RESEARCH ARTICLE
WebLog J Public Health Epidemiol., Published on : 23 Aug 2024
Volume - 1: 2024 https://weblogoa.com/articles/wjphe.2024.h2301
Knowledge and Awareness of Orbital Mucormycosis in Post COVID-19 Recovered Patients in India
2Research Associate, Era University, Lucknow, India
3Associate Professor, Department of Optometry and Vision Science, Amity University, Haryana, India
4Assistant Professor, Department of Optometry and Vision Science, Amity University, Haryana, India
5Associate Professor, UP University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, India
6Demostrator, UP University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, India
7Optometrist, Chaudharuy Eye 7 Hospital, Lajpat Nagar, Delhi, India
8Assistant Professor, IIHT Paramedical & Nursing College, Deoband, U.P., India
Abstract
Background: The emergence of mucormycosis cases amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the fear associated with mucormycosis may turn out to be a terrifying public health issue. The current study aims to assess knowledge and awareness about orbital mucormycosis in post COVID-19 recovered patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 242 COVID-19 recovered population from August 2021 to February 2022. A semi-structured online questionnaire was used for data collection using convenient and snow ball sampling methods.
Results: A total of 242 participants completed the questionnaire. Approximately 53.7% of participants were male and 46.3% were female. Most of the participants were working and were aware about mucormycosis through social media. Presenting symptoms and signs of COVID-19 were fever (87.6%), malaise (5.8%), weakness (72.3%), vertigo (5%), cough/cold (76.4%), shivering (22.3%), chills (23.1%), loss of taste (61.2%), rashes (25.6%) and rest were asymptomatic (5.8%) or presented with multiple signs and symptoms. A statistically significant association was found between reported history of mucor-mycosis and duration of steroid use (p value=0.003), being educated and aware about the disease (p value=0.000) and older age (p value=0.000).
Conclusion: Fungal infection and mucormycosis are not new phenomena but the emergence of mucormycosis associated with COVID-19 is a big concern. The current study highlighted the good awareness about mucor-mycosis among COVID-19 recovered patients in Indian population.
Keywords: Corticosteroid, COVID-19, Diabetes, Fungal co-infection, Mucormycosis, Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis, Steroid therapy
Citation
Vishwdeep Mishra, Ragni Kumari, Gaurav Kumar Bhardwaj, MD Masihhuzzaman, Kamal Pant, Aditya Tripathi. Knowledge and Awareness of Orbital Mucormycosis in Post COVID-19 Recovered Patients in India. WebLog J Public Health Epidemiol. wjphe.2024.h2301.