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McMahon J, Thompson DR, Brown Wilson C, Hill L, Tierney P, Cameron J, Yu DSF, Moser DK, Spilsbury K, Srisuk N, Schols JMGA, van der Velden-Daamen M, Mitchell G. Determining the Key Education Priorities Related to Heart Failure Care in Nursing Homes: A Modified Delphi Approach. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1546. [PMID: 39120249 PMCID: PMC11311690 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12151546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
There is currently a limited understanding of what nurses in nursing homes view as the key education priorities to support their ability to provide the appropriate care for residents with heart failure (HF). A modified Delphi technique was utilized to gain a consensus on the key education priorities for nurses working in nursing homes in Northern Ireland. An initial list of items (n = 58), across 19 domains, was generated using the findings of a scoping review and stakeholder interviews, and a review of available clinical guidelines. Two rounds of surveys were undertaken. Items were presented using a 5-point Likert scale, with an additional exercise in the second round to rank the domains in order of importance. Fifty-four participants completed the first-round survey and 34 (63%) returned to complete the second. The findings highlight the importance of providing nurses in nursing home settings with general HF education and the delivery of person-centered care. Participants perceived education around technology for the management of HF and quality improvement or research methodologies associated with HF in nursing homes as lower priorities. This study illuminates key priorities from nursing home nurses regarding HF education that are applicable to this care setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- James McMahon
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (D.R.T.); (C.B.W.); (L.H.); (P.T.); (G.M.)
| | - David R. Thompson
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (D.R.T.); (C.B.W.); (L.H.); (P.T.); (G.M.)
| | - Christine Brown Wilson
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (D.R.T.); (C.B.W.); (L.H.); (P.T.); (G.M.)
| | - Loreena Hill
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (D.R.T.); (C.B.W.); (L.H.); (P.T.); (G.M.)
| | - Paul Tierney
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (D.R.T.); (C.B.W.); (L.H.); (P.T.); (G.M.)
| | - Jan Cameron
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia;
| | - Doris S. F. Yu
- School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Debra K. Moser
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
| | - Karen Spilsbury
- School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9DA, UK;
| | - Nittaya Srisuk
- Faculty of Nursing, Rajamangala University of Technology, Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12110, Thailand;
| | - Jos M. G. A. Schols
- Department of Health Services Research and Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.M.G.A.S.); (M.v.d.V.-D.)
| | - Mariëlle van der Velden-Daamen
- Department of Health Services Research and Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.M.G.A.S.); (M.v.d.V.-D.)
| | - Gary Mitchell
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (D.R.T.); (C.B.W.); (L.H.); (P.T.); (G.M.)
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Szabó É, Kopjár E, Rumi L, Boronkai Á, Bellyei S, Gyöngyi Z, Zemplényi A, Sütő B, Girán J, Kiss I, Pozsgai É, Szanyi I. Changes in Time to Initial Physician Contact and Cancer Stage Distribution during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma at a Large Hungarian Cancer Center. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2570. [PMID: 39061209 PMCID: PMC11274479 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16142570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of our study was to compare the characteristics and time to initial physician contact in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic at a large Hungarian cancer center. This was a retrospective study of patients 18 years or older presenting at the regional cancer center of Pécs Clinical Center with HNSCC between 1 January 2017, and 15 March 2020 (the pre-COVID-19 period) and between 16 March 2020, and 13 May 2021 (the COVID-19 period). Demographic and clinical data were collected, and the time between initial symptom onset and initial physician contact (TTP) was determined. Descriptive and exploratory statistical analyses were performed. On average, the number of patients diagnosed with HNSCC per month during the pandemic decreased by 12.4% compared with the pre-COVID-19 period. There was a significant increase in stage I and stage II cancers (from 15.9% to 20.3% and from 12.2% to 13.8%, respectively; p < 0.001); a decrease in stage III and IVa,c cancers; and a significant increase in stage IVb cancers (from 6% to 19.9%; p < 0.001) during the pandemic. The median TTP increased during the pandemic from 43 to 61 days (p = 0.032). To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the effect of COVID-19 on patients with HNSCC in the Central-Eastern European region. We found a bidirectional shift in cancer stages and increased TTP during the pandemic. Our findings highlight the necessity for more nuanced analyses of the effects of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éva Szabó
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs, Munkácsy M. Street 2., 7621 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Eszter Kopjár
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs, Munkácsy M. Street 2., 7621 Pécs, Hungary
| | - László Rumi
- Urology Clinic, Clinical Center, University of Pécs, Munkácsy Mihaly Street 2, 7621 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Árpád Boronkai
- Department of Oncotherapy, Clinical Center, University of Pécs, Édesanyák Street 17, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Szabolcs Bellyei
- Department of Oncotherapy, Clinical Center, University of Pécs, Édesanyák Street 17, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Gyöngyi
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti Street 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Antal Zemplényi
- Center for Health Technology Assessment and Pharmacoeconomics Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Rákóczi Street 2, 7623 Pécs, Hungary
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Balázs Sütő
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Clinical Center, University of Pécs, Ifjúság Street 13, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - János Girán
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti Street 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - István Kiss
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti Street 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Éva Pozsgai
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Szigeti Street 12, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Primary Health Care, Medical School, University of Pécs, Rákóczi Street 2, 7623 Pécs, Hungary
| | - István Szanyi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs, Munkácsy M. Street 2., 7621 Pécs, Hungary
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Zhang L, Ye JF, Zhao X. "I Saw it Incidentally but Frequently": Exploring the Effects of Online Health Information Scanning on Lung Cancer Screening Behaviors Among Chinese Smokers. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38683113 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2345948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
In China, lung cancer is the most common cancer with high mortality. While prior research suggests that health information scanning influences cancer screening within the general population, a deeper exploration of the underlying mechanisms is imperative. This study specifically targets smokers, aiming to investigate whether online health information scanning can effectively encourage lung cancer screening and elucidate the mechanisms driving this association. Data were extracted from a Chinese national survey conducted between January and September 2023, exclusively involving current smokers (N = 992). A moderated mediation model was employed to examine a cognitive-affective sequential chain of mediation through risk perceptions and cancer worry. Results showed that 99.1% of Chinese smokers reported online health information scanning, which possessed significant influence. Online health information scanning was positively associated with effective lung cancer screening among smokers directly (OR = 1.927, p < .01) and indirectly (OR = .065, p < .001). The perceived threat of smoking and cancer worry served as the cognitive and affective mediating mechanisms. Furthermore, a moderating effect of eHealth literacy was observed (OR = 6.292, p < .05). Smokers with higher eHealth literacy are more inclined to undergo effective lung cancer screening. Based on these findings, public health sectors should leverage online platforms to disseminate tailored cancer screening education and implement initiatives to enhance public eHealth literacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luxi Zhang
- Department of Communication/Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau
| | - Jizhou Francis Ye
- Department of Communication/Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau
| | - Xinshu Zhao
- Department of Communication/Institute of Collaborative Innovation/Center for Research in Greater Bay Area, University of Macau
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Sun D, Zhao G. The impact of Public Health Emergency (PHE) on the news dissemination strength: Evidence from Chinese-Speaking Vloggers on YouTube. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294665. [PMID: 38019822 PMCID: PMC10686435 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
News dissemination plays a vital role in supporting people to incorporate beneficial actions during public health emergencies, thereby significantly reducing the adverse influences of events. Based on big data from YouTube, this research study takes the declaration of COVID-19 National Public Health Emergency (PHE) as the event impact and employs a DiD model to investigate the effect of PHE on the news dissemination strength of relevant videos. The study findings indicate that the views, comments, and likes on relevant videos significantly increased during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Moreover, the public's response to PHE has been rapid, with the highest growth in comments and views on videos observed within the first week of the public health emergency, followed by a gradual decline and returning to normal levels within four weeks. In addition, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, in the context of different types of media, lifestyle bloggers, local media, and institutional media demonstrated higher growth in the news dissemination strength of relevant videos as compared to news & political bloggers, foreign media, and personal media, respectively. Further, the audience attracted by related news tends to display a certain level of stickiness, therefore this audience may subscribe to these channels during public health emergencies, which confirms the incentive mechanisms of social media platforms to foster relevant news dissemination during public health emergencies. The proposed findings provide essential insights into effective news dissemination in potential future public health events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Sun
- School of Economics, Hunan Institute of Engineering, Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China
| | - Guochang Zhao
- Research Institute of Economics and Management, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
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Viola F, Formenti B, Arsuffi S, Polesini I, Focà E, Castelli F, Quiros-Roldan E. Knowledge and Attitudes towards HIV and HCV among the Population Attending the Fast-Track Cities Mobile Unit in Brescia, Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6878. [PMID: 37835148 PMCID: PMC10572916 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20196878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department of the University of Brescia organized free rapid screening tests for HIV and HCV as part of the Fast-Track City commitment. A cross-sectional study was conducted, consisting of an anonymous multiple-choice questionnaire that was administered to individuals who underwent the screening or consultation. The study aimed to compare knowledge and attitudes towards HIV and HCV between age groups (18-40 vs. >40) and sexual orientations (heterosexual vs. LGBTQ+). Overall, 333 questionnaires were completed. Overall, only 107 (32%) of respondents knew how HIV is transmitted. Major differences were shown between different age groups, where people under the age of 40 had a significantly higher correct response rate than people over 40 (n = 101; 39% versus n = 6; 7.8%, p < 0.00001). Similarly, almost half of LGBTQI+ people (n = 28; 44.4%) gave the correct answer, versus 30% (n = 79) of heterosexuals (p = 0.0359). Only 9.6% of the population demonstrated high levels of knowledge for both HIV and HCV. Our study highlights that misconceptions about HIV and HCV should be addressed in prevention and education programs, whose target should also be specific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Viola
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.V.)
| | - Beatrice Formenti
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.V.)
- UNESCO Chair in Training and Empowering Human Resources for Health Development in Resource-Limited Countries, University of Brescia, Piazza del Mercato, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefania Arsuffi
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.V.)
| | - Itala Polesini
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.V.)
| | - Emanuele Focà
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.V.)
| | - Francesco Castelli
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.V.)
- UNESCO Chair in Training and Empowering Human Resources for Health Development in Resource-Limited Countries, University of Brescia, Piazza del Mercato, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Eugenia Quiros-Roldan
- Division of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili Hospital, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (F.V.)
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6
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Guo H, Zhang J, Feng S, Zhou Y, Fan A, Wang M. Information dissemination during public health emergencies: analysing the international flow of COVID-19-related news. DISASTERS 2023; 47:995-1024. [PMID: 37115625 DOI: 10.1111/disa.12587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
A large-scale exchange of information between media across national borders is frequently observed when a worldwide public health emergency occurs. This study investigated the global news citation network in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic by analysing the network structure at different levels to identify important nodes and the relationships among news organisations. The results show that COVID-19-related international news flow had a complex and unequal pattern, with a few countries and media outlets occupying a prominent place in the network and three media groups played key but different roles in disseminating the news. It was jointly influenced by national traits, the relatedness between countries, and the pandemic emergency with public health risks. From a global perspective, the media of the United States, mainland China, and the United Kingdom played the most important parts in collaboration within the world media system in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Guo
- Associate Professor in information science at the Business School, Hohai University, China
| | - Jiandong Zhang
- Research Assistant at the Business School, Hohai University, China
| | - Shihui Feng
- Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yanli Zhou
- Master's student at the Business School, Hohai University, China
| | - Anrong Fan
- Research Assistant at the Business School, Nankai University, China
| | - Minhong Wang
- Professor and Director of the KM&EL Lab at the Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Eastern Scholar Chair Professor at East China Normal University, China
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McMahon J, Brown Wilson C, Hill L, Tierney P, Thompson DR, Cameron J, Yu D, Moser DK, Spilsbury K, Srisuk N, Schols JMGA, van der Velden M, Mitchell G. Optimising quality of life for people living with heart failure in care homes: Protocol for the co-design and feasibility testing of a digital intervention. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288433. [PMID: 37432917 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) affects up to 64.3 million people globally. Advancements in pharmaceutical, device or surgical therapies, have led to patients living longer with HF. Heart failure affects 20% of care home residents, with these individuals presenting as older, frailer, and with more complex needs compared to those living at home. Thus, improving care home staff (e.g., registered nurse and care assistant) knowledge of HF has the potential to benefit patient care and reduce acute care utilization. Our aim is to co-design, and feasibility test, a digital intervention to improve care home staff knowledge of HF and optimise quality of life for those living with the condition in long-term residential care. METHODS Using a logic model, three workstreams have been identified. Workstream 1 (WS1), comprised of three steps, will inform the 'inputs' of the model. First, qualitative interviews (n = 20) will be conducted with care home staff to identify facilitators and barriers in the provision of care to people with HF. Concurrently, a scoping review will be undertaken to synthesise current evidence of HF interventions within care homes. The last step will involve a Delphi study with 50-70 key stakeholders (for example care home staff, people with HF and their family and friends) to determine key education priorities related to HF. Using data from WS1, a digital intervention to improve care home staff knowledge and self-efficacy of HF will be co-designed in workstream 2 (WS2) alongside those living with HF or their carers, HF professionals, and care home staff. Lastly, workstream 3 (WS3) will involve mixed-methods feasibility testing of the digital intervention. Outcomes include staff knowledge on HF and self-efficacy in caring for HF residents, intervention usability, perceived benefits of the digital intervention on quality of life for care home residents, and care staff experience of implementing the intervention. DISCUSSION As HF affects many care home residents, it is vital that care home staff are equipped to support people living with HF in these settings. With limited interventional research in this area, it is envisaged that the resulting digital intervention will have relevance for HF resident care both nationally and internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- James McMahon
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | | | - Loreena Hill
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Tierney
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - David R Thompson
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Jan Cameron
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Doris Yu
- School of Nursing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Debra K Moser
- College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Karen Spilsbury
- School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Nittaya Srisuk
- Faculty of Nursing, Surat Thani Rajabhat University, Surat Thani, Thailand
| | - Jos M G A Schols
- Department of Health Services Research and Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mariëlle van der Velden
- Department of Health Services Research and Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gary Mitchell
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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Meskher H, Mustansar HC, Thakur AK, Sathyamurthy R, Lynch I, Singh P, Han TK, Saidur R. Recent trends in carbon nanotube (CNT)-based biosensors for the fast and sensitive detection of human viruses: a critical review. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:992-1010. [PMID: 36798507 PMCID: PMC9926911 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00236a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic, with its numerous variants including Omicron which is 50-70% more transmissible than the previously dominant Delta variant, demands a fast, robust, cheap, and easily deployed identification strategy to reduce the chain of transmission, for which biosensors have been shown as a feasible solution at the laboratory scale. The use of nanomaterials has significantly enhanced the performance of biosensors, and the addition of CNTs has increased detection capabilities to an unrivaled level. Among the various CNT-based detection systems, CNT-based field-effect transistors possess ultra-sensitivity and low-noise detection capacity, allowing for immediate analyte determination even in the presence of limited analyte concentrations, which would be typical of early infection stages. Recently, CNT field-effect transistor-type biosensors have been successfully used in the fast diagnosis of COVID-19, which has increased research and commercial interest in exploiting current developments of CNT field-effect transistors. Recent progress in the design and deployment of CNT-based biosensors for viral monitoring are covered in this paper, as are the remaining obstacles and prospects. This work also highlights the enormous potential for synergistic effects of CNTs used in combination with other nanomaterials for viral detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hicham Meskher
- Department of Process Engineering, Kasdi-Merbah University Ouargla 30000 Algeria
| | | | - Amrit Kumar Thakur
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology Arasur Coimbatore 641407 Tamil Nadu India
| | - Ravishankar Sathyamurthy
- Mechanical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Dhahran 31261 Saudi Arabia
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Renewable Energy and Power Systems (IRC-REPS), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Dhahran 31261 Saudi Arabia
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT UK
| | - Punit Singh
- Institute of Engineering and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, GLA University Mathura Uttar Pradesh 281406 India
| | - Tan Kim Han
- Research Centre for Nano-Materials and Energy Technology (RCNMET), School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University No. 5, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway Petaling Jaya 47500 Malaysia
| | - Rahman Saidur
- Research Centre for Nano-Materials and Energy Technology (RCNMET), School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University No. 5, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway Petaling Jaya 47500 Malaysia
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9
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Mavragani A, Kyriopoulos I, Wong BLH, Mossialos E. The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Digital Health-Seeking Behavior: Big Data Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of Google Trends. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e42401. [PMID: 36603152 PMCID: PMC9848442 DOI: 10.2196/42401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the emergency responses early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital health in health care increased abruptly. However, it remains unclear whether this introduction was sustained in the long term, especially with patients being able to decide between digital and traditional health services once the latter regained their functionality throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE We aim to understand how the public interest in digital health changed as proxy for digital health-seeking behavior and to what extent this change was sustainable over time. METHODS We used an interrupted time-series analysis of Google Trends data with break points on March 11, 2020 (declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization), and December 20, 2020 (the announcement of the first COVID-19 vaccines). Nationally representative time-series data from February 2019 to August 2021 were extracted from Google Trends for 6 countries with English as their dominant language: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland. We measured the changes in relative search volumes of the keywords online doctor, telehealth, online health, telemedicine, and health app. In doing so, we capture the prepandemic trend, the immediate change due to the announcement of COVID-19 being a pandemic, and the gradual change after the announcement. RESULTS Digital health search volumes immediately increased in all countries under study after the announcement of COVID-19 being a pandemic. There was some variation in what keywords were used per country. However, searches declined after this immediate spike, sometimes reverting to prepandemic levels. The announcement of COVID-19 vaccines did not consistently impact digital health search volumes in the countries under study. The exception is the search volume of health app, which was observed as either being stable or gradually increasing during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the increased public interest in digital health associated with the pandemic did not sustain, alluding to remaining structural barriers. Further building of digital health capacity and developing robust digital health governance frameworks remain crucial to facilitating sustainable digital health transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilias Kyriopoulos
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Steering Committee, Digital Health Section, European Public Health Association, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Elias Mossialos
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Singh S, Koundinya K, Bobdey S, Teli P, Yadav AK, Kaushik SK. Social stigma and discrimination faced by COVID-19 patients in an industrial unit: Findings of survey from rural Maharashtra. Ind Psychiatry J 2023; 32:43-47. [PMID: 37274591 PMCID: PMC10236673 DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_65_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Uncertain situation of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to fear, stigma, and discrimination across all strata of society in varying proportions. Stigmatization increases the suffering of people or those who are at risk of getting the disease and make it harder for public health authorities to control the disease. Material and Methods The present study is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey conducted over a period of four weeks in the month of July 2021 in a food industry in rural region of western Maharashtra among COVID-19 positive patients. A total of 152 participants were included in the study. The data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 20). Descriptive statistics were used which included frequencies and percentages. Results 64.5% of the participants were males and 35.5% were females. Approx. 85% of the participants were in age group 15-58 years. 100% of them reported to have faced fear on being tested COVID-19 positive. However, only approx. 2-5% individuals hid their illness from family and friends and 7.9% of them were afraid of getting hospitalized. Conclusion It was found that fear was prevalent among all survivors but stigma was found to be minimal which is likely due to widespread awareness through media, IEC campaigns, and active involvement of administration in implementing policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeet Singh
- Department of Community Medicine, AFMC, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kunal Koundinya
- Department of Community Medicine, AFMC, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Saurabh Bobdey
- Department of Community Medicine, AFMC, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Prabhakar Teli
- Department of Community Medicine, AFMC, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Arun K. Yadav
- Department of Community Medicine, AFMC, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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11
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Psychological and behavioral responses to the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic: A comparative study of Hong Kong, Singapore, and the U.S. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275854. [PMID: 36215259 PMCID: PMC9551632 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
What is the effect of declaring a pandemic? This research assesses behavioral and psychological responses to the WHO declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the U.S. We surveyed 3,032 members of the general public in these three regions about the preventative actions they were taking and their worries related to COVID-19. The WHO announcement on March 11th, 2020 created a quasi-experimental test of responses immediately before versus after the announcement. The declaration of the pandemic increased worries about the capacity of the local healthcare system in each region, as well as the proportion of people engaging in preventative actions, including actions not recommended by medical professionals. The number of actions taken correlates positively with anxiety and worries. Declaring the COVID-19 crisis as a pandemic had tangible effects-positive (increased community engagement) and negative (increased generalized anxiety)-which manifested differently across regions in line with expectancy disconfirmation theory.
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12
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Pieniak M, Oleszkiewicz A, Avaro V, Calegari F, Hummel T. Olfactory training - Thirteen years of research reviewed. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104853. [PMID: 36064146 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The sense of smell is interrelated with psychosocial functioning. Olfactory disorders often decrease quality of life but treatment options for people with olfactory loss are limited. Additionally, olfactory loss accompanies and precedes psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Regular, systematic exposure to a set of odors, i.e., olfactory training (OT) has been offered for rehabilitation of the sense of smell in clinical practice. As signals from the olfactory bulb are directly projected to the limbic system it has been also debated whether OT might benefit psychological functioning, i.e., mitigate cognitive deterioration or improve emotional processing. In this review we synthesize key findings on OT utility in the clinical practice and highlight the molecular, cellular, and neuroanatomical changes accompanying olfactory recovery in people with smell loss as well as in experimental animal models. We discuss how OT and its modifications have been used in interventions aiming to support cognitive functions and improve well-being. We delineate main methodological challenges in research on OT and suggest areas requiring further scientific attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Pieniak
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany; University of Wrocław, Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Anna Oleszkiewicz
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany; University of Wrocław, Faculty of Historical and Pedagogical Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Vittoria Avaro
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Federico Calegari
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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13
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Foreign to all but fluent in many: The effect of multinationality on shock resilience. JOURNAL OF WORLD BUSINESS 2022; 57:101370. [PMCID: PMC9286760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jwb.2022.101370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The sudden COVID-19 pandemic sent shockwaves through international markets. This paper studies the relation between multinationality and risk. While IB literature agrees that internationalization, in times of relative stability, increases systematic risk, we argue that internationalization also improves resilience against exogenous shocks. Leveraging the sequential COVID-waves as a unique empirical laboratory, we show that although multinationality causes liability of foreignness that increases systematic risk, it also generates an asset of multinationality that enhances shock resilience. Yet this advantage of internationalized firms gradually erodes as less internationalized firms learn about the shock and investors adapt their valuations to the post-shock reality.
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14
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Nagasivam A, Fryatt R, de Habich M, Johns B. Exploring the relationship between national governance indicators and speed of initial government response to COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2022; 4:100309. [PMID: 36061136 PMCID: PMC9420690 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2022.100309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to explore the relationship between national governance and country response to the COVID-19 pandemic in low- and middle-income countries, to support preparedness for the next pandemic. We conducted a statistical analysis of 116 countries, examining the relationship between speed of initial response and measures of national governance. Study design Observational study, with individual countries as the unit of analysis. Methods We used logistic regression to look for associations between quicker initial government response and four national governance indicators: Government Effectiveness, Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism, Voice and Accountability, and Corruption Perceptions Index. Results A quicker initial government response was associated with countries with higher Government Effectiveness (OR 13.92 95% CI 3.69-52.48, p < 0.001) and lower Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.09-0.57, p = 0.002). There was no relationship observed between speed of initial government response and Voice and Accountability or Corruption Perceptions Index. Other factors associated with quicker initial response were small population size, experiencing first COVID-19 case after the pandemic declaration, not having previous experience with SARS-CoV1 or MERS and not being an island nation. Conclusions This study shows that having higher state policy and implementation capacity, and lower political stability was associated with a quicker initial pandemic response. Limitations of this study include the use of crude national level indicators and broad categorisations of countries into quicker and slower responders. Deeper enquiry into the early decision-making processes taken at the national executive level within individual countries may help clarify the observed associations further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahimza Nagasivam
- School of Public Health, Health Education England, 4 Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1B 5DN, UK,Corresponding author.
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15
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Wang Z, Xiao H, Lin L, Tang K, Unger JM. Geographic social inequalities in information-seeking response to the COVID-19 pandemic in China: longitudinal analysis of Baidu Index. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12243. [PMID: 35851060 PMCID: PMC9293890 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16133-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic alarmed the public and initiated the uptake of preventive measures. However, the manner in which the public responded to these announcements, and whether individuals from different provinces responded similarly during the COVID-19 pandemic in China, remains largely unknown. We used an interrupted time-series analysis to examine the change in Baidu Search Index of selected COVID-19 related terms associated with the COVID-19 derived exposure variables. We analyzed the daily search index in Mainland China using segmented log-normal regressions with data from Jan 2017 to Mar 2021. In this longitudinal study of nearly one billion internet users, we found synchronous increases in COVID-19 related searches during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent local outbreaks, irrespective of the location and severity of each outbreak. The most precipitous increase occurred in the week when most provinces activated their highest level of response to public health emergencies. Search interests increased more as Human Development Index (HDI) -an area level measure of socioeconomic status—increased. Searches on the index began to decline nationwide after the initiation of mass-scale lockdowns, but statistically significant increases continued to occur in conjunction with the report of major sporadic local outbreaks. The intense interest in COVID-19 related information at virtually the same time across different provinces indicates that the Chinese government utilizes multiple channels to keep the public informed of the pandemic. Regional socioeconomic status influenced search patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhicheng Wang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, No 30 Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100084, China.,School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,China Development Research Foundation, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Xiao
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA. .,, Seattle, USA.
| | - Leesa Lin
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health (D24H), Hong Kong Science Park, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kun Tang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, No 30 Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Joseph M Unger
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
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16
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Abstract
Although successive pandemic episodes adversely affect populations and it remains difficult to assess their long-term extent and impact, they may, paradoxically, have a positive effect. In fact, they can promote awareness by reviving a form of reflexivity with respect to public health, economic and social policies, and by driving in-depth reflection on the measures that must be taken to limit the current and future imbalances caused by human activity. Habermas emphasises that the reflexive “push” is no longer just a matter for experts; it is also collective, historical, and political, in the sense that it involves citizens who intend to weigh in on the debate and make their voices and wishes heard by policy-makers and economic actors. Reflecting upon the ethics of responsibility (Weber) is therefore essential. If we are to follow Giddens and Habermas’ thinking, this reflexivity represents an integral part of the modern age. Our intention, in this article, is to show how major events, beyond an initial period of shock, can help to awake different levels of reflexivity in individuals.
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17
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Managi S, Chen Z. Social-economic impacts of epidemic diseases. TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE 2022; 175:121316. [PMID: 34728863 PMCID: PMC8554749 DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Managi
- Urban Institute & Department of Civil Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Zhuo Chen
- College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States
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18
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Managi S, Chen Z. Social-economic impacts of epidemic diseases. TECHNOLOGICAL FORECASTING AND SOCIAL CHANGE 2022. [PMID: 34728863 DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Managi
- Urban Institute & Department of Civil Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Zhuo Chen
- College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States
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19
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Dalabih A, Young HL, Frenner RA, Stroud MH, Boyanton BL. SARS-CoV-2 Prevention Measures Concomitantly Attenuate Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection Rates. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2022; 61:137-140. [PMID: 35132903 DOI: 10.1177/00099228211067898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah Dalabih
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Heather L Young
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | | | - Michael H Stroud
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Bobby L Boyanton
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, USA
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20
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Ashworth R, Bassett Z, Webb J, Savage S. Risk, worry and motivation: How is public knowledge of dementia shaped? DEMENTIA 2021; 21:851-861. [PMID: 34967225 DOI: 10.1177/14713012211064740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Due to the concern over global rising rates of dementia, increased emphasis has been placed on understanding and moulding the public's knowledge and awareness of the condition. There has been limited previous research into predictors of dementia knowledge; overall knowledge amongst the public is low, and it has been widely agreed that more needs to be done to raise awareness of this condition. This study seeks to solidify understanding of public dementia knowledge and introduces dementia worry, motivation to seek information and risk perception as novel concomitants of this knowledge. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A convenience sample of 311 UK adults completed a survey on dementia knowledge including Alzheimer's disease-specific questions, worry about developing dementia, motivation to seek information and perceived personal risk of getting the disease. Surveys were completed face-to-face and included both closed and open-ended questions. RESULTS Overall dementia knowledge scores were low, achieving an average of 33% of the total possible score, with 88% of the sample scoring below 50%. Bivariate correlations were performed between dementia knowledge and key variables, revealing significant positive relationships with risk perception (r = 0.179, p = .002), worry (r = 0.140, p = .016) and motivation to seek information (r = 0.139, p = .016). When knowledge was dichotomised into high and low, worry about (p = .28) and perceived risk (p = .19) of dementia was significantly lower for people with low knowledge scores than for people with higher dementia knowledge scores. Motivation to seek information was not significantly different between the high and low knowledge groups (p = .071). DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Despite the relatively low knowledge scores, findings show a positive relationship between modifiable factors and dementia knowledge, suggesting areas to consider for both further research and publication campaigns. Further implications and limitations of this study are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalie Ashworth
- Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, 1251NHS Tayside, Dundee, UK
| | - Zoe Bassett
- 3286Graduate University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Jake Webb
- 3286Graduate University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Sharon Savage
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle, AU-NSW, Australia
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21
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Young people are not blameworthy: the generation's awareness of COVID-19 and behavioral responses. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23595. [PMID: 34880326 PMCID: PMC8654866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03036-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has been ongoing for more than a year, young people have been the subject of vigilant scrutiny and criticism regarding their active engagement in social activities. We posed the question of whether young people's response to COVID-19 was different from that of other generations and analyzed awareness and behavior to investigate this question. Specifically, we examined internet searches for information on COVID-19 and credit card consumption in South Korea among young people in their 20s and compared them to a reference group of people in their 50s. Our research has confirmed that there was no statistically significant difference between young people and the reference group in this regard. Furthermore, in the 25 sub-sectors of industry we examined, young people's consumption activities recovered significantly faster than the reference group in only three sub-sectors. This study demonstrated that young people showed stronger interest than the reference group in their response to COVID-19, and that they cooperated with the government’s social distancing policy by reducing their activities. Through this study, we presented a scientific approach for evaluating young people in regard to their response to COVID-19, offering useful implications for designing appropriate policies for public health.
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22
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Lyu JC, Luli GK, Ling PM. Vaping discussion in the COVID-19 pandemic: An observational study using Twitter data. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260290. [PMID: 34879077 PMCID: PMC8654216 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the spread of COVID-19, significant concerns have been raised about the potential increased risk for electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users for COVID-19 infection and related syndromes. Social media is an increasingly popular source for health information dissemination and discussion, and can affect health outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify the topics in the public vaping discussion in COVID-19-related Twitter posts in order to get insight into public vaping-related perceptions, attitudes and concerns, and to discern possible misinformation and misconceptions around vaping in the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Using the tweets ID database maintained by Georgia State University's Panacea Lab, we downloaded the tweets related to COVID-19 from March 11, 2020, when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, to February 12, 2021. We used R to analyze the tweets that contained a list of 79 keywords related to vaping. After removing duplicates and tweets created by faked accounts or bots, the final data set consisted of 11,337 unique tweets from 7,710 different users. We performed the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) algorithm for topic modeling and carried out a sentiment analysis. RESULTS Despite fluctuations, the number of daily tweets was relatively stable (average number of daily tweets = 33.4) with a sole conspicuous spike happening on a few days after August 11, 2020 when a research team published findings that teenagers and young adults who vape face a much higher risk of COVID-19 infection than their peers who do not vape. Topic modeling generated 8 topics: linkage between vaping and risk of COVID-19 infection, vaping pneumonia and the origin of COVID-19, vaping and spread of COVID-19, vaping regulation, calling for quitting vaping, protecting youth, similarity between e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) and COVID-19, and sales information. Daily sentiment scores showed that the public sentiment was predominantly negative, but became slightly more positive over the course of the study time period. CONCLUSIONS While some content in the public discourse on vaping before the COVID-19 pandemic continued in Twitter posts during the COVID-19 time period, new topics emerged. We found a substantial amount of anti-vaping discussion and dominantly negative sentiment around vaping during COVID-19, a sharp contrast to the predominantly pro-vaping voice on social media in the pre-COVID-19 period. Continued monitoring of social media conversations around vaping is needed, and the public health community may consider using social media platforms to actively convey scientific information around vaping and vaping cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Chen Lyu
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Garving K. Luli
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Pamela M. Ling
- Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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23
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Assessment of the National Test Strategy on the Development of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Denmark. EPIDEMIOLGIA (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 2:540-552. [PMID: 36417215 PMCID: PMC9620886 DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia2040037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Denmark has pursued a mass testing strategy culminating in the testing of 12.167 individuals per 100,000 inhabitants per day during the spring of 2021. The strategy included free access to COVID-19 testing, and since 2021, compulsory documentation for negative tests or vaccination has been required for access to workplace, educational institutions, restaurants, and many other places. Testing and subsequent isolation if testing was positive were voluntary. The present study provides an analysis of whether testing frequency in Denmark showed any correlation to hospitalizations throughout the relevant stages of the pandemic. Mass testing was found not to correlate significantly with the number of hospitalizations during the pandemic. Interestingly, during the highest level of testing in spring 2021 the fraction of positive tests increased slightly; thus, the Danish mass testing strategy, at its best, failed to reduce the prevalence of COVID-19. Furthermore, the relationship between positives in antigen testing and in rt-PCR testing indicated that many patients were not tested early in their infection when the risk of transmission was at the highest. In conclusion, the Danish mass testing strategy for COVID-19 does not appear to have a detectable correlation to the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19.
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24
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Covid-19 and organisational development: important signs of a new pillar for sustainability. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/srj-10-2020-0415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The global pandemic has had a considerable effect on organisations’ performance and development and on the daily lives of the general population. This study aims to analyse the recent literature on the topics of Covid-19 and sustainability and proposes to rethink and redefine sustainability with the intersection of human health as a fourth sustainable pillar.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the Scopus and ISI Web of Science databases, 119 articles were analysed in detail and classified according to concepts and principles for achieving sustainable development, based on the Brundtland Report, 1987.
Findings
The results indicate a high number of publications in the social dimension, with a relevant proportion of studies in the health sector. This study allows us to conclude that all sectors of society are being affected by the pandemic. However, the enormous tension and the immediate impact felt by the health sector during the pandemic reflect directly on the population, and there are clear signs that in the medium and long term, instability and uncertainty in the environmental, economic and social dimensions will remain. In national health systems, monitoring, innovating in human resource management and investing in information technology can ensure organizations’ reliability and sustainability. The conclusion involves the suggestion of introducing health as a new pillar for sustainability to consolidate the basis and structure of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Objectives. The use of fundamental concepts is necessary and must be aligned to reassess the results obtained in studies, in comparison with observational data.
Practical implications
The implications arising from the inclusion of health as a fourth pillar of sustainability are diverse. The need to build a new theoretical and conceptual framework for sustainability derives from the fact that health reflects the concern of many postulants in this field of practices. The determining or conditioning conditions of the observed effects of the pandemic by COVID-19, whether situated simply as factors and/or economic, environmental or social reflexes that precede them, requires a conceptual development that allows its approach, as a complex object, whose determinations are subject to variable degrees of uncertainty and diversity.
Originality/value
This study aims to redefine the concept of sustainability, considering that health has become a public health emergency of international interest. Health affects the supply chain, cash flow, interferes with the educational format and interrupts the workforce’s routine, among other aspects, showing the true nature of its importance and its impact in all spheres (economic, environmental and social).
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25
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Breuker C, Guedj AM, Allan M, Coinus L, Molinari N, Chapet N, Roubille F, Le Quintrec M, Duhalde V, Jouglen J, Cestac P, Kinowski JM, Faure S, Faucanie M, Lohan L, Villiet M, Altwegg R, Sultan A. The COVID-19 Pandemic Led to a Small Increase in Changed Mentality Regarding Infection Risk without Any Change in Willingness to Be Vaccinated in Chronic Diseases Patients. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10173967. [PMID: 34501415 PMCID: PMC8432078 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10173967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients’ perceptions regarding infection risk and vaccination in subjects suffering from chronic diseases. A prospective observational multicentric study conducted from December 2020 to April 2021 in three French University Hospitals. Patients with chronic diseases were proposed to complete a questionnaire regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on infectious risk knowledge and vaccination. A total of 1151 patients were included and analyzed (62% of which were people with diabetes). The COVID-19 pandemic increased awareness of infectious risks by 19.3%, significantly more in people with diabetes (23.2%, from 54.4% to 67.0%, p < 0.01) when compared to the other high-risk patients (12.5%, from 50.5% to 56.8%, p = 0.06). Respectively, 30.6% and 16.5% of patients not up-to-date for pneumococcal and flu vaccines reported wanting to update their vaccination due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By contrast, the proportion of patients against vaccines increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (6.0% vs. 9.5%, p < 0.01). The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a small increase in awareness regarding the risks of infection in patients with chronic diseases, including people with diabetes, but without any change in willingness to be vaccinated. This underlines the urgent need to sensibilize people with diabetes to infection risk and the importance of vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Breuker
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; (M.A.); (L.C.); (N.C.); (L.L.); (M.V.)
- PhyMedExp, CHU Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France;
- Correspondence:
| | - Anne Marie Guedj
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Nîmes, 30900 Montpellier, France;
| | - Mathilde Allan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; (M.A.); (L.C.); (N.C.); (L.L.); (M.V.)
| | - Loick Coinus
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; (M.A.); (L.C.); (N.C.); (L.L.); (M.V.)
| | - Nicolas Molinari
- Department of Statistics, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France;
| | - Nicolas Chapet
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; (M.A.); (L.C.); (N.C.); (L.L.); (M.V.)
| | - François Roubille
- Department of Cardiology, PhyMedExp, CHU Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France;
| | - Moglie Le Quintrec
- Department of Nephrology, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France;
| | - Véronique Duhalde
- Department of Pharmacy, Toulouse University Hospital, 31300 Toulouse, France; (V.D.); (J.J.); (P.C.)
| | - Julien Jouglen
- Department of Pharmacy, Toulouse University Hospital, 31300 Toulouse, France; (V.D.); (J.J.); (P.C.)
| | - Philippe Cestac
- Department of Pharmacy, Toulouse University Hospital, 31300 Toulouse, France; (V.D.); (J.J.); (P.C.)
- Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health Research (CERPOP), UMR 1027, INSERM, University of Toulouse (UPS), 31000 Toulouse, France
| | | | - Stéphanie Faure
- Department of Gastroenterology, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; (S.F.); (R.A.)
| | - Marie Faucanie
- Clinical Research and Epidemiology Unit, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France;
| | - Laura Lohan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; (M.A.); (L.C.); (N.C.); (L.L.); (M.V.)
- PhyMedExp, CHU Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France;
| | - Maxime Villiet
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; (M.A.); (L.C.); (N.C.); (L.L.); (M.V.)
| | - Romain Altwegg
- Department of Gastroenterology, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; (S.F.); (R.A.)
| | - Ariane Sultan
- PhyMedExp, CHU Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, University of Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France;
- Department of Endocrinology-Diabetology-Nutrition, CHU Montpellier, University of Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France
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