Introduction The present study aimed to determine the impact of vitamin D supplementation (VDs) on recovery delay among COVID-19 patients. Methods We performed a randomized controlled clinical trial at the national COVID-19 containment center in Monastir (Tunisia), from May to August 2020. Simple randomization was done in a 1:1 allocation ratio. We included patients aged more than 18 years who had confirmed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and who remained positive on the 14th day. The intervention group received VDs (200,000 IU/1 ml of cholecalciferol); the control group received a placebo treatment (physiological saline (1 ml)). We measured the recovery delay and the cycle threshold (Ct) values in RT-PCR for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The log-rank test and hazard ratios (HR) were calculated. Results A total of 117 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 42.7 years (SD 14). Males represented 55.6%. The median duration of viral RNA conversion was 37 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 29–45.50) in the intervention group and 28 days (95% CI: 23–39) in the placebo group (p=0.010). HR was 1.58 (95% CI: 1.09–2.29, p=0.015). Ct values revealed a stable trend over time in both groups. Conclusion VDs was not associated with a shortened recovery delay when given to patients for whom the RT-PCR remained positive on the 14th day. Trial registration This study was approved by the Human Subjects Protection Tunisia center (TN2020-NAT-INS-40) on April 28, 2020, and by ClinicalTrial.gov on May 12, 2021 with approval number ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04883203.

Introduction Medical students should act as a model for the community in terms of compliance with preventive practices toward COVID-19. The aim of this study was to assess adherence to preventive behaviors related to COVID-19 among medical students and to identify its associated factors. Population and methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in October 2020 in the faculty of medicine of Monastir. We included a representative sample of medical students during registration days for the 2020–2021 academic year. The data were collected through a self-administered anonymous questionnaire. Eleven items related to preventive practices against COVID-19 were assessed (respiratory hygiene practices (Six Item), hand hygiene practices (Three Items) and social distancing (two items)). Items were evaluated using a Likert scale of five points (from 0: (Never) to 4: (Always)). The score obtained from the sum of these items allowed to classify students into two categories: “Good compliance” if the score was ≥ 80% and “Poor compliance” if the score was less than 80%. Scores were compared according to the study population characteristics. Multivariate analysis was used to identify associated factors with good practices. The threshold of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results We included 678 medical students. The average age was 21.76 (SD = 1.89 years) with a sex ratio of 0.40. The protection measures most respected by the participants were related to the respiratory hygiene: correct coverage of the nose and mouth with the mask (80%), wearing masks regardless of the presence of symptoms (73.3%) and coverage of the mouth during coughing or sneezing (76.6%). Adherence to hand hygiene measures ranged from 51.4% to 66.3%. The least respected measures were related to social distancing: distancing of at least one meter from others (31.2%) and avoiding crowded places (42.5%). An overall score ≥ 80% was obtained among 61.5% of students. Referring to multivariate analysis, variables that positively affected the overall score of preventive measures related to COVID-19 were the female sex and living alone, with Beta coefficients of 3.82 and 1.37 respectively. The perceived level of stress, E-cigarette and Chicha consumption negatively affected the score with Beta coefficients of (-0.13), (-5.11) and (-2.33) respectively. Conclusion The level of adherence to good practice among medical students was overall moderate. Awareness programs would be needed in this population, especially for men and those who smoke and vape.

Introduction : The present study aimed to determine the impact of vitamin D supplementation on recovery delay among COVID-19 patients. Methods : We performed a randomized controlled clinical trial in the national center for COVID-19 confinement, from May to August 2020. Simple randomization was done in a 1:1 allocation ratio. We included patients aged more than 18 years who had confirmed RT PCR and who remained positive on the 14 th day. The intervention group received vitamin D supplementation (200,000 IU / 1 ml of Cholecalciferol), the control group received a placebo treatment (physiological saline (1 ml)). We measured the recovery delay and the E gene SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Cycle threshold (Ct) values. The Log rank test and Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated. Results : A total of 117 participants were enrolled. The mean age was 42.7 years (SD 14). Males represented 55.6%.The median duration of viral RNA conversion was 37 days ( 95% CI: 29-45.50) in intervention group and 28 days ( 95% CI: 23-39) in the placebo group (p=0.010). HR was 1.58 ( 95% CI: 1.09-2.29, p=0.015). Ct values revealed a stable trends over time in both groups. Conclusion : Vitamin D supplementation was not associated with a shortened recovery delay when given to patients for whom the RT-PCR remained positive on the 14th day. Trial registration: This study was approved by the Human Subjects Protection Tunisia center (TN2020-NAT-INS-40) on May 05, 2020 and by clinical trial.gov with approval number Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT04883203.