Background The current pandemic of COVID-19 impacted the psychological wellbeing of populations globally. Objectives We aimed to examine the extent and identify factors associated with psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study across 17 countries during Jun-2020 to Jan-2021. Levels of psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale), fear of COVID-19 (Fear of COVID-19 Scale), and coping (Brief Resilient Coping Scale) were assessed. Results A total of 8,559 people participated; mean age (±SD) was 33(±13) years, 64% were females and 40% self-identified as frontline workers. More than two-thirds (69%) experienced moderate-to-very high levels of psychological distress, which was 46% in Thailand and 91% in Egypt. A quarter (24%) had high levels of fear of COVID-19, which was as low as 9% in Libya and as high as 38% in Bangladesh. More than half (57%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping; the lowest prevalence (3%) was reported in Australia and the highest (72%) in Syria. Being female (AOR 1.31 [95% CIs 1.09-1.57]), perceived distress due to change of employment status (1.56 [1.29-1.90]), comorbidity with mental health conditions (3.02 [1.20-7.60]) were associated with higher levels of psychological distress and fear. Doctors had higher psychological distress (1.43 [1.04-1.97]), but low levels of fear of COVID-19 (0.55 [0.41-0.76]); nurses had medium to high resilient coping (1.30 [1.03-1.65]). Conclusions The extent of psychological distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping varied by country; however, we identified few higher risk groups who were more vulnerable than others. There is an urgent need to prioritise health and well-being of those people through well-designed intervention that may need to be tailored to meet country specific requirements.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the synthesis, mechanical strength, and morphology of chitosan–collagen membranes from barramundi scales for guided tissue regeneration technique. Materials and Methods Collagen was extracted from barramundi scales by immersion in acetic acid. The resulting wet collagen was later dried. The membrane was fabricated by mixing chitosan with collagen from barramundi scales. Membrane characterization parameters were measured using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical property. Results The FTIR spectrum showed the typical peak of the mixture of chitosan and collagen. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the membrane in dry condition were 0.28 MPa and 8.53%, respectively, while in the wet condition these were 0.12 MPa and 25.6%. The membrane porosity test result was 38.85%; SEM result showed a porous membrane surface with size varying around 16 to 100 µm. Conclusion The chitosan-collagen membrane from the barramundi scale showed the fibrous membrane surface that has ideal porous size as guided tissue regeneration membrane and the lower mechanical strength.

The emergency hospital is intended to prevent transmission of COVID-19 in the community by isolating patients without symptoms, with mild or moderate symptoms. This study evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients who were admitted to this facility. This retrospective study reviewed data of patients treated at the National Emergency Hospital Wisma Atlet Kemayoran in Jakarta, Indonesia, from March 23 to April 30, 2020. Patient characteristics (clinical symptoms, laboratory test results, Chest X-Ray, SARS-CoV-2 immunoserology, and RT-PCR results from nasopharyngeal/ oropharyngeal preparations) were compared between severity groups. There were 413 COVID-19 cases analyzed, of which 190 (46%) were asymptomatic, 93 (22.5%) were mild, and 130 (31.5%) were moderate cases. Most asymptomatic cases were male, with young age, and without comorbidity. Mild cases were dominated by female and young patients, while most moderate cases were male and older patients. The number of patients with comorbidities was higher in mild and moderate cases. The patient’s overall outcome was good and did not differ based on the severity of symptoms. Despite the many challenges, patients with moderate symptoms can be safely treated in the emergency hospital.

Outdoor air pollution contributed harmful impact to public health. There are several respiratory disorders related to outdoor air pollution such as acute respiratory infection, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and lung function disorder. Respirator is a personnel protective device which has role in the primary intervention step. Currently exist many types of respirators in industrial setting that have specific function to certain hazard exposure in work process. It is difficult to choose one type of respirator that can be implemented in population setting to protect against all air pollutant content. Therefore, it is relevant choosing one respirator type which has the ability to effectively filtrate one of air pollutant content that is the particulate matter. One respirator type, N95 mask has superiority in term of cost and technical use aspects for protecting particulate matter pollutant. Respirator usage effectivity in population setting is an important subject to find out more.

[No abstract available]