The levels of infectivity and mortality that ensued due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused an apparent global outcry. The health system, burdened by increasing deaths and hospitalizations, sought more effective treatment. This necessitated scientists and researchers to utilize existing drugs such as baricitinib, which has proved itself as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory. A qualitative systematic review was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and BioMed Central to locate relevant articles published from 2019 onward on the effectiveness of baricitinib. After evaluation of the full-text articles, 16 were selected for review. Overall, baricitinib was seen as beneficial in decreasing respiratory failure and the use of mechanical ventilation, also preventing deterioration of COVID-19 symptoms. When used as a single agent or combined with other drugs, baricitinib improves the peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio. The drug does not introduce any major side effects, but a mild increase in liver enzymes has been observed. Baricitinib proves to be a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19. Administered as monotherapy or in conjunction with other drugs, baricitinib provides tremendous clinical benefit to infected patients and shows good potential in terms of efficacy for future COVID-19 regimens.
Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created avenues for physical and mental stress on individuals worldwide. Pregnant women especially, with the onset of COVID-19 have been challenged greatly by an array of disorders, all with varying cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses. The aim of our research is to conduct a review of the different mental health issues experienced by pregnant women in various geographical locations and analyze the prevalence of specific mental issues. Materials and Methods: A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted. Databases PubMed, Google Scholar, BioMed Central, CrossRef and British Medical Journal were thoroughly examined by the authors for the purpose of locating the relevant articles as per specific geographical location. Results: From the applicable studies identified, twenty-eight (28) were selected for review. As per the North American studies, levels of depression and anxiety in pregnant women at and around the time of the pandemic ranged from 33.2 to 70%. This differs in European countries where there were levels of 14.0 to 60%. Prevalence of stress among pregnant women in Asia was 32.7% while 17% of North American women reported the same. In the studies of Australia and South America, the prevalence of anxiety ranged 6% to 13.9% while studies in Africa reported severe and extremely stress, 7.2% (n=33) and 64% (n=29) respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression and anxiety among pregnant women was shown to be relatively high in all regions as per the COVID-19 pandemic, owing to many factors. Based on the studies analyzed, adequate support, resources and better healthcare systems are imperative for ensuring that depression and anxiety levels be reduced among this demographic.
This study utilized a quantitative approach to investigate the impact of nutritional choices, quality of sleep and physical activity on the general health of staff and students at the All Saints University School of Medicine, Dominica. Seventy-seven people (14 staff members and 63 students) participated in the survey. The Nutritional Assessment Instrument of the Government of Northwest Territories was utilized to assess the nutritional choices of participants, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to determine the quality of sleep, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form was used to assess the physical activity while the SF-36 Questionnaire was utilized to assess the general health of participants. The mean general health of participants was 75.46 (SD = 15.44) out of a maximum of 100. Nutritional choices (r = .270, P = .018), quality of sleep (r = .387, P <.001) and physical activity (r = .237, P = .040) all had significant positive correlations with general health. A regression analysis indicated that quality of sleep (B = 13.881, p<.001) and nutritional choices (B= 10.352, p= 0.002) were the best predictors of general health while physical activity (B = 4.099, p = .063) also had a weak but non-significant positive contribution. While males had a higher mean general health compared to females, this difference was not statistically significant (P>.05). The study recommends an improvement in sleep quality, nutritional choices and physical activity and recommends, among others, the following: education of students on the need to observe good nutritional choices, quality of sleep and exercises; establishment of a cafeteria that offers healthy foods and snacks, and the creation of a Fitness Club in the University. The authors recommend that a similar study should be conducted in other institutions, especially governmental agencies and religious organizations in Dominica, as well as in other Caribbean medical universities. A further study into how nutritional choices, quality of sleep and physical activity are related to specific non-communicable diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus in the Caribbean, using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, is also recommended.
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