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Maglietta G, Puntoni M, Caminiti C, Pession A, Lanari M, Caramelli F, Marchetti F, De Fanti A, Iughetti L, Biasucci G, Suppiej A, Miceli A, Ghizzi C, Vergine G, Aricò M, Stella M, Esposito S. Effects of COVID-19-targeted non-pharmaceutical interventions on pediatric hospital admissions in North Italian hospitals, 2017 to 2022: a quasi-experimental study interrupted time-series analysis. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1393677. [PMID: 38699417 PMCID: PMC11064846 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1393677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The use of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs), such as lockdowns, social distancing and school closures, against the COVID-19 epidemic is debated, particularly for the possible negative effects on vulnerable populations, including children and adolescents. This study therefore aimed to quantify the impact of NPIs on the trend of pediatric hospitalizations during 2 years of pandemic compared to the previous 3 years, also considering two pandemic phases according to the type of adopted NPIs. Methods This is a multicenter, quasi-experimental before-after study conducted in 12 hospitals of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Northern Italy, with NPI implementation as the intervention event. The 3 years preceding the beginning of NPI implementation (in March 2020) constituted the pre-pandemic phase. The subsequent 2 years were further subdivided into a school closure phase (up to September 2020) and a subsequent mitigation measures phase with less stringent restrictions. School closure was chosen as delimitation as it particularly concerns young people. Interrupted Time Series (ITS) regression analysis was applied to calculate Hospitalization Rate Ratios (HRR) on the diagnostic categories exhibiting the greatest variation. ITS allows the estimation of changes attributable to an intervention, both in terms of immediate (level change) and sustained (slope change) effects, while accounting for pre-intervention secular trends. Results Overall, in the 60 months of the study there were 84,368 cases. Compared to the pre-pandemic years, statistically significant 35 and 19% decreases in hospitalizations were observed during school closure and in the following mitigation measures phase, respectively. The greatest reduction was recorded for "Respiratory Diseases," whereas the "Mental Disorders" category exhibited a significant increase during mitigation measures. ITS analysis confirms a high reduction of level change during school closure for Respiratory Diseases (HRR 0.19, 95%CI 0.08-0.47) and a similar but smaller significant reduction when mitigation measures were enacted. Level change for Mental Disorders significantly decreased during school closure (HRR 0.50, 95%CI 0.30-0.82) but increased during mitigation measures by 28% (HRR 1.28, 95%CI 0.98-1.69). Conclusion Our findings provide information on the impact of COVID-19 NPIs which may inform public health policies in future health crises, plan effective control and preventative interventions and target resources where needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Maglietta
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Matteo Puntoni
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Caterina Caminiti
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Clinic, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marcello Lanari
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Caramelli
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Marchetti
- Pediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Ravenna Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Fanti
- Paediatrics Unit, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iughetti
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Biasucci
- Pediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Miceli
- Pediatric Unit, Pavullo Hospital, AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy
| | | | | | - Melodie Aricò
- Pediatric Unit, G.B. Morgagni – L. Pierantoni Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Forlì, Italy
| | | | - Susanna Esposito
- Pediatric Clinic, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Rebbe R, Reddy J, Kuelbs CL, Huang JS, Putnam-Hornstein E. The Impact of COVID-19 on Infant Maltreatment Emergency Department and Inpatient Medical Encounters. J Pediatr 2023; 262:113582. [PMID: 37353150 PMCID: PMC10284615 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the counts of infant maltreatment-related medical encounters at a large medical system during a 21-month span of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Retrospective data for this study came from all inpatient and emergency department medical encounters for infants from January 1, 2016, through November 30, 2021, at a single children's hospital system in California. Distributions of medical encounters were tabulated and plotted over time. Interrupted time series models were used to evaluate changes in child maltreatment medical encounters. RESULTS Medical encounters for infants with child maltreatment diagnoses increased following the onset of COVID-19. Monthly counts of encounters with indicated maltreatment trended upward following the start of the pandemic. Interrupted time series models showed that the count of maltreatment encounters increased 64% with the onset of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS We found an increase in infant maltreatment medical encounters during a 21-month period following the onset of COVID-19. These findings suggest that the pandemic may have adversely affected the safety of infants and ongoing work is needed to understand better the pandemic impacts on child maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Rebbe
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work, Chapel Hill, NC.
| | - Julia Reddy
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Cynthia L Kuelbs
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA; Department of Pediatrics, University of San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Jeannie S Huang
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA; Department of Pediatrics, University of San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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Katz C, Glucklich T, Attrash-Najjar A, Jacobson M, Cohen N, Varela N, Priolo-Filho SR, Bérubé A, Chang OD, Collin-Vézina D, Fouché A, Haffejee S, Katz I, Maguire-Jack K, Massarweh N, O'Reilly M, Tiwari A, Truter E, de Andrade Vieira RV, Walker-Williams H, Zibetti MR, Werkele C. The global impact of COVID-19 on child protection professionals: A scoping review and thematic analysis. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023:106347. [PMID: 37479549 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic triggered new risks for child maltreatment (CM) and exacerbated existing challenges for families and children, elevating the importance of child protection professionals (CPPs) while also adding barriers to their work. During the pandemic, many CPPs experienced increased workloads, a disrupted work environment, and personal pandemic-related hardships. However, the scope of how COVID-19 impacted CPPs globally, as well as their adopted coping strategies, have not been well explored. OBJECTIVE This study addresses these gaps in the research by conducting an international scoping review to explore and analyze these topics. METHOD The scoping review was performed in six languages: English, Hebrew, Arabic, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, across 16 databases. Sixteen manuscripts were included in the final thematic analysis of this review. RESULTS Two main themes were identified: 1) the impact of COVID-19 on CPPs, and 2) the coping and adaptation strategies employed by CPPs during COVID-19. This review revealed and emphasized the importance of CPPs' resilience during COVID-19, underpinned by the theoretical framework of the social ecology of resilience. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the responsibility of social ecologies and organizational structures to create readiness for a rapid response in times of crisis as well as valuable evidence to inform how CPPs, children, and families may be better supported in the event of a future crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmit Katz
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Chaim Levanon 30, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
| | - Talia Glucklich
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Chaim Levanon 30, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Afnan Attrash-Najjar
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Chaim Levanon 30, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ma'ayan Jacobson
- Haruv Institute, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Noa Cohen
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Chaim Levanon 30, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Natalia Varela
- Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, Externado University, Calle 12 No. 1-17 Este, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Sidnei Rinaldo Priolo-Filho
- Laboratório de Pesquisa, Prevenção e Intervenção em Psicologia Forense - Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, Brazil
| | - Annie Bérubé
- The Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Canada.
| | - Olivia D Chang
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Delphine Collin-Vézina
- The Centre for Research on Children and Families, McGill University, Suite 106, Wilson Hall, 3506 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2A7, Canada.
| | - Ansie Fouché
- Department of Social Wellbeing, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 15551, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; North-West University, Vanderbijlpark Campus, COMPRES Research Entity, Gauteng, South Africa.
| | - Sadiyya Haffejee
- Centre for Social Development in Africa, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Ilan Katz
- Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Kathryn Maguire-Jack
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Nadia Massarweh
- The Al-Qasemi Academic College of Education, P.O. Box 124, Baqa-El-Gharbia 3010000, Israel
| | - Michelle O'Reilly
- School of Media, Communication, and Sociology, University of Leicester and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, UK.
| | - Ashwini Tiwari
- The Institute of Public and Preventive Health, Augusta University, 1120 15th St, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
| | - Elmien Truter
- North-West University, Vanderbijlpark Campus, COMPRES Research Entity, Gauteng, South Africa.
| | | | - Hayley Walker-Williams
- North-West University, Vanderbijlpark Campus, COMPRES Research Entity, Gauteng, South Africa.
| | | | - Christine Werkele
- The Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W. - MIP 201A, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada.
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Côté-Corriveau G, Luu TM, Lewin A, Brousseau É, Ayoub A, Blaser C, Auger N. Hospitalization for child maltreatment and other types of injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 140:106186. [PMID: 37060690 PMCID: PMC10080276 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The possibility that child maltreatment was misclassified as unintentional injury during the COVID-19 pandemic has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE We assessed if child maltreatment hospitalizations changed during the pandemic, and if the change was accompanied by an increase in unintentional injuries. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING This study included children aged 0-4 years who were admitted for maltreatment or unintentional injuries between April 2006 and March 2021 in hospitals of Quebec, Canada. METHODS We used interrupted time series regression to estimate the effect of the pandemic on hospitalization rates for maltreatment, compared with unintentional transport accidents, falls, and mechanical force injuries. We assessed if the change in maltreatment hospitalization was accompanied by an increase in specific types of unintentional injury. RESULTS Hospitalizations for child maltreatment decreased from 16.3 per 100,000 (95 % CI 9.1-23.4) the year before the pandemic to 13.2 per 100,000 (95 % CI 6.7-19.7) during the first lockdown. Hospitalizations for most types of unintentional injury also decreased, but injuries due to falls involving another person increased from 9.0 to 16.5 per 100,000. Hospitalization rates for maltreatment and unintentional injury remained low during the second lockdown, but mechanical force injuries involving another person increased from 3.8 to 8.1 per 100,000. CONCLUSIONS Hospitalizations for child maltreatment may have been misclassified as unintentional injuries involving another person during the pandemic. Children admitted for these types of unintentional injuries may benefit from closer assessment to rule out maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Côté-Corriveau
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Thuy Mai Luu
- Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Antoine Lewin
- Medical Affairs and Innovation, Hema-Quebec, Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Émilie Brousseau
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Aimina Ayoub
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christine Blaser
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nathalie Auger
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Díaz-Faes DA, Vidal-Codina F, Segura A, Aguilar R, Pereda N. How the COVID-19 pandemic hit crime in Barcelona: Analysis of variation in crime trends. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY 2023; 20:792-816. [PMID: 38602935 PMCID: PMC10014451 DOI: 10.1177/14773708231156326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Objectives To compare the observed and forecasted crime trends in Barcelona, using crime statistics from January 2018 to March 2021. Methods We trained (seasonal) auto-regressive integrated moving average modelling (95% confidence intervals) using daily recorded crimes from January 2018 to February 2020. These models were then used to forecast crime data from March 2020 to March 2021 across four periods (lockdown, summer, fall and winter). Crime data were organized into two categories: property (burglary, theft) and violent crimes (robbery, assault, domestic violence and sexual offenses [rape, assault or abuse]). Results Overall, crime levels for property and violent crimes during lockdown declined sharply from the forecasted levels. Theft, burglary, assault, robbery and sexual offenses exhibited general decreases throughout the study period, with the same sharp declines during the lockdown, progressive recovery in the summer, and steady or slight reductions from fall to March 2021. Only domestic violence differed, reaching the forecasted levels for all periods and surpassing the forecast for summer 2020. Conclusions Our findings show how the pandemic has affected mid-term crime trends. They help to place the measures applied in the last year into context and to determine the most suitable policies to reduce crime during societal change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A. Díaz-Faes
- Department of Clinical Psychology and
Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat de
Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences
(UBNeuro), Universitat de
Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Vidal-Codina
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anna Segura
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Universitat de Vic – Universitat
Central de Catalunya, Vic, Spain
| | - Raúl Aguilar
- Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalan Police, Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noemí Pereda
- Department of Clinical Psychology and
Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat de
Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences
(UBNeuro), Universitat de
Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Shadik JA, Perkins NH, Heller N. Child welfare workers satisfaction and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: Perspectives of agency staff in Ohio. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 136:106000. [PMID: 36565583 PMCID: PMC9767888 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.106000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of children and families, created additional stressors, and increased risks for maltreatment. The pandemic has changed the way child welfare agencies operate, requiring changes to policies and practice. Minimal research has considered the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on child welfare workers wellbeing and job satisfaction. OBJECTIVE This mixed-methods research study seeks to understand CPS staff satisfaction, variables impacting satisfaction, and challenges that increased since the pandemic began for child welfare workers in Ohio. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING A sample of staff members (n = 267) from 50 CPS agencies across Ohio participated in the study. METHODS This mixed-methods study used logistic regression, chi square analyses, and thematic analysis to analyze the data from a survey sent to child welfare agencies in Ohio. RESULTS Caring for minor children, primary role at work, and years in child welfare were significantly associated with job satisfaction. Those working in foster care/placement, adoption/permanency, family support/visitation, kinship were 7.57 times more likely than those doing intake/investigation work to be satisfied with their job (p = .007). Thematic analysis of staff issues that increased during the pandemic resulted in six themes: Stress and Anxiety, Feeling Overwhelmed, Burnout, All, Motivation, and Isolation and Disconnection. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional stressors for child welfare staff. Practice implications are discussed to help increase job satisfaction, staff wellbeing, and mitigate turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Shadik
- Department of Social Work, Ohio University, Morton Hall 535, Athens, OH 45701, United States of America.
| | - Nathan H Perkins
- School of Social Work, Loyola University Chicago, 820 N Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, United States of America.
| | - Natalie Heller
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ohio University, Grover Center W218, Athens, OH 45701, United States of America.
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