Introduction: This study aims to measure the diagnostic accuracy of chest computed tomography (CT) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) in COVID-19 in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar, WHO, SSRN, and MedRxiv have been searched on March 26, 2020 for all the alternative names of the disease and virus. Risk of bias assessment was based on QUADAS-2. Data from English-language studies after January 12, 2019 were pooled to calculate necessary diagnostic values and underwent diagnostic test accuracy, random-effects, proportions, and subgroup meta-analysis. Results: Pooled from 27 included studies, the sensitivity of chest CT was calculated 96.6%, specificity 22.5%, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) 8.2, positive likelihood ratio (PLR) 1.2 (95% CI: 1.1-1.4), and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) 0.15 (95% CI: 0.1-0.3). The sensitivity for initial RT-PCR was 79.7%, the specificity 100%, and NLR 0.18. Conclusion: Considering the results, in order to diagnose COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), it is recommended to initially performing chest CT to rule out the uninfected people. In suspicious cases, we suggest RT-PCR to confirm the disease. Performing serial RT-PCR instead of the one-time test is highly recommended, to let the viral loads reach the diagnostic levels, especially in cases of high clinical suspicion.
In the field of epidemics, some vulnerable groups, such as older adults, are at greater risk. Many psychological, social, economic and physical hazards have threatened older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some threats can be managed with medical system interventions. However, social and psychological challenges cannot be controlled quickly. People will have a better quality of life if they can take appropriate action in critical situations. There is a strong theoretical and empirical background that a sense of control and self-efficacy can promote psychological well-being. The main questions of this study included the following: What were the main problems experienced by older Iranian women during the outbreak of COVID-19? What coping methods did they use to control the situation? What were their views on the future? This research was conducted in Kerman city, the capital of Kerman Province. A phenomenological method was used. We interviewed 15 women over 65 years old. We extracted five main themes from the interviews. These themes were health issues, persistent anxiety, economic and social pressures, identifying unique solutions to the current situation, and optimism versus pessimism: what is the future? From the participants' point of view, psychological, social and physical problems have disturbed them during the pandemic, especially at the beginning. However, they controlled their problems by using selective coping strategies. In Iran, planners can use the potential of the two institutions of family and religion to reduce the problems of older adults.
IntroductionWHO declared vaccine hesitancy as a global public health threat in 2019. Since even a slight reduction in vaccine coverage rates can lead to a decrease in herd immunity, it is imperative to explore the underlying factors affecting vaccine hesitancy. This qualitative study protocol aims to explore determinant factors that influence vaccine hesitancy in Iran from the parent’s perspective.Methods and analysisDescriptive-Interpretive Qualitative research will be conducted to gain an insight into vaccine hesitancy in the west of Tehran province in Iran. Participants in the study will be recruited from vaccine-hesitant parents of children under 5 years’ old who will be recognised as being hesitant to extract from the national health information system. The semistructured interviews and in-depth questions will be performed both face-to-face in an open space such as a park near their homes and via video call because of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing. Interviews will be conducted by a trained qualitative person. Transcribed data will be analysed through thematic analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the research ethics committee at the Iran University of Medical Sciences (Approval ID #IR.IUMS.REC.1399.273). The results of the study are expected to be presented by the end of 2022 year. A variety of dissemination methods will be employed to communicate research findings, including presentations at conferences and peer-reviewed publications.
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