Awareness of Health care workers regarding Mucormycosis /Black fungus associated with global COVID - 19 pandemic in Rajasthan population – A Cross – sectional survey

Abstract

IntroductionTogether with the ongoing serious Covid-19 second wave in India, a serious fungal infection,mucormycosis has been increasingly found in Covid-19 recovered patients. Current trendsindicate that the surge is higher in patient with co-morbidities. Health care facilities need tostrengthen their infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes to prevent healthcare-associated outbreaks.Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of health-care workers in Rajasthan toassess their awareness of Mucormycosis as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, aswell as to learn about the possible link between invasive fungal sinusitis (mucormycosis) andcoronavirus disease, as well as how to prevent and manage it.MethodologyA web based cross–sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was designed in English and sent to the studyparticipants via link of Google form through social media platforms and email. Total of 378HCPs responded to survey.ResultsOut of 378 HCPs, majority of them were female (68.8%) with age <30 years (73.3%) and ofthese respondents most were dentists (82.2%).In assessing awareness of mucormycosis, 66.7%of HCPs believed the cause of the highprevalence of mucormycosis during COVID-19 was due to the higher prevalence of diabetes,indiscriminate use of steroids, immunocompromised patients with co-morbidities, usage ofunhygienic humidifiers & o2 lines and tubes. 57.9% of HCPs surveyed agreed that carefuland supervised use of systemic steroids should be consistent with current practice and 62.2%of HCPs agree that we need dynamic surveillance and control of diabetes mellitus or pre-diabetes in our population. ConclusionFirst case of Covid-19-related Mucormycosis has now been found in Chile. Thus, it isimportant to recognise this infection at an early stage, so as to potentially reduce soft andhard tissue necrosis and severe complications and alert colleagues of this life-threateninginfection.