Suicidal behavior sociocultural factors in developing countries during COVID-19

Assessing Evidence-Based Practice in Operating Room Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Southwest of Iran

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a clinical decision-making process that is grounded in the utilization of the most reliable and up-to-date evidence. It involves utilizing resources and evidence to enhance patient management. The application of evidence-based decisions in patient care and education is of utmost importance in the performance of health sciences students. However, the emphasis on this concept among operating room nursing students has been lacking. Hence, the objective of this research is to assess the implementation of evidence-based practice among operating room nursing students studying in the operating room department at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The study follows a descriptive, cross-sectional design, with a sample of 148 operating room nursing students selected through census sampling based on the student list. After obtaining informed consent, participants completed a demographic information form and the Rubin-Parrish evidence-based practice questionnaire. The data that were gathered underwent analysis through the utilization of SPSS version 22 software, employing descriptive statistics, T-tests, and Pearson correlation coefficient tests. The results revealed that the overall average score of evidence-based practice among the students exceeded the standard scores (172.66 ± 14.74). There was a significant association between the evidence-based practice score and prior familiarity with evidence-based practice, interest in the field of study, research experience, intention to participate in the Master's exam, and the participants' grade point average (GPA) (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that operating room nursing students displayed an average level of evidence-based practice, emphasizing the need for effective plans and strategies to improve their performance. Addressing the identified factors from this study becomes crucial in this regard.

Formulation of precise exercise intervention strategy for adolescent depression

The high incidence of adolescent depression has become the focus of social and academic attention. Exercise is an important method to improve adolescent depression, but its intervention effect is still controversial. This study first compares and analyzes the relevant studies at home and abroad and finds that exercise prescription in adolescent depression intervention is not accurate enough. A meta-analysis was conducted to develop a precise exercise intervention strategy for adolescent depression. Firstly, this thesis identified how to optimize five elements (exercise intensity, exercise frequency, exercise time, exercise cycle, and exercise type) of exercise prescription to improve depression in adolescents. This is the problem. Furthermore, the concept of "precision exercise" was proposed, and a precision exercise intervention strategy (moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 8-10 weeks, 3 times/week, 45-50 min/time) was constructed to improve adolescent depression. This paper also presents research that strengthens the cross-sectional research and empirical research on adolescent depression and establishes a precision exercise prescription database for adolescent depression in China. In conclusion, this study not only puts forward the concept of "precision exercise" but also constructs a precision exercise intervention strategy for adolescent depression, which has important theoretical and practical significance for improving the high incidence of adolescent depression.

Practice of Vietnamese tertiary learners' intercultural competence: An influential factor affecting entrepreneurial capabilities

Intercultural competence (IC) is believed to enhance new graduates' entrepreneurial capabilities and employability in this 21st century. This quantitative study investigates learners' perceived levels of IC, regarding its four components: knowledge, attitudes, skills, and awareness [1,2]. An online survey comprising 40 items adapted from Baroudi's questionnaire [3] based on Byram's conceptual framework of IC [1,2] was administered to learners at a recently established state university in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. 148 eligible respondents were recruited on a volunteer basis. SPSS was used to analyze collected data. Results show learners' high perceived level of IC. Learners' intercultural attitudes component was found to be at the highest perceived level. In addition, knowledge and skills equally stood at the lowest level of learners' perceived IC. Learners' gender and academic field did not affect their perceived IC levels. However, participants' academic major showed to have a significant impact on learners' intercultural awareness. The findings inform stakeholders about the appropriateness of currently-implemented curricula for intercultural education and raise their awareness of the possible gap between learners' perceived levels of IC and their actual IC. The study also contributes insights into the literature on the relationship between learners' IC and entrepreneurial capabilities and employability. Finally, suggestions for future studies on IC are included.

Perspectives on Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation in Nigeria: A Mixed-Methods Study of Patients, Family Caregivers, Clinicians, and the Public

BACKGROUND

Suicide and self-harm are global disease burden that contributes significantly to years of lost life and mortality. Despite the increasing rates of suicide and self-harm in Nigeria, this topic is understudied.

METHODS

A mixed-methods design was adopted. Study 1 interviewed n = 18 participants (n = 11 clinicians; n = 5 patients with a history of self-harm and suicide ideation; and n = 2 caregivers). All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using IPA. Study 2 surveyed n = 562 non-clinical sample about their tolerance toward self-harm and the data was analyzed using One-way ANOVA in SPSS.

RESULTS

Study 1 qualitative findings showed substance use, perceived rejection and social isolation were considered predisposing factors for suicide and self-harm. Cultural and religious beliefs shaped help-seeking behaviours. Although Study 2 found no significant differences in demographic characteristics concerning public tolerance toward persons with a history of self-harm, 64% believed that individuals who died by suicide would face punishment after death; 51% believed that victims of attempted suicide are a source of shame to their families; and 33.8% agreed that dying by suicide is the correct behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a history of self-harm and suicidal ideation consider family members and close friends as valuable sources of support. Due to the potential clinical implication of cultural and religious beliefs, as shown in the present study's findings, the authors recommend a co-development of culturally appropriate psychological intervention for persons with a history of self-harm and suicidal ideation to be tested in randomized control trials.

The Inter-Relationships Between Depressive Symptoms and Suicidality Among Macau Residents After the "Relatively Static Management" COVID-19 Strategy: A Perspective of Network Analysis

Background

Suicidality is a global public health problem which has increased considerably during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study examined the inter-relationships between depressive symptoms and suicidality using network analysis among Macau residents after the "relatively static management" COVID-19 strategy.

Methods

An assessment of suicidal ideation (SI), suicide plan (SP), suicide attempt (SA) and depressive symptoms was conducted with the use of individual binary response items (yes/no) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). In the network analysis, central and bridge symptoms were identified in the network through "Expected Influence" and "Bridge Expected Influence", and specific symptoms that were directly associated with suicidality were identified via the flow function. Network Comparison Tests (NCT) were conducted to examine the gender differences in network characteristics.

Results

The study sample included a total of 1008 Macau residents. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidality were 62.50% (95% CI = 59.4-65.5%) and 8.9% (95% CI = 7.2-10.9%), respectively. A network analysis of the sample identified SI ("Suicidal ideation") as the most central symptom, followed by SP ("Suicide plan") and PHQ4 ("Fatigue"). SI ("Suicidal ideation") and PHQ6 ("Guilt") were bridge nodes connecting depressive symptoms and suicidality. A flow network revealed that the strongest connection was between S ("Suicidality") and PHQ6 ("Guilt"), followed by S ("Suicidality") and PHQ 7 ("Concentration"), and S ("Suicidality") and PHQ3 ("Sleep").

Conclusion

The findings indicated that reduction of specific depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts may be relevant in decreasing suicidality among adults. Further, suicide assessment and prevention measures should address the central and bridge symptoms identified in this study.

Effectiveness of massage and range of motion exercises on muscle strength and intensive care unit-acquired weakness in Iranian patients with COVID-19: a randomized parallel-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Muscle weakness is prevalent in intensive care patients. This study focused on comparing the effects of massage and range of motion (ROM) exercises on muscle strength and intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

METHODS

This study was a randomized clinical trial that recruited patients (n=45) with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU and divided them into three groups (ROM exercises, massage, and control). We evaluated muscle strength and ICU-AW in the arms and legs using a hand dynamometer. The Medical Research Council sum score was determined before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

The study findings were that 0%, 20%, and 100% of the participants in the ROM exercises, massage, and control groups had ICU-AW on the 7th day of ICU admission. The ROM exercise group had greater muscle strength in the hands and legs than the massage and control groups, and the massage group had greater muscle strength than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Massage and ROM exercises could improve muscle strength and reduce ICU-AW in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU.

Mental health status of pregnant women during COVID-19 in healthcare centers of Iran: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted every single aspect of life. In addition to being a public health emergency, the COVID-19 outbreak impacted the mental health of individuals, especially pregnant women. This study aimed to examine the mental health status of pregnant women and also the effect of sociodemographic factors on their mental health status during COVID-19 in healthcare centers of Iran.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, analytical-descriptive study was conducted among pregnant women referring to healthcare centers in Shoushtar, Iran, in 2021. Multistage cluster sampling was used to select participants. Data were collected using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the association between quantitative variables. A generalized linear model (GLM) was applied to estimate the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable (mental health).

RESULTS

A total of 197 participants with a mean ± SD age of 27.85 ± 6.37 years took part in this study. The total mean score of mental health was estimated at 17.47±8.20. The highest mean ± SD score was, respectively, related to social dysfunction (6.63 ± 2.86), anxiety and insomnia (5.28 ± 3.53), and somatic symptoms (4.17 ± 3.27). Mental health disorder was significantly correlated with participants' age (R = .223, P = .00), number of pregnancy (gravida) (R = .272, P = .00), number of births (para) (R = 0.272, P = .00), and number of abortions (R = .172, P = .015). About 80% of pregnant women did not reveal impaired mental health conditions or psychological distress, while 19.3% showed scores that indicate probable mental health conditions.

CONCLUSION

Social dysfunction was the most common mental health problem among pregnant women. It is necessary to pay more attention to the mental health status of pregnant women during a pandemic. Interventions such as practical strategies to promote social support and improve pregnant women's mental health during pregnancy are highly important.

Knowledge structure and emerging trends of cognitive impairment induced by sleep deprivation: A bibliometric analysis based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer from 2000 to 2022

This paper implements a bibliometric approach to investigate the research hotspots and future research directions in the relevant field literature. It also offers research ideas and methods for preventing and treating cognitive impairment induced by sleep deprivation in the clinical setting. The evolution of various clusters in the field is summarized through Citespace's projection function for keywords in the literature. CiteSpace and Vosviewer are utilized to analyze and visualize the attributes of the articles, including number of publications, citation frequency, country/region, institution, journal, authors, keywords, and references, from the 2280 publications obtained. A total of 2280 publications were collected, with the number of papers and citations in the field continuously increasing year by year. The most influential country in this field is the United States, and the University of Washington is the most influential institution. The most authoritative journal in the field is identified as SLEEP. Sleep deprivation, prefrontal cortex, and performance are the current topics of interest. The article with the strongest citation burst, lasting from 2015 to 2018, is "Sleep Drives Metabolite Clearance from the Adult Brain." The most influential article and co-cited reference, "Neurocognitive Consequences of Sleep Deprivation," highlights that sleep deprivation from various causes may lead to cognitive impairment. Future research should investigate all forms of cognitive impairment resulting from sleep deprivation. The findings of this study will assist researchers in improving their knowledge structure, identifying research hotspots, and revealing future directions in the field.

Exposure to the COVID-19 news on social media and consequent psychological distress and potential behavioral change

Exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) news pandemic is inevitable. This study aimed to explore the association between exposure to COVID-19 news on social media and feeling of anxiety, fear, and potential opportunities for behavioral change among Iranians. A telephone-based survey was carried out in 2020. Adults aged 18 years and above were randomly selected. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to collect information on demographic variables and questions to address exposure to news and psychological and behavioral responses regarding COVID-19. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between anxiety, fear, behavioral responses, and independent variables, including exposure to news. In all, 1563 adults participated in the study. The mean age of respondents was 39.17 ± 13.5 years. Almost 55% of participants reported moderate to high-level anxiety, while fear of being affected by COVID-19 was reported 54.1%. Overall 88% reported that they had changed their behaviors to some extent. Exposure to the COVID-19 news on social media was the most influencing variable on anxiety (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.62-3.04; P < 0.0001), fear (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.49-2.56; P < 0.0001), and change in health behaviors (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.28-3.19; P = 0.003) in the regression model. The fear of being infected by the COVID19 was associated with the female gender and some socioeconomic characteristics. Although exposure to the COVID-19 news on social media seemed to be associated with excess anxiety and fear, it also, to some extent, had positively changed people's health behaviors towards preventive measures.

E-learning enhancement through educational data mining with Covid-19 outbreak period in backdrop: A review

E-learning is fast becoming an integral part of the teaching- learning process, particularly after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. Educational institutions across the globe are striving to enhance their e-learning instructional mechanism in accordance with the aspirations of present-day students who are widely using numerous technological tools - computers, tablets, mobiles, and Internet for educational purposes. In the wake of the evident incorporation of e-learning into the educational process, research related to the application of Educational Data Mining (EDM) techniques for enhancing e-learning systems has gained significance in recent times. The various data mining techniques applied by researchers to study hidden trends or patterns in educational data can provide valuable insights for educational institutions in terms of making the learning process adaptive to student needs. The insights can help the institutions achieve their ultimate goal of improving student academic performance in technology-assisted learning systems of the modern world. This review paper aims to comprehend EDM's role in enhancing e-learning environments with reference to commonly-used techniques, along with student performance prediction, the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on e-learning and priority e-learning focus areas in the future.

Tracking demands for seeking psychological help before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a quanti-qualitative study

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented burdens on individuals and communities around the world. The isolation, fear, and uncertainty caused by the virus has led to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The pandemic has also had a disproportionate impact on individuals and communities with low income and socioeconomic status.ObjectiveTo shed light on the consequences of the pandemic on individuals from minorities and low-income areas, we investigate the main reasons that led patients who were referred to a social clinic of a private university in Rio de Janeiro to seek psychological treatment before (2019) and during the pandemic (2020 and 2021).MethodsWe conducted a quanti-qualitative study with a lexical analysis that evaluated 549 complaint forms of patients seeking treatment in these two distinct periods. Our analyses included descending hierarchical analysis (DHA) and correspondence factor analysis (CFA).ResultsFamily dynamics and communication factors play a dominant role in the reason for seeking therapy and psychological treatment. Additionally, our study suggested an increase in anxiety and panic attacks among other mental health issues associated with grief and losses during the pandemic years.ConclusionBased on these analyses, we can begin to identify a few changes in the main demand and redirection of complaints of patients during the period of COVID-19.

Scientists' deficit perception of the public impedes their behavioral intentions to correct misinformation

This paper investigates the relationship between scientists' communication experience and attitudes towards misinformation and their intention to correct misinformation. Specifically, the study focuses on two correction strategies: source-based correction and relational approaches. Source-based approaches combatting misinformation prioritize sharing accurate information from trustworthy sources to encourage audiences to trust reliable information over false information. On the other hand, relational approaches give priority to developing relationships or promoting dialogue as a means of addressing misinformation. In this study, we surveyed 416 scientists from U.S. land-grant universities using a self-report questionnaire. We find that scientists' engagement in science communication activities is positively related to their intention to correct misinformation using both strategies. Moreover, the scientists' attitude towards misinformation mediates the relationship between engagement in communication activities and intention to correct misinformation. The study also finds that the deficit model perception-that is, the assumption that scientists only need to transmit scientific knowledge to an ignorant public in order to increase understanding and support for science-moderates the indirect effect of engagement in science communication activities on behavioral intention to correct misinformation using relational strategies through attitude towards misinformation. Thus, the deficit model perception is a barrier to engaging in relational strategies to correct misinformation. We suggest that addressing the deficit model perception and providing science communication training that promotes inclusive worldviews and relational approaches would increase scientists' behavioral intentions to address misinformation. The study concludes that scientists should recognize their dual positionality as scientists and members of their community and engage in respectful conversations with community members about science.

Potential mechanisms between psychotic-like experiences and suicidal ideation in the context of COVID-19: A longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE

Although many studies have found an association between psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and suicidal ideation (SI), the underlying psychological mechanisms have not been well established. Therefore, we conducted a longitudinal study in technical secondary school and college students to explore the role of fear-response to the COVID-19 and depression in the association between PLEs and SI in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

PLEs were assessed using the 15-item Positive Subscale of the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-P15). Depression, fear, and SI were assessed using the Psychological Questionnaire for Public Health Emergency (PQPHE). PLEs were evaluated before the pandemic (T1), and fear, depression, and SI were measured during the pandemic (T2).

RESULT

A total of 938 students completed both waves of the survey through electronic questionnaires. PLEs, fear, depression, and SI were all correlated with each other (all p < 0.01). T2 depression partly (58.2 %) mediated the relationship between T1 PLEs and T2 SI (b = 0.15, 95%CI = 0.10, 0.22). T2 Fear moderated the relationship between T1 PLEs and T2 depression (b = 0.05, 95%CI = 0.01, 0.09) and the relationship between T1 PLEs and T2 SI (b = 0.11, 95%CI = 0.06, 0.16).

CONCLUSION

PLEs are both directly and indirectly related to SI. Depression can result from PLEs and lead to the subsequent SI. Additionally, high levels of fear during the COVID-19 pandemic can aggravate the adverse impact of PLEs on mental health problems. These findings provide potential targets for future suicide prevention.

Mental Health Disorders and Coping Strategies in Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study in Southeastern Mexico

Mental health disorders are relatively common in the general population and were already an important issue for the healthcare sector before COVID-19. COVID-19, being a worldwide crucial event and evidently a great stressor has increased both the prevalence and incidence of these. Therefore, it is evident that COVID-19 and mental health disorders are closely related. Moreover, several coping strategies exist to endure said disorders such as depression and anxiety, which are used by the population to confront stressors, and healthcare workers are not the exception. This was an analytical cross-sectional study, conducted from August to November 2022, via an online survey. Prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed via the DASS-21 test, and coping strategies were assessed via the CSSHW test. The sample consisted of 256 healthcare workers and of those, 133 (52%) were males with a mean age of 40.4 ± 10.35, and 123 (48%) were females with a mean age of 37.28 ± 9.33. Depression was prevalent in 43%, anxiety in 48%, and stress in 29.7%. Comorbidities were a significant risk factor for both depression and anxiety with an OR of 10.9 and 4.18, respectively. The psychiatric background was a risk factor for depression with an OR of 2.17, anxiety with an OR of 2.43, and stress with an OR of 3.58. The age difference was an important factor in the development of depression and anxiety. The maladaptive coping mechanism was prevalent in 90 subjects and was a risk factor for depression (OR of 2.94), anxiety (OR of 4.46) and stress (OR of 3.68). The resolution coping mechanism was a protective factor for depression (OR of 0.35), anxiety (OR of 0.22), and stress (OR of 0.52). This study shows that mental health disorders are highly prevalent among healthcare workers in Mexico and that coping strategies are associated with their prevalence. It also implies that not only occupations, age, and comorbidities might affect mental health, but also the way patients confront reality and the behavior and decisions they take towards stressors.

Association Between Loneliness and Suicidal Behaviour: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

Suicide is a public health issue, and there are several factors leading to suicide, like mental illness and psychosocial stressors. Actual loneliness (living alone) and subjective loneliness (feeling of being alone) and different suicidal behaviors have been reported to have some link. This scoping review aimed to assess the association between loneliness and suicidal behaviour by exploring the existing literature.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted implementing the appropriate framework and in accord with the PRISMA-ScR extension. A PubMed database search was made using a combination of terms to find publications in English from 2011 to 2021. Studies were included if they reported quantitative outcomes of the association between loneliness and suicidal experiences, including suicidal thoughts, plans, and/or attempts. Screening and data charting of the published literature was conducted by a panel of authors. The accuracy and clarity of extracted data was checked by three reviewers.

RESULTS

Among 421 articles found, 31 full texts were evaluated based on exclusion and inclusion criteria, out of which, 18 papers that reported quantitative outcomes of the association between loneliness and suicidal experiences were included. We found that association between loneliness and suicidal behaviour is determined by individual, social and cultural factors. Co-existing mental illness, substance use disorder and economic hardship play an important role for the completion of suicide.

CONCLUSION

Loneliness is correlated with suicide, and the knowledge about this association could assist in the identification of suicidal individuals or those at elevated risk of suicidal behaviour. Future studies should focus on loneliness and its relation to suicidal ideation in individuals with different mental health disorders and personalities.

Could Intern Health Care Students Control Their Emotions and Make a Career Plan During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The negative effects of the pandemic caused students to make changes in their career plans and their ability to manage their emotional states. Not only health students in our country, but also students in other countries of the world experienced fear, anxiety, and unwillingness to participate in professional practices and the provision of care for patients with COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted to determine factors influencing intern healthcare students' career adaptability and their ability to manage emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 219 intern healthcare students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences Undergraduate Program of a University in the fall semester of the 2020 to 2021 academic year. The study data were collected online using the Personal Information Form, Career Adapt-Ability Scale (CAAS), and Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS). The data obtained were analyzed by using the independent samples t-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), correlation tests, and the regression model to distinguish variables significantly. Two models explained more than 50% of the variance of CAAS and CECS regarding COVID-19, and 5.1% of the career planning regarding the period during the COVID-19 pandemic (P < .05). As the students' control over their careers decreased during the COVID-19, their feelings of anxiety and unhappiness increased (P < .05). Of the variables, sex, department, future expectations, the position dreamed of being in after graduation, and attitudes toward patient care with COVID-19 affected their CAAS and CECS scores.

Evidence of mental health-related morbidities and its association with socio-economic status among previously hospitalized patients with symptoms of COVID-19 in Bangladesh

Introduction

The long-term impact of COVID-19 on mental health, particularly in relation to socio-economic vulnerabilities, has received little attention. This study reports the prevalence of mental health-related symptoms among previously hospitalized patients after recovery from COVID-19, and its association with socio-economic status (SES).

Methods

Data collection of this cross-sectional study was conducted during February-April 2021, among previously hospitalized patients with COVID-19 like symptoms, on average six months after their discharge from the hospital. Using DASS-21, a validated scale to document symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, information on mental health-related symptoms were recorded from 481 respondents along with sociodemographic and economic information through telephone interviews. Chi-square tests were performed to identify significant group differences. Multinomial logistic regression analyzed the association between the changes in socioeconomic characteristics and mental health-related symptoms. Relative index of inequality (RII), slope index of inequality (SII), and concentration index (CIX) were applied to capture relevant inequalities in relation to mental health-related symptoms.

Results

Eleven percent of the respondents reported changes in employment status, nearly half changes in income and expenditure. Forty-five percent reported symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or stress, and 12% reported coexistence of all three symptoms. Women [Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR: 2.95; 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 1.39-5.68], and those who reported changes in occupation [AOR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.01-9.08] and expenditure [AOR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.12-5.37] were more likely to report all three mental health-related symptoms compared to men and those without changes in occupation and expenditure. The older age group was less likely [AOR: 0.96; 95%CI: 0.93-0.99] to report coexistence of all three symptoms compared to their younger counterparts. Negative values of concentration index (CIX) indicate that any one mental health-related symptom was significantly concentrated among those with lower expenditure and poor SES.

Conclusion

This study will help in addressing mental health-related challenges after recovery from COVID-19 among the identified vulnerable groups through relevant community-based and clinical response, including counseling services, in Bangladesh and similar LMIC contexts.

Land-use and food security in energy transition: Role of food supply

Food security in a just energy transition is a growing debate about designing sustainable food secure networks worldwide. Energy transition, land-use change, and food security are crucial factors for food security and provision. The increased demand for food products and customer preferences regarding food safety provide various issues for the current agriculture food supply chain (AFSC). Along with rising sustainability concerns, strict government regulation, food security, and traceability concerns compel managers, business houses, and practitioners working in AFSC to adopt new tools, techniques, and methodologies to model current food supply chain problems. Thus, in turn, design the food logistics network for food security. Hence, this study investigates the core determinants of food security and supply in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon over the period of 2010–2019. In order to estimate the objectives of the study, we employ the fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares estimators (DOLS) to draw the study findings. However, the estimated results show a negative association of land use with food security and supply. Likewise, energy transition, gross domestic product, and agricultural value added (AVA) contribute to the food security supply. In contrast, urbanization's negative but insignificant contribution to the food supply in selected economies exists. Besides, another core objective of the study is to investigate the moderate role of the energy transition on the gross domestic product, agriculture sector, and land use and find the significant contribution to the food supply. However, the current study also tries forecasting for the next 10 years and employs the impulse response function (IRF) and variance decomposition analysis (VDA). Congruently, this study uses the pairwise panel causality test and finds exciting outcomes. The COVID-19 crisis has posed challenges such as energy consumption and food security issues. On behalf of the results, the current study proposes imperative policies to investigate the desired level of food supply. The findings provide valuable insights for experts, policymakers, and officials to take practical measures for energy use and food security challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic and mental health in pregnant women: A review article

A rapid spreading of the COVID-19 virus in recent years had a great impact on every single aspect of live and the world faced with unexpected and unpredictable crisis in both physical and mental condition. As with any crisis, vulnerable individuals like pregnant women were the concern of societies. Several physiological and psychological changes occur during pregnancy which put individuals in a risk of mental health problems. During the outbreak of the COVID-19, pregnant women have experienced more psychological stresses, fear, anxiety, and depression. The prenatal mental distresses and psychiatric disorders may cause poor compliance, reduce help-seeking behaviors, and neglect to take the follow up screening visits and risk of harm for mother and others. Addressing the mental health in pregnant women is crucial to prevent the consequences. The purpose of this narrative review was to investigate the available literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in pregnant women and provide some recommendations to improve mental health in them. It also shed some light on providing mental health services for women during pregnancy and can be used by health professionals and policymakers.

Explaining interpersonal differences in COVID-19 disease prevention behavior based on the health belief model and collective resilience theory: a cross-sectional study from Bolivia

BACKGROUND

Governments have attempted to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by issuing guidelines for disease prevention behavior (e.g., wearing masks, social distancing, etc.) and by enforcing these guidelines. However, while some citizens have complied with these guidelines, others have ignored them or have even participated in large-scale protests. This research aims both to understand the causes of such variation in citizens' adherence to government guidelines on disease prevention behavior and to extend the scientific literature on disease prevention to account for the collective resilience of a society to diseases. Thus, this research draws on the health belief model and collective resilience theory to develop hypotheses about the determinants of a citizen's disease prevention behavior. These hypotheses deal with how citizens' vulnerability, attitudes toward disease prevention, and social orientation are associated with COVID-19 prevention behaviors.

METHODS

From March 24 to April 4, 2020, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Bolivia. It included questions on demographic characteristics, chronic health problems, emotional burden, attitudes towards preventive behaviors, trust in public institutions, and culture. Among 5265 participants who clicked on the survey, 1857 at least partially filled it out. After removing data with missing responses to any variable, the final sample consists of 1231 respondents. The collected data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling.

RESULTS

Regarding a citizen's vulnerability, chronic health problems have a U-shaped association with disease prevention behavior. Moreover, age, female gender, and worries have positive associations with disease prevention behavior, whereas depression showed a negative association. Regarding attitudes toward disease prevention, trust in public institutions, and attitudes toward social distancing, a government-imposed lockdown and the enforcement of this lockdown showed positive associations with disease prevention behavior. Regarding social orientation, individualism and collectivism both have positive relationships with disease prevention behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

In the COVID-19 pandemic, a citizen's low vulnerability, weak social orientation, and beliefs about low benefits of disease prevention behavior are associated with poor compliance with guidelines on disease prevention behavior. More research on these associations would help generalize these findings to other populations and other public health crises.

Social Media Application as a New Paradigm for Business Communication: The Role of COVID-19 Knowledge, Social Distancing, and Preventive Attitudes

Business firms and the public have encountered massive consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has become the most significant challenge and influenced all communities. This research study focuses on exploring the relationship between COVID-19 knowledge, social distancing, individuals' attitudes toward social media use, and practices of using social media amid the COVID-19 crisis. This study examines how attitudes toward social media use mediate the linkage between COVID-19 knowledge, social distancing, and practices for social media use. This survey uses a non-probability convenience sampling approach to collect samples and recruit willing respondents with their consent for data collection. This study recorded the feedback from 348 participants who encountered the indirect/direct effects of nationwide lockdowns, restrictions on social gatherings, and COVID-19 infection. The findings validate the proposed hypotheses for their direct effects and indicate significant β-values, t-statistics, and the p-values at p <0.001. The results validate a relationship between the COVID-19 knowledge of and social distancing practices. Similarly, the results approved a positive link between social distancing and attitudes toward social media use amid COVID-19. The findings validate the relation between social distancing and attitudes toward social media use during COVID-19 challenges (β-value = 0.22 and t-statistics = 3.078). The results show the linkage between attitudes toward social media use and practices of using social media (β-value = 0.41, and t-statistics = 7.175). Individuals' attitude toward social media use during COVID-19 mediates the connection between COVID-19 knowledge and COVID-19 practices of using social media use. The results validate the first mediation at β-value = 0.21 and t-statistic = 5.327. Similarly, the findings approve that attitudes toward social media use in the pandemic have positively mediated the relation between distancing and practices for social media use amid the crisis of COVID-19 (β-value = 0.09 and t-statistic = 2.633). The findings indicate how people have been indulged in social media to pave their business communication needs. The results provide valuable insights for the global business community. This study provides a systematic and holistic research model that helps in exploring the consequences of COVID-19. The generalizability of the findings provides valuable directions for future research related to the current pandemic.

Examining the Relationship Between Product Market Competition and Chinese Firms Performance: The Mediating Impact of Capital Structure and Moderating Influence of Firm Size

This study emphasized the relationship between the Chinese companies' product market competition and organizational performance. This article explored the mediating effect of capital structure and the moderating impact of firm size in achieving better performance of Chinese companies. This study employed a sample of 2,502 Chinese firm observations and identified that market competition positively influenced firm performance. Additionally, capital structure partly mediated the relationship between product market competition and firm performance. Similarly, the present study also tested the moderating effect of firm size (both small and large) on the association between product market competition and firm performance. The results showed that moderating large businesses affects the nexus between product market competition and firm performance. Conversely, small firms' moderating role revealed a substantial adverse impact on the association between product market competition and firm performance. These findings contribute to the literature on the complex implications of market competition on business firms' performance. The results provide insightful and practical implications for future research directions.

COVID-19 and the Infodemic: An Overview of the Role and Impact of Social Media, the Evolution of Medical Knowledge, and Emerging Problems

The infodemic is an important component of the cyber-risk in regard to the poor and uncontrolled dissemination of information related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to perform a narrative review based on three points of view to allow for an overall picture of this issue. The points of view focused on: (a) the volume of use of social media (a key element of the infodemic) and the position of international health domain bodies; (b) the evolution of scientific production in the life sciences; (c) emerging issues. The research methodology was based on Google and PubMed searches and a qualification process based on a standard checklist and an evaluation of eligibility based on parameters with five score levels applied by two experts (plus one in case of discrepancy). The three points of view stressed the key role of social media as a dissemination tool of the infodemic among citizens. The impact on citizens depends on various social factors and involves indirect (e.g., vaccine avoidance) and direct risks such as mental problems and the risk of suicide. The widespread diffusion of social media, conveyed by mobile technologies, also suggests their use as countermeasures, calibrated based on citizens’ level of both technological and health literacy. Effective and promising countermeasures in this direction are based both on initiatives of contact by apps or SMS and the collection of data based on surveys and finalized to the particular intervention. The review also suggests as further areas of in-depth research: (a) to combat high-level infodemic produced by scientific publications that are not yet official (preprint) or that have undergone peer review with bias/distortion; (b) focusing on the impact of the infodemic considering its spread in different languages.

Nexus between integrating technology readiness 2.0 index and students' e-library services adoption amid the COVID-19 challenges: Implications based on the theory of planned behavior

BACKGROUND

The advent of the pandemic COVID-19 has resulted in a global crisis that resulted in the closure of universities and educational institutions worldwide. This study aims to explore the determinants of students' intention towards e-library services usage amid the challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper reviews the technology-oriented individual attitude based on four dimensions of the technology readiness 2.0 index factors, which affect medical students' perspectives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors provided a self-administered questionnaire to medical students to investigate their e-library adoption attitude during the COVID-19 crisis. The authors distributed 542 questionnaires, received 361 complete responses and analyzed the data through path modeling/partial least squares structural equations modeling technique (PLS-SEM) with the smart PLS software version 3.3.3. The structural equation-modelling tool permits the estimation of results.

RESULTS

The main finding revealed that medical students have a positive and explicit approach to use the services available at the e-library. Technology use and online services helped students continue their educational needs in the advent of the current pandemic COVID-19. Attitude and subjective norms have significant influence and are strong predictors of intention. However, due to inadequate support for the government side, the perceived behavioural control has an insignificant impact on intention. This paper indicated one of the pioneers investigating the determinants of e-library adoption among medical students based on technology-oriented personality traits, employing the four dimensions of the technology readiness 2.0 index during the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak.

CONCLUSION

The study's findings provide useful insight that offers valuable insights to implement specific strategies from the government officials to address medical students' uncertainties and increase the technology adoption amid the COVID-19 pandemic in medical education for developing nations.

Social Media Efficacy in Crisis Management: Effectiveness of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions to Manage COVID-19 Challenges

The new identified virus COVID-19 has become one of the most contagious diseases in human history. The ongoing coronavirus has created severe threats to global mental health, which have resulted in crisis management challenges and international concerns related to health issues. As of September 9, 2021, there were over 223.4 million patients with COVID-19, including 4.6 million deaths and over 200 million recovered patients reported worldwide, which has made the COVID-19 outbreak one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. The aggressive public health implementations endorsed various precautionary safety and preventive strategies to suppress and minimize COVID-19 disease transmission. The second, third, and fourth waves of COVID-19 continue to pose global challenges to crisis management, as its evolution and implications are still unfolding. This study posits that examining the strategic ripostes and pandemic experiences sheds light on combatting this global emergency. This study recommends two model strategies that help reduce the adverse effects of the pandemic on the immune systems of the general population. This present paper recommends NPI interventions (non-pharmaceutical intervention) to combine various measures, such as the suppression strategy (lockdown and restrictions) and mitigation model to decrease the burden on health systems. The current COVID-19 health crisis has influenced all vital economic sectors and developed crisis management problems. The global supply of vaccines is still not sufficient to manage this global health emergency. In this crisis, NPIs are helpful to manage the spillover impacts of the pandemic. It articulates the prominence of resilience and economic and strategic agility to resume economic activities and resolve healthcare issues. This study primarily focuses on the role of social media to tackle challenges and crises posed by COVID-19 on economies, business activities, healthcare burdens, and government support for societies to resume businesses, and implications for global economic and healthcare provision disruptions. This study suggests that intervention strategies can control the rapid spread of COVID-19 with hands-on crisis management measures, and the healthcare system will resume normal conditions quickly. Global economies will revitalize scientific contributions and collaborations, including social science and business industries, through government support.

Suicidal behaviour amid first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: Data from the COVID-19 mental health international (COMET-G) study

During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous social and life changes were implemented to curb the spread of the disease. The effect of lockdown and isolation predisposes the general population to various psychological health concerns. The existing determinants of suicidal behaviour were further added with social isolation, financial stress, depression, and other pandemic-related stressors. Hence, our study aimed to investigate suicidal behaviour and the associated factors among Malaysians during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a cross-sectional online questionnaire survey that used convenient sampling, where the survey was disseminated to the public via Google Forms through social media during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. This study is also part of a large international COVID-19 mental health international study for the general population (COMET-G). This research revealed concerns about issues related to suicidal behaviours during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicidal behaviours were associated with depression, sex, marital status, educational level, employment type, residential area, number of people living together, number of children, and family dynamics. The pandemic effects from psychological, social, and economic perspectives will definitely take more time for recovery. Future prevention and protection are needed especially for the highly at-risk group on top of the general population in any future unforeseen circumstances of the pandemic.