Qatar Journal of Public Health - الأعداد السابقة

The air microbial load and antibiotic susceptibility of microorganisms obtained from antenatal and postnatal wards of four major hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria were assessed. The microbial load of each ward was determined by the passive settle plate method. The bacterial and fungal isolates obtained were identified based on cultural, morphological, and biochemical characteristics. The following microorganisms were tentatively identified: Proteus spp, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus spp, Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas spp, Bacillus subtillis, Bacillus cereus, Aspergillus spp, Penicillium notatum, Cladosporium spp, Mucor spp and Articulospora inflata. The bacteria that had the highest percentage occurrence (28.50%) were Bacillus subtillis and Staphylococcus aureus, while the least occurrence was recorded for Serratia marcescens (2.38%). Among the fungi, Penicillium notatum had the highest occurrence (44.70%), while Articulospora inflata (1.18%) had the lowest occurrence. The result of the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates showed that all the bacteria were susceptible to the commercial antibiotics except Serratia marcescens which were resistant to all the tested antibiotics. It is well known that life-threatening infections can be acquired from the hospitals, hence, it is recommended that improved hygienic procedures be put in place in these hospitals to reduce the occurrence of these microorganisms in antenatal and postnatal wards.

Background Many patients continue to have symptoms for a prolonged period following COVID-19. In some cases, these symptoms manifest immediately after the acute phase of infection, while in others, they fall within the definition of post-COVID syndrome, persisting beyond 12 weeks. As a result, patients are in a state of anxiety as no established mechanism is available to identify and guide such patients for follow-up. Understanding the persistence of symptoms beyond the acute phase is crucial for providing appropriate care and support to these individuals.

Methods This descriptive cohort study was conducted at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka, among patients who had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and were discharged from the hospital but experienced persistent symptoms after four weeks. Data collection was carried out through telephone interviews conducted by the investigators.

Results A total of 500 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 48 years, of which 346 (69.2%) had not required supplemental oxygen during the acute infection, while 142 patients (28.4%) required supplemental oxygen, 10 (2%) required ICU care and 2 (0.4%) required intubation. Of the symptoms reported by these patients one month after the acute infection, the most frequently reported symptom was fatigue (63.6%), followed by breathlessness (32.6%) and musculoskeletal pain/discomfort (28.2%).

Conclusions In conclusion, our study sheds light on the persistence of symptoms among discharged COVID-19 patients in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. We found that many individuals continue to experience symptoms beyond the acute phase of infection. This highlights the urgent need for a systematic approach to identify and provide appropriate care for these patients, as they face uncertainty and anxiety without established mechanisms for follow-up.

This research addresses the issue of plastic waste accumulation, particularly in developing nations like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to analyze the negative impact of mismanaged plastic waste, explicitly focusing on face mask litter and marine microplastic pollution. This research reveals that 82% of plastic waste generated by the coastal population in the Middle East enters the Persian Gulf, wherein Saudi Arabia is a significant contributor to face mask litter with the highest marine microplastic content of 32.69–235.36 thousand tons. In comparison, Qatar exhibits a 71.4% abundance of plastic in marine litter. Plastics account for 13-14% and 5-17% of the total solid waste generated in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, respectively. Daily generation of 1.4 kg/person of solid waste makes Qatar one of the top solid waste-generating countries globally. Among various polymers, polypropylene contributes the most to post-pandemic plastic waste. The study finds that 494 tons of COVID-19 test plastic residues end up in landfills globally. However, Saudi Arabia demonstrates effective landfill management practices and the lowest per capita mismanaged plastic waste rate, less than 0.01 kg daily. In contrast, Qatar has more than 50% of the waste sent to landfills. Both countries have recycling rates below 15%. The study emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable solutions, advocating for a circular economy approach, including recycling initiatives, renewable energy-powered recycling plants, and waste-to-energy conversion technologies. The research aims to bridge the knowledge gap, inform policymakers, and contribute to sustainable plastic waste management practices. It also lays the groundwork for future research, transboundary interventions, and the improvement of Sustainable Development Goals in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.