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Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the pediatric population worldwide. The consequences of the lockdown and the reallocation of hospital resources have caused notable changes in the presentation of pediatric orthopedic injuries. Through our use of patient records, we were able to display the epidemiological trends, as well as analyze the changes in the type and mechanism of various injuries. Our purpose is to further understand the considerable effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric orthopedic trauma and help guide the allocation of future healthcare resources. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on pediatric patients admitted for any orthopedic injury over a 3-year period (September 2018 to August 2021) at a Midwest level 1 trauma center. Cases were stratified into two groups based on the United States' COVID-19 lockdown (19 March 2020): Pre-COVID-19 cases were any cases prior to the lockdown and Intra-COVID-19 which are cases following the lockdown. Numerical data and categorical variables were summarized and differences between the case groups were examined using either two-Proportion Z-Test, Independent Two-Sample t-test, Pearson's chi-squared, or Fisher's exact tests. Results: A total of 3179 pediatric orthopedic referrals occurred between the Pre-COVID-19 and Intra-COVID-19 study periods. We observed a general decrease in orthopedic injuries following the COVID-19 lockdowns with 1235 injuries compared to 1606 Pre-COVID-19. Patterns in the locations of injuries changed; notably, fractures of the humerus, tibia, and fibula decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Several mechanisms of injuries decreased significantly following the onset of COVID-19 including injuries caused by monkey bars, basketball, and automobiles (p < 0.01). There was a significant increase in the overall injury severity during the Intra-COVID-19 period (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Although there was a reduction in acute orthopedic trauma referrals, many injury mechanisms displayed similar trends regardless of restrictions. We clinically observed an overall increase in the severity of pediatric orthopedic injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection prevention and control (IPC) standards have a unique role in controlling infection transmission. In Saudi Arabia, every healthcare facility is required to establish an IPC program to identify and reduce the risk of infection acquisition and transmission. This study aimed to estimate adherence to IPC measures after the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Najran City, Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in Najran City during the period of May to August 2023. A self-administered questionnaire was given to HCWs consisting of three parts: demographic data, profile of healthcare facility and healthcare professional regarding infection control, and questionnaire to assess the adherence of HCWs regarding infection control measures. The study recruited 580 HCWs, of whom 57.6% were males, and 46.6% were aged between 31 and 40 years. The overall mean adherence score was 103.2±9.71 out of 150 points. Accordingly, 88.4% were classified as having moderate adherence, 10.2% were good, and only 1.4% were classified as having poor adherence. Some of the factors associated with increased adherence to IPC measures, include being female, being a nurse, being a practitioner, working in the hospital emergency department, and having a recognized antimicrobial stewardship program team/unit at a healthcare facility. There was satisfactory adherence among HCWs regarding infection prevention and control measures. Being a female, a nurse, a practitioner, working in a hospital emergency department, being a staff of a nonMOH (Ministry of Health) hospital, and having a recognized antimicrobial stewardship program team/ unit were identified as significant predictors of increased adherence. IPC measures can be optimized by setting up institutional IPC teams, necessary PPE, and periodic provision of IPC training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Health professionals who are constantly working to treat the patients of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at great risk. So the only method they can prevent themselves while working is the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The use of PPE has increased with the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and practice of students of different healthcare specialties regarding the use of PPE. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2020 to December 2020 on healthcare students of different healthcare specialties of Najran university, Saudi Arabia. Participants were asked questions about the practice and knowledge of PPE via an electronic link of a questionnaire. Collected data were statistically analysed for frequency and association of responses by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Results: Total of 606 students (female were 122, male were 484) from different health specialities i.e., Medical (25.4%), Dental (42.1%), Pharmacy (11.2%), Nursing (13.4%) and Physiotherapy (7.9%) participated in this survey. Most of the participants (110 from the medical field, 142 from dental, 42 from pharmacy and 63 from nursing and 28 from physiotherapy) were familiar with the word PPE before this pandemic. There was a significant relation relationship (p-value<0.0001) between the specialty and practice of PPE. The majority of the participants (52%) did not know the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guideline and 55.9% were not aware of donning and doffing. Only 44.7% of professionals used N95 before the pandemic and 41.9% did not use N95 before COVID-19. While using the N95 mask 58.2% felt comfortable and 11.4% didn't feel comfortable and the remaining participants were not sure. Conclusion: Although most participants practiced and had knowledge about the use and handling of PPE, but still there is a need to improve their knowledge and train them about its importance during COVID-19. Their knowledge can be improved by different training programs and health education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]