Knowledge, attitudes, practices and fear of COVID-19 among Iranians: A quick online survey

The effect of COVID-19 on utilization of chronic diseases services

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of Covid-19 on utilization of chronic diseases services.

METHODS

Interrupted time-series design was used to examine the utilization of chronic diseases services before and during the Covid-19 pandemic among hospitals in Iran. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chemotherapy were selected as a proxy to indicate the impact of Covid-19 on utilization of chronic diseases services. Data were collected in 24 sites from 12 months before the onset of Covid-19 (from March 2019 to February 2020) to 12 months during the Covid-19 pandemic (February 2020 to March 2021).

RESULTS

A total of 7,039,378 services were provided, of which 51.92% were provided for women and 62.73% for >65 age group. A sudden decrease was observed in monthly utilization of services during the Covid-19 pandemic; ranging from 13.91 (95% CI = -21.73, 6.10, P = 0.001) for chemotherapy to 606.39 (95% CI = -1040.72, 172.06, P = 0.009) for heart failure services per 100 thousand population. A decrease was observed in COPD services; 15.28 services compared with the period before Covid-19. Subsequently, the monthly utilization trends of asthma, type 2 diabetes, and chemotherapy services increased significantly (P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Although chronic diseases are a factor in more severe form of Covid-19, their failure to seek diagnostic, prevention and treatment services has somewhat complicated the issue.

Exploring COVID-19 Phobia among International Chinese College Students in South Korea Before Ending COVID-19 Restrictions

BACKGROUND

College students, considered to be the driving force of society, are highly vulnerable to COVID-19. At a time when facing a new pandemic wave in 2022, China's policy was in contrast with that of Korea. We investigated the phobia levels of international Chinese college students studying in Korea.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the frequency of use and trust of information sources, and COVID-19 phobia (C19P) among Chinese college students studying in Korea before ending related restrictions.

METHODS

This study employed a cross-sectional design, conducting an online survey among Chinese college students studying in Korea from April 8-15, 2022 (before Korea ended the limitations due to COVID-19). Data about 319 respondents were analyzed, including socio-demographics, information variables, knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP), and C19P. Hierarchical regression analysis with different models was used to examine the relationship between information trust, KAP, and C19P.

RESULTS

Results showed that students performed well in knowledge and preventive practices, had diverse sources of getting information related to COVID-19, and highly depended on the internet and news. Students who perceived a higher severity of infection showed higher levels of COVID-19 phobia. The tendency to wear masks with family/friends, avoid crowded places, and not agree with Korean government mitigation policies reported higher levels of COVID-19 phobia.

CONCLUSIONS

More authority and proactive communication strategies, such as consultations or education programs, are needed for international students to alleviate their phobias and psychological stress.

Variations in Food Safety Concerns, Hygiene Practices, and Purchasing Behaviors During Pandemic Era: What We Learnt from Coronavirus Disease 2019

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the food safety concerns, purchasing behaviors, and hygiene practices of individuals who contracted and did not contract the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A total of 2393 individuals 18-65 years years of age, 760 who contracted and 1633 who did not contract SARS-CoV-2 infection, participated in the study. Participants were administered a questionnaire to assess demographic information, food safety concerns, hygiene practices, purchasing behavior, and fear of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Results indicated that 56.3% of participants expressed concern about food safety, and 67% were concerned about infected individuals while shopping. Participants who did not contract COVID-19 had higher levels of food safety concerns and generally adhered to better hygiene practices such as handwashing, hygienic food preparation, sanitizer use, and cleaning and disinfection practices (p < 0.05). Overall, purchasing behaviors did not significantly differ by the infection status, except for a significant difference in reduced purchase frequency (p < 0.001). In addition, purchasing behavior varied in relation to fear levels (p < 0.05). As the pandemic appears to be increasingly controlled, the insights gained from managing outbreaks might contribute to improved understanding and preparedness for global pandemics and food safety education in the future.

Attitudes of Polish Priests and Laymen Towards Death During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has generated a situation where death is the most commonly used term by humans. The attitudes adopted towards the phenomenon of death are the result of existential life and the presented axiology. Looking at the death of a secular and spiritual person makes it possible to notice the existential and spiritual attitudes of two different social groups, interpenetrating one another and fulfilling different roles. The study used a diagnostic survey method using a standardized research tool in the form of the Attitude Profile Questionnaire for Death (DAP-R-PL) and an author's questionnaire. In the light of the conducted research, it can be observed that priests experience the phenomenon of death more existentially and religiously. Laymen consider the problem of death in an existential way and are more afraid than priests. Both attitudes are part of everyday life because each of the groups participating in the research maintains its identity.

Crisis Experience and Purpose in Life in Men and Women: The Mediating Effect of Gratitude and Fear of COVID-19

AIM

This study investigated whether gratitude and fear of COVID-19 mediated the relationship between crisis experience during the pandemic and purpose in life in men and women.

METHODS

Six hundred and five participants aged between 18 and 60 years (M = 25.6; SD = 8.39) completed the Gratitude, Resentment, and Appreciation Scale-Short Form (GRAT-S), Fear of COVID-19 Scale, and Purpose in Life Test (PIL). In addition, the respondents were questioned about life crises during the previous six months (e.g., the death of a loved one or illness).

RESULTS

Men and women differed in their endorsement of gratitude or fear of COVID-19 as a mediator. Women's experiences of the crisis related both directly and indirectly to purpose in life, with gratitude and fear of COVID-19 mediating this relationship. In men, only the indirect path, from crisis experience, through gratitude, to purpose in life, turned out to be significant.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that coping styles differ in men and women and, as a consequence, that crisis interventions need to take gender into account.

Knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection and proper use of rapid diagnostic self-test among Shanghai residents in China

Objectives

To assess and evaluate the knowledge of Shanghai, China, residents on the use of SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection and rapid diagnostic self-test.

Methods

A cross-sectional electronic survey using a self-administered questionnaire was sent via the online platform, Sojump, to general individuals. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the variables associated with knowledge of self-test.

Results

A total of 283 participants were recruited between July 1, 2022 and July 20, 2022 through an online survey. The mean score of knowledge on the tests was 14.33 ± 2.85 (out of 21). The questions concerning the depth of swab insertion and minimum number of swab rotations in the nostril, necessity of bilateral sampling, necessity of rotating and squeezing the swab for 10 times in the extraction buffer tube, and waiting time for the results showed the highest rate of incorrect responses. In the multiple regression analysis model, sex, social status, and source of information were associated with the knowledge on the self-test kits.

Conclusion

Immediate health education programs should be made available and the kits could be improved appropriately to ensure adequate knowledge. The use of technology should be fully leveraged to achieve accurate self-diagnosis and correct interpretation of the results.

Impact of COVID-19 Fear on COVID-19 Policy Support Among University Students in South Korea

Objective: As the fourth wave of COVID-19 spread in South Korea in 2022, society experienced various adverse effects, including COVID-19 phobia, depression, and loneliness. Addressing these factors became a vital part of the anti-COVID-19 individual and public mental health efforts, conducted partly by fostering COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and compliance with public prevention practice guidelines under the controversial policy of living "with COVID-19". Method: The study used a cross-sectional online survey-based design. Participants comprised a convenience sample of Korean university students (n = 460). A survey was distributed to the participants to measure their agreement/disagreement with the policy "with COVID-19" and a structural equation model and path analysis to examine the impact of the latent variables of COVID-19 phobia and COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practice as of April 2022. Results: The mean COVID-19 phobia score was 48.13/100, with psychological and social phobia scores higher than in previous studies, while psychosomatic and economic phobia scores were lower than in previous research. Higher psychological phobia significantly increased COVID-19 practices and attitudes. Conversely, higher psychosomatic phobia decreased practices and attitudes. Moreover, higher psychological phobia was significantly associated with disagreement with the policy. Conclusion: The results suggest that efforts to increase South Korean university students' acceptance of easing COVID-19 restrictions should focus on mitigating psychological phobia.

Moderating role of compassion in the link between fear of Coronavirus disease and mental health among undergraduate students

Background

The societal challenges presented by fear related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic may present unique challenges for an individual's mental health. However, the moderating role of compassion in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental health has not been well-studied. The present study aimed to explore the association between fear of COVID-19 and mental health, as well as test the buffering role of compassion in this relationship.

Methods

The participants in this study were 325 Iranian undergraduate students (228 females), aged 18-25 years, who completed questionnaires posted on social networks via a web-based platform.

Results

The results showed that fear of COVID-19 was positively related with physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The results also showed that compassion was negatively associated with physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. The interaction-moderation analysis revealed that compassion moderated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and subscale of mental health.

Conclusion

Results highlight the important role of compassion in diminishing the effect of fear of COVID-19 on the mental health (physical symptoms, social function, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms) of undergraduate students.

Health literacy and fear among Iranian medical students due to COVID-19: An observational study

INTRODUCTION

The coronavirus disease of the 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created a sense of fear due to uncertainties in medical students' personal and professional lives. Medical education is challenging and poses a more significant academic and emotional rigor when compared with other professional programs. With the COVID-19 having limited treatment options, health literacy (HL) is crucial for managing and responding to the pandemic. This research aims to examine the impact of HL on COVID-19-associated fear among Iranian medical students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted measuring the HL and fear of COVID-19 using validated scales. Two hundred and seventy-eight survey responses were received and analyzed descriptively by using SPSS software inferential statistics.

RESULTS

Mean age of participants was 22.93 ± 5.427 years. The correlation between students' total health literacy (HELIA) scores and their fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S) scores was -0.279 (p value = .019). The FCV-19S has a negative correlation with total HELIA in the group of females and males, single and married people, bachelor and MD students, and students living in rural areas and urban areas. The negative correlation of FCV-19S with total HELIA in males and students who reside in rural areas was the only one that was not significant. In associate degree students, the correlation between FCV-19S and total HELIA was positive but not significant. Education grades had a significant impact on FCV-19S. Furthermore, the place of residence also had a significant impact on FCV-19S. However, the gender and marital status did not significantly impact FCV-19S.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that students with higher HL scores had lesser fear of COVID-19. The key stakeholders require several positive strategies to reduce fear and improve health, and such vital policies will assist in improving the students' health and achieving the sustainable developmental goals.

Factors associated with fear of COVID-19 among people living with HIV/AIDS in Suphanburi province, Thailand

AIM

To investigate fear of COVID-19 and related factors among Thai people living with HIV (PLHIV).

METHODS

This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 204 participants using an online convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic characteristics form, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward COVID-19 questionnaire, and the Fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 204 Thai PLHIV (47.1% female and 52.9% male). Knowledge level about COVID-19 in 94.83% of the participants was acceptable, and 85.3% of them had confidence about successful control of COVID-19 in Thailand; and 99.5% wore a mask when leaving home in recent days. Fear of COVID-19 was at a mild level. COVID-19 fear scores were significantly higher in those 60 years old and over, and those who had a family member or close friend who was sick due to COVID-19. Knowledge and preventive practice were significantly related to FCV-19S scores. Age, knowledge, and preventive practice regarding COVID-19 were the influencing factors in fear of COVID-19 (adjusted R²  = 0.281, F = 6.221, p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced fear among PLHIV. Our findings might be useful for healthcare professions to develop effective campaigns to minimize the fear of COVID-19 in potential future pandemics.