The Effect of Prevention Practices Taken During the Pandemic Process on the Prevalence of Other Respiratory Infections

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, it is aimed to determine whether there is a change in the frequency of upper respiratory tract and lower respiratory tract infections except for COVID-19 between 2019-2020, and to determine the effect of pandemic measures on this change in case of a change. Materials and Methods: The study is cross-sectional. Research data were collected using a structured questionnaire and the country's internet-based personal health information data (E-Pulse). Results: Based on both the statements of participants and records, it was determined that the number of respiratory tract infections decreased during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. Being in crowded environments, doing social activities, complying with social distancing, washing hands, and the presence of other members of the family in a crowded environment had no effect on having respiratory tract infections in 2020. Conclusion: Non-COVID-19 respiratory tract infections decreased during the pandemic period. The measures taken and changing lifestyle are effective in these results. Personal risk perception is important in individual behavior.

Keywords

• coronavirus
• protection
• protective equipment
• risk reduction

COVID-19 Pandemi Sürecinde Alınan Koruyucu Uygulamaların Diğer Solunum Yolu Enfeksiyonlarının Sıklığı Üzerine Etkisi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, 2019-2020 arasında Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) dışında üst solunum yolu ve alt solunum yolu enfeksiyonları sıklığında bir değişim olup olmadığını saptamak, değişim saptanması durumunda pandemi önlemlerinin bu değişime etkisini belirlemek amaçlanmaktadır. Araçlar ve Yöntem: Çalışma kesitsel tiptedir. Araştırma verisi yapılandırılmış bir anket ve ülkenin internet tabanlı kişisel sağlık bilişim verileri (E-Nabız) kullanılarak toplandı. Bulgular: Hem katılımcıların beyanlarına göre hem de kayıtlara göre geçirilen solunum yolu enfeksiyonu sayısının, pandemi öncesine göre pandemi döneminde azaldığı saptandı. Kalabalık ortamlarda bulunma, sosyal faaliyet yapma, sosyal mesafeye uyma, el yıkama, ailedeki diğer bireylerin kalabalık ortamda bulunmasının 2020 yılında solunum yolu enfeksiyonu geçirme durumuna etkisi bulunmadı. Sonuç: Pandemi döneminde COVID-19 dışı solunum yolu enfeksiyonları azalmıştır. Alınan önlemler ve değişen yaşam tarzı bu sonuçlarda etkilidir. Bireysel davranışlarda kişisel risk algısı önemlidir.

Keywords

• coronavirüs
• korunma
• koruyucu ekipman
• risk azaltma

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