IntroductionThe year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic that killed more than one million people. Scientists around the world are looking for prophylactic treatment against this virus.ObjectivesThe objective of our study was to assess the acceptability of prophylactic treatment against COVID-19 by paramedics.MethodsDescriptive and cross-sectional study including paramedics (nurses, orderlies) from the military hospital of Tunis. Data collection was carried out by a clinical psychologist. We studied the acceptability of prophylactic treatment by paramedics, reasons for refusal and factors that may affect this choice.ResultsA total of 161 paramedics agreed to answer our questionnaire. The average age was 37.73 years. The average number of years worked was 14.95 years. There were 85 women (52.8%) and 76 men (47.2%). Only 59 (36.6%) agreed to take prophylactic treatment for COVID-19. The main reason for refusal was fear of side effects 57 (34.7%). Sufficient hindsight was the main factor that could make them change their decisions. This refusal was definitive for 55 (34.2%) paramedics.ConclusionsFear of drug side effects exceeds the fear of COVID.19. An information and communication strategy on the value of prophylactic treatments during a pandemic must be developed.
BackgroundSmoking is a major healthcare issue. Evidence shows considerable comorbidity between nicotine dependence and depressive disorders.ObjectivesWe are interested in the correlation between Beck's depression inventory (BDI) scores and smoking cessation outcomes.MethodsRetrospective, transversal and analytical study. Data were collected from 95 patients followed in the smoking cessation consultation of The military hospital of Tunis. The BDI was used to assess depressive symptoms and nicotine dependence evaluated by Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND).ResultsPopulation was composed of men (92%), married in 65% of cases, with a mean age of 45 ± 13 years. The mean age of smoking initiation was 18 ± 4.5 years. Regular smoking average was 37 ± 20 Packs/Year. The mean cigarette consumption was 30 ± 15 per day. Forty-two percent patients reported at least one attempt to quit smoking, with an average of 37.26 days of abstinence. The mean score of FTND test was 7 ± 2.31. The BDI score was higher than 3 in 86% of cases. Patients with severe depression (BDI > 15) had never attempted a withdrawal in 71% of cases (P = 0.009), had a high or very high dependence in 85.7% of cases (P = 0.016). The average of cigarettes per day was 40 (P = 0.035) and they had failed withdrawal in 79% of cases (P = 0.53).ConclusionThere was a fairly consistent association between presence of depression and smoking severity. This suggests that for individuals with nicotine dependence who are interested in quitting smoking, assessment and treatment of depressive symptoms may improve smoking cessation outcomes.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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