Research Article
DNA Sequencing Accurately Diagnosed 146 Cases of Superficial Mycosis
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
40-44
Received:
2 July 2024
Accepted:
26 July 2024
Published:
15 August 2024
Abstract: Objective: Traditional fungal detection methods, such as fungal microscopy and cultivation, often have drawbacks such as high false negative rates and time-consuming cultivation. Using molecular biology methods for diagnosis can not only be used for identifying fungal strains in cultured colonies, but also for diagnosing diseased tissues, which can shorten the diagnosis time. There is a lack of systematic research on the clinical characteristics, susceptibility factors, and the composition and distribution of pathogenic fungi of superficial mycosis in Shiyan area. In order to understand the relevant situation of superficial mycosis and pathogenic fungi in this area, this study conducted a molecular epidemiological investigation on 146 patients with superficial mycosis who visited our outpatient department. Methods: From January 2022 to December 2022, the typical clinical manifestations of outpatient visits in our department were collected. 146 cases of superficial fungal patients with positive fungal microscopy were cultured and DNA was extracted. PCR technology was applied to compare the products in GeneBank after the amplification of ITS region. Results: A total of 23 pathogenic strains were obtained, including 112 strains of Trichophyton rubrum (76.71%), 5 strains of other dermatophytes (3.42%), 6 strains of Candida species (4.11%), 4 strains of Aspergillus species (2.74%), 8 strains of Cladosporium species (5.48%), and 11 strains of other fungi (7.53%). Conclusions: DNA sequencing combined with traditional fungal microscopic culture is helpful for more accurate diagnosis of superficial mycosis.
Abstract: Objective: Traditional fungal detection methods, such as fungal microscopy and cultivation, often have drawbacks such as high false negative rates and time-consuming cultivation. Using molecular biology methods for diagnosis can not only be used for identifying fungal strains in cultured colonies, but also for diagnosing diseased tissues, which can...
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Research Article
Mental Health Effects of COVID-19 Among Health Care Providers: A Case Study of Kalulushi General Hospital in Kalulushi District, Zambia
Kanjiye Sakutaha*
,
Tinkler Saul Simbeye*,
Charity M'samalia Chimwala-Selico,
Arthur Chisanga,
Tara Kumari Kafle,
Adam Dawria Ibrahim,
Pamela Mwansa,
Evason Mandona,
Mary Chimwala,
Joyce Mwape,
Emmanuel Chirwa,
Monica Katunga,
Isabel Nyahoda,
Godwin Chakolwa,
Marian Matipa Mulenga,
Justine Chanda,
Lazarous Simon Mwale,
Ivy Mulenga,
Miranda Chiimbwe,
Boniface Besa,
Kaziwe Simpokolwe,
Wezi Kachinda
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2024
Pages:
45-54
Received:
20 February 2024
Accepted:
19 March 2024
Published:
30 August 2024
Abstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 is an infectious disease which was first identified in Wuhan a City in the Peoples Republic of China in December 2019. The aim of this study was to establish the mental health effects of COVID 19 on the frontline health care providers at Kalulushi General Hospital in Kalulushi district of Zambia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed to assess the mental health effects of COVID 19 on the frontline health care providers at Kalulushi General Hospital in Zambia. The study used simple random sampling technique to select 122 respondents to participate in the study. Data was collected from study participants using structured questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and MS excel and was presented using tables, bar charts and pie charts. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between socio-demographic characteristics and mental health effects of COVID-19 parameters. The ethical approval was gotten from Lusaka Apex Medical University Biomedical Research Ethics Committee, Kalulushi General Hospital and Kalulushi District Health Office respectively. The study revealed that, most of the respondents (31%) were afraid of contracting COVID-19, while 27% of study participants claimed that COVID 19 was a propaganda and that no one knew when it would end. The study also found that, a small proportion of study participants reported a decline in work morale (17%), likely associated with witnessing numerous deaths (19%) and the added stress of inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) experienced by 15%. The study further demonstrated that 58% of the respondents accepted that working in a COVID-19 environment affected their mental health while 42% of the respondents did not accept that working in the COVID-19 environment did affect mental health of frontline healthcare providers. The study further revealed that, most of the respondents were using handwashing or sanitizers, facemasks and protective clothing (27%) to cope with COVID-19 pandemic. The study also showed that, a few respondents were practicing social distancing (22%), and having healthy diet (19%) in order to cope with COVID-19. Marital status and religion were found to have significant association with copying strategies of frontline healthcare providers against COVID-19 pandemic at Kalulushi General Hospital in Kalulushi District of Zambia (P < 0.05). WHO, CDC, and Zambian Ministry of Health should prioritize implementing Critical Incident Stress Management protocols, develop culturally sensitive mobile applications to offer self-guided interventions, and promote healthy coping mechanisms among frontline healthcare providers.
Abstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 is an infectious disease which was first identified in Wuhan a City in the Peoples Republic of China in December 2019. The aim of this study was to establish the mental health effects of COVID 19 on the frontline health care providers at Kalulushi General Hospital in Kalulushi district of Zambia. A descriptive cross-section...
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