fatemeh borzooei

Cobalt coatings are considered a suitable alternative to chromium coatings due to their desirable properties and environmental compatibility. In this study, by adding phosphorus as an alloying element and reinforcing nanoparticles of ZrO2 and CeO2 to the cobalt coating matrix, amorphous Co-P-ZrO2-CeO2 and Co-P coatings were produced on a ST37 steel substrate using electrochemical deposition. The effect of current density on the morphology of the coatings was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the weight percentages of elements present in the coatings were analyzed using EDS analysis. Microhardness and corrosion resistance were also examined. The addition of reinforcing nanoparticles to the cobalt-phosphorus alloy matrix increased the hardness of the nanocomposite coatings. It should be noted that increasing the current density up to an optimal level increases the hardness, and then decreases it. The results of the Tafel and EIS analyses on the nanocomposite coatings indicate an increase in corrosion resistance with an enhancement in current density up to 100 mA/cm2 for both alloy and nanocomposite samples, which is due to an increase in the weight percentage of phosphorus and the formation of a surface protective layer. In addition, the presence of reinforcing nanoparticles in the matrix prevents corrosive medium from reaching the coating surface, improving its corrosion resistance.

 The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis and health outcomes are among the major human social events of the 21st century. The unknown nature of the disease and the fear of contagion have caused emotional reactions, including the self-consumption of drugs in the elderly. Therefore, this study investigated factors affecting the self-consumption of drugs for COVID-19 prevention in the elderly.

Methods & Materials:

 This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed on 342 elderly in Sabzevar City, Iran, in 2020. The research units were selected as clusters from 16 health centers. The necessary data were collected by an online self-medication questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS.

 The Mean±SD age of the study participants was 66.2±5.67 years. The frequency of self-medication to prevent COVID-19 was 190(55.5%); analgesics, vitamins, anti-cold, and antibiotics were the most common drugs used. The major factors associated with self-medication in the COVID-19 pandemic were disease prevention, home quarantine, financial problems, experiencing previous self-medication, and others’ advice. There was a significant relationship between self-medication and education and insurance coverage. No significant relationship was observed between gender, occupation, and marital status, and self-medication.

 Self-Medication in the COVID-19 epidemic is notable as a crisis threatening the elderly’s health. Controlling and monitoring how the drug is used is among the requirements for protection and health promotion in the elderly.