Background The COVID-19 pandemic impacted health care workers in many ways including mental health. This impact is usually underestimated in particular in developing countries. Objectives The study aims to assess the level of anxiety, depression, risk perception, and coping strategies of Albanian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional online study was conducted from April to May 2020 by recruiting health care personnel through the snowballing method. Data collection was carried out through social media using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) by Google forms. Participants were recruited from all health care sectors including doctors, nurses, etc. working in both the public and private sectors. Results 410 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Most participants were nurses (59.3%), female (78.5%), and belonged to the age group 26–40 years (46.3%). Mild levels of anxiety were expressed in 26.9% of participants while 7.2% of them expressed moderate levels. 23.1% and 12.1% of participants expressed respectively mild and moderate depression levels. High levels of risk perception were found. A statistical association was found between occupation (p = 0.011), gender (p = 0.031), providing care for COVID-19 patients (p = 0.011), and the availably of mental health support in the workplace. Poor coping strategies were reported among participants. Conclusions Mental health support should be a priority of the healthcare system in particular for young health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients. It can improve the mental health status of health care workers and their family members, impacting the quality of care provided.
Background: Coronavirus disease caused by the novel coronavirus Covid-19 is a current worldwide outbreak. The use of quarantine and isolation proved effective in containing the spread of infection. Objectives: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the mental health of Albanian people residing in the country and abroad during the quarantine period for the Covid-19 pandemic. Design: This study was carried out from 25th March-20th April 2020 through a web survey shared on social networks. The goal was to reach at least the minimum sample size for cross-sectional studies. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess mental health. Chi-square (χ 2) and Fisher-Exact test were used to assess the statistical significance among variables. P values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: 715 participants were included in the final analyses (78.41% females and 21.53% males). Most were residents in Albania (80.41%) and the others resided mainly in Italy (6.89%), Greece (3.51%), Germany (2.43%), Kosovo (1.62%) and the UK (1.69%). Statistical association was found between gender, country of residency and measures taken. Summary score of PHQ-9 items was 6.4662. The total score of depression classification shows that 31.82% and 12.90% of participants have respectively mild and moderate depression. Female participants showed the highest score for some items of PHQ-9, p≤0.05. Conclusions: Findings suggest that health care professionals should recognize and address mental health problems associated with Covid-19 especially in vulnerable groups. Acting in a timely and proper manner is essential in preventing these problems from becoming chronic.
To evaluate the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet pattern overall and to specific dietary components, among Albanian adults. Design and Setting: This is a cross-sectional study carried out during June -July 2019 in Vlora and Fieri cities, Albania. The study population consisted of 209 adults, randomly selected. Participation rate was 73%. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed via an online questionnaire based on the previously validated and translated 14 item questionnaire PREDIMED (Prevención com Dieta Mediterránea). Results: Most of the participants enrolled in the study were women (63%) and between 18-35 years of age (76.1%) . The majority of the participants had moderate adherence to Mediterranean diet (57.4%) and only 14.4% of them had high adherence. Higher adherence was reported for the use of olive oil as the primary culinary fat (72.7%), whereas lowest adherence was achieved for wine consumption (12.4%). Mean Mediterranean diet score did not differ significatly between women and men. Conclusions: There is a worldwide trend to adopt unhealthy eating behaviour and the results of this study indicate that eating patterns and lifestyle habits in the population have to be improved. We recommend that there is a strong need for effective strategies to promote healthy behaviour and to implement Mediterranean diet by more individuals.
Objective The aim was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the health care of type 2 diabetes patients and identify the correlated factors. Research Design and Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2020 to February 2021. The study enrolled 400 adults with type 2 diabetes aged 40–65 with at least one other chronic illness receiving health services in primary care in Vlore, Albania. A short questionnaire based on literature, taking into account the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, was used for the data collection. The administration of the questionnaire was done by trained nurses. All participants gave their written informed consent before administering the questionnaire. Two-tailed Pearson correlation and linear regression were used to test the correlations. Results Among 400 patients with type 2 diabetes in the study, 53.0% were female and 47.0% were men. Most of the participants were married (n = 303) with a high level of education (54.3%). Treatment was mainly with oral medications (58.0%). Based on body mass index, 63.0% of participants were overweight. Employment status (p = 003), the type of treatment, oral medication vs insulin (p = 001), body mass index (p = 001), and living alone (p = 008) were the more correlated factors. Conclusions Care of type 2 diabetic patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic is closely associated with social determinants of health and the resources of healthcare settings. The need to address innovative approaches to care including self-care, social support, and e-health is recommended.
Objective: Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in men and women worldwide as well as one of the most common causes of death from cancer. It has a higher prevalence in men than women. The treatment of colorectal cancer (surgically or through chemotherapy) severely affects both patients and their families. The objective of the study was to identify cases of colorectal cancer, evaluate their demographic and clinical data, and identify any statistical relationship. Methods: This is a retrospective study. The data were collected through the revision of cancer patients' fi les in the Chemotherapy Center at Vlore Regional Hospital, Vlore, Albania. The analysis included fi les from 2015-March 2019. A total of 72 patients' fi les with colorectal cancer were analyzed. Result: Mean age of patients 66.36 ± SD10.99 years old, range 38-86. Most of the patients were male (n = 45) and with colon cancer type (n = 44). 19 patients had treatment with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. 56.34% of patients with colorectal cancer are still alive. The results of the study are the same as the global trend in terms of age, gender, type of cancer but not in terms of years of survival, which appear lower. Conclusion: The study suggests that in demographic terms patients with colorectal cancer have no difference from world trend. There was also a marked lack of documentation regarding the clinical data of patients. The complete and accurate documentation of cases with colorectal cancer is recommended to develop quality models of nursing care as well as to design effective promotional and preventive campaigns for colorectal cancer.
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