Search Results (13,888)

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are often regarded in clinical practice as less reliable than biomarkers because they are patient-dependent and not objectively measurable in the same way as circulating molecules or imaging findings. This view may be reductive. Biomarkers are frequently considered reliable because they are easily quantifiable, yet biological meaning does not depend solely on measurement. In precision and personalized medicine, the absolute level of a circulating hormone, cytokine, or metabolite is often insufficient unless interpreted in relation to how a given patient, at a given time, responds to that molecular signal. If biomarkers are considered less absolute and more context-dependent, the relevance of PROs becomes clearer. Standardized PROs capture the subjective impact of disease on the patient system in a reproducible and clinically interpretable manner. This is particularly relevant in Long COVID, where no validated diagnostic biomarker is currently available, and severity stratification cannot rely exclusively on objective biological measures. Among available tools, the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) may be particularly useful for quantifying the fatigue burden in Long COVID, including both physical and mental components. Moreover, FAS scores have been shown to correlate with the number of symptoms reported by patients, suggesting that this scale may help stratify patients not only according to fatigue severity but also according to overall symptom burden. Greater standardization of clinical characterization through instruments such as the FAS may improve comparability across cohorts and facilitate interpretation of data from different clinical trials. Full article

Background: Post-COVID-19 syndrome represents a global health problem, manifesting with persistent multiple organ symptoms, including respiratory ones. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different pulmonary rehabilitation interventions in the management of the disease, including its particularities. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) statement and prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD420261292824). PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from January 2021 to January 2026. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Twenty randomized controlled trials involving 2101 adult patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Results: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) demonstrated significant improvements in exercise capacity, with notable increases in 6MWT and VO₂max. Respiratory and peripheral muscle strength significantly increased. The quality of life, dyspnea and fatigue consistently improved. The results for intrinsic pulmonary function, anxiety, and depression were heterogeneous, suggesting benefits more related to reconditioning. Conclusions: Pulmonary rehabilitation is an essential and efficient component in post-COVID-19 syndrome, improving physical function, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, the quality of life, fatigue and dyspnea. Telerehabilitation is a viable alternative. Adapting protocols is crucial, recognizing that most benefits derive from physical reconditioning and muscle training, not necessarily from major structural pulmonary changes. Full article

Since emerging in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has caused over 7 million deaths globally and remains a public health concern. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis is vital, especially as factors like environmental exposures are still poorly understood. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), like benzo[a]pyrene (BP), found in pollutants like cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust, and charcoal-broiled steaks, are known to injure the lungs. We aimed to evaluate if BP exacerbates SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in a mouse model of disease. One day following intranasal administration of BP (20 mg/kg) or vehicle control, we infected male and female K18-hACE2 mice with ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and assessed lung viral load, weight change, clinical scores, immune cell recruitment, and survival in the presence and absence of BP exposure. We found that BP-exposed mice had decreased survival compared to mock-exposed mice. Additionally, BP did not alter innate or adaptive immune cell populations in the lungs of SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. These findings suggest that PAH exposure exacerbates severe COVID-19 outcomes by unknown mechanisms, highlighting the need to further explore environmental impacts on SARS-CoV-2 infection. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic substantially disrupted healthcare systems worldwide, raising concerns regarding delays in diagnosis, alterations in treatment pathways, and oncological outcomes for women with advanced ovarian cancer (AOC). This study evaluated the impact of the pandemic on the management and survival of patients with AOC treated at a high-volume ESGO-accredited tertiary gynaecological oncology centre. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a prospectively maintained database of consecutive women diagnosed with FIGO stage III–IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer between January 2017 and December 2022. Patients were divided into pre-pandemic and pandemic cohorts. Demographic characteristics, FIGO stage, treatment pathways, surgical outcomes, and overall survival were compared. Survival was analysed using Kaplan–Meier methodology and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to evaluate the independent association between the pandemic period and overall survival after adjustment for age, FIGO stage, ECOG performance status and treatment modality. Results: A total of 700 patients were included, 406 patients treated before the pandemic and 294 during the pandemic. Patients diagnosed during the pandemic had a better ECOG performance status, but 51.3% presented with FIGO stage IV disease. Overall treatment rates were maintained (84.4% vs. 87.4% pre-pandemic), although treatment strategies shifted towards increased use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (55% vs. 42.4%, p < 001), with a greater proportion of patients subsequently undergoing interval debulking surgery. Complete cytoreduction following interval debulking surgery was preserved throughout the study period, despite more advanced disease at presentation. One-year overall survival was similar between cohorts (69% vs. 72.2% pre-pandemic), whereas three-year overall survival was significantly lower among patients treated during the pandemic (36.1% vs. 45.1%). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, treatment during the pandemic remained independently associated with poorer overall survival after adjustment for clinically relevant baseline factors. Conclusions: Despite unprecedented disruption to healthcare services, specialist gynaecological oncology care has maintained access to multimodality treatment and preserved maximal effort cytoreductive surgery. Nevertheless, patients diagnosed during the pandemic experienced inferior long-term survival independent of baseline disease characteristics and treatment allocation, highlighting the broader indirect consequences of the pandemic on cancer outcomes. These findings emphasise the importance of protecting diagnostic pathways, multidisciplinary cancer services and surgical capacity during future healthcare crises. Full article

Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the COVID-19 pandemic is still considered a complex challenge, with manifestations not only of respiratory issues, but also conditions related to chronic cerebrovascular damage. Endothelial biomarkers, neuropathological and neuroimaging findings indicate endothelial dysfunction, microthrombosis, and disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) are central mechanisms for acute and chronic ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebral events. Understanding these mechanisms is vital to reducing their impact on population health, whether through treatment or prevention of adverse outcomes. The objective of this study is to perform a review of the scientific literature on the post-infection effects of SARS-CoV-2 affecting the cerebral endothelium and the BBB, correlating them with potential clinical outcomes. Material and Methods: Analysis of studies extracted from the PubMed database using the following terms: Long-COVID “AND” SARS-CoV-2 “AND” blood–brain barrier. Inclusion criteria: keywords, publications related to the topic, and primary studies published after peer review. Exclusion criteria: preprint studies, publication outside of the timeframe 2020–2025, study design not compatible with this research, and full text not available. Results: An initial 121 studies were identified, of which 105 were excluded due to not meeting all inclusion criteria and 6 studies were inaccessible due to not being in the English language and full-text access limitations. Fifteen articles were included in the analysis, for topics as expression of viral receptors in the endothelium, markers of their activation, cerebral microvascular injury and coagulopathies. To clarify the pathogenic cascade, the evidence was stratified by biological model where in vitro evidence demonstrates that the Spike protein induces direct endothelial toxicity and platelet aggregation, establishing the primary molecular insult. Animal models confirm the translation of this insult into structural degradation of the BBB and pericyte loss. Clinically, infection-phase findings, characterized by multifocal microthrombosis and permeability spikes, act as the determining event that predisposes to the persistent neuroinflammatory environment. Biomarkers of BBB disruption and neuronal damage were consistently reported, with persistence of BBB dysfunction modifying risk stratification and rehabilitation efforts. Reported cases of Long-COVID demonstrated normalization of BBB markers without correlation with long-term symptoms, suggesting that other mechanisms are involved in Long-COVID. Conclusion: Cerebral endotheliopathies and BBB dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 continue to impact the health of the population. The scientific literature indicates that SARS-CoV-2 induces cerebral endothelial injury, BBB disruption, and an increased risk of vascular events related to endotheliopathy, inflammation, and hypercoagulability. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 pathology on the population and developing prospective studies is essential to quantify the prevalence and mechanisms of brain injury. The identification of molecular targets and infection pathways are promising toward defining both preventive and therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes in the Long-COVID population. Full article

Background: Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), commonly known as long COVID, affects an estimated 10–30% of SARS-CoV-2 non-hospitalised and 50–70% of hospitalised survivors. This condition remains clinically heterogeneous, and the specific mechanisms driving the transition from acute infection to chronic sequelae remain poorly understood. We assessed independent risk factors, tracked the evolution of clinical features, defined distinct symptom-based phenotypes, and assessed the impact of different pandemic waves on the likelihood of developing long COVID in hospitalised survivors. Methods: We conducted a single-centre, retrospective cohort study at a university hospital in London. The population comprised 627 adults hospitalised with acute COVID-19 between February 2020 and December 2022. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared between long COVID and resolved cases using appropriate statistical tests for continuous and categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression identified risk factors. McNemar’s test quantified the phenotypic shift from admission to follow-up. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) identified clinical subtypes based on symptom clusters. Results: Of 627 patients, 252 (40.2%) met long COVID criteria. Comorbidity burden was the strongest predictor; patients with a single condition had a 4-fold increase in odds (aOR 4.62, 95% CI 2.36–9.04). The ORs were also significantly elevated among patients with 2 (aOR 3.26), 3 (aOR 2.68), or 4 or more (aOR 3.24) comorbidities. Older age (aOR 1.04), acute disease severity (measured by length of hospital stay) (aOR 1.27 per log-day) and elevated admission fibrinogen (aOR 1.21 per g/L) were significant predictors. Temporal analysis revealed a precipitous decline in risk from Wild-type/Alpha (>50%) to Delta/Omicron (<21%). We observed a distinct phenotypic shift: while acute respiratory inflammation resolved, systemic fatigue increased fourfold (7.0% to 32.4%), and memory difficulties emerged in the post-acute phase. LCA identified two phenotypes: fatigue-dominant and multisystem phenotypes. Conclusions: Long COVID is a multifactorial syndrome driven by host susceptibility, acute severity, and persistent coagulopathy. Clinical management should move beyond a monolithic approach and favour phenotype-specific strategies. Full article

Background: Unplanned paediatric hospital readmissions are key indicators of healthcare quality, often reflecting issues in discharge planning and continuity of care. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted healthcare delivery and utilisation, yet its impact on paediatric readmission patterns in Australia remains unclear. Methods: A 5-year single-centre retrospective cohort study of 21,262 paediatric admissions and unplanned readmissions at a non-tertiary metropolitan Australian hospital between 21 March 2017 and 20 March 2023 was conducted. Admissions up to 20 March 2020 were classified as pre-pandemic, and those from 21 March 2020 as during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analysed patient characteristics, including gender, age, First Nations status, primary diagnosis, and socio-economic status, to identify UHR trends. Results: During the COVID-19 period, total paediatric admissions declined by nearly 30%, and the readmission rate decreased from 7.5% to 4.6% compared with the pre-pandemic period. Across both cohorts, higher readmission rates were observed among male patients, infants aged 0–12 months, and children from more socio-economically advantaged areas. Readmissions among First Nations children and those with communicable diseases declined during the pandemic period. Conclusions: A higher proportion of males and patients under 12 months of age had higher readmission rates across both periods. These findings highlight the need for targeted early intervention, age-specific discharge planning, and strengthened follow-up care for high-risk groups. Further research should extend the study period beyond the pandemic and include larger cohorts to better characterise long-term trends and improve generalisability. Full article

The link between ABO/Rh blood groups and COVID-19 severity remains a topic of debate. We aimed to investigate the role ABO/Rh blood groups, rs8176746 and rs495828 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in COVID-19 severity among COVID-19 patients in Mansoura City, Egypt. A total of 306 Egyptian patients were included in this cross-sectional study. They were grouped into 86 cases with non-severe infection and 220 with severe infection according to clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings. ABO/Rh blood groups were confirmed. A TaqMan real-time PCR SNP genotyping assay was used to examine the allelic discrimination of rs8176746 and rs495828 SNPs. Older age, male gender, and the presence of comorbidities were associated with severe COVID-19. AB blood group was significantly associated with a protective effect against severe COVID-19 (p = 0.029) in the unadjusted analysis. There was no statistically significant association between Rh type and disease severity. GT genotype was significantly associated with a higher frequency of AB blood groups in both rs8176746 and rs495828 (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant association between the studied SNPs and COVID-19 severity. After adjusting for age, gender, and the presence of comorbidities, the protective effect of the AB blood group with severe COVID-19 did not remain significant. No association was observed between Rh type rs8176746 and rs495828 SNPs and COVID-19 severity. The impact of ABO/Rh blood types and related SNPs on COVID-19 severity can vary by the ethnic group and population being studied. This diversity emphasizes the need for specialized research approaches to better understand the demographic, clinical, and genetic factors that lead to variations in COVID-19 outcomes among various groups. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted healthcare utilization patterns at both primary care (PC) and hospital emergency department (ED) levels. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on referral patterns from PC to a hospital ED and on the resource consumption associated with those referrals. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, longitudinal comparative study with multivariable sensitivity analyses was conducted at a first-level hospital of Madrid (Spain). All consecutive PC-to-ED referrals received during two observation windows were included: a pre-pandemic period (1 June–31 December 2019; $n=946$) and a Later-Pandemic period (1 January–30 June 2022; $n=1797$). Sociodemographic characteristics, referral form quality, diagnostic specialty, and in-ED resource utilization variables were collected and compared using ${\chi }^2$, Student’s t-test, and Mann–Whitney U tests as appropriate. To assess seasonal confounding, multivariable logistic and ordinal regression models adjusting for calendar season, age, and sex were performed for the primary resource-utilization outcomes. Results: A total of 2743 referrals were analyzed. The monthly referral rate increased by approximately 122% between periods (135/month vs. 300/month). A statistically significant but clinically negligible difference in mean age was observed ($53.1\pm 18.3$ vs. $54.9\pm 19.0$ years; $p=0.015$); no significant sex differences were found. Referral form completion improved significantly for clinical history (94.5% vs. 98.2%; $p<0.001$). Orthopedics referrals nearly tripled (5.8% vs. 18.4%), while respiratory/COVID-19-related referrals represented 22.0% of the 2022 caseload. ED length of stay between 3 and 6 h increased from 13.0% to 42.8% ($p<0.001$), while the need for urgent blood tests fell from 68.9% to 56.0% ($p<0.001$), hospital admission from 68.4% to 10.9% ($p<0.001$), and referral to another center from 12.3% to 0.9% ($p<0.001$). In multivariable sensitivity analyses, the period effect remained statistically significant after adjustment for calendar season, age, and sex for hospital admission (adjusted OR $=0.062$; 95% CI: 0.037–0.106; $p<0.001$) and urgent blood test utilization (adjusted OR $=0.470$; 95% CI: 0.326–0.678; $p<0.001$), although study period and season remain partly confounded by the non-overlapping design. Conclusions: During the later-pandemic period, PC-to-ED referrals increased substantially while being associated with fewer complementary investigations and fewer hospital admissions. This study documents between-period differences in referral patterns and ED resource utilization rather than causal effects; the differences persisted after adjustment for seasonality but cannot be definitively attributed to the pandemic. Future multi-center longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these trends and clarify their underlying mechanisms. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hexosylceramides (HexCers) are bioactive lipids whose circulating levels have been associated with severe illness. Blood lipid profiles differ between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 sepsis and are also affected by liver cirrhosis. To evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and investigate associations with disease severity and underlying liver cirrhosis among circulating HexCer species, we analyzed plasma samples from patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, or septic shock. Methods: Plasma levels of five HexCer species were quantified by flow injection analysis tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS) in 159 patients with SIRS, sepsis, or septic shock. Among these patients, 24 had COVID-19, and 31 liver cirrhosis. In addition, serum HexCer levels were analyzed in 41 patients with moderate and 61 patients with severe COVID-19. Results: Patients with SIRS, sepsis or septic shock exhibited largely comparable plasma HexCer18:1;O2/22:0, 23:0, and 24:0 concentrations, all of which were significantly lower than those observed in healthy controls. These species and in addition HexCer18:1;O2/16:0 and 24:1 levels were modestly lower in patients with septic shock compared to those with SIRS. No significant differences in any of the five HexCer species were observed between patients with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 septic shock or between ventilated patients with and without COVID-19, indicating that circulating HexCer levels are associated with disease severity rather than SARS-CoV-2 infection. HexCer18:1;O2/24:1 levels were increased in patients with cirrhosis. No significant differences in HexCer levels were observed between survivors and non-survivors. Conclusions: In COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients circulating levels of HexCer18:1;O2/22:0, HexCer18:1;O2/23:0, and HexCer18:1;O2/24:0 decline early during systemic inflammation, whereas reductions in HexCer18:1;O2/16:0 and 24:1 levels become apparent in septic shock. These findings indicate that alterations in circulating HexCer species reflect sepsis severity rather than being specific to COVID-19. Full article

Background/Objectives: Social isolation, loneliness, and mental health challenges among older people have been a global problem long before the advent of COVID-19. In Australia, there are many reports of how COVID-19 has worsened older people’s mental health, social isolation and loneliness experiences. However, the narratives have focused on the general population with little attention being paid to migrants from minority groups who have traditionally relied on informal social networks. Methods: In this study, we employed community-based participatory research, supported by thematic analysis, to investigate how 21 older West African migrants in Greater Sydney experienced social isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic and the coping strategies they adopted. Results: The findings show a growing trend in weakening social connectivity, exacerbated by COVID-19, resulting in significant social impacts, mental health concerns, and daily lifestyle changes. There is a greater concern about mental health experiences, including fear, anxiety, confusion, and depression. Participants noted forming new habits, such as watching movies and learning new digital technological skills, as the main coping strategies, which enabled them to connect with churches and other organisations. However, their coping strategies adopted were provisional, unsustainable, and uncoordinated. Conclusions: There is a need for locally government-supported activities that foster and sustain social interaction, as well as more community-led and locally supported initiatives that can alleviate social isolation and loneliness during global pandemics. Full article

This systematic review examines the impact of flexible work arrangements and hybrid work on small- and medium-sized enterprises, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 framework. A total of 35 peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2025 were analyzed from Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify global patterns, enabling factors, and organizational outcomes of workplace flexibility in small- and medium-sized enterprises. The findings reveal that flexible work arrangements and hybrid work have evolved from temporary responses during the COVID-19 pandemic into long-term organizational strategies in many contexts. Three key themes emerged from the analysis: workplace flexibility and employee outcomes, digital transformation as an enabling capability, and leadership as a driver of organizational resilience. Overall, the reviewed studies indicate that flexible work arrangements are generally associated with improvements in productivity, employee well-being, innovation, and organizational adaptability. However, these outcomes vary significantly across regions and are strongly influenced by digital readiness, leadership practices, and institutional support. Small- and medium-sized enterprises in developed economies demonstrate higher levels of digital maturity and more structured hybrid work adoption, while those in developing economies face constraints related to infrastructure, skills, and resources. The study concludes that flexible and hybrid work should be understood as integrated organizational strategies requiring strong digital capability, adaptive leadership, and supportive policy environments to ensure sustainable performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises. Full article

Introduction: The Trauma Medical Home (TMH) randomized clinical trial tested the efficacy of a collaborative care intervention on the biopsychosocial recovery of older injured adults compared to usual care. Study enrollment occurred between 11 October 2017 and 13 October 2021 and study operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to measure the potential effects of COVID-19 on research study participants to ensure accurate reporting of results. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to compare depression and anxiety symptoms and health-related quality of life in older adults at TMH study enrollment pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19. We hypothesized that those enrolled during COVID-19 would have worse symptoms and quality of life. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of data from a multicenter randomized clinical trial (R01AG052493-01A1) TMH, that examined the ability of a collaborative care model to enhance the recovery of older injured adults compared to usual care. It was hypothesized that the TMH intervention would improve biopsychosocial recovery for injured older adults compared to usual care. The enrollment periods pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 were compared. Chi-square tests and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests, then multivariable linear and logistic regressions were completed with SF-36 component scores and depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) scores as the dependent variables, respectively. Results: A total of 429 participants were analyzed. There was no significant difference in anxiety and depression symptoms between the pre-COVID-19 and during-COVID-19 enrollment periods. Perceived limitations due to physical health problems were worse for those enrolled during COVID-19 (adjusted β = −9.8, 95% CI −18.3 to −1.4), but other health-related quality of life measures were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: These findings support the conclusion that the negative psychological impacts of the pandemic are likely due to individual factors other than age or COVID-19. These results suggest a high degree of psychological resiliency in older adults under stress. Future research should focus on the potential effects of socioeconomic status, demographic background, and level of physical functioning on psychological outcomes. Full article

Background/Objective: Research has indicated that providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted healthcare providers’ wellbeing and burnout. Much of the literature has focused on emergency department (ED) physicians and nurses, including the distinct challenges they faced caring for persons experiencing homelessness (PEH), including addressing unmet basic needs, limited discharge options, and disruptions to community-based health and social services during the pandemic. Comparatively little research has examined the experiences of other multidisciplinary team members caring for PEH. This study explored the shared experiences of multidisciplinary ED staff caring for PEH during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform workforce planning and future pandemic preparedness. Methods: Using inductive qualitative analysis, we examined self-reported experience, mental health impacts and solutions for workforce planning and pandemic preparedness of multidisciplinary ED staff caring for PEH. Three virtual focus group discussions involving 12 multidisciplinary ED staff (registered nurses, clerical staff, security staff, community support workers, and a clinical assistant) were conducted during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period characterized by evolving public health restrictions, uncertainty, and disruptions to health and social services. Results: Inductive qualitative analysis identified four key themes: (1) emotional experiences of care provision (including gratitude, compassion fatigue, and moral distress), (2) hospital- and community-led adaptations to support care delivery, (3) strategies for wellness and resilience building among staff, and (4) recommendations for future workforce planning and pandemic preparedness. Conclusions: Caring for PEH during the intense pandemic period intensified staff distress by exposing them to unmet social needs and system-level resource gaps, while also fostering interprofessional collaboration and resilience. Staff collaborated to facilitate organizational adaptations that enabled continuity-of-care. Future pandemic preparedness should include targeted mental health supports for staff, flexible institutional contingency planning, and formalized hospital–community partnerships to sustain care for PEH and other socially vulnerable populations. Full article

This study investigated the perceptions and practices of disinfectant use among students at the City University of New York (CUNY) before, during, and after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on behaviors observed following a controversial statement made by President Donald Trump in April 2020 suggesting the potential use of disinfectants as a treatment for a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Utilizing an online survey of 441 CUNY students, data was collected on cleaning and disinfection behaviors during four distinct periods: pre-pandemic (January–February 2020), during the pandemic’s height (March–April 2020), after the pandemic’s height (June–August 2020), and following the aforementioned presidential statement. Data patterns illustrate an increase in cleaning frequency and disinfectant use during the peak of the pandemic, followed by a notable decrease after the presidential statement. The data also illustrated potentially dangerous practices, such as misting the body with cleaning sprays and using household cleaners on bare skin, though these behaviors generally decreased after the peak of the pandemic. The study highlights the impact of public health communication and the role of misinformation in shaping hygiene practices during a crisis. It underscores the need for clear, evidence-based messaging to promote safe and effective disinfectant use and to counter misinformation that may lead to harmful behaviors. This novel research contributes to the understanding of how a specific student population responded to the pandemic and provides insights for future public health interventions. Full article