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Avian A, Könczöl C, Kubicek B, Spary-Kainz U, Siebenhofer A. Predictors of adherence in Austrian employees during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of an online survey. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1347818. [PMID: 38496390 PMCID: PMC10940368 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1347818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Since the beginning of the pandemic in December 2019, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a significant challenge to health care systems throughout the world. The introduction of measures to reduce the incidence of infection had a significant impact on the workplace. Overall, companies played a key and adaptive role in coping with the pandemic. Methods Cross-sectional data from an online-survey of 1,183 employees conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2021 in Austria were used in the analyses. The influence of health beliefs (e.g., perceived severity), modifying factors (e.g., age) and time-dependent factors (e.g., corona fatigue) on individual adherence were evaluated. The conception of the questionnaire was based on the health belief model. Results The majority of respondents were female (58.3%), worked in companies with more than 250 employees (56.6%) and had been to an academic secondary school or had a university degree (58.3%). Overall, employees were adherent to most of the measures at their company (>80%), except for wearing FFP-2 masks when they were travelling in a car with coworkers (59.3, 95%CI 51.3-66.7%). Overall adherence was associated with high ratings for the meaningfulness of testing (OR: 2.06 95%CI: 1.00-4.22; p = 0.049), the extent to which social norms govern behavior (OR: 6.61 95%CI: 4.66-9.36; p < 0.001), lower perceived difficulties associated with the adoption of health-promoting measures (OR: 0.37 95%CI: 0.16-0.82; p = 0.015) and lower corona fatigue (OR: 0.23 95%CI: 0.10-0.52; p < 0.001). Adherence to four single measures was influenced by different predictors. The most important predictors (important for the adherence to three out of four single measures) were social norms and corona fatigue. Conclusion The importance attached to testing and social norms, as well as lower perceived barriers to health-promoting measures and low levels of corona fatigue all increase overall adherence to Covid-19 protective measures in companies. Strategies to improve adherence should be adapted depending on the aim (to raise overall adherence or adherence to individual measures) and on the group of persons that is being targeted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Avian
- Institute for Medical Informatics, and Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Ulrike Spary-Kainz
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andrea Siebenhofer
- Institute of General Practice and Evidence-based Health Services Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Institute of General Practice, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Moitra S, Anderson A, Eathorne A, Brickstock A, Adan A, Akgün M, Tabrizi AF, Haldar P, Henderson L, Jindal A, Jindal SK, Kerget B, Khadour F, Melenka L, Moitra S, Moitra T, Mukherjee R, Murgia N, Semprini A, Turner AM, Lacy P. COVID-19 infodemic and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic respiratory diseases: A multicentre, observational study. J Glob Health 2023; 13:06045. [PMID: 37947025 PMCID: PMC10636600 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.13.06045] [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: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The explosion of information, misinformation and disinformation (the "infodemic") related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on digital and social media is reported to affect mental health and quality of life. However, reports assessing the COVID-19 infodemic on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with chronic diseases are scarce. In this study, we investigated the associations between the infodemic and HRQL in uninfected individuals with pre-existing chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other CRDs. Methods We conducted a multi-national, cross-sectional, observational study in Canada, India, New Zealand and the United Kingdom where we distributed a set of digitised questionnaires among 1018 participants with chronic respiratory diseases who were not infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus at least three months prior to the study. We collected information about the infodemic such as news watching or social media use more than usual during the pandemic. HRQL was assessed using the short form of the chronic respiratory questionnaire (SF-CRQ). Demographic information, comorbidities, compliance, mental health, behavioural function, and social support were also recorded. We analysed the direct and indirect relationships between infodemic and HRQL using structural equation models (SEM). Results Of all participants, 54% were females and had a mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of 53 (17) years. We found that higher infodemic was associated with worse emotional function (regression coefficient β = -0.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.14 to -0.01), which means a one SD change of the higher infodemic latent variable was associated with a 0.08 SD change of emotional function level. The association between higher infodemic and worse emotional function was mediated by worse mental health and behavioural functions but is marginally ameliorated by improved social support. In stratification analysis, we found significant disease and country-wise variations in the associations between infodemic and SF-CRQ domain scores. Conclusions These results provide new evidence that the COVID-19 infodemic significantly influences the HRQL in patients with CRDs through a complex interplay between mental health, behavioural function, and social support. This new dimension of research also opens avenues for further research on infodemic-related health effects in other chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhabrata Moitra
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Allie Eathorne
- Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Amanda Brickstock
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, England, UK
| | - Ana Adan
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Metin Akgün
- Department of Chest Diseases, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Ali Farshchi Tabrizi
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Prasun Haldar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Supreme Institute of Management and Technology, Mankundu, India
- Department of Physiology, West Bengal State University, Barasat, India
| | - Linda Henderson
- Synergy Respiratory and Cardiac Care, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | - Bugra Kerget
- Department of Chest Diseases, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Fadi Khadour
- Synergy Respiratory and Cardiac Care, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lyle Melenka
- Synergy Respiratory and Cardiac Care, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
| | - Saibal Moitra
- Department of Allergy & Immunology, Apollo Multispeciality Hospital, Kolkata, India
| | - Tanusree Moitra
- Department of Psychology, Barrackpore Rashtraguru Surendrananth College, Barrackpore, India
| | - Rahul Mukherjee
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, England, UK
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Murgia
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alex Semprini
- Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Alice M Turner
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, England, UK
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
| | - Paige Lacy
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Mixter PF, Kleinschmit AJ, Lal A, Vanniasinkam T, Condry DLJ, Taylor RT, Justement LB, Pandey S. Immune Literacy: a Call to Action for a System-Level Change. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION 2023; 24:00203-22. [PMID: 37089234 PMCID: PMC10117064 DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.00203-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Immune literacy-the ability to hear, learn, read, write, explain, and discuss immunological content with varied audiences-has become critically important in recent years. Yet, with its complex terminology and discipline-specific concepts, educating individuals about the immune system and its role in health and disease may seem daunting. Here, we reflect on how to demystify the discipline and increase its accessibility for a broader audience. To address this, a working group of immunology educators from diverse institutions associated with the research coordination network, ImmunoReach, convened virtually. As a result of these discussions, we request a call to action for a system-level change and present a set of practical recommendations that novice and experienced educators from diverse institutions, professional societies, and policymakers may adopt to foster immune literacy in their classrooms and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip F. Mixter
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Adam J. Kleinschmit
- Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa, USA
| | - Archana Lal
- Department of Biology, Labette Community College, Parsons, Kansas, USA
| | - Thiru Vanniasinkam
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Danielle L. J. Condry
- Department of Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
| | - Rebekah T. Taylor
- Department of Biology, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Louis B. Justement
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama–Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Sumali Pandey
- Department of Biosciences, Minnesota State University–Moorhead, Moorhead, Minnesota, USA
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Asimakopoulou E, Paoullis P, Shegani A, Argyriadis A, Argyriadi A, Patelarou E, Patelarou A. Translation, Adaptation and Validation of the Pandemic Fatigue Scale (PFS) in the Greek Language. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10112118. [PMID: 36360459 PMCID: PMC9690820 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10112118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing fatigue of citizens due to the COVID-19 pandemic has already been addressed and its results are visible and threatens citizen compliance. The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Pandemic Fatigue Scale (PFS) in the Greek language. A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2021 to March 2022. The translation and cultural adaptation process was developed according to the research protocols among the university student population in Cyprus and tested the psychometric properties of PFS. Three hundred thirty-four subjects participated in the study through a web survey, which included general information and the study process. The internal consistency for the total PFS showed good reliability (six items, a = 0.88). A weak statistically significant positive correlation was found between the PFS and the Greek versions of Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment—GAD-7 (r = 0.1.96; p < 0.001) and the PFS and Patient Health Questionnaire—PHQ-9 (r = 0.173; p = 0.002) demonstrating good concurrent validity. Recovering from the pandemic, it is necessary to build systems to detect and respond to future healthcare crises. The results suggest that the psychometric properties of the Greek PFS are satisfactory. The measure of pandemic fatigue allows for identifying fatigue groups for targeted interventions and testing how pandemic fatigue might be reduced in such situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evanthia Asimakopoulou
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Frederick University, Nicosia 1036, Cyprus
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +357-22394394; Fax: +357-22438234
| | - Panagiotis Paoullis
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Frederick University, Nicosia 1036, Cyprus
| | - Antonio Shegani
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, King’s Health Partners, St Thomas’ Hospital, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Alexandros Argyriadis
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, Frederick University, Nicosia 1036, Cyprus
| | - Agathi Argyriadi
- Department of Psychology and Social Sciences, Frederick University, Nicosia 1036, Cyprus
| | - Evridiki Patelarou
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Crete, Greece
| | - Athina Patelarou
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Crete, Greece
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Ameratunga R. SARS-CoV-2 the ASIA virus (autoimmune/autoinflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants), the risk of infertility and vaccine hesitancy. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1177-1184. [PMID: 35695410 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2089120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION COVID-19 has had a calamitous impact on the global community. The current death toll far exceeds 6 million and large numbers of patients are experiencing long-term medical and psychiatric morbidity from the infection. The immunopathology of severe COVID-19 is now better understood. In severely affected patients, there is a chaotic, destructive immune response triggered by SARS-CoV-2, where autoimmunity features prominently. AREAS COVERED COVID-19 vaccines ensure a coordinated, balanced immune response to future SARS-CoV-2 infection. The rapid global deployment of effective COVID-19 vaccines has been hindered by financial, logistical and political barriers. Of concern is increasing vaccine hesitancy caused by unfounded conspiracy theories of vaccine adverse effects, often fueled by misinformation and disinformation on social media. EXPERT OPINION This perspective discusses the potential impact of the so-called autoimmune/autoinflammatory syndrome caused by adjuvants (ASIA) on COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Proponents of the ASIA syndrome have inappropriately linked infertility to HPV vaccines and have recently suggested antigenic cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV-2 and ovarian follicles. COVID-19 vaccines have also been linked to ASIA and unfounded fear of infertility is a leading cause of vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy caused by spurious disorders such as ASIA are likely to harm individuals and delay global vaccination efforts leading to emergence of vaccine and monoclonal antibody resistant mutants, thereby prolonging the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Ameratunga
- Department of Clinical immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.,Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland
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