1
|
Garduño-Alanis A, Contreras-Manzano A, Salgado JC, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Curi-Quinto K, Barquera S. A high density of ultra-processed food, alcohol & tobacco retail stores, and social inequalities are associated with higher mortality rates of non-communicable diseases in Mexican adults: 2005 to 2021. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301387. [PMID: 38598474 PMCID: PMC11006154 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301387] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of mortality in Mexico. Factors contributing to NCDs-related deaths may vary across small geographic areas such as municipalities. We aimed to predict municipal-level factors associated with NCD mortality in Mexican adults from 2005 to 2021 using the small-area analysis (SSA) approach. METHODS We gathered data on population sociodemographic, access to healthcare services, and mortality records at the municipal-level from census and public institutions from 2005 to 2021. We identified municipal predictors of NCDs mortality rates (MR) using negative binomial regression models. RESULTS A total of 584,052 observations of Mexican adults were analyzed. The national expected NCDs MR per 100,000 inhabitants was 210.7 (95%CI: 196.1-226.7) in 2005 and increased to 322.4 (95%CI: 300.3-346.4) by 2021. Predictors of NCDs mortality (quintile 5 vs. quintile 1) included; indigeneity (IRR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.12-1.19), poverty (IRR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.13-1.15), affiliation with Mexican Social Security Institute (IRR = 1.11, 95%CI: 1.09-1.14), households with television (IRR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.11-1.17), and high density of ultra-processed food, alcohol & tobacco retail stores (IRR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.13-1.17). The greatest increases in MR were observed in municipalities from Oaxaca (>200% increments). CONCLUSION There was an overall increase in NCDs MR from 2005 to 2021, with a significant geographic variation among Mexican municipalities. The results of this study highlight the importance of identifying priority areas in the country that urgently require public policies focused on local factors associated with deaths from NCDs, such as the regulation of the ultra-processed food, alcohol & tobacco retail stores, and efforts to reduce social inequalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Garduño-Alanis
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- National Council of Humanities, Science and Technology, Mexico
- Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Contreras-Manzano
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- National Council of Humanities, Science and Technology, Mexico
| | - Juan Carlos Salgado
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- National Council of Humanities, Science and Technology, Mexico
| | - Héctor Lamadrid-Figueroa
- Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | | | - Simón Barquera
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shigenobu Y, Miyamori D, Ikeda K, Yoshida S, Kikuchi Y, Kanno K, Kashima S, Ito M. Assessing the Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Gastric Cancer Mortality Risk. J Clin Med 2024; 13:715. [PMID: 38337409 PMCID: PMC10856106 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030715] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on public health has been significant. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for screening and diagnosis decreased along with new gastric cancer (GC) diagnoses. METHODS This study assesses how the pandemic affected GC mortality using data from Hiroshima Prefecture, comparing mortality rates between patients diagnosed during the pandemic (2020 and 2021) and pre-pandemic (2018 and 2019) periods. The crude hazard ratios (HRs) and HRs adjusted for age, sex, clinical stage, treatment status, and travel distance to the nearest GC screening facility were estimated using Cox regression models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. RESULTS A total of 9571 patients were diagnosed, with 4877 eligible for follow-up. The median age was 74 years, and 69% were male. The median follow-up period was 157 days, with events per 1000 person-years at 278 and 374 in the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, respectively (crude HR, 1.37; adjusted HR, 1.17). The sensitivity and subgroup analyses yielded consistent results. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic increased mortality risk in patients with GC. Further studies are required to observe long-term outcomes and identify the disparities contributing to the increased mortality risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Shigenobu
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan; (Y.S.); (K.I.); (S.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Daisuke Miyamori
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan; (Y.S.); (K.I.); (S.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Kotaro Ikeda
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan; (Y.S.); (K.I.); (S.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Shuhei Yoshida
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan; (Y.S.); (K.I.); (S.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Yuka Kikuchi
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan; (Y.S.); (K.I.); (S.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Keishi Kanno
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan; (Y.S.); (K.I.); (S.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.K.); (M.I.)
| | - Saori Kashima
- Environmental Health Sciences Laboratory, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-5-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8511, Japan;
- Center for the Planetary Health and Innovation Science, The IDEC Institute, Hiroshima University, 1-5-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8511, Japan
| | - Masanori Ito
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minamiku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan; (Y.S.); (K.I.); (S.Y.); (Y.K.); (K.K.); (M.I.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Armendáriz-Arnez C, Tamayo-Ortiz M, Mora-Ardila F, Rodríguez-Barrena ME, Barros-Sierra D, Castillo F, Sánchez-Vargas A, Lopez-Carr D, Deardorff J, Eskenazi B, Mora AM. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in avocado farmworkers from Mexico. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1252530. [PMID: 38174080 PMCID: PMC10761533 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1252530] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected farmworkers in the United States and Europe, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the specific impact of the pandemic on agriculture and food production workers in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and assess the mental health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among avocado farmworkers in Michoacan, Mexico. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of adult farmworkers (n = 395) in May 2021. We collected survey data, nasal swabs and saliva samples for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection, and blood samples for immunoglobulin G (IgG) reactivity measurements. Results None of the farmworkers tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. However, among unvaccinated farmworkers (n = 336, 85%), approximately one-third (33%) showed evidence of past infection (positive for IgG against SARS-CoV-2). Unvaccinated farmworkers who lived with other farmworkers (aRR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.05), had ever lived with someone with COVID-19 (aRR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.43), and who had diabetes (aRR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.53, 2.85) had a higher risk of testing IgG-positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In contrast, unvaccinated farmworkers living in more rural areas (outside of Tingambato or Uruapan) (aRR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.96) or cooking with wood-burning stove (aRR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.96) had a lower risk of IgG-positivity. Moreover, 66% of farmworkers reported a negative impact of the pandemic on their lives, 29% reported experiencing food insecurity and difficulty paying bills, and 10% reported depression or anxiety symptoms. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the mental health and financial well-being of avocado farmworkers. Consequently, the implementation of interventions and prevention efforts, such as providing mental health support and food assistance services, is imperative.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Armendáriz-Arnez
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Mexico
| | - Marcela Tamayo-Ortiz
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Francisco Mora-Ardila
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Mexico
| | | | | | - Federico Castillo
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Armando Sánchez-Vargas
- Institute of Economic Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - David Lopez-Carr
- Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Julianna Deardorff
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Brenda Eskenazi
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Ana M. Mora
- Center for Environmental Research and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pickering J, Wister AV, O'Dea E, Chaudhury H. Social isolation and loneliness among older adults living in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. BMC Geriatr 2023; 23:511. [PMID: 37612647 PMCID: PMC10464360 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04196-3] [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: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The causes and consequences of social isolation and loneliness of older people living in rural contexts during the COVID-19 pandemic were systematically reviewed to describe patterns, causes and consequences. METHODS Using the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) scoping review method, searches were conducted between March and December 2022, 1013 articles were screened and 29 were identified for data extraction. RESULTS Findings were summarized using thematic analysis separated into four major themes: prevalence of social isolation and loneliness; rural-only research; comparative urban-rural research; and technological and other interventions. Core factors for each of these themes describe the experiences of older people during the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns. We observed that there are interrelationships and some contradictory findings among the themes. CONCLUSIONS Social isolation and loneliness are associated with a wide variety of health problems and challenges, highlighting the need for further research. This scoping review systematically identified several important insights into existing knowledge from the experiences of older people living in rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, while pointing to pressing knowledge and policy gaps that can be addressed in future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Pickering
- Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, 2800-515 Hastings Street Vancouver, Burnaby, BC, V6B 5K3, Canada.
| | - Andrew V Wister
- Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, 2800-515 Hastings Street Vancouver, Burnaby, BC, V6B 5K3, Canada
- Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eireann O'Dea
- Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Habib Chaudhury
- Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, 2800-515 Hastings Street Vancouver, Burnaby, BC, V6B 5K3, Canada
- Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Weber G, Cabras I, Peredo AM, Yanguas-Parra P, Prime K. Exploring resilience in public services within marginalised communities during COVID-19: The case of coal mining regions in Colombia. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION 2023; 415:137880. [PMID: 37362962 PMCID: PMC10285674 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on marginalised communities and its effects on the provision of public services. Focusing on two coal mining regions in Colombia during the pandemic crisis, and examining Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, we analyze the provision of public services at a local level, identifying both shortcomings and resilience. Findings show that the lack of resilient public services amplified the effects of COVID-19 and its containment measures, exacerbating existing structural inequalities within local marginalised communities. It also reinforced the control exercised by coal mining companies within local economies. However, the substantial lack of public service provision also provided space for the development and strengthening of several resilience strategies among local communities, such as solidarity networks and schemes and the revitalization of local environmental knowledge. The study identifies multiple shortcomings in how the national and local administrations handled the COVID-19 outbreak and highlights the potential of enhancing resilience in public services to support marginalised communities in times of crisis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Weber
- ESSCA, School of Management, Angers, Bordeaux, France
| | - Ignazio Cabras
- ESSCA, School of Management, Angers, Bordeaux, France
- Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Ana Maria Peredo
- Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa (Canada) and School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Canada
| | | | - Karla Prime
- Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Henning-Smith C, Meltzer G, Kobayashi LC, Finlay JM. Rural/urban differences in mental health and social well-being among older US adults in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:505-511. [PMID: 35369828 PMCID: PMC11071151 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2060184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study seeks to identify differences in mental health and social well-being during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults by rural/urban location. METHODS We use data from the COVID-19 Coping Study, a nation-wide online study of U.S. adults aged 55 and older (n = 6,873) fielded during April-May, 2020. We investigated rural/urban differences in mental health (depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms) and social well-being (loneliness and social isolation); concern about COVID-19; and types of social participation (e.g. phone/video calls, visits). We also used multivariable logistic regression models to assess the relationship of rurality with mental health, adjusting for socio-demographic correlates, COVID-19 history, and COVID-19 concern. RESULTS We found similar prevalence of mental health and social well-being outcomes for rural and urban respondents. Rural respondents reported lower concern about COVID-19 and more frequent use of social media than urban respondents. CONCLUSION Mental health and social well-being did not differ by rural/urban location in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, rural residents reported less concern about COVID-19 and more use of social media, potentially leading to greater risk of illness from the pandemic in later months.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Henning-Smith
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Gabriella Meltzer
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY
| | - Lindsay C. Kobayashi
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Jessica M. Finlay
- Social Environment and Health Program, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Axenhus M, Frederiksen KS, Zhou RZ, Waldemar G, Winblad B. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality in people with dementia without COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:878. [PMCID: PMC9675075 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03602-6] [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: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Significant mortality amongst vulnerable populations, such as people living with dementia, might go undetected during pandemic conditions due to refocus of care efforts. There is an urgent need to fully evaluate the pandemic impact on mortality amongst people living with dementia in order to facilitate future healthcare reforms and prevent deaths. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was any significant difference in mortality amongst people with dementia without COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to previous years. Methods A literature search was conducted in 5 databases. The relative risk ratio and confidence interval was used to estimate the change in mortality rates amongst people with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The I2 value was used to assess heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results Pooled analysis of 11 studies showed that mortality amongst people living with dementia was significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic for people with dementia without COVID-19. Mortality risk increased by 25% during the time period studied. Subgroup analysis was not performed due the low number of included studies. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that people with dementia had a significant increased mortality during the pandemic even if they did not have COVID-19. People with dementia should participate in efforts that reduce general social spread and pandemic impact on healthcare system such as vaccinations, mask mandates, and testing. These results have clinical implications as preventing direct COVID-19 infection is not enough to adequately protect people living with dementia from increased mortality. Measures to limit social spread of infections and help support patients should also be a focus for clinicians. Further research should focus on the identification of mechanisms and other explanations for increased mortality as well as contributing factors such as living in care homes and differences between countries with various pandemic strategies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03602-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Axenhus
- grid.465198.7Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden ,grid.24381.3c0000 0000 9241 5705Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kristian Steen Frederiksen
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDanish Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robin Ziyue Zhou
- grid.465198.7Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Gunhild Waldemar
- grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDanish Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ,grid.5254.60000 0001 0674 042XDept. of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bengt Winblad
- grid.465198.7Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden ,grid.24381.3c0000 0000 9241 5705Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Santoyo-Sánchez G, Merino-Soto C, Flores-Hernández S, Pelcastre-Villafuerte BE, Reyes-Morales H. Content Validity of a Scale Designed to Measure the Access of Older Adults to Outpatient Health Services. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191610102. [PMID: 36011737 PMCID: PMC9407808 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this work was to validate the content of a scale formulated in Spanish for older adults in Mexico, with the aim of comprehensively measuring the access of this population group to outpatient primary-care services. To this end, we carried out a methodological content-validity study in four stages: (1) construction of the scale; (2) evaluation of item legibility; (3) quantitative content evaluation by two groups of judges selected by convenience: participant-judges including older adults with adequate reading comprehension, surveyed in person (n = 23), and expert-judges comprised of researchers specialized in the fields of health services, psychometrics and aging, surveyed online (n = 7); and (4) collection of qualitative feedback from several of the participant-judges (older adults, n = 4). The content was validated both by sequentially examining the level of consensus in the responses of both groups of judges, using the Tastle and Wierman method, and by calculating Aiken's Validity Coefficient with a 90% confidence interval. The scale contained 65 items pertaining to 10 dimensions of two major constructs: accessibility (n = 39) and personal abilities (n = 26). Five items were eliminated in accordance with the minimum-consensus criterion (0.5). This is the first psychometric scale to be developed in Mexico with the view of integrating the characteristics of health-care services and the abilities of the older adults in a single questionnaire designed to measure the access of this population group to outpatient primary-care services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Santoyo-Sánchez
- School of Public Health of Mexico, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca 62100, Morelos, Mexico
| | - César Merino-Soto
- Psychology Research Institute, San Martin de Porres University, Avenue Tomás Marsano 232, Lima 34, Peru
| | - Sergio Flores-Hernández
- Center for Evaluation and Surveys, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca 62100, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Blanca Estela Pelcastre-Villafuerte
- Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca 62100, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Hortensia Reyes-Morales
- Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca 62100, Morelos, Mexico
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-(777)-329-3028
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fading Affect Bias in Mexico: Differential Fading of Emotional Intensity in Death Memories and Everyday Negative Memories. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
10
|
Rodríguez M, Porras-Villamil J, Martin L, Rivera J, Mantilla Y, Olivera M. Seroprevalence of IgM and IgG anti-SARS-COV-2 and associated factors among agricultural workers in Colombia. New Microbes New Infect 2022; 48:101026. [PMID: 36090798 PMCID: PMC9441476 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2022.101026] [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: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The population of South America has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this region, during the year 2020, high seroprevalence percentages were reported, which have been associated with the socioeconomic characteristics of the population, mainly in urban areas. However, a relative lack of information on the dynamics of the pandemic in rural areas of these countries, where the population is more vulnerable, is still present. This study determined antibody prevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in urban and rural food producing workers in Colombia. Methods A total of 1242 workers, urban and rural, linked to poultry, dairy, and meat production and supply chains, were analyzed through a sociodemographic survey and two serological tests against S and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Results 78.7% were male. 50.9% of the participants were rural inhabitants, with an average age of 40.9 years old. 39.2% had IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 S protein and 31.3% against N protein for the same virus; 83.6% had not been tested with an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 and 75.7% did not report symptoms related to the disease. The associated risk factors were low education, OR: 1.46, greater number of cohabitants, OR: 1.36, and contact with people infected with COVID-19, OR: 2.03. Conclusions The seroprevalences found suggest an important interconnectivity between rural and urban areas, where asymptomatic subjects and sociodemographic factors facilitate the virus' spread in the population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M.F. Rodríguez
- Faculty of Health Sciences Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia
- Corresponding author: Martha Fabiola Rodríguez Álvarez, Carrera 5 No 59 A 44, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | | | - L.V. Martin
- Faculty of Health Sciences Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - J.E. Rivera
- LIAC Laboratory, Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Y.C. Mantilla
- LIAC Laboratory, Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - M.J. Olivera
- Parasitology Group from the Colombian National Health Institute, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Iturbe Esquivel B, Meneses Calderón J, Concepción Carrillo LE, Mendieta Zeron H. Rural treatment of COVID-19 patients with pirfenidone, nitazoxanide and colchicine. Case series. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 2022; 93. [PMID: 35678532 DOI: 10.4081/monaldi.2022.2143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Combined treatments against SARS-CoV-2 are emerging and some have taken into account the post-COVID-19 fibrosis. The aim of this survey was to report the experience of treating COVID-19 patients with pirfenidone, nitazoxanide (NTZ) and colchicine. It was a case series report of COVID-19 patients treated from December 2020 to March 2021, in a rural health center located in the State of Mexico, Mexico. 23 patients were included (mean age 44.5 ± 17.1 years), 12 women (mean age 45.9 ± 17.9 years) and 11 men (mean age 43 ± 16.9 years) with four deaths (17.39%). The evolution time was of 17.3 ± 6.7 days being the main symptoms fever (82.6%), myalgia (69.6%) and cough (65.2%). The main comorbidities were overweight/obesity 18 (78.26%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) 4 (17.39%), Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 5 (21.73%) and systemic hypertension 2 (8.69%). Two patients were intubated and both died; in these cases, they refused to take NTZ until after three days the medical doctor had prescribed it for the first time. It can be concluded that implementing a mixed treatment with pirfenidone, NTZ and colchicine could improve the survival rate in ambulatory patients of low socioeconomic status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hugo Mendieta Zeron
- Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEMéx), Toluca; Ciprés Grupo Médico S.C., Toluca.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Olaiz-Fernández G, Vicuña de Anda FJ, Diaz-Ramirez JB, Fajardo Dolci GE, Bautista-Carbajal P, Angel-Ambrocio AH, García-León ML, Gómez Peña E, Camacho Morales JA, Wong-Chew RM. Effect of Omicron on the prevalence of COVID-19 in international travelers at the Mexico city international airport. December 16th, 2021 to January 31st, 2022. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 49:102361. [PMID: 35640809 PMCID: PMC9148423 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Introduction SARS-CoV-2 continues to have a high rate of contagion worldwide. The new variant of concern, Omicron, has mutations that decrease the effectiveness of vaccines and evade antibodies from previous infections resulting in a fourth wave of the pandemic. It was identified in Mexico in December 2021. Methods The Traveler's Preventive Care Clinic from the Faculty of Medicine UNAM at Mexico City International Airport has performed rapid antigen and PCR SARS CoV2 tests since January 2021 to comply with the new travel requirements. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected from each passenger and the fourth wave of the pandemic in Mexico mainly caused by Omicron was analyzed in the travelers. Results A total of 5176 travelers attended the clinic between the second half of December 2021 and January 2022. Ten percent of all the tests performed were positive (13% of PCR and 9.3% of antigens, p = 0.001). Most of the SARS CoV2 positive cases were asymptomatic (78%), with a ratio of 3.5:1 over the symptomatic. By age groups, this ratio was higher for those under 20 years old (8.7:1). Discussion This study shows the rapid escalation of positivity that occurred in Mexico, detected in travelers, from the second half of December 2020 and throughout the month of January 2021. The incidence of COVID-19 was extremely high in travelers who were mostly asymptomatic for the period under study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Olaiz-Fernández
- Center for Research in Policies, Population and Health, Faculty of MedicineUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Edificio CIPPS, Piso 2, Cto, Centro Cultural Universitario S/N, C.U. Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Félix Jesús Vicuña de Anda
- Center for Research in Policies, Population and Health, Faculty of MedicineUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Edificio CIPPS, Piso 2, Cto, Centro Cultural Universitario S/N, C.U. Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jorge-Baruch Diaz-Ramirez
- Traveler's Preventive Care Clinic, Facultad de MedicinaUNAM, Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México "Benito Juarez", Terminal 2, Venustiano Carranza, 15626, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | | | - Patricia Bautista-Carbajal
- División de Investigación, Laboratorio de Investigación en enfermedades infecciosas, Facultad de MedicinaUNAM, Cto. Escolar S/N, Copilco el Alto, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Antonio Humberto Angel-Ambrocio
- División de Investigación, Laboratorio de Investigación en enfermedades infecciosas, Facultad de MedicinaUNAM, Cto. Escolar S/N, Copilco el Alto, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Miguel Leonardo García-León
- División de Investigación, Laboratorio de Investigación en enfermedades infecciosas, Facultad de MedicinaUNAM, Cto. Escolar S/N, Copilco el Alto, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Elena Gómez Peña
- Center for Research in Policies, Population and Health, Faculty of MedicineUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Edificio CIPPS, Piso 2, Cto, Centro Cultural Universitario S/N, C.U. Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jorge Alejandro Camacho Morales
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Faculty of MedicineUNAM, Cto. Escolar S/N, Copilco el Alto, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rosa Maria Wong-Chew
- División de Investigación, Laboratorio de Investigación en enfermedades infecciosas, Facultad de MedicinaUNAM, Cto. Escolar S/N, Copilco el Alto, Coyoacán, 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Monroy-Gómez-Franco L, Vélez-Grajales R, López-Calva LF. The potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on learnings. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2022; 91:102581. [PMID: 35308115 PMCID: PMC8920787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2022.102581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we use a new database for Mexico to model the possible long-run effects of the pandemic on learning. First, based on the framework of Neidhöffer et al. (2021), we estimate the loss of schooling due to the transition from in-person to remote learning using data from the National Survey on Social Mobility (ESRU-EMOVI-2017), census data, and national statistics of COVID-19 incidence. In this estimation, we account for the attenuation capacity of households by econsidering the parental educational attainment and the economic resources available to the household in the calculation of the short-run cost. Secondly, we estimate the potential long-run consequences of this shock through a calibrated learning profile for five Mexican regions following Kaffenberger and Pritchett (2020a, 2020b). Assuming the distance learning policy adopted by the Mexican government is entirely effective, our results indicate that a learning loss equivalent to the learning during a third of a school year in the short run translates into a learning loss equivalent to an entire school year further up the educational career of students. On the other hand, if the policy was ineffective, the short-run loss increases to an entire school year and becomes a loss of two years of learning in the long run. Our results suggest substantial variation at the regional level, with the most affected region, the South experiencing a loss thrice as large as that of the least affected region, the Centre region.
Collapse
|
14
|
Emmer De Albuquerque Green C, Scharf T, Kessler EM. Responding to Covid-19: an analysis of position statements of gerontological societies worldwide. Eur J Ageing 2022; 19:1229-1241. [PMID: 36692750 PMCID: PMC9014281 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-022-00700-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic, with its adverse implications for older adults, has generated unprecedented public interest in issues around age and ageing globally. We systematically investigated the responses of national gerontological and geriatric societies (NGGS) to emerging challenges during the first wave of the pandemic. Framed within traditional research topics in gerontology, the aim was to identify the spectrum of focal points and positions directed towards governments, policy makers, researchers and society. A comprehensive, two-phased data collection strategy generated N = 22 position statements of NGGS affiliated to the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Using Ayalon et al. (J Gerontol Ser B, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa066 ) thematic categorisation of gerontological research, we applied quantitative and qualitative content analysis to analyse "calls for action" within the statements. The content of NGGS' position statements show a high level of agreement on the salient topics during the first wave of the pandemic and reveal shared values such as equality, diversity and inclusion of older adults and the discipline of gerontology to be an applied one with relevance to policy and practice. The results can support future interdisciplinary research in gerontology post Covid-19 based on a vision to contribute to a society of all ages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Scharf
- Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Eva-Marie Kessler
- Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhou L, Romero N, Martínez-Miranda J, Conejero JA, García-Gómez JM, Sáez C. Subphenotyping of COVID-19 patients at pre-admission towards anticipated severity stratification: an analysis of 778 692 Mexican patients through an age-sex unbiased meta-clustering technique. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2022; 8:e30032. [PMID: 35144239 PMCID: PMC9098229 DOI: 10.2196/30032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented global health care challenge for both medical institutions and researchers. Recognizing different COVID-19 subphenotypes—the division of populations of patients into more meaningful subgroups driven by clinical features—and their severity characterization may assist clinicians during the clinical course, the vaccination process, research efforts, the surveillance system, and the allocation of limited resources. Objective We aimed to discover age-sex unbiased COVID-19 patient subphenotypes based on easily available phenotypical data before admission, such as pre-existing comorbidities, lifestyle habits, and demographic features, to study the potential early severity stratification capabilities of the discovered subgroups through characterizing their severity patterns, including prognostic, intensive care unit (ICU), and morbimortality outcomes. Methods We used the Mexican Government COVID-19 open data, including 778,692 SARS-CoV-2 population-based patient-level data as of September 2020. We applied a meta-clustering technique that consists of a 2-stage clustering approach combining dimensionality reduction (ie, principal components analysis and multiple correspondence analysis) and hierarchical clustering using the Ward minimum variance method with Euclidean squared distance. Results In the independent age-sex clustering analyses, 56 clusters supported 11 clinically distinguishable meta-clusters (MCs). MCs 1-3 showed high recovery rates (90.27%-95.22%), including healthy patients of all ages, children with comorbidities and priority in receiving medical resources (ie, higher rates of hospitalization, intubation, and ICU admission) compared with other adult subgroups that have similar conditions, and young obese smokers. MCs 4-5 showed moderate recovery rates (81.30%-82.81%), including patients with hypertension or diabetes of all ages and obese patients with pneumonia, hypertension, and diabetes. MCs 6-11 showed low recovery rates (53.96%-66.94%), including immunosuppressed patients with high comorbidity rates, patients with chronic kidney disease with a poor survival length and probability of recovery, older smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, older adults with severe diabetes and hypertension, and the oldest obese smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mild cardiovascular disease. Group outcomes conformed to the recent literature on dedicated age-sex groups. Mexican states and several types of clinical institutions showed relevant heterogeneity regarding severity, potentially linked to socioeconomic or health inequalities. Conclusions The proposed 2-stage cluster analysis methodology produced a discriminative characterization of the sample and explainability over age and sex. These results can potentially help in understanding the clinical patient and their stratification for automated early triage before further tests and laboratory results are available and even in locations where additional tests are not available or to help decide resource allocation among vulnerable subgroups such as to prioritize vaccination or treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lexin Zhou
- Biomedical Data Science Lab, Instituto Universitario de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones (ITACA), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Valencia, ES
| | - Nekane Romero
- Biomedical Data Science Lab, Instituto Universitario de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones (ITACA), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Valencia, ES
| | - Juan Martínez-Miranda
- CONACyT - Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada - CICESE-UT3, Ensenada, MX
| | - J Alberto Conejero
- Instituto Universitario de Matemática Pura y Aplicada (IUMPA), Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, ES
| | - Juan M García-Gómez
- Biomedical Data Science Lab, Instituto Universitario de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones (ITACA), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Valencia, ES
| | - Carlos Sáez
- Biomedical Data Science Lab, Instituto Universitario de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones (ITACA), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia 46022, España, Valencia, ES
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Ohta R, Ueno A, Sano C. Changes in the Comprehensiveness of Rural Medical Care for Older Japanese Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182010772. [PMID: 34682516 PMCID: PMC8535374 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Help-seeking behaviors (HSBs) refer to how people use lay and medical care to address their symptoms and diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed older, rural patients’ preferences and experiences regarding HSBs, thereby, affecting the comprehensiveness of medical support for communities. This study identified changes in the comprehensiveness of medical care for older, rural patients, who are often dependent on others for accessing medical services. This observational study was performed with patients who lived in Unnan City. Patients’ dependency and changes in comprehensiveness of medical services were assessed and calculated. The total usage of medical care decreased from 2018 to 2020 at all medical care levels. The proportion of patients who received comprehensive care was higher in 2020 than in 2018, at all care levels. At care dependent levels 3 to 5, the differences in the proportions were statistically significant. This study illustrates an association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the proportion of comprehensiveness of medical care among older rural patients with a decrease in medical care usage. Moreover, an improved proportion of comprehensiveness of medical care leads to appropriate HSBs. Going forward, HSBs and patient-centered care should be promoted by policy makers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryuichi Ohta
- Community Care, Unnan City Hospital, Daito-cho Iida, Unnan 699-1221, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-9050605330
| | - Akinori Ueno
- Unnan Public Health Center, Unnan 699-1311, Japan;
| | - Chiaki Sano
- Department of Community Medicine Management, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Enya-cho, Izumo 693-8501, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Navarro-Olivos E, Padilla-Raygoza N, Flores-Vargas G, Gallardo-Luna MDJ, León-Verdín MG, Lara-Lona E, Magos-Vázquez FJ, Díaz-Martínez DA. COVID-19-Associated Case Fatality Rate in Subjects Under 18 Years Old in Mexico, up to December 31, 2020. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:696425. [PMID: 34660475 PMCID: PMC8517252 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.696425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 and the COVID-19 have become a global health crisis. The infection has been present in all the social sectors. Subjects under 18 years are one of them. The objective was to analyze the case fatality ratio of COVID-19 cases in the Mexican population under 18 years of age registered in the National Epidemiological Surveillance System from March 2020 to December 31, 2020. Material and Methods: The design is cross-sectional, quantitative, and analytical. All the suspected cases of respiratory viral disease, with a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result, aged from 0 to 17 years, were included. Descriptive statistics are presented for all the variables. Epidemiological curves were designed. The chi-squared test and its P-values were obtained to show the relationship between comorbidities and death. The case fatality ratio was computed for each comorbidity, sex, and age group. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to study the effect between comorbidities with the fatality of cases, adjusting for sex and age group as potential confounders. The alpha value was fixed to 0.05 to assess significance. Results: The number of records for this study was 167,856. Among them, 48,505 were from SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (28.90%), and 119,351 (71.10%) were negative. Of those who died, males (55.29%) (P < 0.05) and those under 2 years of age (50.35%) (P < 0.05) predominated. Unlike in older populations, from the comorbidities considered risk factors for death by COVID-19, only immunosuppression showed a statistically significant effect on the fatality of cases after adjustment by the other related variables. Sex and age group were not confounders for the models in those under 18 years old. Pneumonia, being younger than 5 years, and immunosuppression are related to death. Conclusion: The case fatality ratio in those under 18 years old is low. Special attention must be paid to those children under 5 years. The development of pneumonia is a warning indicator while treating them. On the other hand, having an open database of cases allows the researchers to analyze the impact of COVID-19 in different population sectors, which has clear benefits for public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Efraín Navarro-Olivos
- Directorate of Teaching and Research, Institute of Public Health From Guanajuato State, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Nicolás Padilla-Raygoza
- Department of Research and Technological Development, Directorate of Teaching and Research, Institute of Public Health From Guanajuato State, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Gilberto Flores-Vargas
- Department of Research and Technological Development, Directorate of Teaching and Research, Institute of Public Health From Guanajuato State, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - María de Jesús Gallardo-Luna
- Department of Research and Technological Development, Directorate of Teaching and Research, Institute of Public Health From Guanajuato State, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Ma Guadalupe León-Verdín
- Department of Research and Technological Development, Directorate of Teaching and Research, Institute of Public Health From Guanajuato State, Guanajuato, Mexico
| | - Elia Lara-Lona
- Department of Medicine and Nutrition, Division of Health Sciences, Universidad de Guanajuato, León, Mexico
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Li Y, Hu T, Gai X, Zhang Y, Zhou X. Transmission Dynamics, Heterogeneity and Controllability of SARS-CoV-2: A Rural-Urban Comparison. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:5221. [PMID: 34068947 PMCID: PMC8156721 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have examined the transmission dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in rural areas and clarified rural-urban differences. Moreover, the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) relative to vaccination in rural areas is uncertain. We addressed this knowledge gap through using an improved statistical stochastic method based on the Galton-Watson branching process, considering both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. Data included 1136 SARS-2-CoV infections of the rural outbreak in Hebei, China, and 135 infections of the urban outbreak in Tianjin, China. We reconstructed SARS-CoV-2 transmission chains and analyzed the effectiveness of vaccination and NPIs by simulation studies. The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 showed strong heterogeneity in urban and rural areas, with the dispersion parameters k = 0.14 and 0.35, respectively (k < 1 indicating strong heterogeneity). Although age group and contact-type distributions significantly differed between urban and rural areas, the average reproductive number (R) and k did not. Further, simulation results based on pre-control parameters (R = 0.81, k = 0.27) showed that in the vaccination scenario (80% efficacy and 55% coverage), the cumulative secondary infections will be reduced by more than half; however, NPIs are more effective than vaccinating 65% of the population. These findings could inform government policies regarding vaccination and NPIs in rural and urban areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuying Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; (Y.L.); (T.H.); (X.G.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Taojun Hu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; (Y.L.); (T.H.); (X.G.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xin Gai
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; (Y.L.); (T.H.); (X.G.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yunjun Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; (Y.L.); (T.H.); (X.G.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xiaohua Zhou
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; (Y.L.); (T.H.); (X.G.); (Y.Z.)
- Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Center for Statistical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ohta R, Ryu Y, Sano C. Fears Related to COVID-19 among Rural Older People in Japan. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9050524. [PMID: 33946911 PMCID: PMC8146122 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9050524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected people’s social lives by inhibiting their movement; this seriously impacts the lives of older people in particular. Rural older people may have been particularly affected because they live dispersedly and in isolation. This study explored rural older people’s perceptions of how COVID-19 has impacted their social lives. This qualitative study assessed participants who were 65 years and older and residing in rural Japanese communities. Five focus group discussions were conducted with 53 participants to explore their perceptions and challenges during COVID-19. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and four themes were developed: the beginning of suffering, social cognitive suppression, reflection on rural contexts, and critical approaches to the pandemic based on rural standards. The daily activities of rural older people were suppressed due to social norms and pandemic-related standard precautionary measures based on urban areas. Specific infection control standards for rural areas and the provision of direct information to individuals in the community to sustain social support are needed. To effectively maintain rural social support, as well as the trust and accountability of rural citizens, constant dialog among local governments and rural citizens is required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryuichi Ohta
- Community Care, Unnan City Hospital, 699-1221 96-1 Iida, Daito-cho, Unnan 699-1221, Shimane, Japan;
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +81-90-5060-5330
| | - Yoshinori Ryu
- Community Care, Unnan City Hospital, 699-1221 96-1 Iida, Daito-cho, Unnan 699-1221, Shimane, Japan;
| | - Chiaki Sano
- Department of Community Medicine Management, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya cho, Izumo 693-8501, Shimane, Japan;
| |
Collapse
|