19. | Jin YH, Cai L, Cheng ZS, Cheng H, Deng T, Fan YP, et al. A rapid advice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infected pneumonia (standard version). Mil Med Res 2020;7:4. |
| 20. | Carver PE, Phillips J. Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): What You Need to Know. Workplace Health Saf 2020;68:250. |
| 21. | Bai Y, Yao L, Wei T, Tian F, Jin DY, Chen L, et al. Presumed asymptomatic carrier transmission of COVID-19. JAMA 2020;323:1406-7. |
| 22. | Pakpour AH, Griffiths MD. The fear of CoVId-19 and its role in preventive behaviors. J Concurrent Dis 2020;2:58-63. |
[Table 1]
| This article has been cited by | | 1 |
Exploring the linkage between workplace precaution measures, covid-19 fear and job performance: The moderating effect of academic competence |
|
| Naveed Iqbal Chaudhry, Samma Faiz Rasool, Masooma Raza, Hana Mhelska, Fazal Ur Rehman | | Current Psychology. 2023; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 2 |
Predicting COVID-19 Pandemic Endpoint in Some Sub-Saharan African and European Countries |
|
| Saviour Worlanyo Akuamoah, John Coker Ayimah, David Yaro, Elikem Kofi Krampa, Awura Amma Adomaa Danso, Fernando Simoes | | Journal of Applied Mathematics. 2023; 2023: 1 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 3 |
Association between COVID-19 preventive behavioral changes and anxiety in Karachi, Pakistan: A cross-sectional pilot study |
|
| Hyder Ali, Mohammed A. Mamun, Naveed Gianchand, Atia Aijaz, Komal Samir, Sabeen Hyder, Amir H. Pakpour, Irfan Ullah, Muhammad Sohaib Asghar | | Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2022; : 103805 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 4 |
Psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic among healthcare workers in paediatric intensive care units in China |
|
| Yue Zhang, Dan-Dan Pi, Cheng-Jun Liu, Jing Li, Feng Xu, Chung-Ying Lin | | PLOS ONE. 2022; 17(5): e0265377 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 5 |
Relationship between social support, anxiety, and depression among frontline healthcare workers in China during COVID-19 pandemic |
|
| Jie Zhan, Chen Chen, Xiaoting Yan, Xiaojing Wei, Lechang Zhan, Hongxia Chen, Liming Lu | | Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2022; 13 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 6 |
Predictive Analysis of Factors Influencing Depression Status of Nurses in the COVID-19 Pandemic Intensive Care Unit |
|
| Jing Li, Yanhua Zhang, Li Li, Wei Yi, Yiwei Hao, Yongjuan Bi | | Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2021; 12 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 7 |
Financial Difficulties Correlate With Mental Health Among Bangladeshi Residents Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Survey |
|
| Abu Bakkar Siddique, Sudipto Deb Nath, Md. Saiful Islam, Tausif Hasan Khan, Shahina Pardhan, M. Ziaul Amin, M. Imran Al Amin, Zayed Bin Zakir Shawon, Kamrun Nahar Koly | | Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2021; 12 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 8 |
Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) across countries: Measurement invariance issues |
|
| Chung-Ying Lin,Wen-Li Hou,Mohammed A. Mamun,José Aparecido da Silva,Yunier Broche-Pérez,Irfan Ullah,Akihiro Masuyama,Koubun Wakashima,Mélody Mailliez,Arnaud Carre,Yu-Pin Chen,Kun-Chia Chang,Yi-Jie Kuo,Paolo Soraci,Damian Scarf,Anders Broström,Mark D. Griffiths,Amir H. Pakpour | | Nursing Open. 2021; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 9 |
COVID-19 Fear Among Pakistanis: Psychometric Evaluation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale Using Item Response Theory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis |
|
| Irfan Ullah, Muhammad Junaid Tahir, Sajjad Ali, Rabia Waseem, Mark D. Griffiths, Mohammed A. Mamun, Chung-Ying Lin, Amir H. Pakpour | | International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. 2021; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 10 |
Encountering Covid-19 and perceived stress and the role of a health climate among medical workers |
|
| Sammar Abbas,Hadi AL-Abrrow,Hasan Oudah Abdullah,Alhamzah Alnoor,Zeeshan Zaib Khattak,Khai Wah Khaw | | Current Psychology. 2021; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 11 |
Mental health problems and social supports in the COVID-19 healthcare workers: a Chinese explanatory study |
|
| Xue-Hui Fang,Li Wu,Lun-Shan Lu,Xiao-Hong Kan,Hua Wang,Yan-Jun Xiong,Dong-Chun Ma,Guo-Cui Wu | | BMC Psychiatry. 2021; 21(1) | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 12 |
An Integrated Approach to COVID-19 Preventive Behaviour Intentions: Protection Motivation Theory, Information Acquisition, and Trust |
|
| Ünzile Özge Kicali, Didem Acar | | Social Work in Public Health. 2021; : 1 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 13 |
Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh: Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Survey |
|
| Tanvir Abir,Uchechukwu L. Osuagwu,Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah,Dewan Muhammad Nur-A Yazdani,Taha Husain,Palash Basak,Piwuna Christopher Goson,Abdullah Al Mamun,P. Yukthamarani Permarupan,Abul Hasnat Milton,Md Adnan Rahman,Md Lutfar Rahman,Kingsley Emwinyore Agho | | Health Security. 2021; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 14 |
COVID-19 suicide and its causative factors among the healthcare professionals: Case study evidence from press reports |
|
| Israt Jahan,Irfan Ullah,Mark D. Griffiths,Mohammed A. Mamun | | Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. 2021; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 15 |
SARS-CoV-2 causes Kawasaki-like disease in children: Cases reported in Pakistan |
|
| Kiran Shafiq Khan,Irfan Ullah | | Journal of Medical Virology. 2020; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 16 |
The first COVID-19 triadic (homicide!)-suicide pact: Do economic distress, disability, sickness, and treatment negligence matter? |
|
| Mohammed A. Mamun | | Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. 2020; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 17 |
Social and electronic media exposure and generalized anxiety disorder among people during COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh: A preliminary observation |
|
| Md. Tanvir Hossain,Benojir Ahammed,Sanjoy Kumar Chanda,Nusrat Jahan,Mahfuza Zaman Ela,Md. Nazrul Islam,Amir H. Pakpour | | PLOS ONE. 2020; 15(9): e0238974 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 18 |
Social and Biological Parameters Involved in Suicide Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review |
|
| Chenthamara Dhrisya, Murugan Prasathkumar, Robert Becky, Salim Anisha, Subramaniam Sadhasivam, Musthafa Mohamed Essa, Saravana Babu Chidambaram, Buthainah Al-Balushi, Gilles J Guillemin, M Walid Qoronfleh | | International Journal of Tryptophan Research. 2020; 13: 1178646920 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 19 |
Hospital suicide due to non-treatment by healthcare staff fearing COVID-19 infection in Bangladesh? |
|
| Mohammed A. Mamun,Md. Bodrud-Doza,Mark D. Griffiths | | Asian Journal of Psychiatry. 2020; 54: 102295 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 20 |
Exploring COVID-19 stress and its factors in Bangladesh: A perception-based study |
|
| S.M. Didar-Ul Islam,Md. Bodrud-Doza,Rafid Mahmud Khan,Md. Abidul Haque,Mohammed A. Mamun | | Heliyon. 2020; 6(7): e04399 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 21 |
Prevalence and risk factors of COVID-19 suicidal behavior in Bangladeshi population: are healthcare professionals at greater risk? |
|
| Mohammed A. Mamun,Tahmina Akter,Fatematuz Zohra,Najmuj Sakib,A.K.M. Israfil Bhuiyan,Palash Chandra Banik,Mohammad Muhit | | Heliyon. 2020; 6(10): e05259 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 22 |
The COVID-19 pandemic and serious psychological consequences in Bangladesh: a population-based nationwide study |
|
| Mohammed A. Mamun,Najmuj Sakib,David Gozal,AKM Israfil Bhuiyan,Sahadat Hossain,Md. Bodrud-Doza,Firoj Al Mamun,Ismail Hosen,Mariam Binte Safiq,Abu Hasnat Abdullah,Md. Abedin Sarker,Istihak Rayhan,Md. Tajuddin Sikder,Mohammad Muhit,Chung-Ying Lin,Mark D. Griffiths,Amir H. Pakpour | | Journal of Affective Disorders. 2020; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 23 |
Threat, Coping, and Social Distance Adherence During COVID-19: Cross-Continental Comparison Using an Online Cross-Sectional Survey |
|
| Abrar Al-Hasan,Jiban Khuntia,Dobin Yim | | Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2020; 22(11): e23019 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 24 |
Emotional, Behavioral, and Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic |
|
| Ana Luisa Pedrosa,Letícia Bitencourt,Ana Cláudia Fontoura Fróes,Maria Luíza Barreto Cazumbá,Ramon Gustavo Bernardino Campos,Stephanie Bruna Camilo Soares de Brito,Ana Cristina Simőes e Silva | | Frontiers in Psychology. 2020; 11 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 25 |
The magnitude of COVID-19 related stress, anxiety and depression associated with intense mass media coverage in Saudi Arabi |
|
| Yosef Mohamed-Azzam Zakout,Fayez Saud Alreshidi,Ruba Mustafa Elsaid,Hussain Gadelkarim Ahmed | | AIMS Public Health. 2020; 7(3): 664 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | |
|
 |
|
|
|
Search Pubmed for