Articles

An Investigation of the Effects of Mask-Wearing on Confidence Levels of Young People to Middle Age in Bangkok Metropolitan Region

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The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread mask-wearing to prevent disease transmission. Initial studies indicated that 89% of the Thai population wore masks, rising to 96% when mandated. Even after the pandemic, mask-wearing persisted due to factors beyond health concerns. This research examines the phenomenon of “Mask Fishing,” where individuals believe masks enhance their attractiveness, a trend popularized on TikTok. The study explores the psychological impacts of mask-wearing, including increased confidence and reduced self-esteem. Additionally, masks have been found to improve perceived facial attractiveness, particularly enhancing the appearance of eyes. This study investigates these hidden factors, focusing on how mask-wearing affects personal confidence, communication, and facial expressions.

Overview of Strategic Supply Management of Oxygen for COVID- 19 Pandemic Patient Care in Sri Lanka

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The immensurable COVID-19 pandemic has a ceaseless destabilizing effects on health systems, economies, and societies around the world. Total number of 671,756 positive cases have been reported in the country and 654,910 of them have recovered from the disease with 16,808 number of deaths out of the population of 21.8 million up to December 2022. Immense burden to the health system and heavy death rate was reported during the 3rd wave for which mainly the delta variant of COVID virus was responsible. Total number of 491,508 patients and 14375 number of deaths as well as nearly 3500 Oxygen dependent patients were managed per day in ICU, HDU, and inward set up using Oxygen concentrator, bi-pap and c -pap machine during 3rd  wave. During this period, Ministry of Health had been urged to reassess its hospital surge capacity in relation to predicted COVID patient load. Based on that, the increasing COVID-19 surge has warranted the rapid hospital facilities expansion in every aspect especially in facilities for Oxygen therapy.

Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka had to develop strategies for Medical Oxygen management to fulfill its rising demand. All those interventions were focused to improve the accessibility and availability of medical oxygen while preventing irrational use and wastage of Oxygen. The ultimate goal of spending such cost was to prevent morbidity and mortality due to poor access of oxygen. To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of medical oxygen gas utilization, it was important to monitor the capacity improvement and supply process.

 

Experiences of Burnout among Staff Nurses of Private Hospitals in Surigao City

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This descriptive quantitative study is primarily concerned with the level of burnout among nurses working in private hospitals in Surigao City. The following research tools were used in the actual collection of data which includes, the respondent’s Personal Data Sheet and an adapted survey questionnaire namely, the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OBI). These instruments shall be used to gather both respondents’ demographic profiles and determinants of the mental health impact of COVID-19. The respondents of this study were the staff nurses in four (4) private hospitals in Surigao City who are involved in rendering care to patients exposed to COVID-19. The snowball sampling method was utilized in determining the sample size in consideration of the researchers’ and respondents’ limited mobility in the said hospital due to the guidelines, new normal health protocols, and difficulty in identifying and meeting with the schedules of the respondents. Burnout has been described as a dangerous condition resulting from overwork and chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It can lead to physical or mental illness. To effectively play their role during this pandemic, it is essential for them to maintain psychological and mental health; however, the literature has shown that the emergence of COVID–19 has significantly impacted the psychological and mental well-being of our Filipino medical workers. Vast amounts of evidence have shown a significant association between the COVID–19 outbreak and adverse mental health issues such as stress or burnout, depression, insomnia, and anxiety. With the limited actions implemented in response to the studies on the health impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers, there is a need for immediate attention to formulating actions or interventions that will halt the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially on the mental health of healthcare workers.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Death in COVID-19 Patients at Bahteramas Regional General Hospital, Southeast Sulawesi Province

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Background: Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, is an infectious disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 has been classified as a pandemic since 2020.

Purpose:  The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for death due to COVID-19 at the Bahteramas Public Hospital, Southeast Sulawesi Province.

Method: This research is a retrospective analytic study with a cross sectional approach. The number of samples is 85 samples. The sampling technique was purposive sampling. The data were processed using the Chi-Square test and Odds Ratio.

Results: This study shows that 47 people died at the Bahteramas Hospital in Southeast Sulawesi Province from March to November 2020, the variable age (p value = 0.001 and OR value 5.216), gender (p value = 0.078 and OR value = 2.180), hypertension variable (p value = 0.071 and OR value = 2.510), and diabetes mellitus variable (p value = 0.013 and OR value = 3.300).

Conclusion: Age, sex, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are risk factors for death due to COVID-19 at Bahteramas Public Hospital, Southeast Sulawesi Province.

 

The Influence of Good Corporate Governance on Firm Value before and during COVID-19 in Indonesia

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This study investigates the impact of independent commissioners, audit committees, institutional ownership, and managerial ownership on the firm value of Indonesian manufacturing companies, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a quantitative research design and associative research approach, our findings reveal a positive relationship between independent commissioners and firm value, supporting existing literature on the role of independent commissioners in enhancing corporate governance. Conversely, the analysis indicates a negative influence of audit committees on firm value, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to their formation to avoid undue restrictions on managerial autonomy. The examination of institutional and managerial ownership’s effects on firm value yields inconclusive results, suggesting the need for further exploration. Additionally, our study evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on firm value using a dummy variable and a t-test, revealing no significant change in values during the pandemic. The focus on the Indonesian manufacturing sector provides valuable context, suggesting potential sector-specific resilience to pandemic challenges. Overall, this research contributes nuanced insights into corporate governance dynamics and their resilience in the face of unprecedented global events.

Experience of Pregnant Mothers Suffering from Covid-19 during Pregnancy until Childbirth in Indonesia

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The outbreak of COVID-19 becomes a pandemic with many psychological impacts on humans, the disease that attacks the respiratory system has a negative impact on health. The aim of this study was to find out how the experience of a pregnant mother who suffered from Covid-19 during pregnancy to childbirth, using qualitative methods this study took as many as 12 pregnant mothers suffering from COVID-19 during the pregnancies as participants to be interviewed with the age range of 25-36 years. The results of the in-depth interview were processed using the Collaizi and NVivo methods. The results obtained five themes, namely mother’s knowledge about the transmission of Covid-19, symptoms experienced when infected, emotional reactions of mothers during infection, changes in emotional responses during childbirth and still infected with COVID-19, as well as family responses in accompanying mothers who are going to give birth. The conclusion of the study was that the participants experienced the transmission of Covid-19 from the surrounding environment through both direct and indirect contact, and the symptoms that appeared vary from symptoms, fever, and loss of sensory function, a variety of feelings of fear, sadness, stress and distress but there are also those who have confidence. Feelings of concern and fear for themselves and their babies vulnerable to exposure to the virus, the response from the family when the participants were infected with COVID-19 generally provided both moral and material support, but there were also participants who did not get support and even stay away from the participants.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Financial and Risk Analysis on Equipment Procurement at PT ABC Using Predictive Data Estimation, NPV Analysis, Owner Estimate, and Monte Carlo Simulation

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This research delves into strategic financial management solutions for PT ABC during the COVID-19 pandemic, concentrating on the procurement of vital airport equipment. It examines the feasibility of securing essential equipment such as ARFF vehicles, X-ray machines, ambulances, and narcotics & explosive detectors amidst financial challenges. Utilizing financial models like predictive data estimation, Net Present Value (NPV) analysis, owner estimates, and Monte Carlo simulations, the study evaluates risk probabilities and distributions linked to different procurement strategies. The research underscores the pandemic’s profound impact on the global aviation sector, notably the steep decline in passenger traffic and resulting financial strains on PT ABC. Facing stringent regulatory obligations and the urgent need for equipment upgrade, the study investigates cost-effective procurement avenues, weighing the benefits of leasing against purchasing, given the company’s constrained cash flow. The study navigates through the challenges of limited RFI data and internal corporate regulations that restrict leasing durations. It provides a detailed financial analysis to pinpoint the most economical vendors and procurement approaches, leveraging owner estimates as a negotiation tool. Risk evaluation is conducted via Monte Carlo simulation, offering insights into the likelihood and impact of procurement-related risks. Concluding, the research finds that PT ABC can best manage its procurement needs by opting for leasing over buying. This approach aligns with the company’s financial strategy amidst the crisis, allowing for the acquisition of necessary equipment within financial limits. The study identifies Vendor A for ARFF vehicles, Vendor D for X-ray machines, Vendor E for ambulances, and Vendor G for narcotics & explosive detectors as the most cost-effective choices. Leasing, particularly on a 3-year term, emerges as the most viable financial option, in compliance with PT ABC’s internal regulations and operational requirements. Utilizing owner estimates for negotiations ensures more cost-effective procurement. The Monte Carlo simulation proves invaluable in evaluating procurement risks, indicating a higher risk associated with buying than leasing. This research aids PT ABC in strategic decision-making for equipment procurement, offering lessons for the broader aviation sector navigating post-pandemic recovery.

Abnormal Returns around the Announcement of Covid-19 Cases on Stock Prices in Indonesia

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The purpose of this study is to find out whether there is a difference in abnormal returns on the day around the first announcement of the COVID-19 case and to find out whether there is a difference in abnormal returns after and before the first announcement of the COVID-19 case in Indonesia in pharmaceutical industry stocks listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The population in this study are pharmaceutical companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange. While the sampling technique was purposive sampling. The data analysis technique used in this study was a one-sample t-test on normally distributed data and one sample Wilcoxon signed ranked test for abnormally distributed data for days around the announcement of Covid 19. The results of this study show whether there is no difference in abnormal returns around the announcement of Covid -19. And also there is no difference in abnormal returns 5 days before and after the announcement of Covid 19.

Strategic Management of COVID 19 Pandemic; Response and Preparedness in Sri Lanka

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Serious pandemic of COVID -19 a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2, which was first discovered in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan. This highly infective SARS-CoV-2 virus is spreading from person to person through close contact, and the common symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath while muscle pains, loss of smell and taste, diarrhea, abdominal pain and throat ache are other symptoms, which have frequently recorded. This serious pandemic of COVID -19 has threatening lives of people and claimed 682,421,707 patients and 6,819,238 deaths worldwide to date of 19th March 2023. The first COVID-19 case in Sri Lanka on 27th January 2020, who was a 44 year old female tourist from Hubei Province China, and the first local case was reported on 11th of March 2020, who was a travel guide.

Aim of this article is to describe the effectiveness of COVID-19 response and preparedness especially on patient care management. A descriptive study was conducted through Key Informant Interviews, data gathering through desk review of records and reports published. Multi strategic approach that was used in the Sri Lankan health sector to combat COVID – 19 pandemic. Strategies done were; system development (curative and preventive services), infrastructure development and improvement of facilities, staff wellbeing and protection, continuation of normal patient care services, intersectoral coordination and collaboration, special projects in relation to COVID – 19 pandemic, leadership and governance, supervision and monitoring, and public / community empowerment. These strategies has reflected in managing COVID – 19 pandemic and similar strategies with modification can be implemented in future pandemic situations. Further, it is recommended to do in-depth studies to understand the interventions done in specific areas, effectiveness of interventions, and gaps of intervention done and to mitigate the gaps for better response system in order to build a resilient health system.

The Results of Vaccination and Reversed After Vaccination of Coronavirus Infection in Fergana Region for 2021–2022

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In this study, an analysis of the incidence of COVID–19 in the Fergana region was carried out, the number of vaccinated vaccination coverage and those who recovered after vaccination with COVID–19 was determined. The incidence was studied for the period from March 2020 to 2022. Since vaccination began in 2021, we analyzed those vaccinated and recovered from 2021 to 2022. The dynamics of the incidence of COVID–19 in the Fergana region was undulating. During the surveyed period, the intensive indicator of the incidence of COVID–19 was as follows: in the city of Fergana (887.6), Kuvasay–1169.5, Kuva–995, Sokh–737.2, Yazyavan–781, Altiarik–610.1, Fergana–472 cases per 100,000 populations. During this period, more than 7 million doses of COVID–19 vaccines were administered, and no side effects of the vaccines used were observed among those vaccinated.