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Kumi R, Quartey J, Kwakye SK, Oppong ED. Students' perceptions and experiences of remote learning amid covid-19 pandemic in Ghana. Hong Kong Physiother J 2024; 44:103-118. [PMID: 38510159 PMCID: PMC10949108 DOI: 10.1142/s1013702524500070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on students, instructors, and educational organisations all around the world. Remote learning was an emergency response by most universities in Ghana during this pandemic to ensure the continuation of their academic calendar. Conducting this study among Ghanaian undergraduate students is crucial because factors like socioeconomic status, technological resources, and individual learning preferences can significantly impact their experience and the perception of remote learning, which may differ from studies conducted elsewhere. Objective To determine the perceptions and experiences of remote learning among allied health sciences students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 218 second, third, and final year Allied Health Sciences students in the University of Ghana. A questionnaire was used to obtain data concerning health professions students' perception and experience of remote learning. The readiness of students in respect to the emergency remote learning, attitudes towards remote learning, perception of remote learning, satisfaction, and the level of anxiety was calculated using mean and mean percentages. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyse differences between programmes of study and the perceptions and experiences of remote learning. Results One hundred and fifteen (53.1%) of the participants had moderate perceptions of independence and responsibility in their learning experiences while 80 (36.7%) students reported that their satisfaction levels regarding remote learning was high. Seventy-seven (38.4%) students reported that they had a burden of anxiety. There was no statistically significant difference between anxiety level and programme of study. Conclusion Ghana Allied Health Sciences students had positive perceptions and experiences towards remote learning. They could adapt to the new teaching method with appropriate technology integration. Despite a number of students who were anxious about using remote learning. Adequate support towards transitioning into the use of technology may be a good consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rockson Kumi
- Physiotherapy Department, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jonathan Quartey
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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2
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Chang TM, Chen Y, Yang KD, Wang JY, Lin CY, Chang YJ, Chen CH, Tsai YG. Asthma control associated with anxiety and depression in asthmatic children following post-acute COVID-19. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2024; 35:e14168. [PMID: 38873913 DOI: 10.1111/pai.14168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor asthma control may adversely affect mental health. Our study investigates the correlation between inadequate asthma control, exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) levels, and anxiety and depression among pediatric asthma patients with COVID-19. METHODS This prospective case-control study enrolled 520 asthmatic children (8-15 years), including 336 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 after rapid antigen testing at home and 184 age-matched asthmatic patients without COVID-19 infection. FENO and spirometry were performed 1 month after COVID-19 infection. Scores for Child Anxiety-Related Disorders (SCARED) and depression screen derived from Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess their mental health status. Childhood asthma control test (C-ACT), FENO levels, and spirometry were correlated with the SCARED and PHQ-9 questionnaires. RESULTS SCARED subscales, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, school avoidance, and depression scores from PHQ-9, exhibited a significant increase in asthmatic patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (p < .05). Among asthmatic children with SARS-CoV-2 infection, the poor asthma control group exhibited the highest SCARED and PHQ-9 measurements (p < .01). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that reduced C-ACT scores and elevated FENO levels in asthmatic children with COVID-19 were significant risk factors for both anxiety and depression scores (p < .05). Lower C-ACT scales were associated with high scores of SCARED (r = -0.471) and PHQ-9 (r = -0.329) in asthmatic children (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS The current study emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to closely monitor asthma control in asthmatic children to prevent heightened risks of depression and anxiety during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung-Ming Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, Changhua Christian Children's Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- Child Development Center, Changhua Christian Children's Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yun Chen
- Child Development Center, Changhua Christian Children's Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Kuender D Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiu-Yao Wang
- Allergy, Immunology, and Microbiome (A.I.M.) Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, China Medical University Children's Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yuang Lin
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, China Medical University Children's Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Clinical Immunological Center, Division of Pediatric Nephrology, China Medical University Children's Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jun Chang
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Big Data Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Hua Chen
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Giien Tsai
- Department of Pediatrics, Changhua Christian Children's Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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3
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Patte KA, Gohari MR, Faulkner G, Bélanger RE, Leatherdale ST. Inequitable Changes in School Connectedness During the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic in a Cohort of Canadian Adolescents. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2024; 94:509-518. [PMID: 38373417 DOI: 10.1111/josh.13443] [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] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We examined whether subgroups of adolescents experienced disparate changes in school connectedness-a robust predictor of multiple health outcomes-from before the COVID-19 pandemic to the first full school year following pandemic onset. METHODS We used 2 waves of prospective survey data from 7178 students attending 41 Canadian secondary schools that participated during the 2019-2020 (T1; pre-COVID-19 onset) and 2020-2021 (T2; ongoing pandemic) school years. Fixed effects analyses tested differences in school connectedness changes by gender, race, bullying victimization, socioeconomic position, and school learning mode. RESULTS Relatively greater declines in school connectedness were reported by students that identified as females, were bullied, perceived their family to be less financially comfortable than their classmates, and attended schools in lower income areas. Marginally greater school connectedness declines resulted among students attending schools that were fully online at T2 than those at schools using a blended model. CONCLUSION Results point to disparate school connectedness declines during the pandemic, which may exacerbate pre-existing health inequities by gender and socioeconomic position, and among bullied youth. IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY Effective strategies to improve school climates for equity denied groups are critical for pandemic recovery and preparedness for future related events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A Patte
- Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Mahmood R Gohari
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Guy Faulkner
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Lower Mall Research Station Room 337, 2259 Lower Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3
| | - Richard E Bélanger
- Projet COMPASS-Québec, VITAM-Centre de recherche en santé durable de l'Université Laval, 2480 chemin de la Canardière, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1J 2G1
- Departement of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medecine-Université Laval, Ferdinand Vandry Pavillon, 1050 Avenue de la Médecine, Quebec City, QC, Canada, G1V 0A6
| | - Scott T Leatherdale
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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4
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Begum T, Efstathiou N, Bailey C, Guo P. Cultural and social attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and factors associated with vaccine acceptance in adults across the globe: A systematic review. Vaccine 2024:S0264-410X(24)00600-5. [PMID: 38806355 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.05.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify and synthesise evidence on cultural and social attitudes towards coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and factors associated with vaccine acceptance in the adult population. DESIGN Systematic review. DATA SOURCES Six electronic databases were searched (CINAHL, Coronavirus Research Database, Embase, MEDLINE, Nursing and Allied Health Database, and Web of Science Core Collection). Additional studies were identified through Google Scholar and hand searching the reference lists of all studies included in the review. METHOD The searches were conducted to identify all relevant studies published in English, from December 2019 to December 2021. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS tool) were used to critically appraise the quality of included studies. Data were extracted and synthesised narratively. RESULTS 1260 records were identified, of which 38 studies were included in the review. Low COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rates were found among young people, females, non-medical students, and even some healthcare workers, which were associated with misinformation obtained through social media platforms, unknown side effects, questionable conspiracy theories, and doubts about efficacy and safety. Higher COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rates were due to recommendations from healthcare professionals and government sources, and the perceived increased risk of contracting COVID-19. CONCLUSION COVID-19 vaccine acceptance varies across the globe. To increase the acceptance rate of the COVID-19 vaccine, public health education programmes should be promoted effectively and target specifically the groups who are most hesitant to receive the vaccine such as young people, females, and non-medical students. Vaccine hesitancy among healthcare workers can affect vaccination rates as the majority of the population views them as a trustworthy source for vaccine-related knowledge. Staff training is important to enhance their confidence and communication skills in providing information about COVID-19 vaccination to combat the misunderstanding of the public and encourage vaccine uptake. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021248016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasniah Begum
- Neonatal Surgical Ward, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Nikolaos Efstathiou
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Cara Bailey
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Ping Guo
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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5
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Tang S, Wang Z, Zhang L, Jimenez D. Understanding the Complexities of Student Learning Progress in Texas: A Study of COVID-19 and Rural vs. Non-Rural Districts. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:408. [PMID: 38785899 PMCID: PMC11117944 DOI: 10.3390/bs14050408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigate the impact of COVID-19 on academic achievement in Texas public schools. Demographic and Grade 5 STAAR test data were collected from 1155 public school districts for 2018-2019 and 2020-2021. Multiple regression was adopted to analyze the differences between rural and non-rural districts, as well as the impact of demographic characteristics on students' achievement. The results reveal significant differences in demographic characteristics between the two academic years, with non-rural districts exhibiting a greater decline in academic achievement than rural districts. Additionally, the findings suggest that higher teacher salaries correlate with better academic performance across various subjects and that English learners require additional support to acquire content knowledge and skills. We further confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the academic learning experience of Texas students, with rural districts displaying more resilience than non-rural districts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shifang Tang
- Department of Psychology and Special Education, College of Education and Human Services, Texas A&M University—Commerce, Commerce, TX 75428, USA;
| | - Zhuoying Wang
- Texas Advanced Computing Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Psychology and Special Education, College of Education and Human Services, Texas A&M University—Commerce, Commerce, TX 75428, USA;
| | - David Jimenez
- School of Education and Human Development, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, TX 78406, USA;
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Powell AA, Dowell AC, Moss P, Ladhani SN. Current state of COVID-19 in children: 4 years on. J Infect 2024; 88:106134. [PMID: 38432584 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Children have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite evidence of a very low risk of severe disease, children were subjected to extensive lockdown, restriction and mitigation measures, including school closures, to control the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in most parts of the world. In this review we summarise the UK experience of COVID-19 in children four years into the largest and longest pandemic of this century. We address the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection, immunity, transmission, severity and outcomes in children. We also assess the implementation, uptake, effectiveness and impact of COVID-19 vaccination, as well as the emergence, evolution and near disappearance of PIMS-TS (paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2) and current understanding of long COVID in children. This review consolidates current knowledge on childhood COVID-19 and emphasises the importance of continued research and the need for research-driven public health actions and policy decisions, especially in the context of new variants and future vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel A Powell
- Public Health Programmes, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK.
| | - Alexander C Dowell
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paul Moss
- Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Public Health Programmes, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK; Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St. George's University of London, London, UK
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7
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Negri A, Barazzetti A, Rinzivillo A, Mariani R, Di Monte C. Cognitive and Relational Processes Associated to Mental Health in Italian High School Students during COVID-19 and Russian-Ukrainian War Outbreaks. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:508. [PMID: 38673420 PMCID: PMC11050012 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040508] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has been widely demonstrated; however, few studies have investigated the psychological processes involved in this impact, including core beliefs violation, meaning-making disruption, interpersonal support, or one's relational functioning. This study explored the mental health of 215 Italian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war. By administering a set of questionnaires, several cognitive and emotional variables were investigated, including core belief violation, meaning attribution to the pandemic and war, attachment, and emotion regulation, social media addiction, and relationships with significant others and teachers. We conducted some descriptive, mean difference, correlational, and predictive analyses that revealed a significant association between core belief violation caused by war and pandemic, ability to integrate war and pandemic within personal meaning universe, the relational support received, and mental health. The relationship with teachers during these challenging periods improved significantly according to the respondents' opinion, becoming both more authoritative and empathic. This study offers insights into what cognitive and relational processes are useful to intervene on to reduce the distress of adolescents who are facing significant moments of crisis due to events that challenge their cognitive and emotional balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attà Negri
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy;
| | - Arianna Barazzetti
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24129 Bergamo, Italy;
| | | | - Rachele Mariani
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (C.D.M.)
| | - Cinzia Di Monte
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies “Sapienza”, University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (R.M.); (C.D.M.)
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8
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Bade V, Schmitz H, Tawiah BB. Regional variations in vaccination against COVID-19 in Germany. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296976. [PMID: 38635523 PMCID: PMC11025766 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccination willingness against COVID-19 is generally perceived as low. Moreover, there is large heterogeneity across and within countries. As a whole, Germany has average vaccination rates compared to other industrialized countries. However, vaccination rates in the 16 different German federal states differ by more than 20 percentage points. We describe variation in vaccination rates on the level of the 400 German counties using data on all vaccinations carried out until December 2022. Around 52-72% of that variation can be explained by regional differences in demographic characteristics, housing, education and political party preferences. We find indications that the remaining part may be due to differences in soft factors such as risk aversion, trust in the German government, trust in science, and beliefs in conspiracy theories regarding the origins of the Corona virus. We conclude that improving the trust in science and the fight against conspiracy theories may possibly be effective tools to improve vaccination rates and effectively fight pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hendrik Schmitz
- Paderborn University, Paderborn, Germany
- RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research, Essen, Germany
- Leibniz Science Campus Ruhr, Essen, Germany
| | - Beatrice Baaba Tawiah
- Munich Research Institute for the Economics of Aging ans SHARE Analyses, Munich, Germany
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9
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Alshaboul YM, Alazaizeh MA, Sellami AL, Abu-Tineh AM, Ghamrawi N, Shal T. The perceived challenges to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide study of K-12 parental perspectives (Arab and other parents) in Qatar. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28578. [PMID: 38571599 PMCID: PMC10988051 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore self-reported challenges Arab and other parents encountered during the sudden shift to online teaching and learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers investigated the likely effect of demographic and contextual factors on the perceived challenges reported by parents. To achieve the study's objectives, the researchers utilized a mixed-method design involving a random sample of students' parents (Arab and other parents) in public and private schools in Qatar. The study's sample consisted of 2781 parents who responded to the online survey and 25 parents who participated in online semi-structured interview. The results derived from this study identified several challenges like lack of social interaction with schoolteachers, lack of motivation among children to participate in online classes and complete their homework, and dealing with the technical problems encountered during the online learning experience. The results further disclosed differences between Arab and other parents regarding the technologies and devices used during online teaching and learning. Finally, the results revealed differences between schools that do not organize additional activities in the curriculum compared to those that organize such activities. The study recommends home-school communication in order to empower parents and train them on how to manage effective learning at home and deal with children's learning behaviors. The study proposes developing parents' technical skills for online earning and the provision of material support for parents. Finally, it is important to raise a flag calling for revisiting the current curriculum to enrich children's schooling experiences and strengthen the bonds with their schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef M. Alshaboul
- Department of Science Education, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Manar A. Alazaizeh
- Educational Research Center, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdel Latif Sellami
- Educational Research Center, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdullah M. Abu-Tineh
- Department of Science Education, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Norma Ghamrawi
- Department of Science Education, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tarek Shal
- Social & Economic Survey Institute (SESRI), Qatar University, Qatar
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Constantin AM, Noertjojo K, Sommer I, Pizarro AB, Persad E, Durao S, Nussbaumer-Streit B, McElvenny DM, Rhodes S, Martin C, Sampson O, Jørgensen KJ, Bruschettini M. Workplace interventions to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of healthcare settings. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 4:CD015112. [PMID: 38597249 PMCID: PMC11005086 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015112.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although many people infected with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) experience no or mild symptoms, some individuals can develop severe illness and may die, particularly older people and those with underlying medical problems. Providing evidence-based interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection has become more urgent with the potential psychological toll imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Controlling exposures to occupational hazards is the fundamental method of protecting workers. When it comes to the transmission of viruses, workplaces should first consider control measures that can potentially have the most significant impact. According to the hierarchy of controls, one should first consider elimination (and substitution), then engineering controls, administrative controls, and lastly, personal protective equipment. This is the first update of a Cochrane review published 6 May 2022, with one new study added. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of interventions in non-healthcare-related workplaces aimed at reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to other interventions or no intervention. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collections, Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and medRxiv to 13 April 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies of interventions. We included adult workers, both those who come into close contact with clients or customers (e.g. public-facing employees, such as cashiers or taxi drivers), and those who do not, but who could be infected by coworkers. We excluded studies involving healthcare workers. We included any intervention to prevent or reduce workers' exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace, defining categories of intervention according to the hierarchy of hazard controls (i.e. elimination; engineering controls; administrative controls; personal protective equipment). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection (or other respiratory viruses), SARS-CoV-2-related mortality, adverse events, and absenteeism from work. Our secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, quality of life, hospitalisation, and uptake, acceptability, or adherence to strategies. We used the Cochrane RoB 2 tool to assess risk of bias, and GRADE methods to evaluate the certainty of evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS We identified 2 studies including a total of 16,014 participants. Elimination-of-exposure interventions We included one study examining an intervention that focused on elimination of hazards, which was an open-label, cluster-randomised, non-inferiority trial, conducted in England in 2021. The study compared standard 10-day self-isolation after contact with an infected person to a new strategy of daily rapid antigen testing and staying at work if the test is negative (test-based attendance). The trialists hypothesised that this would lead to a similar rate of infections, but lower COVID-related absence. Staff (N = 11,798) working at 76 schools were assigned to standard isolation, and staff (N = 12,229) working at 86 schools were assigned to the test-based attendance strategy. The results between test-based attendance and standard 10-day self-isolation were inconclusive for the rate of symptomatic polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection (rate ratio (RR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74 to 2.21; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence). The results between test-based attendance and standard 10-day self-isolation were inconclusive for the rate of any PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR 1.35, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.21; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence). COVID-related absenteeism rates were 3704 absence days in 566,502 days-at-risk (6.5 per 1000 working days) in the control group and 2932 per 539,805 days-at-risk (5.4 per 1000 working days) in the intervention group (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.25). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence to low due to imprecision. Uptake of the intervention was 71% in the intervention group, but not reported for the control intervention. The trial did not measure our other outcomes of SARS-CoV-2-related mortality, adverse events, all-cause mortality, quality of life, or hospitalisation. We found seven ongoing studies using elimination-of-hazard strategies, six RCTs and one non-randomised trial. Administrative control interventions We found one ongoing RCT that aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in preventing COVID-19 infection and reducing disease severity. Combinations of eligible interventions We included one non-randomised study examining a combination of elimination of hazards, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. The study was conducted in two large retail companies in Italy in 2020. The study compared a safety operating protocol, measurement of body temperature and oxygen saturation upon entry, and a SARS-CoV-2 test strategy with a minimum activity protocol. Both groups received protective equipment. All employees working at the companies during the study period were included: 1987 in the intervention company and 1798 in the control company. The study did not report an outcome of interest for this systematic review. Other intervention categories We did not find any studies in this category. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We are uncertain whether a test-based attendance policy affects rates of PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection (any infection; symptomatic infection) compared to standard 10-day self-isolation amongst school and college staff. A test-based attendance policy may result in little to no difference in absenteeism rates compared to standard 10-day self-isolation. The non-randomised study included in our updated search did not report any outcome of interest for this Cochrane review. As a large part of the population is exposed in the case of a pandemic, an apparently small relative effect that would not be worthwhile from the individual perspective may still affect many people, and thus become an important absolute effect from the enterprise or societal perspective. The included RCT did not report on any of our other primary outcomes (i.e. SARS-CoV-2-related mortality and adverse events). We identified no completed studies on any other interventions specified in this review; however, eight eligible studies are ongoing. More controlled studies are needed on testing and isolation strategies, and working from home, as these have important implications for work organisations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Marian Constantin
- Department of Internal Medicine Clinical Hospital Colentina, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Bucharest, Romania
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, Danube University Krems, Krems, Austria
| | | | - Isolde Sommer
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
| | | | - Emma Persad
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
- Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Solange Durao
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Damien M McElvenny
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah Rhodes
- Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | | | - Karsten Juhl Jørgensen
- Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Odense (CEBMO) and Cochrane Denmark, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Matteo Bruschettini
- Cochrane Sweden, Department of Research and Education, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
- Paediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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11
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Uysal HH, Yildirim Sahan T, Keklicek H, Anaforoglu Kulunkoglu B. Effects of online education on prosthetics orthotics education during COVID-19. Prosthet Orthot Int 2024; 48:223-229. [PMID: 38170801 DOI: 10.1097/pxr.0000000000000315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is obvious that educational activities were affected globally due to the pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study was planned to examine the effects of online education on undergraduate degree (UD) and associate degree (AD) Orthotics and Prosthesis education in the COVID-19 pandemic. STUDY DESIGN A crossectional online survey. METHOD The Google Forms questionnaire was delivered to students of Orthotics and Prosthesis in the level of undergraduate degree and AD and academicians conducted in the study. Next, the participants were reviewed regarding their knowledge about devices used for online education and related technical problems. A 5-point Likert-type questionnaire with 18 questions that was developed specifically for this study was applied to examine their views on online education. RESULTS The study included 472 participants who had a mean age of 21.30 ± 0.22 years. Among the participants, 262 were AD students (55.5%). Approximately 82% of the participants were used their mobile phones for connection. The connection problems, and inappropriateness of online education in applied course, preference of online education for theoretical courses, insufficiency of digital course materials, failure to access education easily, insufficiency of online examinations for measurement and evaluation, and preference of homework over online education were stated by 79%, 88.3%, 41.9%, 54.5%, 70.1%, 41.7%, and 42.8% of the participants, respectively. CONCLUSION Both academicians and students experienced connection problems, and applied courses were not suitable for online education. Motivation to attend the courses was low in online education, relevant workload increased, online examinations were not sufficient for measurement and evaluation, and studies were more unplanned. It is necessary to switch to formal education after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halil Hakan Uysal
- Program of Orthopedic Prosthetics and Orthotics, Vocational School of Health Services, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkiye
| | - Tezel Yildirim Sahan
- Gülhane Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences Turkey, Ankara, Turkiye
| | - Hilal Keklicek
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Health Science, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkiye
| | - Bahar Anaforoglu Kulunkoglu
- Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Health Science, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Turkiye
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12
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Prasad P, Gunasekaran L, Khair AMB, Shetty R, Shetty N. WhatsApp as a Tool in Blended Learning in Dental Education. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND BIOALLIED SCIENCES 2024; 16:S1673-S1678. [PMID: 38882722 PMCID: PMC11174170 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_425_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective Dental education is unique, with clinical/practical learning much different from other professionals. In dentistry, students are exposed much earlier in their curriculum to patients, performing procedures under direct/indirect supervision. Hence, the present review attempted to assess the standing position of dentistry in blended learning worldwide. Materials and Methods E-learning modality was at its primitive stage as food for thought among educational task force committees, with only a handful of developed and developing countries equipped with it. During this pandemic, "WhatsApp" became a savior, as it was a widely used educational device among dental teachers and students. Furthermore, it was easily applicable in places where there was difficulty in obtaining regular internet bandwidth, especially in remote/rural areas. It is noteworthy that blended learning/e-learning, when complemented with the conventional teaching method, upskill critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities. Blended learning or virtual reality education should be made feasible without disparity, worldwide. Mind training, both students and staff in hybrid e-learning, is the need of the hour not only to keep pace with digitalized dentistry but to prepare the students to face real-world situations. Conclusion The sustainability of dental education should be rethought by dental schools with "Complimented Digital learning" wherever feasible, not only to cope with current trends but also to face unforeseen future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prathibha Prasad
- Medical and Dental Sciences Department, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE
- Center of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE
| | - Lalithambigai Gunasekaran
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Vivekananda Dental College for Women, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Al Moutassem B Khair
- Medical and Dental Sciences Department, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE
- Center of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE
| | - Raghavendra Shetty
- Center of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE
- Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital, Wardha, Maharashtra, India
| | - Naresh Shetty
- Center of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE
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Ma Z, Rennert L. An epidemiological modeling framework to inform institutional-level response to infectious disease outbreaks: a Covid-19 case study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7221. [PMID: 38538693 PMCID: PMC10973339 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57488-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Institutions have an enhanced ability to implement tailored mitigation measures during infectious disease outbreaks. However, macro-level predictive models are inefficient for guiding institutional decision-making due to uncertainty in local-level model input parameters. We present an institutional-level modeling toolkit used to inform prediction, resource procurement and allocation, and policy implementation at Clemson University throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Through incorporating real-time estimation of disease surveillance and epidemiological measures based on institutional data, we argue this approach helps minimize uncertainties in input parameters presented in the broader literature and increases prediction accuracy. We demonstrate this through case studies at Clemson and other university settings during the Omicron BA.1 and BA.4/BA.5 variant surges. The input parameters of our toolkit are easily adaptable to other institutional settings during future health emergencies. This methodological approach has potential to improve public health response through increasing the capability of institutions to make data-informed decisions that better prioritize the health and safety of their communities while minimizing operational disruptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zichen Ma
- Department of Mathematics, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA
- Center for Public Health Modeling and Response, Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 517 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Lior Rennert
- Center for Public Health Modeling and Response, Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 517 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
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14
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Stutz C, Alcantara DMC, dos Santos CM, Torres JM, Rodrigues R, Marcon GEB, Ferreira EDC, Sarti ECFB, de Oliveira TF, Mendes FML, Lemos EF, Demarchi LHF, Lichs GGDC, Zardin MCSU, Gonçalves CCM, Guilhermino JDF, Perdomo RT, Fernandez ZDC. Seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in the school community in Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, October 2021-November 2022. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1354786. [PMID: 38596680 PMCID: PMC11002276 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1354786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction With the reopening of schools during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it was imperative to understand the role of students and education professionals in the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this paper, we determined the seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies in the school community in Campo Grande, the capital and most populous city of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil) and evaluated its association with sex, school level, and school type. Materials and methods The survey was carried out in 20 public and private schools in the urban region of Campo Grande using the TR DPP® COVID-19 immunoglobulin M/immunoglobulin G (IgM/IgG) kit from the Immunobiological Technology Institute (Bio-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Testing was carried out in three periods: from October to December 2021; from March to July 2022; and from August to November 2022. The participants were students aged 6-17 years enrolled in primary or secondary schools and professionals of different ages and roles. Results During the first testing period, 162 participants were seropositive for the IgM and/or IgG anti-nucleocapsid SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, with an estimated seroprevalence of 19.6% using Bayesian multilevel regression. In the second period, 251 participants were seropositive (estimated seroprevalence, 34.6%), while in the third period, 393 participants were seroconverted (estimated seroprevalence, 56.7%). In 2022, there was an increase in the seroconversion rate compared to that in 2021. The most frequently described acute manifestations in the three periods were fever, headache, sore throat, and runny nose. In terms of the demographic profile, there was no predominance of seropositivity between the sexes, although women represented approximately 70% of the study population. There were also no differences between students and school staff. Discussion The results made it possible to evaluate the extent of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the school community through immunity developed against the virus, in addition to providing information about COVID-19 symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Stutz
- Fiocruz Ceará, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição (FACFAN), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Camila Maria dos Santos
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jaire Marinho Torres
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rudielle Rodrigues
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Eduardo de Castro Ferreira
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina (FAMED), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | | | - Flavia Maria Lins Mendes
- Fiocruz Mato Grosso do Sul, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Everton Ferreira Lemos
- Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique Ferraz Demarchi
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (LACEN-MS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gislene Garcia de Castro Lichs
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (LACEN-MS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone Gonçalves
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Faculdade de Medicina (FAMED), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Secretaria de Estado de Saúde de Mato Grosso do Sul, Secretaria Adjunta de Estado, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Renata Trentin Perdomo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição (FACFAN), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Cultura Celular da Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Alimentos e Nutrição (FACFAN), Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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Thorell LB, Klint Carlander AK, Demetry Y, Marainen L, Nilsson S, Skoglund C. Parental Experiences of Distance Learning in Families with and without an Adolescent with ADHD/ASD: A Large Qualitative Survey Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:388. [PMID: 38673301 PMCID: PMC11049798 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040388] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
One of the greatest COVID-19-related challenges for children and their families was managing distance learning due to school closures. We also know from previous research that families with a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder such as ADHD or ASD were struggling more than others but also experienced some positive effects. However, few qualitative studies have been conducted. The present study therefore aimed to investigate parental experiences of the negative and positive effects of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large sample of families with an adolescent with ADHD and/or ASD and a matched comparison group (n = 682). Data were collected through open-ended questions as part of a larger survey study. Five main themes with different sub-themes were identified for both negative and positive effects: (1) Teaching, (2) Social, (3) Support, (4) Child factors, and (5) Home environment. In addition, the main theme "Technical problems" was identified for negative effects. Families with a child with ADHD/ASD reported negative effects related to "Child factors" and "Support" more frequently than the controls, as well as negative effects related to some aspects of "Teaching" and "Technical problems". Regarding positive effects, significant group differences were primarily found for the theme "Child factors". These findings are discussed both in terms of how to best prepare for possible future pandemics, but also of how to best provide educational support for children with ADHD and/or ASD when schools are open.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa B. Thorell
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Youstina Demetry
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa Marainen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sarah Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Skoglund
- Department of Women and Child Health, Uppsala University, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden
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16
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Tebar-Yébana S, Navarro-Mateu D, Gómez-Domínguez MT, Gómez-Dominguez V. Educational inclusion and satisfaction of families of students with intellectual disabilities: a bibliometric study. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1335168. [PMID: 38586293 PMCID: PMC10995399 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1335168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
This bibliometric study scrutinizes the corpus of scientific output within the Web of Science pertaining to familial satisfaction among parents raising children with intellectual disabilities, focusing specifically on the milieu of educational inclusion. The analysis discerns a discernible ascension in scholarly interest in this domain, encapsulating 77 papers emanating from 75 journals, incorporating an aggregate of 3,497 cited references. Our investigation delineated 354 researchers across 39 nations, underscoring the transnational purview of this scholarly endeavor. The United States emerged as the pre-eminent contributor, with Canada and the United Kingdom following suit. Collaboration on an international scale was notably led by the US, with the UK and Australia trailing in tandem. Prominent institutions were identified for their scholarly output; the University of Kansas led with four papers, followed closely by Monash University, University of California Los Angeles, and University of California Riverside, each contributing three papers. Of particular note, the University of Kansas accrued 250 global citations (TGCS). A total of 75 journals were encompassed in this study. The Journal of Intellectual Disability Research emerged as the vanguard with four published papers, closely trailed by Child Care Health and Development and Exceptional Children. Notably, the latter boasted the highest impact factor (JCR = 4.09; Q1). In summation, this review proffers a meticulous and expansive overview of extant scholarship concerning the experiences of families rearing children with disabilities within the inclusive education framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Tebar-Yébana
- Doctoral School, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Specific Educational Needs and Attention to Diversity, Faculty of Education Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain
| | - Diego Navarro-Mateu
- Department of Specific Educational Needs and Attention to Diversity, Faculty of Education Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Teresa Gómez-Domínguez
- Department of Specific Educational Needs and Attention to Diversity, Faculty of Education Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain
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17
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Angeli L, Caetano CP, Franco N, Abrams S, Coletti P, Van Nieuwenhuyse I, Pop S, Hens N. Who acquires infection from whom? A sensitivity analysis of transmission dynamics during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium. J Theor Biol 2024; 581:111721. [PMID: 38218529 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2024.111721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Age-related heterogeneity in a host population, whether due to how individuals mix and contact each other, the nature of host-pathogen interactions defining epidemiological parameters, or demographics, is crucial in studying infectious disease dynamics. Compartmental models represent a popular approach to address the problem, dividing the population of interest into a discrete and finite number of states depending on, for example, individuals' age and stage of infection. We study the corresponding linearised system whose operator, in the context of a discrete-time model, equates to a square matrix known as the next generation matrix. Performing formal perturbation analysis of the entries of the aforementioned matrix, we derive indices to quantify the age-specific variation of its dominant eigenvalue (i.e., the reproduction number) and explore the relevant epidemiological information we can derive from the eigenstructure of the matrix. The resulting method enables the assessment of the impact of age-related population heterogeneity on virus transmission. In particular, starting from an age-structured SEIR model, we demonstrate the use of this approach for COVID-19 dynamics in Belgium. We analyse the early stages of the SARS-CoV-2 spread, with particular attention to the pre-pandemic framework and the lockdown lifting phase initiated as of May 2020. Our results, influenced by our assumption on age-specific susceptibility and infectiousness, support the hypothesis that transmission was only influenced to a small extent by children in the age group [0,18) and adults over 60 years of age during the early phases of the pandemic and up to the end of July 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Angeli
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics (I-BioStat), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Data Science Institute (DSI), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - Constantino Pereira Caetano
- Departamento de Epidemiologia, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Center for Computational and Stochastic Mathematics, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nicolas Franco
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics (I-BioStat), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Namur Institute for Complex Systems (naXys) and Department of Mathematics, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Steven Abrams
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics (I-BioStat), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Data Science Institute (DSI), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Global Health Institute (GHI), Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pietro Coletti
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics (I-BioStat), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Data Science Institute (DSI), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Inneke Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Data Science Institute (DSI), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Computational Mathematics, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Sorin Pop
- Data Science Institute (DSI), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Niel Hens
- Interuniversity Institute for Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics (I-BioStat), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Data Science Institute (DSI), Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Centre for Health Economics Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases, Vaxinfectio, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Ma Y, Hou L, Cai W, Gao X, Jiang L. Linking undergraduates' future work self and employability: a moderated mediation model. BMC Psychol 2024; 12:160. [PMID: 38500193 PMCID: PMC10949635 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01530-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The career intentions of students play a crucial role in shaping the growth of the hospitality and tourism industry. Previous research underlines the significance of future work self in predicting outcomes related to one's career. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the precise ways, timing, and conditions under which the future work self of undergraduate students can enhance their employability. METHODS This paper aims to address the existing research gap by employing career construction theory and self-determination theory to propose a moderated mediation model-i.e., career exploration serves as a mediator and job market knowledge functions as a moderator in the relationship between future work self and employability. We conducted two independent studies (i.e., an experimental study and a time-lagged field study) to test the proposed model. Specifically, in Study 1 we employed an experimental research design to recruit 61 students majoring in tourism management to participate. They were randomly assigned to two scenarios (future work self: high vs. low), and we manipulated different levels of future work self by means of scenario descriptions. In Study 2, we used the time-lagged research design to collect data via submitting questionnaires among 253 Chinese undergraduates who majored in hospitality and tourism at a university in the middle area of China. RESULTS The results indicate a positive correlation between undergraduates' future work self and their employability. Furthermore, this relationship is mediated by a mediator of career exploration. It is important to note that this mediating relationship is also contingent upon the moderator variable of undergraduates' job market knowledge when considering the impact of career exploration on employability. CONCLUSION The findings contribute to enriching the current understanding of the positive effects of future work self on undergraduates' desirable outcomes in employability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaju Ma
- School of Education, Weinan Normal University, Weinan, China.
| | - Lingyan Hou
- School of Public Affairs, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Wenjing Cai
- Department of Management & Organisation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Xiaopei Gao
- School of Public Affairs, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Department of Management & Organisation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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Duan C, Liu L, Wang T, Wang G, Jiang Z, Li H, Zhang G, Ye L, Li C, Cao Y. Evidence linking COVID-19 and the health/well-being of children and adolescents: an umbrella review. BMC Med 2024; 22:116. [PMID: 38481207 PMCID: PMC10938697 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03334-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experiences during childhood and adolescence have enduring impacts on physical and mental well-being, overall quality of life, and socioeconomic status throughout one's lifetime. This underscores the importance of prioritizing the health of children and adolescents to establish an impactful healthcare system that benefits both individuals and society. It is crucial for healthcare providers and policymakers to examine the relationship between COVID-19 and the health of children and adolescents, as this understanding will guide the creation of interventions and policies for the long-term management of the virus. METHODS In this umbrella review (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023401106), systematic reviews were identified from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; EMBASE (OvidSP); and MEDLINE (OvidSP) from December 2019 to February 2023. Pairwise and single-arm meta-analyses were extracted from the included systematic reviews. The methodological quality appraisal was completed using the AMSTAR-2 tool. Single-arm meta-analyses were re-presented under six domains associated with COVID-19 condition. Pairwise meta-analyses were classified into five domains according to the evidence classification criteria. Rosenberg's FSN was calculated for both binary and continuous measures. RESULTS We identified 1551 single-arm and 301 pairwise meta-analyses from 124 systematic reviews that met our predefined criteria for inclusion. The focus of the meta-analytical evidence was predominantly on the physical outcomes of COVID-19, encompassing both single-arm and pairwise study designs. However, the quality of evidence and methodological rigor were suboptimal. Based on the evidence gathered from single-arm meta-analyses, we constructed an illustrative representation of the disease severity, clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiological findings, treatments, and outcomes from 2020 to 2022. Additionally, we discovered 17 instances of strong or highly suggestive pairwise meta-analytical evidence concerning long-COVID, pediatric comorbidity, COVID-19 vaccines, mental health, and depression. CONCLUSIONS The findings of our study advocate for the implementation of surveillance systems to track health consequences associated with COVID-19 and the establishment of multidisciplinary collaborative rehabilitation programs for affected younger populations. In future research endeavors, it is important to prioritize the investigation of non-physical outcomes to bridge the gap between research findings and clinical application in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchen Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Liu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Guanru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhishen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Honglin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Gaowei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China
- Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Evidence-Based Stomatology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yubin Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, 3rd Section of Ren Min Nan Rd., Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Department of Evidence-Based Stomatology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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20
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Dickson CA, Ergun-Longmire B, Greydanus DE, Eke R, Giedeman B, Nickson NM, Hoang LN, Adabanya U, Payares DVP, Chahin S, McCrary J, White K, Moon JH, Haitova N, Deleon J, Apple RW. Health equity in pediatrics: Current concepts for the care of children in the 21st century (Dis Mon). Dis Mon 2024; 70:101631. [PMID: 37739834 DOI: 10.1016/j.disamonth.2023.101631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
This is an analysis of important aspects of health equity in caring for children and adolescents written by a multidisciplinary team from different medical centers. In this discussion for clinicians, we look at definitions of pediatric health equity and the enormous impact of social determinants of health in this area. Factors involved with pediatric healthcare disparities that are considered include race, ethnicity, gender, age, poverty, socioeconomic status, LGBT status, living in rural communities, housing instability, food insecurity, access to transportation, availability of healthcare professionals, the status of education, and employment as well as immigration. Additional issues involved with health equity in pediatrics that are reviewed will include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, behavioral health concepts, and the negative health effects of climate change. Recommendations that are presented include reflection of one's own attitudes on as well as an understanding of these topics, consideration of the role of various healthcare providers (i.e., community health workers, peer health navigators, others), the impact of behavioral health integration, and the need for well-conceived curricula as well as multi-faceted training programs in pediatric health equity at the undergraduate and postgraduate medical education levels. Furthermore, ongoing research in pediatric health equity is needed to scrutinize current concepts and stimulate the development of ideas with an ever-greater positive influence on the health of our beloved children. Clinicians caring for children can serve as champions for the optimal health of children and their families; in addition, these healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned in their daily work to understand the drivers of health inequities and to be advocates for optimal health equity in the 21st century for all children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl A Dickson
- Department of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Berrin Ergun-Longmire
- Department of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Donald E Greydanus
- Department of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States.
| | - Ransome Eke
- Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA, United States
| | - Bethany Giedeman
- Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Nikoli M Nickson
- Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Linh-Nhu Hoang
- Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Uzochukwu Adabanya
- Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA, United States
| | - Daniela V Pinto Payares
- Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Summer Chahin
- Department of Psychology, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital/Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Jerica McCrary
- Center for Rural Health and Health Disparities, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA, United States
| | - Katie White
- Department of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Jin Hyung Moon
- Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA, United States
| | - Nizoramo Haitova
- Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Jocelyn Deleon
- Department of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
| | - Roger W Apple
- Department of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, United States
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21
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Einhorn J, James M, Kennedy N, Marchant E, Brophy S. Changes in self-reported health and wellbeing outcomes in 36,951 primary school children from 2014 to 2022 in Wales: an analysis using annual survey data. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1285687. [PMID: 38420023 PMCID: PMC10899516 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1285687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study examines the changes in childhood self-reported health and wellbeing between 2014 and 2022. Methods An annual survey delivered by HAPPEN-Wales, in collaboration with 500 primary schools, captured self-reported data on physical health, dietary habits, mental health, and overall wellbeing for children aged 8-11 years. Results The findings reveal a decline in physical health between 2014 and 2022, as evidenced by reduced abilities in swimming and cycling. For example, 68% of children (95%CI: 67%-69%) reported being able to swim 25m in 2022, compared to 85% (95% CI: 83%-87%) in 2018. Additionally, unhealthy eating habits, such as decreased fruit and vegetable consumption and increased consumption of sugary snacks, have become more prevalent. Mental health issues, including emotional and behavioural difficulties, have also increased, with emotional difficulties affecting 13%-15% of children in 2017-2018 and now impacting 29% of children in 2021-2022. Moreover, indicators of wellbeing, autonomy, and competence have declined. Discussion Importantly, this trend of declining health and wellbeing predates the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, suggesting that it is not solely attributed to the pandemic's effects. The health of primary school children has been on a declining trajectory since 2018/2019 and has continued to decline through the COVID recovery period. The study suggests that these trends are unlikely to improve without targeted intervention and policy focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Einhorn
- National Centre for Population Health and Wellbeing Research, Data Science Building, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Michaela James
- National Centre for Population Health and Wellbeing Research, Data Science Building, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Kennedy
- National Centre for Population Health and Wellbeing Research, Data Science Building, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Marchant
- Department of Education and Childhood Studies, School of Social Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Sinead Brophy
- National Centre for Population Health and Wellbeing Research, Data Science Building, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
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22
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Bottaro R, Faraci P. Emotional experiences and study motivation among Italian university students during the second wave of COVID-19. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024; 72:469-476. [PMID: 35324417 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2040516] [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: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between emotional experiences and study motivation in a group of nonworking and never-infected university students, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Participants (N = 353; aged M = 21.5; SD = 2.8) were mostly female (76.2%) Italian university students. Methods: They completed an online assessment that included self-report measures of fear during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, intolerance of uncertainty, optimism, and study motivation. Results: Our findings showed that older students were more optimistic than younger students. Besides, fear of COVID-19, intolerance of uncertainty, and pessimism predicted worse study motivation. Conclusions: Greater psychological support should be reserved for younger students to prevent emotional experiences that might affect the learning goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Bottaro
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Enna "Kore", Cittadella Universitaria, Enna, Italy
| | - Palmira Faraci
- Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Enna "Kore", Cittadella Universitaria, Enna, Italy
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23
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Bazzi AJ, Sallman ZF, Greenwell AM, Manolis AT, Khanafer R, Haidar-Elatrache S. Prolonged School Closure and Pediatric Respiratory Hospitalization: The Silver Lining of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Glob Pediatr Health 2024; 11:2333794X231224999. [PMID: 38303757 PMCID: PMC10832408 DOI: 10.1177/2333794x231224999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective. This is a single-center retrospective cohort study that aimed to quantitatively assess the association between prolonged school closure (>2 weeks) and pediatric respiratory hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. Subjects included 1243 patients presenting to Children's Hospital of Michigan during the winters of 2019, 2020, and 2021. The primary outcome measures were total respiratory hospitalizations and respiratory diagnoses. Results. Data was analyzed using a 2-sample z-test for proportions. We found that pediatric patients in the setting of prolonged school closure had significantly fewer hospitalizations in 2020 compared to 2019 (9% vs 47%; P < .001) and 2021 (9% vs 45%; P < .001). There were decreases in bronchiolitis, asthma/reactive airway disease (RAD), and pneumonia hospitalizations compared to 2019 and 2021. Conclusions. Our study showed that during prolonged school closure, there was a significant decrease in pediatric respiratory hospitalization. As such, it should be considered when creating a pandemic response strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali J. Bazzi
- Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
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24
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Bellerba F, Bardeck N, Boehm M, D'Ecclesiis O, Raimondi S, Tomezzoli E, Miranda MS, Alves IM, Alves D, Abecasis A, Gabellone V, Gabrielli E, Vaglio G, Shamsara E, Pfeifer N, Mommo C, Incardona F, Kaiser R, Gandini S. SARS-CoV-2 trends in Italy, Germany and Portugal and school opening during the period of Omicron variant dominance: A quasi experimental study in the EuCARE project. Int J Infect Dis 2024; 138:63-72. [PMID: 37956899 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated the impact of school reopening on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Italy, Germany, and Portugal in autumn 2022 when the Omicron variant was prevalent. METHODS A prospective international study was conducted using the case reproduction number (Rc) calculated with the time parametrization of Omicron. For Germany and Italy, staggered difference-in-differences analysis was employed to explore the causal relationship between school reopening and Rc changes, accounting for varying reopening dates. In Portugal, interrupted time series analysis was used due to simultaneous school reopenings. Multivariable models were adopted to adjust for confounders. RESULTS In Italy and Germany, post-reopening Rc estimates were significantly lower compared to those from regions/states that had not yet reopened at the same time points, both in the student population (overall average treatment effect for the treated subpopulation [O-ATT]: -0.80 [95% CI: -0.94;-0.66] for Italy; O-ATT-0.30 [95% CI: -0.36;-0.23] for Germany) and the adult population (O-ATT: -0.04 [95% CI: -0.07;-0.01] for Italy; O-ATT: -0.07 [95% CI: -0.11;-0.03] for Germany). In Portugal, there was a significant decreasing trend in Rc following school reopenings compared to the pre-reopening period (sustained effect: -0.03 [95% CI: -0.04; -0.03] in students; -0.02 [95% CI: -0.03; -0.02] in adults). CONCLUSIONS We found no evidence of a causal relationship between school reopenings in autumn 2022 and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Bellerba
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Nils Bardeck
- Institute of Virology, University Clinics of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michael Boehm
- Institute of Virology, University Clinics of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Oriana D'Ecclesiis
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Raimondi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Tomezzoli
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Mafalda Silva Miranda
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon (IHMT-UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inês Martins Alves
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon (IHMT-UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniela Alves
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon (IHMT-UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Abecasis
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon (IHMT-UNL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Valeria Gabellone
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Elisa Gabrielli
- Specialisation School in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Vaglio
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Elham Shamsara
- Department of Computer Science, Methods in Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nico Pfeifer
- Department of Computer Science, Methods in Medical Informatics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Rolf Kaiser
- Institute of Virology, University Clinics of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sara Gandini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
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25
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Latouche M, Ouafi M, Engelmann I, Becquart A, Alidjinou EK, Mitha A, Dubos F. Frequency and burden of disease for SARS-CoV-2 and other viral respiratory tract infections in children under the age of 2 months. Pediatr Pulmonol 2024; 59:101-110. [PMID: 37795812 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the frequency and burden of disease of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in children under the age of 2 months. METHODS A retrospective, cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted between March 2021 and February 2022. All children under the age of 2 months and tested for SARS-CoV-2 were included. The frequency of SARS-CoV-2, of other respiratory viruses and the burden of disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses were evaluated. RESULTS Seven hundred and twenty-seven children with an RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 were included (mean age: 0.9 months (±0.6); boys: 57%); 514 (71%) in the emergency room and 213 (29%) in hospital. Among them, 62 (8.5%) had a positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2, more often in the Omicron period (23%) than in the Alpha period (4%). Of the 565 (78%) with a multiplex RT-PCR test for other viruses, 325 (58%) were positive. Children with a positive SARS-CoV-2 were less likely to have required respiratory support (p = 0.001), enteral nutrition (p = 0.03), or intensive care admission (p = 0.01) and had a shorter hospital stay than children with other respiratory viruses (5 days vs. 7 days, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION In this young population of children, SARS-CoV-2 infection was less frequent and less severe than other viral respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Latouche
- Pediatric Emergency Unit and Infectious Diseases, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | - Mahdi Ouafi
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | - Ilka Engelmann
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | - Adrien Becquart
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | | | - Ayoub Mitha
- CHU Lille, Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Transport Unit, Department of Emergency Medicine, SAMU 59, Lille, France
- Université de Paris, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center/CRESS, INSERM (U1153 - Obstetrical, perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team (EPOPé)), INRA, Hôpital Tenon, Bâtiment Recherche, Paris, France
| | - François Dubos
- Pediatric Emergency Unit and Infectious Diseases, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, Lille, France
- Évaluation des Technologies de Santé et des Pratiques Médicales, Univ. Lille, ULR2694 METRICS, Lille, France
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26
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Leith TB, Forer R, Rappaport L, Malas N, McCaffery H, Sturza J, Kullgren K, Otto A, Monroe K. Virtual Schooling and Pediatric Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2024; 63:80-88. [PMID: 37937539 DOI: 10.1177/00099228231209671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
In this single-site, retrospective, descriptive chart review and survey, we investigated changes in pediatric behavioral health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the relationship between virtual schooling and hospitalized children's mental health. Subjects included patients aged 6 and 18 years during the 2015 to 2019 and 2020 to 2021 school years who received inpatient mental health care. Parents of patients admitted in 2020 to 2021 were surveyed regarding their child's schooling. We additionally described and compared subjects using descriptive data, including proxies for illness severity, and assessed how these outcomes changed during the pandemic and correlated with school modality. During the pandemic, the distribution of diagnoses changed, and some markers of severity increased. Patients in exclusively virtual school had higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders and tic disorders, and lower rates of eating and disruptive behavior disorders, than patients with recent in-person school. Further study is needed regarding the impact of virtual schooling on pediatric mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas B Leith
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Reni Forer
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Leah Rappaport
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nasuh Malas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Harlan McCaffery
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Julie Sturza
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kristin Kullgren
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alana Otto
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kimberly Monroe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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27
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Feng J, Khan A, Lau PWC, Huang WY. Parental role-modeling on 24-hour movement behaviors among preschoolers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2024; 34:e14563. [PMID: 38268068 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Little is known about the association between parents' and children's 24-h movement behaviors during the pandemic. This cross-sectional study examined the association between the 24-h movement behaviors of parents and their preschoolers and investigated sex differences in this association. METHODS A total of 1740 preschoolers (4.5 ± 0.8 years old, 50.3% boys) and their parents (35.4 ± 4.9 years old, 24.3% males) in China participated in this study and provided valid and complete data. Parents completed an online survey or a written questionnaire in the period between October and December 2020. Preschoolers' and parents' movement behaviors (physical activity [PA], sedentary behavior [SB], screen time, and sleep) and demographic information were reported by the parents. Generalized linear models and logistic regression models were performed. RESULTS Positive associations were found between parents' and preschoolers' moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (β = 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20, 0.36), total PA (β = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.24), and sleep (β = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.06) with no apparent sex difference. No significant association was found between parents' and preschoolers' SB or screen time. Girls were more likely to meet all three 24-h movement guidelines when their parents met them (odds ratio = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.42, 4.01), but the relationship was not significant for boys. CONCLUSIONS Parental role-modeling was positively associated with children's PA and sleep. This finding suggests that supporting parents' movement behaviors has the potential to promote a healthy lifestyle among preschoolers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Feng
- Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Asaduzzaman Khan
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Patrick Wing Chung Lau
- Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
- Laboratory of Exercise Science and Health, BNU-HKBU United International College, Zhuhai, China
| | - Wendy Yajun Huang
- Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
- Dr Stephen Hui Research Centre for Physical Recreation and Wellness, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
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28
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Jeon E, Peltonen LM, Block LJ, Ronquillo C, Tayaben JL, Nibber R, Pruinelli L, Perezmitre EL, Sommer J, Topaz M, Eler GJ, Shishido HY, Wardaningsih S, Sutantri S, Ali S, Alhuwail D, Abd-Alrazaq A, Akhu-Zaheya L, Lee YL, Shu SH, Lee J. Technological Challenges and Solutions in Emergency Remote Teaching for Nursing: An International Cross-Sectional Survey. Healthc Inform Res 2024; 30:49-59. [PMID: 38359849 PMCID: PMC10879829 DOI: 10.4258/hir.2024.30.1.49] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES With the sudden global shift to online learning modalities, this study aimed to understand the unique challenges and experiences of emergency remote teaching (ERT) in nursing education. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive online international cross-sectional survey to capture the current state and firsthand experiences of ERT in the nursing discipline. Our analytical methods included a combination of traditional statistical analysis, advanced natural language processing techniques, latent Dirichlet allocation using Python, and a thorough qualitative assessment of feedback from open-ended questions. RESULTS We received responses from 328 nursing educators from 18 different countries. The data revealed generally positive satisfaction levels, strong technological self-efficacy, and significant support from their institutions. Notably, the characteristics of professors, such as age (p = 0.02) and position (p = 0.03), influenced satisfaction levels. The ERT experience varied significantly by country, as evidenced by satisfaction (p = 0.05), delivery (p = 0.001), teacher-student interaction (p = 0.04), and willingness to use ERT in the future (p = 0.04). However, concerns were raised about the depth of content, the transition to online delivery, teacher-student interaction, and the technology gap. CONCLUSIONS Our findings can help advance nursing education. Nevertheless, collaborative efforts from all stakeholders are essential to address current challenges, achieve digital equity, and develop a standardized curriculum for nursing education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunjoo Jeon
- Technology Research, Samsung SDS, Seoul,
Korea
| | | | - Lorraine J. Block
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver,
Canada
| | - Charlene Ronquillo
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Okanagan Valley,
Canada
| | - Jude L. Tayaben
- College of Nursing, Benguet State University, La Trinidad,
Philippines
| | - Raji Nibber
- Cancer Care, Fraser Health Authority, British Columbia,
Canada
| | | | | | - Janine Sommer
- Health Informatics Department, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires,
Argentina
| | - Maxim Topaz
- School of Nursing, Columbia University Data Science Institution, New York, NY,
USA
| | | | | | | | - Sutantri Sutantri
- School of Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Kasihan,
Indonesia
| | - Samira Ali
- Department of Nursing, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA,
USA
| | - Dari Alhuwail
- Information Science Department, Kuwait University, Kuwait,
Kuwait
| | - Alaa Abd-Alrazaq
- College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha,
Qatar
| | - Laila Akhu-Zaheya
- School of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid,
Jordan
| | - Ying-Li Lee
- Nursing department, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan,
Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan,
Taiwan
| | - Shao-Hui Shu
- College of Nursing, Tzu University of Science and Technology, Hualien,
Taiwan
| | - Jisan Lee
- Department of Nursing, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Wonju,
Korea
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Mudenda S, Daka V, Mufwambi W, Matafwali SK, Chabalenge B, Skosana P, Mfune RL, Kasanga M, Okonji OC, Mayoka G, Kampamba M, Hikaambo CN, Mukosha M, Kanaan MHG, Zikalala-Mabope LA, Sinkamba G, Okoro RN, Chulu M, Godman B, Fadare J. Student's perspectives, satisfaction and experiences with online and classroom learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings and implications on blended learning. SAGE Open Med 2023; 11:20503121231218904. [PMID: 38146495 PMCID: PMC10749517 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231218904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted classroom-based learning, necessitating the adoption of online learning in most universities. However, there has been a lack of information on university students' perspectives regarding online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed the perspectives, satisfaction and experiences with online and classroom learning among human health students at the University of Zambia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 737 students at the University of Zambia from October 2022 to April 2023. Data were analysed using Stata version 16.1. Results Of the 737 participants, 51.6% were female and 56.5% agreed that blended learning should continue even after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, 78.4% of the students believed that group discussions were more suitable in the classroom than online learning. Most students (67.1%) disagreed that they preferred online learning to classroom learning. Furthermore, 77.6% of the students disagreed that online learning gave more satisfaction than classroom learning. Conclusions This study found that most students recommended the continuation of blended learning after the pandemic. However, they believed that follow-up tutorials and assessments were better undertaken in physical classrooms than online learning. These findings are important in sensitising stakeholders in the education sector and governments to consider blended learning as a teaching strategy in the future. There is a need to develop and implement curricula that offer blended learning to students as well as ensure the students have the necessary facilities and equipment to support such learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steward Mudenda
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Victor Daka
- Department of Public Health, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
| | - Webrod Mufwambi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Scott Kaba Matafwali
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Billy Chabalenge
- Department of Medicines Control, Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Phumzile Skosana
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ruth Lindizyani Mfune
- Department of Public Health, Michael Chilufya Sata School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
| | - Maisa Kasanga
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | | | - Godfrey Mayoka
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Martin Kampamba
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Moses Mukosha
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | - George Sinkamba
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Roland Nnaemeka Okoro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
| | - Martha Chulu
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Brian Godman
- Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Joseph Fadare
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ekiti State University College of Medicine, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
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Wabnitz K, Rueb M, Rehfuess EA, Strahwald B, Pfadenhauer LM. Assessing the impact of an evidence- and consensus-based guideline for controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission in German schools on decision-making processes: a multi-component qualitative analysis. Health Res Policy Syst 2023; 21:138. [PMID: 38115061 PMCID: PMC10729453 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-01072-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During the COVID-19 pandemic, decision-making on measures to reduce or prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools was rendered difficult by a rapidly evolving and uncertain evidence base regarding their effectiveness and unintended consequences. To support decision-makers, an interdisciplinary panel of scientific experts, public health and school authorities as well as those directly affected by school measures, was convened in an unprecedented effort to develop an evidence- and consensus-based public health guideline for German schools. This study sought to assess whether and how this guideline impacted decision-making processes. METHODS This study comprised three components: (1) we sent inquiries according to the Freedom of Information Acts of each Federal State to ministries of education, family, and health. (2) We conducted semi-structured interviews with individuals involved in decision-making regarding school measures in two Federal States, and (3) we undertook semi-structured interviews with members of the guideline panel. The content of response letters in component 1 was analysed descriptively; data for components 2 and 3 were analysed using deductive-inductive thematic qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz. RESULTS Responses to the Freedom of Information Act inquiries showed that the guideline was recognised as a relevant source of information by ministries of education in nine out of 16 Federal States and used as a reference to check existing directives for school measures in five Federal States. All participants (20 interviews) emphasised the value of the guideline given its evidence- and consensus-based development process but also noted limitations in its usability and usefulness, e.g., lack of context-specificity. It was consulted by participants who advised policy-makers (5 interviews) alongside other sources of evidence. Overall, perceptions regarding the guideline's impact were mixed. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the guideline was relatively well-known in Federal States' decision-making bodies and that it was considered alongside other forms of evidence in some of these. We suggest that further research to evaluate the impact of public health guidelines on (political) decision-making is warranted. Guideline development processes may need to be adapted to account for the realities of decision-making during public health emergencies and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Wabnitz
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Elisabeth-Winterhalter-Weg 6, 81377, Munich, Germany.
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany.
| | - Mike Rueb
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Elisabeth-Winterhalter-Weg 6, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva A Rehfuess
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Elisabeth-Winterhalter-Weg 6, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Brigitte Strahwald
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Elisabeth-Winterhalter-Weg 6, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa M Pfadenhauer
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry and Epidemiology (IBE), Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Elisabeth-Winterhalter-Weg 6, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Munich, Germany
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Chung PC, Chen KJ, Chang HM, Chan TC. Evaluating the Effectiveness of School Closure in COVID-19-Related Syndromes From Community-Based Syndromic Surveillance: Longitudinal Observational Study. Interact J Med Res 2023; 12:e44606. [PMID: 38100192 PMCID: PMC10727480 DOI: 10.2196/44606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, a school closure policy was adopted to prevent cluster transmission in schools and subsequent household transmission. However, the effectiveness of school closure is not consistent in studies conducted in different countries. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the association between school closure and the daily standardized incidence of COVID-19-related syndromes in an outpatient syndromic surveillance system. METHODS We calculated the incidence of COVID-19-related syndromes derived from a community-based syndromic surveillance system between the first week of January and the second or fourth weeks after school closure in 2021 and 2022 in Taipei City, Taiwan. The effect of school closure on the standardized incidence of COVID-19-related syndromes was evaluated by interrupted time series analysis using an autoregressive integrated moving average with a distributed lag function. The exogenous variables were changes in human mobility measured by Google COVID-19 community mobility reports. Furthermore, the models quantified the influence of different age groups and the hierarchy of medical facilities, such as clinics or community hospitals. RESULTS School closure was only negatively and significantly associated with the overall standardized incidence of COVID-19-related syndromes in 2021 for 2 weeks after the intervention (coefficient -1.24, 95% CI -2.40 to -0.08). However, in different age groups, school closure had a significantly negative association with the standardized incidence among people aged 13-18 years and ≥65 years for 2 weeks after the intervention in clinics in 2021. In community hospitals, school closure was significantly positively associated with the standardized incidence among people aged 19-24 years in 2021. In 2022, 2 weeks after the intervention, school closure had a significantly negative association with the standardized incidence among people aged 0-6, 7-12, and 19-24 years in community hospitals and aged >45 years in clinics. Furthermore, the standardized incidence was positively associated with movement change toward grocery and pharmacy stores in all age groups in 2022. In addition, movement changes toward residences were significantly positively associated with the standardized incidence among all age groups. CONCLUSIONS Overall, school closure effectively suppresses COVID-19-related syndromes in students owing to the reduction of physical contact. In addition, school closure has a spillover effect on elderly people who stay at home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Chen Chung
- Department of Dentistry, Puzi Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Chiayi County, Taiwan
| | - Kevin J Chen
- Department of Health, Taipei City Government, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Mei Chang
- Department of Health, Taipei City Government, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chien Chan
- Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, Taiwan
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Streicher P, Broadbent A. Pandemic response strategies and threshold phenomena. GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 5:100105. [PMID: 37056422 PMCID: PMC10080859 DOI: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2023.100105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper critically evaluates the Suppression Threshold Strategy (STS) for controlling Covid-19 (C-19). STS asserts a "fundamental distinction" between suppression and mitigation strategies, reflected in very different outcomes in eventual mortality depending on whether reproductive number R is caused to fall below 1. We show that there is no real distinction based on any value of R which falls in any case from early on in an epidemic wave. We show that actual mortality outcomes lay on a continuum, correlating with suppression levels, but not exhibiting any step changes or threshold effects. We argue that an excessive focus on achieving suppression at all costs, driven by the erroneous notion that suppression is a threshold, led to a lack of information on how to trade off the effects of different specific interventions. This led many countries to continue with inappropriate intervention-packages even after it became clear that their initial goal was not going to be attained. Future pandemic planning must support the design of "Plan B", which may be quite different from "Plan A".
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter Streicher
- Department of Philosophy, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Philosophy, Durham University, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Broadbent
- Department of Philosophy, Durham University, United Kingdom
- Department of Philosophy, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
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Pontillo M, Menghini D, Averna R, Labonia M, Lazzaro G, Tata MC, Vicari S. Psychiatric Hospitalization for Psychopathological Disorders and Self-Injurious Behaviors in Italian Children and Adolescents during COVID-19. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1846. [PMID: 38136048 PMCID: PMC10741422 DOI: 10.3390/children10121846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
The evidence shows that the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased the number of urgent psychiatric consultations for children and adolescents in hospital emergency departments (EDs). However, what needs to be further investigated are the characteristics of psychiatric hospitalization in children and adolescents admitted to the Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit wards in EDs. Specifically, this retrospective study aimed to examine changes in (i) the number of inpatients and (ii) the distribution of psychopathological disorders and self-injurious behaviors in our Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit ward during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy (March-June 2020; October 2020-January 2021) compared with the same months of previous years. We found a significantly lower number of inpatients during the first four quarantine months than the first four reference months and a higher number of inpatients during the second four quarantine months than the second four reference months. Additionally, we found an increased frequency of mood disorders, non-suicidal self-injurious behavior, and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 lockdown compared to the reference periods. Our findings underline the need to develop psychological healthcare services for future emergency periods in order to identify and treat psychological distress in children and adolescents early, reducing the risk of psychiatric hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pontillo
- Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (R.A.); (M.L.); (G.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.V.)
| | - Deny Menghini
- Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (R.A.); (M.L.); (G.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.V.)
| | - Roberto Averna
- Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (R.A.); (M.L.); (G.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.V.)
| | - Milena Labonia
- Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (R.A.); (M.L.); (G.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.V.)
| | - Giulia Lazzaro
- Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (R.A.); (M.L.); (G.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.V.)
| | - Maria Cristina Tata
- Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (R.A.); (M.L.); (G.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.V.)
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child & Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, Italy; (D.M.); (R.A.); (M.L.); (G.L.); (M.C.T.); (S.V.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Clifford Astbury C, Lee KM, Mcleod R, Aguiar R, Atique A, Balolong M, Clarke J, Demeshko A, Labonté R, Ruckert A, Sibal P, Togño KC, Viens AM, Wiktorowicz M, Yambayamba MK, Yau A, Penney TL. Policies to prevent zoonotic spillover: a systematic scoping review of evaluative evidence. Global Health 2023; 19:82. [PMID: 37940941 PMCID: PMC10634115 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-023-00986-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging infectious diseases of zoonotic origin present a critical threat to global population health. As accelerating globalisation makes epidemics and pandemics more difficult to contain, there is a need for effective preventive interventions that reduce the risk of zoonotic spillover events. Public policies can play a key role in preventing spillover events. The aim of this review is to identify and describe evaluations of public policies that target the determinants of zoonotic spillover. Our approach is informed by a One Health perspective, acknowledging the inter-connectedness of human, animal and environmental health. METHODS In this systematic scoping review, we searched Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Global Health in May 2021 using search terms combining animal health and the animal-human interface, public policy, prevention and zoonoses. We screened titles and abstracts, extracted data and reported our process in line with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. We also searched relevant organisations' websites for evaluations published in the grey literature. All evaluations of public policies aiming to prevent zoonotic spillover events were eligible for inclusion. We summarised key data from each study, mapping policies along the spillover pathway. RESULTS Our review found 95 publications evaluating 111 policies. We identified 27 unique policy options including habitat protection; trade regulations; border control and quarantine procedures; farm and market biosecurity measures; public information campaigns; and vaccination programmes, as well as multi-component programmes. These were implemented by many sectors, highlighting the cross-sectoral nature of zoonotic spillover prevention. Reports emphasised the importance of surveillance data in both guiding prevention efforts and enabling policy evaluation, as well as the importance of industry and private sector actors in implementing many of these policies. Thoughtful engagement with stakeholders ranging from subsistence hunters and farmers to industrial animal agriculture operations is key for policy success in this area. CONCLUSION This review outlines the state of the evaluative evidence around policies to prevent zoonotic spillover in order to guide policy decision-making and focus research efforts. Since we found that most of the existing policy evaluations target 'downstream' determinants, additional research could focus on evaluating policies targeting 'upstream' determinants of zoonotic spillover, such as land use change, and policies impacting infection intensity and pathogen shedding in animal populations, such as those targeting animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Clifford Astbury
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Global Strategy Lab, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kirsten M Lee
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan Mcleod
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Raphael Aguiar
- Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Asma Atique
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marilen Balolong
- Applied Microbiology for Health and Environment Research Group, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Janielle Clarke
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Ronald Labonté
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Arne Ruckert
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Priyanka Sibal
- School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kathleen Chelsea Togño
- Applied Microbiology for Health and Environment Research Group, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - A M Viens
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Global Strategy Lab, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mary Wiktorowicz
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marc K Yambayamba
- School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Amy Yau
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Tarra L Penney
- School of Global Health, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Global Strategy Lab, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Khan-White T, Whiston B, Cooper M. What does the biography of Duncan Forbes MBE (1873-1941), Medical Officer of Health for Brighton (1908-1938), reveal about managing pandemics? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL BIOGRAPHY 2023; 31:221-230. [PMID: 34213993 DOI: 10.1177/09677720211021575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the national lockdowns of 2020/2021 illustrate how modern public health systems are founded on empirical evidence and contemporary understanding of disease transmission. Duncan Forbes was one of the earliest sanitarians in Britain to propose and implement a new understanding of infectious disease control. Starting his early career in Manchester and Cambridge, his eventual tenure as Brighton's longest-serving medical officer of health (MOH) left an indelible mark by challenging the entrenched tradition of terminal disinfection and by devising his "Brighton methods" for the care of tubercular patients. Forbes led Brighton's public health responses during World War I and the 1918/1919 "Spanish" influenza pandemic. Forbes also strove to improve health and housing in Brighton. His views on limiting access to contraception on the grounds of eugenics are also significant. Analysis of Forbes' work then allowed a discussion of both his legacy and of the applicability of his experiences to our own in tackling COVID-19. Forbes undeniably had a great influence in shaping modern public health practice in Britain and his challenges as MOH bear many similarities, as well as stark differences, to today's experience of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Khan-White
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK
| | - Benjamin Whiston
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK
| | - Max Cooper
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK
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Endriyas M, Woldemariam B, Shibru E, Hussen M, Bedru B, Moges M, Melka M, Lemango F, Mate M, Lejiso T, Gebremedhin B, Tolcha A, Shiferaw B, Wondimu G, Terefe T, Ayele S, Misganaw T, Samuel T, Kelaye T, Gebru A, Assefa A, Getachew W, Yalew B, Geleta D. Readiness of public schools before reopening during COVID-19 pandemic: School-based cross-sectional survey in southern Ethiopia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293722. [PMID: 37906545 PMCID: PMC10617685 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293722] [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: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND School closures in response to the COVID-19 impacted children's education, protection, and wellbeing. After understanding these impacts and that children were not super spreaders, countries including Ethiopia decided to reopen schools with specified preconditions. But when deciding to reopen schools, the benefits and risks across education, public health and socio-economic factors have to be evaluated. However, there was information gap on status of schools as per preconditions. Hence, this study was designed to investigate status of schools in Southern Ethiopia. METHODS School based cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2020 in Southern Ethiopia. Sample of 430 schools were included. National school reopening guideline was used to develop checklist for assessment. Data was collected by public health experts at regional emergency operation center. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarize data. RESULTS A total of 430 schools were included. More than two thirds, 298 (69.3%), of schools were from rural areas while 132 (30.7%) were from urban settings. The general infection prevention and water, sanitation and hygiene (IPC-WASH) status of schools were poor and COVID-19 specific preparations were inadequate to meet national preconditions to reopen schools during the pandemic. Total score from 24 items observed ranged from 3 to 22 points with mean score of 11.75 (SD±4.02). No school scored 100% and only 41 (9.5%) scored above 75% while 216 (50.2%%) scored below half point that is 12 items. CONCLUSION Both the basic and COVID-19 specific IPC-WASH status of schools were inadequate to implement national school reopening preconditions and general standards. Some of strategies planned to accommodate teaching process and preconditions maximized inequalities in education. Although COVID-19 impact lessened due to vaccination and other factors, it is rational to consider fulfilling water and basic sanitation facilities to schools to prevent communicable diseases of public health importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misganu Endriyas
- Health Research and Technology Transfer Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Belete Woldemariam
- Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | | | - Mamush Hussen
- Public Health Institute Director Office, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Bersabeh Bedru
- Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Mathewos Moges
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Mintesinot Melka
- Public Health Institute Director Office, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Fiseha Lemango
- Health Research and Technology Transfer Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Male Mate
- Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Lejiso
- Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Biruk Gebremedhin
- Health Research and Technology Transfer Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Alemu Tolcha
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Biniam Shiferaw
- Medical Services Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Girma Wondimu
- Public Health Laboratory Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfatsion Terefe
- Public Health Emergency Management, Southwest Ethiopia Health Bureau, Tercha, Southwest Ethiopia, Ethiopia
| | - Sinafikish Ayele
- Health Research and Technology Transfer Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Tebeje Misganaw
- Health Research and Technology Transfer Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Teka Samuel
- Health Research and Technology Transfer Directorate, Sidama Regional Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Temesgen Kelaye
- Health Research and Technology Transfer Directorate, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Agegnehu Gebru
- Transform Primary Health Care Project, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Amare Assefa
- Transform Primary Health Care Project, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Wogene Getachew
- Technical Assistant at EOC, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Bereket Yalew
- Technical Assistant at EOC, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Dereje Geleta
- College of Medicine and Health Science, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
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Nguyen QD, Chang SL, Jamerlan CM, Prokopenko M. Measuring unequal distribution of pandemic severity across census years, variants of concern and interventions. Popul Health Metr 2023; 21:17. [PMID: 37899455 PMCID: PMC10613397 DOI: 10.1186/s12963-023-00318-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic stressed public health systems worldwide due to emergence of several highly transmissible variants of concern. Diverse and complex intervention policies deployed over the last years have shown varied effectiveness in controlling the pandemic. However, a systematic analysis and modelling of the combined effects of different viral lineages and complex intervention policies remains a challenge due to the lack of suitable measures of pandemic inequality and nonlinear effects. METHODS Using large-scale agent-based modelling and a high-resolution computational simulation matching census-based demographics of Australia, we carried out a systematic comparative analysis of several COVID-19 pandemic scenarios. The scenarios covered two most recent Australian census years (2016 and 2021), three variants of concern (ancestral, Delta and Omicron), and five representative intervention policies. We introduced pandemic Lorenz curves measuring an unequal distribution of the pandemic severity across local areas. We also quantified pandemic biomodality, distinguishing between urban and regional waves, and measured bifurcations in the effectiveness of interventions. RESULTS We quantified nonlinear effects of population heterogeneity on the pandemic severity, highlighting that (i) the population growth amplifies pandemic peaks, (ii) the changes in population size amplify the peak incidence more than the changes in density, and (iii) the pandemic severity is distributed unequally across local areas. We also examined and delineated the effects of urbanisation on the incidence bimodality, distinguishing between urban and regional pandemic waves. Finally, we quantified and examined the impact of school closures, complemented by partial interventions, and identified the conditions when inclusion of school closures may decisively control the transmission. CONCLUSIONS Public health response to long-lasting pandemics must be frequently reviewed and adapted to demographic changes. To control recurrent waves, mass-vaccination rollouts need to be complemented by partial NPIs. Healthcare and vaccination resources need to be prioritised towards the localities and regions with high population growth and/or high density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quang Dang Nguyen
- Centre for Complex Systems, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Sheryl L Chang
- Centre for Complex Systems, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
| | - Christina M Jamerlan
- Centre for Complex Systems, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Mikhail Prokopenko
- Centre for Complex Systems, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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Zhao P, Liu Q, Ma T, Kang T, Zhou Z, Liu Z, Zhang M, Wan J. Policy instruments facilitate China's COVID-19 work resumption. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2305692120. [PMID: 37782791 PMCID: PMC10576123 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305692120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Governments worldwide have announced stimulus packages to remobilize the labor force after COVID-19 and therefore to cope with the COVID-19-related recession. However, it is still unclear how to facilitate large-scale work resumption. This paper aims to clarify the issue by analyzing the large-scale prefecture-level dataset of human mobility trajectory information for 320 million workers and about 500,000 policy documents in China. We model work resumption as a collective behavioral change due to configurations of capacity, motivation, and policy instruments by using qualitative comparative analysis. We find that the effectiveness of post-COVID-19 recovery stimulus varied across China depending on the fiscal and administrative capacity and the policy motivation of the prefecture. Subnational fiscal and procurement policies were more effective for the wholesale and retail sector and the hotel and catering sector, whereas the manufacturing and business services sectors required more effort regarding employment policies. Due to limited prefectural capacity and wavering policy motivation, the simultaneous adoption of fiscal, employment, and procurement policy interventions endangered post-COVID-19 work resumption. We highlight the necessity of tailored postcrisis recovery strategies based on local fiscal and administrative capacity and the sectoral structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengjun Zhao
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Human-Earth Relations of Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Shenzhen518055, China
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
| | - Qiyang Liu
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Human-Earth Relations of Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Shenzhen518055, China
| | - Tianyu Ma
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Human-Earth Relations of Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Shenzhen518055, China
| | - Tingting Kang
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Human-Earth Relations of Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Shenzhen518055, China
| | - Zhengzi Zhou
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Human-Earth Relations of Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Shenzhen518055, China
| | - Zhengying Liu
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Human-Earth Relations of Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Shenzhen518055, China
| | - Mengzhu Zhang
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Human-Earth Relations of Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Shenzhen518055, China
| | - Jie Wan
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing100871, China
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Francis JR, de Araujo RM, da Silva Viegas O, Lobo S, Coelho D, Mathur A, Bothra V, Yu D, Draper ADK, Yan J, Martins N. The response to COVID-19 in Timor-Leste: lessons learnt. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e013573. [PMID: 37821115 PMCID: PMC10583031 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Timor-Leste offers lessons that may be useful for incorporating into future responses to infectious disease outbreaks in similar resource-limited settings. In this paper, we identify nine key areas for learning from Timor-Leste's experience of the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) the importance of prior preparation for health emergencies, (2) the establishment of effective leadership and governance structures, (3) the protective impact of early border restrictions, (4) the rapid expansion of diagnostic laboratory capacity, (5) the impact of effective health communications in supporting the vaccine roll-out, (6) the opportunity to build capacity for clinical care, (7) the use of public health interventions that were found to have limited public health impact, (8) the broader effects of the pandemic and the public health response and (9) translation of lessons from COVID-19 to other public health priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R Francis
- Centro Integrado de Gestao de Crises, Dili, Timor-Leste
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | | | - Odete da Silva Viegas
- Centro Integrado de Gestao de Crises, Dili, Timor-Leste
- Ministerio da Saude, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Sergio Lobo
- Centro Integrado de Gestao de Crises, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Danina Coelho
- Centro Integrado de Gestao de Crises, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Arvind Mathur
- Centro Integrado de Gestao de Crises, Dili, Timor-Leste
- World Health Organization, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Vinay Bothra
- Centro Integrado de Gestao de Crises, Dili, Timor-Leste
- World Health Organization, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Dongbao Yu
- Centro Integrado de Gestao de Crises, Dili, Timor-Leste
- World Health Organization, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Anthony D K Draper
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Jennifer Yan
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Nelson Martins
- Centro Integrado de Gestao de Crises, Dili, Timor-Leste
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
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Baysal E, Pakiş Çetin S, Demirkol H, Erol A. Determining Self-Efficacy of Nurses Who Graduated From Distance Education Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. J Contin Educ Nurs 2023; 54:480-488. [PMID: 37668431 DOI: 10.3928/00220124-20230829-02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current literature states that distance education has caused a lack of professional skills, regression of existing professional skills (Kaya & Akin Isik, 2021; Kürtüncü & Kurt, 2020), a lack of self-confidence, and feelings of inadequacy among nursing students (George et al., 2020). The current study examined the professional self-efficacy of nurses who graduated from distance education because of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. METHOD This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2020 and June 2022 with 164 nurses who graduated from distance education in 2020-2021 from three faculties of health sciences. RESULTS Professional self-efficacy of the nurses was found to be above average. Male nurses and nurses who believed distance education had a negative impact on their professional skills had significantly higher professional self-efficacy. Some nurses reported that their professional theoretical knowledge was insufficient and defined the effect of distance education on their professional skills as relatively negative. CONCLUSION Most of the nurses expressed that distance education had a negative effect on their professional self-efficacy and working life. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2023;54(10):480-488.].
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Severo M, Meireles P, Ribeiro AI, Morais V, Barros H. Measuring the clustering effect of the SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a school population: a cross-sectional study in a high incidence region. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16300. [PMID: 37770455 PMCID: PMC10539502 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42470-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a great deal of controversy regarding the role of schools in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the relative contribution of students, teachers, and others. To quantify the clustering effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection within classes and schools considering the seroprevalence of specific antibodies among students and school staff (teachers and non-teachers) evaluated in schools located in the Northern region of Portugal. 1517 individuals (1307 students and 210 school staff) from 4 public and 2 private schools, comprising daycare to secondary levels, were evaluated. A rapid point-of-care test for SARS-CoV-2 specific IgM and IgG antibodies was performed and a questionnaire was completed providing sociodemographic and clinical information. We calculated the seroprevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies and estimated the Median Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the clustering effect, using a multilevel (school and class) logistic regression. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence (IgM or IgG) was 21.8% and 23.8% (p = 0.575) in students and school staff, respectively. A total of 84 (8.6%) students and 35 (16.7%) school staff reported a previous molecular diagnosis. Among students, those who reported high-risk contacts only at school (OR = 1.13; 95% CI 0.72-1.78) had a seroprevalence similar to those without high-risk contacts; however, seroprevalence was significantly higher among those who only reported a high-risk contact outside the school (OR = 6.56; 95% CI 3.68-11.72), or in both places (OR = 7.83; 95% CI 5.14-11.93). Similar associations were found for school staff. The median OR was 1.00 (95% CI 1.00, 1.38) at the school-level and 1.78 (95% CI 1.40, 2.06) at the class-level. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was similar between students and staff, without a clustering effect observed at the school level, and only a moderate clustering effect documented within classes. These results indicate that the mitigation measures in the school environment can prevent the spread of class outbreaks to the remaining school community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milton Severo
- EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, nº 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal.
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas- Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Paula Meireles
- EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, nº 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Isabel Ribeiro
- EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, nº 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vítor Morais
- EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, nº 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
| | - Henrique Barros
- EPIUnit-Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, nº 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório Para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
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Köhler-Dauner F, Dalhof Gulde M, Hart L, Ziegenhain U, Fegert JM. The negative association of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with the health of mother and child considering maternal childhood maltreatment. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:292. [PMID: 37759267 PMCID: PMC10523770 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social distancing strategies during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have left families facing a variety of different constraints. Especially in this stressful time, children need a stable parental home to prevent developmental consequences. Additional risk factors such as maternal childhood maltreatment (CM) may affect mother's psychosomatic health and children's physical well-being in this period. OBJECTIVE It was aimed to analyze the associations between maternal CM, mother's mental health, and children's physical complaints during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic. METHOD Mothers of a well-documented birth cohort from a longitudinal study were included in this study. Psychosomatic health was assessed with the PHQ-D and children's physical health with the GBB-KJ during the pandemic. N = 159 mothers completed the online survey. To describe the maternal CM, data from a longitudinal survey were used. RESULTS The calculation of three mediation analyses demonstrate that maternal depression symptoms (c-path: β = 0.10, p = .02; c'-path: β = 0.07, p = .13), somatic symptoms (c-path: β = 0.10, p = .02; c'-path: β = 0.07, p = .13) and psychosomatic symptoms (c-path: β = 0.10, p = .02; c'-path: β = 0.06, p = .19) fully mediate the relationship between CM and children's physical health complaints. CONCLUSIONS Maternal CM experiences seem to be one relevant risk factor during the pandemic and seem to influence the way in which parents deal with stressful situations and increase the risk for depressive symptoms. The present results highlight the importance to provide individually adjusted assistance to help the families to get through the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Köhler-Dauner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Steinhövelstraße 5, 89075, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Manuela Dalhof Gulde
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Steinhövelstraße 5, 89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lara Hart
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Steinhövelstraße 5, 89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegenhain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Steinhövelstraße 5, 89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jörg M Fegert
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Ulm, Steinhövelstraße 5, 89075, Ulm, Germany
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Körner RW, Bansemir OY, Franke R, Sturm J, Dafsari HS. Atopy and Elevation of IgE, IgG3, and IgG4 May Be Risk Factors for Post COVID-19 Condition in Children and Adolescents. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1598. [PMID: 37892261 PMCID: PMC10605545 DOI: 10.3390/children10101598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes transient cardiorespiratory and neurological disorders, and severe acute illness is rare among children. Post COVID-19 condition (PCC) may cause profound, persistent phenotypes with increasing prevalence. Its manifestation and risk factors remain elusive. In this monocentric study, we hypothesized that atopy, the tendency to produce an exaggerated immunoglobulin E (IgE) immune response, is a risk factor for the manifestation of pediatric PCC. We present a patient cohort (n = 28) from an early pandemic period (2021-2022) with comprehensive evaluations of phenotypes, pulmonary function, and molecular investigations. PCC predominantly affected adolescents and presented with fatigue, dyspnea, and post-exertional malaise. Sensitizations to aeroallergens were found in 93% of cases. We observed elevated IgE levels (mean 174.2 kU/L, reference < 100 kU/L) regardless of disease severity. Concurrent Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) was found in 29% of patients that also faced challenges in school attendance. ME/CFS manifestation was significantly associated with elevated immunoglobulin G subclasses IgG3 (p < 0.05) and IgG4 (p < 0.05). A total of 57% of patients showed self-limiting disease courses with mean recovery at 12.7 months (range 5-25 months), 29% at 19.2 months (range 12-30 months), and the rest demonstrated overall improvement. These findings offer additional insights into immune dysregulation as a risk factor for pediatric PCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Walter Körner
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ole Yannick Bansemir
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Rosa Franke
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Julius Sturm
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Hormos Salimi Dafsari
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Rare Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
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Pediconi MG, Brunori M, Romani S. Back to School after Corona Virus Disease of 2019: New Relationships, Distance Schooling, and Experienced Routine. CONTINUITY IN EDUCATION 2023; 4:105-125. [PMID: 38774900 PMCID: PMC11104357 DOI: 10.5334/cie.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
The Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has upset the students' daily routine, forcing them at first into a sudden transition to distance learning and then to a return to school modelled on the basis of infection containment measures. The present research involved 157 students from schools in central Italy with a mean age of 13.58 years old to investigate the affective impact of the pandemic on the school experience and its components (recess, oral testing, relationships with classmates, and relationship pupils-teachers). The results show that only a few have experienced school interruption in a traumatic way: they have appreciated neither distance learning, nor the return to school; for these teenagers, the school of the past has died. Other adolescents and pre-adolescents tried to replace the face-to-face mode with distance learning, maintaining certain attention to the school even during the quarantine. However, the online mode did not keep its promise. Those who have invested more in digital innovation find it difficult to return to normality today. For all of them, socialization mediated by school experience is decisive in supporting the return to ordinary life after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michela Brunori
- Department of Economics Society Politics (DESP), University of Urbino, Urbino, IT
| | - Savino Romani
- Department of Economics Society Politics (DESP), University of Urbino, Urbino, IT
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Cortés J, Aguiar PMV, Ferrinho P. COVID-19-related adolescent mortality and morbidity in nineteen European countries. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:3997-4005. [PMID: 37382673 PMCID: PMC10570162 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05068-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents in most countries experienced a syndemic of malnutrition, obesity, deprivation, mental health problems, inequalities, and the effects of climate change. Today, other factors have added to this burden during the pandemic, and it is important to have an updated reflection. We aimed to assess the risk and protective factors for COVID-19-related adolescent mortality and morbidity in the European region. Three double models were fitted to analyze the relationship between different factors with the number of diagnosed cases and deaths. The 1a and 1b use a multiple Poisson regression. The 2a and 2b are optimized models that use the same variables as prior models but with backward selection with a p value < 0.05 as the limit. Finally, the 3a and 3b models (backward stepwise multivariable Poisson regression) include the variable "fully vaccinated." All models used the at-risk population (15-19 years or total population) as a regression covariate (offset). Increased access to quality healthcare (IRR 0.68; CI 0.55-0.84), increased private sector involvement (IRR 0.86; CI 0.82-0.90), Gini coefficient (IRR 0.93; CI 0.88-0.99), and full vaccination (IRR 0.94; CI 0.90-0.99) represent protective factors of COVID-19 mortality in this population. Additionally, a positive association between pollution and mortality was found. Conclusion: Being fully vaccinated and having access to quality medical care are protective factors against COVID-19 mortality in this age group. Interestingly, the more the pollution, the greater the risk of dying from COVID-19. We stress the great importance of coordination between the public and private sectors to address crises such as the current one. What is Known: • Compared to other age groups, adolescents have been little studied, and most studies focused on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. What is New: • In this study, we show how in 19 European countries, different factors interact, such as socio-demographic, environmental, health system, and control measures with morbidity and mortality by COVID-19, in a very little studied age group as teenagers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Cortés
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, NOVA University Lisbon, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Manuel Vargues Aguiar
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paulo Ferrinho
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Comprehensive Health Research Center, CHRC, NOVA University Lisbon, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
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Paulo MS, Peyroteo M, Maia MR, Pries C, Habl C, Lapão LV. Impacts of public health and social measures on COVID-19 in Europe: a review and modified Delphi technique. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1226922. [PMID: 37719729 PMCID: PMC10501783 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1226922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 led countries to implement a set of public health and social measures (PHSMs) attempting to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study aims to review the existing literature regarding key results of the PHSMs that were implemented, and to identify the PHSMs considered to have most impacted the epidemiological curve of COVID-19 over the last years during different stages of the pandemic. Methods The PHSM under study were selected from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT), supplemented by topics presented during the Rapid Exchange Forum (REF) meetings in the scope of the Population Health Information Research Infrastructure (PHIRI) project (H2020). The evidence- based review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to identify which reviews have already been published about each PHSMs and their results. In addition, two modified Delphi panel surveys were conducted among subject matter experts from 30 European countries to uphold the results found. Results There were 3,212 studies retrieved from PubMed, 162 full texts assessed for eligibility and 35 included in this PHSMs summary. The measures with clearest evidence on their positive impact from the evidence-based review include social distancing, hygiene measures, mask measures and testing policies. From the modified Delphi panel, the PHSMs considered most significant in the four periods analyzed were case isolation at home, face coverings, testing policy, and social distancing, respectively. Discussion The evidence found has significant implications for both researchers and policymakers. The study of PHSMs' impact on COVID-19 illustrates lessons learned for future pan- and epidemics, serving as a contribution to the health systems resilience discussion. These lessons, drawn from both the available scientific evidence and the perspectives of relevant subject matter experts, should also be considered in educational and preparedness programs and activities in the public health space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marília Silva Paulo
- CHRC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mariana Peyroteo
- CHRC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- UNIDEMI, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
- LASI, Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mélanie R. Maia
- UNIDEMI, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
- LASI, Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Cara Pries
- Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (Austrian National Public Health Institute), Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Habl
- Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (Austrian National Public Health Institute), Vienna, Austria
| | - Luís Velez Lapão
- CHRC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- UNIDEMI, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Caparica, Portugal
- LASI, Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes, Guimarães, Portugal
- WHO Collaborating Center for Health Workforce Policy and Planning, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Prem K, Choi YH, Bénard É, Burger EA, Hadley L, Laprise JF, Regan MC, Drolet M, Sy S, Abbas K, Portnoy A, Kim JJ, Brisson M, Jit M. Global impact and cost-effectiveness of one-dose versus two-dose human papillomavirus vaccination schedules: a comparative modelling analysis. BMC Med 2023; 21:313. [PMID: 37635227 PMCID: PMC10463590 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-02988-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem, the World Health Organization had recommended routine vaccination of adolescent girls with two doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine before sexual initiation. However, many countries have yet to implement HPV vaccination because of financial or logistical barriers to delivering two doses outside the infant immunisation programme. METHODS Using three independent HPV transmission models, we estimated the long-term health benefits and cost-effectiveness of one-dose versus two-dose HPV vaccination, in 188 countries, under scenarios in which one dose of the vaccine gives either a shorter duration of full protection (20 or 30 years) or lifelong protection but lower vaccine efficacy (e.g. 80%) compared to two doses. We simulated routine vaccination with the 9-valent HPV vaccine in 10-year-old girls at 80% coverage for the years 2021-2120, with a 1-year catch-up campaign up to age 14 at 80% coverage in the first year of the programme. RESULTS Over the years 2021-2120, one-dose vaccination at 80% coverage was projected to avert 115.2 million (range of medians: 85.1-130.4) and 146.8 million (114.1-161.6) cervical cancers assuming one dose of the vaccine confers 20 and 30 years of protection, respectively. Should one dose of the vaccine provide lifelong protection at 80% vaccine efficacy, 147.8 million (140.6-169.7) cervical cancer cases could be prevented. If protection wanes after 20 years, 65 to 889 additional girls would need to be vaccinated with the second dose to prevent one cervical cancer, depending on the epidemiological profiles of the country. Across all income groups, the threshold cost for the second dose was low: from 1.59 (0.14-3.82) USD in low-income countries to 44.83 (3.75-85.64) USD in high-income countries, assuming one dose confers 30-year protection. CONCLUSIONS Results were consistent across the three independent models and suggest that one-dose vaccination has similar health benefits to a two-dose programme while simplifying vaccine delivery, reducing costs, and alleviating vaccine supply constraints. The second dose may become cost-effective if there is a shorter duration of protection from one dose, cheaper vaccine and vaccination delivery strategies, and high burden of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiesha Prem
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Yoon Hong Choi
- Modelling and Economics Unit, Data, Analytics and Surveillance, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Élodie Bénard
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Emily A Burger
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Health Management and Health Economics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Liza Hadley
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Mary Caroline Regan
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mélanie Drolet
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Stephen Sy
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaja Abbas
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Allison Portnoy
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jane J Kim
- Center for Health Decision Science, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marc Brisson
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mark Jit
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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48
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Abdul Rahman H, Julaini NN, Zaim SNN, Masri NA, Abdul-Mumin KH. Mental Wellbeing and Health-Risk Behaviours of University Students in Brunei: A Cross-Sectional Study during COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2327. [PMID: 37628524 PMCID: PMC10454063 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11162327] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease discovered in 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the health behaviour of university students in a range of western nations and had a number of detrimental effects on their mental wellbeing. However, little is known about the impact on university students in Southeast Asia, particularly in Brunei. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and factors related to poor mental wellbeing and engaging in health-risk behaviors among university students in Brunei during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of students in all public universities was conducted from March to June 2021. Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and WHO STEPs questionnaires were used to measure mental wellbeing, physical activity, and health behaviors, respectively. Logistic regressions were applied. Results: A total of 1020 university students participated in this study (57% response rate). Prevalence of poor mental wellbeing and physical inactivity were 30% and 42.8%, respectively. Excessive snacking (89.7%), sugar intake (81.7%), and salt intake (53.8%) were the most prevalent health-risk behaviors. Body mass index and participating in sports activities were the most common factors related to mental wellbeing and health-risk behaviors. Conclusions: Participating in certain sports activities appears to have protective effects against study outcomes. However, a high prevalence of physical inactivity and unhealthy diet among university students is a concern, as it could be indicative of future non-communicable disease trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanif Abdul Rahman
- PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei; (N.N.J.); (S.N.N.Z.); (N.A.M.); (K.H.A.-M.)
- School of Nursing and Statistics Online Computational Resource, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Nurul Nazurah Julaini
- PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei; (N.N.J.); (S.N.N.Z.); (N.A.M.); (K.H.A.-M.)
| | - Siti Nurzaimah Nazhirah Zaim
- PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei; (N.N.J.); (S.N.N.Z.); (N.A.M.); (K.H.A.-M.)
| | - Nurfatin Amalina Masri
- PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei; (N.N.J.); (S.N.N.Z.); (N.A.M.); (K.H.A.-M.)
| | - Khadizah H. Abdul-Mumin
- PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong BE1410, Brunei; (N.N.J.); (S.N.N.Z.); (N.A.M.); (K.H.A.-M.)
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49
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Weng X, Chen Q, Sathapathi TK, Yin X, Wang L. Impact of school operating scenarios on COVID-19 transmission under vaccination in the U.S.: an agent-based simulation model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12836. [PMID: 37553415 PMCID: PMC10409779 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37980-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, K-12 schools struggled to safely operate under the fast-changing pandemic situation. However, little is known about the impact of different school operating scenarios considering the ongoing efforts of vaccination. In this study, we deployed an agent-based simulation model to mimic disease transmission in a mid-sized community consisting of 10,000 households. A total of eight school operating scenarios were simulated, in decreasing order of restrictiveness regarding COVID-19 mitigation measures. When masks were worn at school, work, and community environments, increasing in-person education from 50% to 100% would result in only 1% increase in cumulative infections. When there were no masks nor contact tracing while schools were 100% in person, the cumulative infection increased by 86% compared to the scenario when both masking and contact tracing were in place. In the sensitivity analysis for vaccination efficacy, we found that higher vaccination efficacy was essential in reducing overall infections. Our findings showed that full in-person education was safe, especially when contact tracing, masking, and widespread vaccination were in place. If no masking nor contact tracing was practiced, the transmission would rose dramatically but eventually slow down due to herd immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingran Weng
- Department of Public Health Sciences, A210, Penn State College of Medicine, 90 Hope Drive, Suite 2200, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Qiushi Chen
- Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Tarun Kumar Sathapathi
- Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Xin Yin
- Department of Public Health Sciences, A210, Penn State College of Medicine, 90 Hope Drive, Suite 2200, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Public Health Sciences, A210, Penn State College of Medicine, 90 Hope Drive, Suite 2200, Hershey, PA, 17033, USA.
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50
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Di Norcia A, Mascaro C, Bianchi D, Cannoni E, Szpunar G, Laghi F. Psychological Difficulties in Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Lockdown: The Effects of Spending Free Time with Parents or Using Digital Devices. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1349. [PMID: 37628348 PMCID: PMC10453172 DOI: 10.3390/children10081349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated protective and risk factors for psychological difficulties in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 lockdown. Specifically, the role of increased use of digital devices (DDs) for recreational purposes and the role of free time spent with parents were explored. Furthermore, the possible mediating effect of increased use of DDs in the relationship between free time spent with parents and psychological difficulties was tested. Participants were 4412 Italian children and adolescents, divided into two groups: children aged 6-10 years (n = 2248) and adolescents aged 11-18 years (n = 2164). Data were collected in Italy during the national lockdown and questionnaires were completed online by parents, who reported on their children's habits. The daily use of DDs increased significantly during the lockdown compared to the previous period, in both children and adolescents. Additionally, psychological difficulties increased in both children and adolescents during the lockdown, with a more severe impairment for children. Increased use of DDs during the lockdown positively predicted psychological difficulties (children: beta = 0.18, p < 0.001; adolescents: beta = 0.13, p < 0.001), while free time spent with parents was protective (children: beta = -13, p < 0.001; adolescents: beta = -0.12, p < 0.001). For children (but not adolescents), increased use of DDs mediated the effects of free time spent with parents on psychological difficulties (children: beta = -0.01, 95% CI [-0.018, -0.002]; adolescents: beta = -0.003, 95% CI [-0.009, 0.003]). The findings provide new insights for education and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Di Norcia
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (D.B.); (E.C.); (G.S.); (F.L.)
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