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Schrempft S, Pullen N, Baysson H, Zaballa ME, Lamour J, Lorthe E, Nehme M, Guessous I, Stringhini S. Mental health trajectories among the general population and higher-risk groups following the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, 2021-2023. J Affect Disord 2024; 359:277-286. [PMID: 38772508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.065] [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] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health deteriorated in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, but improved relatively quickly as restrictions were eased, suggesting overall resilience. However, longer-term follow-up of mental health in the general population is scarce. METHODS We examined mental health trajectories in 5624 adults (58 % women; aged 18-97 years) from the Specchio-COVID19 cohort, using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-2 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, administered each month from February to June 2021, and in Spring 2022 and 2023. RESULTS Depressive and anxiety symptoms declined during a pandemic wave from February to May 2021 (β = -0.06 [-0.07, -0.06]; -0.06 [-0.07, -0.05]), and remained lower at longer-term follow-up than at the start of the wave. Loneliness also declined over time, with the greatest decline during the pandemic wave (β = -0.25 [-0.26, -0.24]). Many higher-risk groups, including socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, those with a chronic condition, and those living alone had poorer mental health levels throughout the study period. Women and younger individuals had a faster improvement in mental health during the pandemic wave. Loneliness trajectories were associated with mental health trajectories throughout the study period. LIMITATIONS We cannot definitively conclude that the observed changes in mental health were due to experiences of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS While there was a need for additional mental health support during stricter policy responses to COVID-19, overall, mental health improved relatively soon after measures were eased. Nevertheless, the persistence of mental health disparities highlights the need for further efforts from the government and healthcare practitioners to support vulnerable groups beyond the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Schrempft
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Nick Pullen
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hélène Baysson
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - María-Eugenia Zaballa
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julien Lamour
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elsa Lorthe
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Université Paris Cité, Inserm, INRAE, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Statistics Paris (CRESS), Paris, France
| | - Mayssam Nehme
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Idris Guessous
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Stringhini
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; University Centre for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Schrempft S, Baysson H, Graindorge C, Pullen N, Hagose M, Zaballa ME, Preisig M, Nehme M, Guessous I, Stringhini S. Biopsychosocial risk factors for subjective cognitive decline among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study. Public Health 2024; 234:16-23. [PMID: 38924819 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2024.05.025] [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: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There have been concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures used to contain it impacted the cognitive health of older adults. We therefore examined the prevalence of subjective cognitive decline, and its associated risk factors and health consequencs, among dementia-free older adults 2 years into the pandemic in Switzerland. STUDY DESIGN Population-based cohort study. METHODS Prevalence of SCD was estimated using the cognitive complaint questionnaire administered to adults aged ≥65 years in June-September 2022 (Specchio-COVID19 cohort, N = 1414), and compared to prepandemic values from 2014 to 2018 (CoLaus|PsyCoLaus cohort, N = 1181). Associated risk factors and health consequences were assessed using logistic and/or linear regression. RESULTS Prevalence of SCD in 2022 (18.9% [95% CI, 16.2-21.9]) was comparable to prepandemic levels in 2014-2018 (19.5% [17.2-22.1]). Risk factors included established risks for dementia-namely health issues, health behaviours, and depressive symptoms. Self-reported post-COVID, perceived worsening of mental health since the start of the pandemic, less frequent social club attendance, and increased loneliness were also risk factors for SCD. In turn, SCD was associated with poorer objective cognitive performance, difficulty performing instrumental activities of daily living, greater risk of falls, and lower well-being at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS While the overall prevalence of SCD in 2022 was comparable to prepandemic levels, we identified several pandemic-related risk factors for SCD, including perceived worsening of mental health and increased isolation since the start of the pandemic. These findings highlight the importance of mental health promotion strategies in reducing cognitive complaints and preventing cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Schrempft
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - H Baysson
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - C Graindorge
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - N Pullen
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - M Hagose
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - M-E Zaballa
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - M Preisig
- Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - M Nehme
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - I Guessous
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - S Stringhini
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; University Centre for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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3
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Dumont R, Lorthe E, Richard V, Loizeau A, Fernandez G, De Ridder D, Pennacchio F, Lamour J, Zaballa ME, Baysson H, Posfay-Barbe KM, Barbe RP, Stringhini S, Guessous I. Prevalence of and risk factors for suicidal ideation in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study. Swiss Med Wkly 2024; 154:3461. [PMID: 38679958 DOI: 10.57187/s.3461] [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: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pandemic-related life changes may have had a deleterious impact on suicidal behaviours. Early detection of suicidal ideation and identification of subgroups at increased risk could help prevent suicide, one of the leading causes of death among adolescents worldwide. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for suicidal ideation in adolescents using a population-based sample from Switzerland, two years into the pandemic. METHODS Between December 2021 and June 2022, adolescents aged 14 to 17 years already enrolled in a population-based cohort study (State of Geneva, Switzerland) were asked about suicidal ideation over the previous year. In addition to a regression model, we conducted a network analysis of exposures which identified direct and indirect risk factors for suicidal ideation (i.e. those connected through intermediate risk factors) using mixed graphical models. RESULTS Among 492 adolescents, 14.4% (95% CI: 11.5-17.8) declared having experienced suicidal ideation over the previous year. Using network analysis, we found that high psychological distress, low self-esteem, identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual, suffering from bullying, extensive screen time and a severe COVID-19 pandemic impact were major risk factors for suicidal ideation, with parent-adolescent relationship having the highest centrality strength in the network. CONCLUSION Our results show that a significant proportion of adolescents experience suicidal ideation, yet these rates are comparable with pre-pandemic results. Providing psychological support is fundamental, with a focus on improving parent-adolescent relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxane Dumont
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elsa Lorthe
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Viviane Richard
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Loizeau
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Guillaume Fernandez
- Institute of Sociological Research, Faculty of Sociology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David De Ridder
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Geographic Information Systems, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Group of Geographic Information Research and Analysis in Population Health, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Pennacchio
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julien Lamour
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - María-Eugenia Zaballa
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Helene Baysson
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Klara M Posfay-Barbe
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Woman, Child, and Adolescent Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Remy P Barbe
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Woman, Child, and Adolescent Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Stringhini
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- University Center for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Idris Guessous
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division and Department of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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4
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Lorthe E, Richard V, Dumont R, Loizeau A, Perez-Saez J, Baysson H, Zaballa ME, Lamour J, Pullen N, Schrempft S, Barbe RP, Posfay-Barbe KM, Guessous I, Stringhini S. Socioeconomic conditions and children's mental health and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic: An intersectional analysis. SSM Popul Health 2023; 23:101472. [PMID: 37560087 PMCID: PMC10407575 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children and adolescents are highly vulnerable to the impact of sustained stressors during developmentally sensitive times. We investigated how demographic characteristics intersect with socioeconomic dimensions to shape the social patterning of quality of life and mental health in children and adolescents, two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We used data from the prospective SEROCoV-KIDS cohort study of children and adolescents living in Geneva (Switzerland, 2022). We conducted an intersectional Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy by nesting participants within 48 social strata defined by intersecting sex, age, immigrant background, parental education and financial hardship in Bayesian multilevel logistic models for poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL, measured with PedsQL) and mental health difficulties (measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). RESULTS Among participants aged 2-17 years, 240/2096 (11.5%, 95%CI 10.1-12.9) had poor HRQoL and 105/2135 (4.9%, 95%CI 4.0-5.9) had mental health difficulties. The predicted proportion of poor HRQoL ranged from 3.4% for 6-11 years old Swiss girls with highly educated parents and no financial hardship to 34.6% for 12-17 years old non-Swiss girls with highly educated parents and financial hardship. Intersectional strata involving adolescents and financial hardship showed substantially worse HRQoL than their counterparts. Between-stratum variations in the predicted frequency of mental health difficulties were limited (range 4.4%-6.5%). CONCLUSIONS We found considerable differences in adverse outcomes across social strata. Our results suggest that, post-pandemic, interventions to address social inequities in HRQoL should focus on specific intersectional strata involving adolescents and families experiencing financial hardship, while those aiming to improve mental health should target all children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Lorthe
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm, INRAE, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Statistics Paris (CRESS), Paris, France
| | - Viviane Richard
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Roxane Dumont
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Loizeau
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Javier Perez-Saez
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Hélène Baysson
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria-Eugenia Zaballa
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julien Lamour
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nick Pullen
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie Schrempft
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rémy P. Barbe
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Woman, Child, and Adolescent Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Klara M. Posfay-Barbe
- Department of Woman, Child, and Adolescent Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Idris Guessous
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Stringhini
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- University Center for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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5
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Perez-Saez J, Zaballa ME, Lamour J, Yerly S, Dubos R, Courvoisier DS, Villers J, Balavoine JF, Pittet D, Kherad O, Vuilleumier N, Kaiser L, Guessous I, Stringhini S, Azman AS. Long term anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody kinetics and correlate of protection against Omicron BA.1/BA.2 infection. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3032. [PMID: 37230973 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38744-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Binding antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 have shown to be correlates of protection against infection with pre-Omicron lineages. This has been challenged by the emergence of immune-evasive variants, notably the Omicron sublineages, in an evolving immune landscape with high levels of cumulative incidence and vaccination coverage. This in turn limits the use of widely available commercial high-throughput methods to quantify binding antibodies as a tool to monitor protection at the population-level. Here we show that anti-Spike RBD antibody levels, as quantified by the immunoassay used in this study, are an indirect correlate of protection against Omicron BA.1/BA.2 for individuals previously infected by SARS-CoV-2. Leveraging repeated serological measurements between April 2020 and December 2021 on 1083 participants of a population-based cohort in Geneva, Switzerland, and using antibody kinetic modeling, we found up to a three-fold reduction in the hazard of having a documented positive SARS-CoV-2 infection during the Omicron BA.1/BA.2 wave for anti-S antibody levels above 800 IU/mL (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.22-0.41). However, we did not detect a reduction in hazard among uninfected participants. These results provide reassuring insights into the continued interpretation of SARS-CoV-2 binding antibody measurements as an independent marker of protection at both the individual and population levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Perez-Saez
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - María-Eugenia Zaballa
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julien Lamour
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Yerly
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Diagnostics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Richard Dubos
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Delphine S Courvoisier
- General Directorate of Health, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Quality of Care, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Villers
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Didier Pittet
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Infection Control Program and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Patient Safety, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Omar Kherad
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Internal Medicine, Hôpital de la Tour, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Vuilleumier
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Diagnostics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Kaiser
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Diagnostics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Idris Guessous
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division and Department of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Stringhini
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- University Centre for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrew S Azman
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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6
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Baysson H, Pullen N, De Mestral C, Semaani C, Pennacchio F, Zaballa ME, L'Huillier AG, Lorthe E, Guessous I, Stringhini S. Parental willingness to have children vaccinated against COVID-19 in Geneva, Switzerland: a cross-sectional population-based study. Swiss Med Wkly 2023; 153:40049. [PMID: 37011595 DOI: 10.57187/smw.2023.40049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to examine factors associated with parental willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. METHODS We surveyed adults included in a digital longitudinal cohort study composed of participants in previous SARS-CoV-2 serosurveys conducted in Geneva, Switzerland. In February 2022, an online questionnaire collected information on COVID-19 vaccination acceptance, parental willingness to vaccinate their children aged ≥5 years and reasons for vaccination preference. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the demographic, socioeconomic and health-related factors associated with being vaccinated and with parental intention to vaccinate their children. RESULTS We included 1,383 participants (56.8% women; 69.3% aged 35-49 years). Parental willingness to vaccinate their children increased markedly with the child's age: 84.0%, 60.9% and 21.2%, respectively, for parents of adolescents aged 16-17 years, 12-15 years and 5-12 years. For all child age groups, unvaccinated parents more frequently indicated not intending to vaccinate their children than vaccinated parents. Refusal to vaccine children was associated with having a secondary education (1.73; 1.18-2.47) relative to a tertiary education and with middle (1.75; 1.18-2.60) and low (1.96; 1.20-3.22) household income relative to high income. Refusal to vaccine their children was also associated with only having children aged 12-15 years (3.08; 1.61-5.91), aged 5-11 years (19.77; 10.27-38.05), or in multiple age groups (6.05; 3.22-11.37), relative to only having children aged 16-17 years. CONCLUSION Willingness to vaccinate children was high for parents of adolescents aged 16-17 years but decreased significantly with decreasing child age. Unvaccinated, socioeconomically disadvantaged parents and those with younger children were less likely to be willing to vaccinate their children. These results are important for vaccination programs and developing communication strategies to reach vaccine-hesitant groups, both in the context of COVID-19 and in the prevention of other diseases and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Baysson
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nick Pullen
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carlos De Mestral
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Claire Semaani
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Pennacchio
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - María-Eugenia Zaballa
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Arnaud G L'Huillier
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elsa Lorthe
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Idris Guessous
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division and Department of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Stringhini
- Unit of Population Epidemiology, Division of Primary Care Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- University Center for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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7
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Schrempft S, Pullen N, Baysson H, Wisniak A, Zaballa ME, Pennacchio F, Vollenweider P, Marques-Vidal P, Preisig M, Guessous I, Stringhini S, Arm-Vernez I, Azman AS, Ba F, Bachmann D, Bal A, Balavoine JF, Balavoine M, Barbe RP, Baysson H, Beigbeder L, Berthelot J, Bleich P, Boehm L, Bryand G, Bucolli V, Chappuis F, Collombet P, Courvoisier D, Cudet A, Davidovic V, de Mestral Vargas C, D'ippolito P, Dubos R, Dumont R, Eckerle I, El Merjani N, Flahault A, Francioli N, Frangville M, Graindorge C, Guessous I, Harnal S, Hurst S, Kaiser L, Kherad O, Lamour J, Lescuyer P, L'Huissier F, Lombard FB, Loizeau AJ, Lorthe E, Martinez C, Ménard L, Menon L, Metral-Boffod L, Meyer B, Moulin A, Nehme M, Noël N, Pennacchio F, Perez-Saez J, Pittet D, Portier J, Posfay-Barbe KM, Poulain G, Pugin C, Pullen N, Randrianandrasana ZF, Richard V, Rinaldi F, Rizzo J, Rochat D, Sakvarelidze I, Samir K, Santa Ramirez HA, Schrempft S, Semaani C, Stringhini S, Testini S, Rivas DU, Verolet C, Villers J, Violot G, Vuilleumier N, Wisniak A, Yerly S, Zaballa ME. Prevalence and predictors of psychological distress before, during, and after a COVID-19 pandemic wave in Switzerland, 2021. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 158:192-201. [PMID: 36592533 PMCID: PMC9794129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
There are concerns about acute and long-term mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the prevalence and predictors of psychological distress before, during, and after a pandemic wave in Switzerland, 2021. Prevalence of psychological distress was estimated in adults aged 35-96 years using the General Health Questionnaire-12 administered in June 2021 (Specchio-COVID19 cohort, N = 3965), and compared to values from 2003 to 2006 (CoLaus|PsyCoLaus cohort, N = 5667). Anxiety and depression were assessed from February to June 2021 using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale-2 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, respectively. Prevalence of psychological distress in June 2021, after the pandemic wave (16.0% [95% CI, 14.6%-17.4%]) was comparable to pre-pandemic levels (15.1% [14.0%-16.2%]). Anxiety and depression were highest at the start of the pandemic wave in February 2021, and declined from February to June with the relaxation of measures. Predictors of psychological distress included being younger, female, a single parent, unemployed, a change in working hours or job loss in the past 6 months, greater perceived severity and contagiousness of COVID-19, and self-reported post COVID-19. By June 2021, following a pandemic wave, prevalence of psychological distress in Switzerland was closer to pre-pandemic levels. These findings highlight the need for additional mental health support during times of stricter government policies relating to COVID-19; yet they also suggest that individuals can adapt relatively quickly to the changing context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Schrempft
- Division of Primary Care, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Nick Pullen
- Division of Primary Care, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hélène Baysson
- Division of Primary Care, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ania Wisniak
- Division of Primary Care, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - María-Eugenia Zaballa
- Division of Primary Care, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Pennacchio
- Division of Primary Care, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Peter Vollenweider
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pedro Marques-Vidal
- Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin Preisig
- Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Idris Guessous
- Division of Primary Care, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Stringhini
- Division of Primary Care, Unit of Population Epidemiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland; Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; University Centre for General Medicine and Public Health, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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A population-based serological study of post-COVID syndrome prevalence and risk factors in children and adolescents. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7086. [PMID: 36446760 PMCID: PMC9708639 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34616-8] [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: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-COVID syndrome remains poorly studied in children and adolescents. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of pediatric post-COVID in a population-based sample, stratifying by serological status. Children from the SEROCoV-KIDS cohort study (State of Geneva, Switzerland), aged 6 months to 17 years, were tested for anti-SARS-CoV-2 N antibodies (December 2021-February 2022) and parents filled in a questionnaire on persistent symptoms in their children (lasting over 12 weeks) compatible with post-COVID. Of 1034 children tested, 570 (55.1%) were seropositive. The sex- and age-adjusted prevalence of persistent symptoms among seropositive children was 9.1% (95%CI: 6.7;11.8) and 5.0% (95%CI: 3.0;7.1) among seronegatives, with an adjusted prevalence difference (ΔaPrev) of 4.1% (95%CI: 1.1;7.3). Stratifying per age group, only adolescents displayed a substantial risk of having post-COVID symptoms (ΔaPrev = 8.3%, 95%CI: 3.5;13.5). Identified risk factors for post-COVID syndrome were older age, having a lower socioeconomic status and suffering from chronic health conditions, especially asthma. Our findings show that a significant proportion of seropositive children, particularly adolescents, experienced persistent COVID symptoms. While there is a need for further investigations, growing evidence of pediatric post-COVID urges early screening and primary care management.
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