Quality of Novel Coronavirus Related Health Information over the Internet: An Evaluation Study.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread globally from its epicenter in Hubei, China, and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. The most popular search engine worldwide is Google, and since March 2020, COVID-19 has been a global trending search term. Misinformation related to COVID-19 from these searches is a problem, and hence, it is of high importance to assess the quality of health information over the internet related to COVID-19. The objective of our study is to examine the quality of COVID-19 related health information over the internet using the DISCERN tool. METHODS: The keywords included in assessment of COVID-19 related information using Google's search engine were "Coronavirus," "Coronavirus causes," "Coronavirus diagnosis," "Coronavirus prevention," and "Coronavirus management". The first 20 websites from each search term were gathered to generate a list of 100 URLs. Duplicate sites were excluded from this search, allowing analysis of unique sites only. Additional exclusion criteria included scientific journals, nonoperational links, nonfunctional websites (where the page was not loading, was not found, or was inactive), and websites in languages other than English. This resulted in a unique list of 48 websites. Four independent raters evaluated the websites using a 16-item DISCERN tool to assess the quality of novel coronavirus related information available on the internet. The interrater reliability agreement was calculated using the intracluster correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Results showed variation in how the raters assigned scores to different website categories. The .com websites received the lowest scores. Results showed that .edu and .org website category sites were excellent in communicating coronavirus related health information; however, they received lower scores for treatment effect and treatment choices. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the gaps in the quality of information that is available on the websites related to COVID-19 and study emphasizes the need for verified websites that provide evidence-based health information related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Landscape Analysis of Public Health Jobs in India to Develop an Evidence-Based Public Health Curriculum.

The increase in communicable and non-communicable disease incidence and prevalence, changing population demographics, along with concerns about pandemics, natural disasters, and wars, have highlighted the challenges faced by health systems. The study aims to identify data on publicly posted public health jobs available to applicants eligible to work in India to identify the public health and allied fields workforce needs, skills, and expertise in India. A cross-sectional study was done in June-July 2021. The data was collected from eleven common job portals in India. Descriptive and content analysis was done to identify the most common job titles, educational level preferred/desired, skills, and experience required in the public health jobs in India. In total 382 unique public health and related fields jobs were analyzed. Job postings were most commonly classified as manager (n = 68), officer/lead (n = 61), analyst (n = 49), and consultant (n = 44). Around one-fifth of the jobs were based in Delhi (n = 98, 24%). About a quarter of the job postings required more than 8 years of experience (26%, n = 100). More than half of the job postings mentioned having the knowledge and understanding of data analysis and statistical approaches (n = 116, 64%). Around 15% (n = 193) of the job posting wanted the candidate to have expertise in communication. Skills were classified into various types such as software, technical, and language. Timely assessment of the curriculum should be done to impart skills related to the needs of the employers and prepare a skilled and competent public health workforce to address the 21st century public health challenges.

A cross sectional study to examine factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy and refusal in urban and rural settings in Tamil Nadu, India.

The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic left the Indian healthcare system overwhelmed. The severity of a third wave will depend on the success of the vaccination drive; however, even with a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, hesitancy can be an obstacle to achieving high levels of coverage. Our study aims to estimate the population's acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in an Indian district. A pilot community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March-May 2021. The data was collected from eight primary health centres in Tamil Nadu. The eligible study participants were interviewed using a self-constructed questionnaire. A total of 3,130 individuals responded to the survey. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to assess the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and refusal. Results of our study showed that 46% percent (n = 1432) of the respondents would accept the COVID-19 vaccine if available. Acceptance for the COVID-19 vaccine was higher among males (54%), individuals aged 18-24years (62%), those with higher education (77%), having the higher income (73%), and employed (51%). Individuals with no education (OR: 2.799, 95% CI = 1.103-7.108), and low income (OR: OR: 10.299, 95% CI: 4.879-21.741), were significant predictors of vaccine hesitancy (p < 0.05). Living in urban residence (OR: 0.699, 95% CI = 0.55-0.888) and age between 18 to 25 years (OR: 0.549, 95% CI = 0.309-0.977) were protective factor of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. While individuals in the age group 25-54years (OR = 1.601, 95%CI = 1.086-2.359), fewer education (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 2.448-9.412,), low income (OR = 2.628, 95% CI = 1.777-3.887) and unemployment (OR = 1.351, 95% CI = 1.06-1.722) had high odds of refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Concerns and suspicions about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine (63%) was the major reasons causing hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine The public health authorities and government need to design, develop and implement targeted interventions to enhance awareness about COVID-19 vaccines, and barriers and enablers to vaccine acceptance among individuals across diverse settings. Emphasis on involving local and religious leaders, ASHA workers, community healthcare workers, Anganwadi workers, and auxiliary nurse midwives can help to overcome context-specific barriers in areas of low COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, especially in rural settings.

The current state of public health education in India: A scoping review.

With the creation of public health management cadre in the state, district, and block levels of India, there is a need for a comprehensive, synergistic education system to ensure efficient public health across the country. This scoping review, therefore, aims to examine the characteristics of public health education programs available in India's varied geographical and regional contexts. It examines 16 program-related descriptors across public health Doctoral, Masters, Bachelors, Post-graduate Diploma, and Diploma education programs offered. Data was retrieved through institutional websites. Results of our analysis showed 84 unique institutions in 20 states and 3 UTs currently offering 116 public health programs across India's 28 states and 8 UTs. Private and public institutes were 65% (n = 75) and 35% (n = 41) respectfully. The majority of universities mainly provided Masters of Public Health (n = 73, 63%) programs followed by Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and Diploma (n = 17, 15%), BPHSc (n = 14, 12%), and Ph.D. (n = 12, 10%). The majority of Ph.D. programs in public health are offered in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Haryana, while Masters in Public Health programs are offered highest in Karnataka, Bachelors in Public Health programs in Rajasthan, Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health program in Delhi, and Tamil Nadu had the most number of Diploma in Public Health programs. Thirty-one percent (n = 36) of the public health programs are offered across the south, 28% (n = 32) across the north, and 22% (n = 26) across the west Analyzed descriptors provide comprehensive information on program characteristics, mainly admission, format, and tuition fee. The review offers five suggestions to improve collaborative public health education and prepare a workforce with the skills, knowledge, and expertise to respond to the twentyfirst century's public health threats and challenges in India.

A Scoping Review on Long COVID-19: Physiological and Psychological Symptoms Post-Acute, Long-Post and Persistent Post COVID-19.

Background: The identification of persistent symptoms of chronic/long COVID-19 is crucial in understanding the management of long haulers of post COVID-19. Methods: Pub Med (Medline) database was scoped for original articles based on a search strategy related to the objectives. The selected articles post-screening were analyzed for variables relating to chronic/long COVID-19. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 33 studies were reviewed. A total of 60% of the studies were observational studies and most of them were from high income countries. Almost half of the studies were in phase 3 of post-COVID-19, i.e., symptoms lasting >24 weeks. Among the physiological and psychological symptoms studied, fatigue, dyspnea, cough, headache, memory loss, depression, brain fog and lack of concentration were found to be the most frequently reported symptoms. Excessive sleep, constipation and neuropathic pain were among the least reported symptoms. Prior hospitalization, the female gender was found to be a risk factor. Limitations were reported by all studies. Conclusions: The major physiological and psychological symptoms of long COVID-19 have been explained with risk factors and its impact on patients' lifestyles. The findings of this review hope to facilitate clinicians to draw conclusions to manage the long-term effects of post/chronic COVID-19.

A pilot evaluation of Swasthya Pahal program using SMAART informatics framework to support NCD self-management.

BACKGROUND: Empirical research acknowledges the capability of mHealth and eHealth interventions for ensuring high-quality and tailored healthcare to individuals. People living with various health conditions get access to a wide range of healthcare services through digital interventions. The aim of the study is to examine the usefulness of Swasthya Pahal, a community-based Health for all program, aimed to enhance screening and self-management of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity among police personnel. METHODS: A convenient sample of 64 individuals aged 18 years and above present at the Police Sanchar Training Centre, Dehradun, Uttarakhand were enrolled over 2 days in January 2020. The Swasthya Pahal pilot program was approved by the Uttarakhand State Police authorities. Individuals' health data was recorded using an interactive, bi-lingual, touch screen, computer-based program. Subjective data was collected and self-reported information was gathered about (I) socio-demographics, (II) health behaviors, (III) clinical status, and (IV) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP). Objective data assessments included measurements such as weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels using a series of physiological sensors. Additional information gathered at 1 month follow up included modifications that individuals made in their self-management of diabetes and hypertension, diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Information was gathered related to individuals' interest in receiving SMS based health messages. RESULTS: The average age of study participants was 37 (SD =8) years, 88% were males, and 42% had graduate education. Hypertension (31%) was found to be the most common family history. Thirty-six percent of individuals were presently smokers or consumed alcohol. Sixty-two percent of them self-reported doing some form of exercise. Walking, jogging and yoga were the most common exercise types. Eighty-seven percent of them were not receiving any treatment to self-manage hypertension. Based on the JNC 8 criteria, 37% of the individuals were hypertensive. Fifty of the 64 individuals expressed interest to receive SMS message, 64% of them expressed keenness to receive weekly SMS messages. Messages related to diet, physical activity, sleep, and smoking and alcohol consumption were perceived as important. CONCLUSIONS: The Swasthya Pahal program using the SMAART informatics framework is a useful tool to enhance screening and self-management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among police personnel.

Tracking COVID-19 burden in India: A review using SMAART RAPID tracker.

OBJECTIVE: India has seen a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases. Examine spatiotemporal variation of COVID-19 burden Tracker across Indian states and union territories using SMAART RAPID Tracker. METHOD: We used SMAART RAPID Tracker to visually display COVID-19 spread in space and time across various states and UTs of India. Data gathered from publicly available government information sources. Data analysis on COVID-19 conducted from March 1 2020 to October 1 2020. Variables recorded include COVID-19 cases and fatality, 7-day average change, recovery rate, labs and tests. Spatial and temporal trends of COVID-19 spread across Indian states and UTs is presented. RESULT: The total number of COVID-19 cases were 63, 12,584 and total fatality was 86,821 (October 1 2020). More than 85,000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported. There were 1,867 total COVID-19 labs throughout India. More than half of them were Government labs. The total number of COVID-19 tests was 76,717,728 and total recovered COVID-19 cases was 5,273,201. Results show an overall decline in the 7-day average change of new COVID-19 cases and new COVID-19 fatality. States such as Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Puducherry, Goa, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh continue to have high COVID-19 infectivity rate. DISCUSSION: Findings highlight need for both national guidelines combined with state specific recommendations to help manage the spread of COVD-19. CONCLUSION: The heterogeneity represented in India in terms of its geography and various population groups highlight the need of state specific approach to monitor and combat the ongoing pandemic. This would further facilitate the tailored approach for each state to mitigate and contain the spread of the disease.