A scoping review of persistent symptoms after COVID infection at different follow-up periods.

The clinical entity termed as long COVID has gained importance in the recent past. As this phenomenon is still evolving, it is important to document the magnitude of the syndrome during different time periods. This scoping review attempts to synthesize evidence generated from longitudinal studies which have follow-up periods beyond 3 months, up to 12 months. The review also documents the reported prevalence of long COVID for the different regions of the World Health Organization. Longitudinal studies published till March 2022 were systematically searched on PubMed, Google Scholar, and medRxiv. Among the identified 594 studies, 48 were included in this review. Data from selected studies were synthesized. The overall pooled prevalence of long COVID was 49% (40%-58%). The pooled estimates after 3 months, 4-6 months, 7-9 months, and 10-12 months were 44% (32%-57%), 50% (43%-57%), 49% (37%-62%), and 54% (46%-62%), respectively. Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) had the highest pooled prevalence of 63% (34%-92%] and the South East Asian Region (SEAR) had the least pooled estimate of 15% (10%-21%). The study brings out the high prevalence of long COVID even after 12 months of follow-up. It also shows the regional differences in the reported prevalence of the syndrome. This review highlights the need for well-planned follow-up studies, especially in developing nations to understand the magnitude and the pattern of long COVID-related symptoms as they emerge.

Measuring the Drudgery and Time-Poverty of Rural Women - A Pilot Study from Rural Rajasthan.

CONTEXT: Women's hard-work toward family responsibility is rarely examined from a health perspective. Excessive physical work translates into musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It is essential to understand certain parameters of this burden. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 565 rural women. The participants were selected using a stratified random sampling method. A pre-tested questionnaire was used, focusing mainly on physical activities, durations, and health complaints. RESULTS: The self-reported mean durations of various physical were quite high. On average, a woman spent around 11 h per day in domestic work-related physical activities. Older women (more than 50 years) spent similar durations for most of the physical activities compared to younger women (50 years or less). In the sample, 53.4% (n = 302) participants reported at least one Chronic MSD, and 16.99% (n = 96) took medication for the same in the last one year. Point prevalence of low back pain (LBP) was 29.2% (CI 25.5 to 33.1). Women worked even with MSDs as there was no significant difference in the mean durations among women with and without MSDs for most of the activity categories except for 'work in bending position' and 'work in farm'. General caste women spent higher time in domestic work. CONCLUSIONS: Higher self-reported MSDs were likely to be contributed by continuous and repeated strenuous domestic work. Women had to continue working even with MSDs or higher age. Women got very less time for rest. Provision of basic amenities like electricity, water, cooking fuel, etc. at doorstep can help. Below poverty line women seem to have higher burden of MSDs.

Comparative cross-sectional study for understanding the burden of low back pain among public bus transport drivers.

BACKGROUND: Even though low back pain (LBP) is common, some occupations pose a higher risk. Identifying these occupations and specific factors will help to reduce the suffering and burden. This study aims to compare the prevalence of chronic LBP among bus drivers and to find its association with some occupational factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a cross-sectional study to compare prevalence of LBP and factors associated with it, in two groups of drivers (n = 178) and nondrivers (n = 184). RESULTS: The 10 years' percentage prevalence of LBP was found to be 70.8 and 51.6 among drivers and nondrivers respectively, whereas point prevalence in the same was 64.0 and 44.6. Drivers are at a higher risk for LBP with Odds ratio-2.270 (1.471-3.502). Risk factors such as prolonged sitting in one posture, night shifts, job dissatisfaction, tobacco use, and lack of exercise were significantly higher among drivers. Though the prevalence and intensity of LBP was higher among drivers, their number of leaves and hospital admitted days were less among drivers. CONCLUSION: This is a potential group for intervention as prevalence of LBP, neck pain, and most of the suspected risk factors were higher among the drivers. Drivers got less recovery time and had higher sequelae.

Asbestosis: Past voices from the Mumbai factory floor.

BACKGROUND: Asbestos's production, processing, and consumption is on very high scale in India and it is increasing, and so do the related diseases. Asbestosis is such a disease which causes progressive respiratory disability. AIM: To find out perceptions and thinking about this disease and its risk among the patients which will help in constructing an effective community-based prevention and rehabilitation program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a community-based, qualitative study using a semi-structured interview schedule with 17 asbestosis patients from Mumbai, disgnosed by specialist with pulmonary function test and X-rays as per International Labour Organisation's recommandations. RESULTS: The risk percived by the patients is very less and attitude toward the illness is bengine as there is no clear understanding about the causation. The prolong latent period appears to be the main cause. It suggests a need of very strong program for prevention of asbestosis with the incorporation of worker awareness and eduaction for safety. The socio-economical status and educational levels of the workers make this floating population more vulnarable for manipulation by the corporates. CONCLUSION: Apart from the radical step of ban on asbestos, there is a need of community-based sustainable, affordable, and accessible rehabilitation program with a component of palliative care which will consider the different needs of this marginalized group. The need for such a program is intense as the number of asbestisis patients will keep on increasing till 30 to 40 years of asbestos ban.