Serials - ސިލްސިލާ މަޖައްލާ
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Item A narrative review comparing SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV highlighting their characteristic features, evolution and clinical outcomes(The Research Centre, Maldives National University, 2020-08) Subbaram, Kannan; Ali, SheezaCOVID‑19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 created a bio threat situation throughout the world. This article features evolution and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. COVID‑19 originated in Wuhan, China and resulted in severe morbidity and mortality. Features of SARS are similar to COVID‑19. MERS exhibited a relatively milder disease, mainly in Middle East countries. Coronaviruses are large (100 nm) viruses exhibiting a spherical shape with a lipoprotein envelope and can cause diseases in animals and humans. All coronaviruses are sensitive to physicochemical agents. They attach to angiotensin Converting Enzyme -2 (ACE-2) and serine protease receptors of lungs. Literature review and genetic homology were conducted using data sources and bioinformatics tools for the comparison of SARSCoV- 2 with SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. Genome analysis between SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV revealed that SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 are 95% related with each other whereas SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV are 65% related. SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 are genetically more related than MERS-CoV. Animal reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 may be bats, pangolins, etc. MERS can be transmitted from infected camels. SARS-CoV-2 might have evolved from SARS-CoV-1 or from another animal reservoir coronavirus. It can be transmitted from infected animals and humans through respiratory route. Strict public health measures such as physical distancing and maintaining good hygiene should be taken to contain their community spread. SARS-CoV-2 can undergo antigenic variation resulting in difficulty to develop drugs and vaccines. COVID‑19 has caused a severe blow to the economy of both developed and developing nations.Item Perceptions of Leprosy in the Maldives : a cross-sectional study(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2023-07) Moosa, Sheena; Abdul Raheem, Raheema; Ali, Sheeza; Saleem, Sana; Rasheed, Ryan Shah; ޝީނާ މޫސާ; ރަހީމާ އަބްދުއްރަހީމް; ޝީޒާ އަލީ; ސަނާ ސަލީމް; ރަޔަން ޝާހް ރަޝީދުThe aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding leprosy. A cross sectional survey of a nationally representative sample was implemented among the resident adult population (18 years and above) across the islands of Maldives. The survey sample size estimated was 1181 and a total of 1024 respondents completed the survey accounting for a response rate of 86.7%. The questions to measure indicators of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding leprosy were adopted from existing validated instruments used for leprosy KAP studies. The findings show a low level of knowledge with a mean of 3.5 in the KAP measure, where the maximum score is eight. However, the attitude and practices score does not indicate a high level of negative attitudes and practices (below the mid-point). The mean score of EMIC-CSS is 12, slight inclination towards less negative attitudes (EMIC-CSS scale scores ranges from zero = no negative attitudes, to 30 = most negative attitudes). The mean score of SDS is 8.9 indicating moderate level of negative practices (SDS scale scores ranges from zero = no negative practices to 21 = most negative practices). As Leprosy in the Maldives is no longer a public health burden, and the disease prevalence is extremely low, it has created a situation where there is very little awareness and correct knowledge about the disease among the public as well as health care workers. The attitudes and practices from the family and community are not at alarming levels in terms of stigma and social distancing. However, the low level of knowledge raises the concern that cases may be missed and as patients may be missed as they may not seek healthcare for early diagnosis and treatment