Previous Issue
Volume 4, May
 
 

COVID, Volume 4, Issue 6 (June 2024) – 7 articles

  • Issues are regarded as officially published after their release is announced to the table of contents alert mailing list.
  • You may sign up for e-mail alerts to receive table of contents of newly released issues.
  • PDF is the official format for papers published in both, html and pdf forms. To view the papers in pdf format, click on the "PDF Full-text" link, and use the free Adobe Reader to open them.
Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
27 pages, 636 KiB  
Article
Determining Factors Influencing Filipinos’ Behavioral Protection against COVID: Integrating Extended Protection Motivation Theory, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Ergonomic Appraisal
by Ma. Janice J. Gumasing, Frankern Luis S. Malabuyoc, Ardvin Kester S. Ong and Charmine Sheena Saflor
COVID 2024, 4(6), 771-797; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4060052 (registering DOI) - 13 Jun 2024
Viewed by 184
Abstract
This study examined the perceived protective behavior of Filipinos towards COVID-19. It utilized the extended protection motivation theory (PMT) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) models with the integration of ergonomic appraisal, applying partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to determine the [...] Read more.
This study examined the perceived protective behavior of Filipinos towards COVID-19. It utilized the extended protection motivation theory (PMT) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) models with the integration of ergonomic appraisal, applying partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to determine the factors affecting the protective behavior of Filipinos against COVID-19. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to 3000 Filipino citizens to measure the factors and their relationships. Results showed that understanding COVID-19 significantly influences the Filipinos’ perceived virus severity and vulnerability. In turn, perceived severity, self-efficacy, attitude, and subjective norms were the significant factors that affected the behavioral intention, impacting protective behavior. In addition, cognitive and macro ergonomics have been found to be the factors that influence the protective behavior of Filipinos against COVID-19. Thus, the study’s findings can be used as a framework for developing pandemic response initiatives that aim to inform and educate Filipinos, especially those who do not have the privilege of accessing information. Lastly, the outcome of this study can be used as a theoretical framework for future researchers who aim to conduct a study in a similar discipline. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 366 KiB  
Perspective
Deepening Divides or Inciting Change? Ongoing Impacts of COVID-19 on Teaching and Teacher Education in the United States
by Noah Borrero
COVID 2024, 4(6), 761-770; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4060051 - 8 Jun 2024
Viewed by 217
Abstract
Through the lenses of teaching and teacher education, this article explores the evolving impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on education. Challenges associated with COVID-19 in schooling, learning, teaching, and teacher education are highlighted to showcase ongoing systemic inadequacies and emerging opportunities for change. [...] Read more.
Through the lenses of teaching and teacher education, this article explores the evolving impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on education. Challenges associated with COVID-19 in schooling, learning, teaching, and teacher education are highlighted to showcase ongoing systemic inadequacies and emerging opportunities for change. Cultural assets are presented as a theoretical framework for bridging gaps between individualistic and collective approaches to learning. Specific classroom projects that foster cultural assets are connected with a larger educational movement for Ethnic Studies in public education in the United States to provide examples of ways that education can evolve in more equitable ways into the future. Full article
12 pages, 334 KiB  
Article
Psychological Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake among Pregnant Women in Kenya: A Comprehensive Model Integrating Health Belief Model Constructs, Anticipated Regret, and Trust in Health Authorities
by Sylvia Ayieko, Christine Markham, Kimberly Baker and Sarah E. Messiah
COVID 2024, 4(6), 749-760; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4060050 - 5 Jun 2024
Viewed by 343
Abstract
Pregnant women, considered at risk of COVID-19 complications because of the immunosuppressive and physiological changes in pregnancy, were initially hesitant to receive COVID-19 vaccination. This study assessed the association between COVID-19 vaccination uptake, psychological determinants (health belief model (HBM) constructs, anticipated regret, trust [...] Read more.
Pregnant women, considered at risk of COVID-19 complications because of the immunosuppressive and physiological changes in pregnancy, were initially hesitant to receive COVID-19 vaccination. This study assessed the association between COVID-19 vaccination uptake, psychological determinants (health belief model (HBM) constructs, anticipated regret, trust in health authorities), and provider recommendation among pregnant women in Kenya. Using data from a cross-sectional study, we conducted correlations, binary and multivariable logistic regressions, and moderation analysis to explore relationships between COVID-19 vaccination and psychological variables. Of the 115 pregnant women, 64% reported receiving provider recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination. There were weak positive correlations between the variables. Participants with high anticipated regret scores were more likely to receive COVID-19 vaccination compared to their peers (AOR = 4.27; 95% CI, 1.23–14.85), while provider recommendation increased the odds of COVID-19 vaccination (OR = 3.70; 95% CI, 1.53–8.92). None of the HBM constructs were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination. The findings related to psychological variables require the reconceptualization of theory-informed interventions to streamline healthcare provision. The critical role of healthcare providers in COVID-19 vaccination recommendations suggests a need to empower health practitioners with effective communication skills to improve maternal health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue How COVID-19 and Long COVID Changed Individuals and Communities 2.0)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 248 KiB  
Article
Staff Resiliency in Long-Term Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
by Behrouz Danesh, Shannon Freeman, Piper Jackson, Tammy Klassen-Ross, Alexandria Freeman-Idemilih and Davina Banner
COVID 2024, 4(6), 731-748; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4060049 - 3 Jun 2024
Viewed by 251
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on long-term care facilities (LTCFs). While much attention has been paid to the impact of the pandemic on residents, less attention has been given to the experiences of staff and factors impacting their resilience in [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on long-term care facilities (LTCFs). While much attention has been paid to the impact of the pandemic on residents, less attention has been given to the experiences of staff and factors impacting their resilience in facing challenges working in LTCF. This research describes the factors contributing to the resiliency of LTCF staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in northern British Columbia (BC). Transcripts from 53 participants who completed one-hour semi-structured interviews were included and thematic analysis was conducted. All participants had experience working in a LTCF facility in northern BC during the pandemic. The LTCF staff described resilience as the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and protocols, while also maintaining a positive attitude and uplifting spirits during times of adversity. The analysis revealed five key themes influencing staff resilience: (1) availability and provision of resources for staff, (2) leadership and management within LTCFs, (3) social support available to staff, (4) impact of residents’ morale on staff resilience, and (5) personal attributes and characteristics of the staff. Understanding and addressing the five themes can guide the development of targeted strategies and interventions aimed at enhancing staff resilience and well-being during challenging circumstances. By recognizing and addressing the specific needs of LTCF staff, it is possible to improve the overall quality of care provided in LTCF and promote the well-being of both residents and staff. The findings shed light on the interplay of these themes and their profound influence on LTCF staff. Identifying staff’s needs and factors that contribute to their resilience may lower staff turnover, leading to a stronger and more resilient healthcare system, capable of safeguarding vulnerable populations, particularly during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article
16 pages, 688 KiB  
Article
A Qualitative Exploration of Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Hesitancy in Selected Rural Communities in Kenya
by Fletcher Jiveti Njororai, Walter Amulla, Caleb Kogutu Nyaranga, Wilberforce Cholo and Toluwani Adekunle
COVID 2024, 4(6), 715-730; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4060048 - 31 May 2024
Viewed by 297
Abstract
Purpose: The post-pandemic management of COVID-19 infections and any emergent outbreaks is because this endemic disease remains a public health concern. Vaccine hesitancy may continue to hamper efforts to respond to any new disease outbreaks and future epidemics. This qualitative study aimed to [...] Read more.
Purpose: The post-pandemic management of COVID-19 infections and any emergent outbreaks is because this endemic disease remains a public health concern. Vaccine hesitancy may continue to hamper efforts to respond to any new disease outbreaks and future epidemics. This qualitative study aimed to explore the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Kenya to gain deeper insights into this issue. Methods: This study was implemented in western Kenya using key informant interviews. Fourteen (14) key informants were purposively selected for this study. All interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. The interpretation of findings was conducted within the framework of the Health Belief Model. Key findings: Knowledge was a critical factor in combatting misinformation and fostering vaccine acceptance among participants in this study. Misinformation included rumors that the vaccine lowers immunity and was intended for population control. Cues to action included influence from political and opinion leaders and observing the loss of life among unvaccinated individuals. Perceived barriers to vaccine uptake included fear of vaccine safety, side effects, long waiting times at the time of our study, fear of contracting COVID-19 at vaccination sites, family/spousal influence on vaccine uptake and fear of the unknown with the vaccine. Conclusions: The findings from this study provide insight into areas for targeted strategies for managing COVID-19 vaccinations and future pandemics. Within the framework of the Health Belief Model, this study identified salient barriers and facilitators of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy that may be helpful to inform future pandemic responses. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 953 KiB  
Article
An Energy-Optimized Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)-Based Biosensor Networking for Predicting COVID-19 Outbreaks in Healthcare Systems
by Monika Pahuja and Dinesh Kumar
COVID 2024, 4(6), 696-714; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4060047 - 30 May 2024
Viewed by 291
Abstract
By integrating energy-efficient AIoT-based biosensor networks, healthcare systems can now predict COVID-19 outbreaks with unprecedented accuracy and speed, revolutionizing early detection and intervention strategies. Therefore, this paper explores the rapid growth of electronic technology in today's environment, driven by the proliferation of advanced [...] Read more.
By integrating energy-efficient AIoT-based biosensor networks, healthcare systems can now predict COVID-19 outbreaks with unprecedented accuracy and speed, revolutionizing early detection and intervention strategies. Therefore, this paper explores the rapid growth of electronic technology in today's environment, driven by the proliferation of advanced devices capable of monitoring and controlling various healthcare systems. However, these devices' limited resources necessitate optimizing their utilization. To tackle this concern, we propose an enhanced Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) system that utilizes the networking capabilities of IoT biosensors to forecast potential COVID-19 outbreaks. The system aims to efficiently collect data from deployed sensor nodes, enabling accurate predictions of possible disease outbreaks. By collecting and pre-processing diverse parameters from IoT nodes, such as body temperature (measured non-invasively using the open-source thermal camera TermoDeep), population density, age (captured via smartwatches), and blood glucose (collected via the CGM system), we enable the AI system to make accurate predictions. The model's efficacy was evaluated through performance metrics like the confusion matrix, F1 score, precision, and recall, demonstrating the optimal potential of the IoT-based wireless sensor network for predicting COVID-19 outbreaks in healthcare systems. Full article
24 pages, 6158 KiB  
Article
Computational Discovery of Novel Imidazole Derivatives as Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: An Integrated Approach Combining Molecular Dynamics and Binding Affinity Analysis
by Benjamin Ayodipupo Babalola and Abayomi Emmanuel Adegboyega
COVID 2024, 4(6), 672-695; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4060046 - 23 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 607
Abstract
One of the most pressing challenges associated with SARS treatment is the emergence of new variants that may be transmissible, causing more severe disease or being resistant to the current standard of treatment. This study aimed to identify potential drug candidates from novel [...] Read more.
One of the most pressing challenges associated with SARS treatment is the emergence of new variants that may be transmissible, causing more severe disease or being resistant to the current standard of treatment. This study aimed to identify potential drug candidates from novel imidazole derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), a crucial drug target for treating viral infection, using a computational approach that integrated molecular docking and dynamics simulation. In this study, we utilized AutoDock Vina within the PyRx workspace for molecular docking analysis to explore the inhibitory effects of the compounds on the Mpro, a drug target for SARS-CoV-2. The ADMET properties of these compounds, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity, were evaluated using the SwissADME and ADMETLab servers. Each of the 18 compounds that were tested demonstrated strong binding affinities towards Mpro, with imidazolyl–methanone C10 showing the most significant binding affinity. Moreover, pyridyl–imidazole C5, thiophenyl–imidazole C1, and quinoline–imidazole C14 displayed binding affinities of −8.3, −8.2, and −7.7 Kcal/mol, respectively. These compounds interacted with specific amino acid residues (HIS A:41—CYS A:145) within the Mpro protein. To assess the stability of the ligand with the best binding affinity, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted using Schrodinger software, which revealed its stability over the simulation period. The study provides valuable insights into the potential of imidazole derivatives as SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors. All compounds including C10 display promising characteristics and hold potential as drug candidates for SARS-CoV-2. However, further optimization and experimental validation of these compounds are necessary to advance their development as effective therapeutics against viral infections. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Previous Issue
Back to TopTop