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

Abstract

Introduction
Together 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 trends
indicate that the surge is higher in patient with co-morbidities. Health care facilities need to
strengthen 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 to
assess their awareness of Mucormycosis as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, as
well as to learn about the possible link between invasive fungal sinusitis (mucormycosis) and
coronavirus disease, as well as how to prevent and manage it.
Methodology
A web based cross–sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling. A self-
administered anonymous questionnaire was designed in English and sent to the study
participants via link of Google form through social media platforms and email. Total of 378
HCPs responded to survey.
Results
Out of 378 HCPs, majority of them were female (68.8%) with age <30 years (73.3%) and of
these respondents most were dentists (82.2%).
In assessing awareness of mucormycosis, 66.7%of HCPs believed the cause of the high
prevalence of mucormycosis during COVID-19 was due to the higher prevalence of diabetes,
indiscriminate use of steroids, immunocompromised patients with co-morbidities, usage of
unhygienic humidifiers & o2 lines and tubes. 57.9% of HCPs surveyed agreed that careful
and 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.

Conclusion
First case of Covid-19-related Mucormycosis has now been found in Chile. Thus, it is
important to recognise this infection at an early stage, so as to potentially reduce soft and
hard tissue necrosis and severe complications and alert colleagues of this life-threatening
infection.