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Jourdan D, Gray NJ. Keeping schools open in times of health crises: seeing the global picture. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2024; 8:249-250. [PMID: 38368894 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(24)00028-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Didier Jourdan
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research in Education and Health, Université Clermont Auvergne, Chamalières 63400, France; UNESCO Chair Global Health & Education Research Group, Université Clermont Auvergne, Chamalières 63400, France
| | - Nicola J Gray
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research in Education and Health, Université Clermont Auvergne, Chamalières 63400, France; UNESCO Chair Global Health & Education Research Group, Université Clermont Auvergne, Chamalières 63400, France; UNESCO Chair Global Health & Education Research Group, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK.
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Rivera DK, Brown J, Bay RC, Valovich McLeod TC. The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Baseline Concussion Symptom Assessments Among Adolescents. Cureus 2024; 16:e56235. [PMID: 38618453 PMCID: PMC11016293 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56235] [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] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of high school sports in spring 2020, a modified resumption of sports in the 2020-2021 academic year, and a return to pre-pandemic sports in 2021-2022. This cancellation had a major impact on the quality of life of adolescent athletes, but it is unknown exactly how these pandemic-driven sports disruptions on athlete baseline (preseason) symptoms affected quality of life. Therefore, the current study retrospectively evaluated symptom inventories from Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) assessments to determine whether the cancellation of sports during the COVID-19 pandemic affected baseline (preseason) self-reported symptoms among adolescent athletes. Methods Our study used a retrospective cohort design to evaluate high school athletes with complete ImPACT assessments in the academic years before (2018-2019 and 2019-2020), during (2020-2021), and after (2021-2022) the pandemic. Specifically, data from a 22-item symptom report called the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) assessed during ImPACT was collected and analyzed using generalized linear models with a Tweedie exponential dispersion model and post hoc Tukey's honestly significant difference tests. The main outcomes were the total symptom severity score and the affective cluster score. Secondary outcomes were the analysis of the vestibular-somatic, cognitive-sensory, and sleep-arousal symptom clusters. Results Of the 104,274 ImPACT assessments, the total symptom severity score on the PCSS was different across years (p<0.001). There were lower symptom scores in 2020-2021 (5.33, 95% CI = 5.13-5.54) than in 2018-2019 (6.82, 95% CI = 6.63-7.01), 2019-2020 (6.94, 95% CI = 6.75-7.14), and 2021-2022 (6.44, 95% CI = 6.25-6.64). The cluster scores on the PCSS for affective, cognitive-sensory, sleep-arousal, and vestibular-somatic were also lower (p<0.001) in 2020-2021 than in 2018-2019, 2019-2020, and 2021-2022. Conclusion Contrary to our expectations, total symptom severity and cluster scores on the PCSS during the pandemic (2020-2021) were significantly lower than during the years before and after the pandemic-driven sports disruptions, suggesting the pandemic did not negatively affect these athletes as expected. These results also suggested that self-reported symptoms utilized in the PCSS component of ImPACT may not be as sensitive to sports disruption among adolescent athletes as other quality-of-life measures, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella K Rivera
- Osteopathic Medicine, A. T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Mesa, USA
| | - Jeremy Brown
- Medicine, Kaweah Health Medical Center, Visalia, USA
| | - R Curtis Bay
- Health Sciences, A. T. Still University School of Health Sciences, Mesa, USA
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Yip KM, Wong SWS, So HK, Tso WWY, Siu PMF, Wong ICK, Yam JC, Kwan MYW, Lum TYS, Louie LHT, Lee A, Wong WHS, Ip P. Physical Fitness and Body Mass Index Status of Hong Kong Primary Schoolchildren across the COVID-19 Pandemic, before and after School Closure. J Pediatr 2024; 264:113729. [PMID: 37722554 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113729] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether health-related physical fitness and body mass index (BMI) status differed before and after school closure from the COVID-19 pandemic in a population-based cohort of Hong Kong primary schoolchildren. STUDY DESIGN We examined the BMI z score, BMI status, and physical fitness z scores including (i) upper limb muscle strength, (ii) 1-minute sit-up test, (iii) sit-and-reach test, and (iv) endurance run tests, among 3 epochs: prepandemic (September 2018-August 2019), before school closure (September 2019-January 2020), and partial school reopening (September 2021-August 2022), using a repeated cross-sectional approach. RESULTS A total of 137 752 primary schoolchildren aged 6-12 years were recruited over 3 academic years. Obesity increased significantly from 25.9% in 2018/19 to 31.0% in 2021/22, while underweight increased slightly from 6.1% to 6.5%. All tested parameters were adversely affected by the pandemic. The negative trend over time was far more pronounced in all 4 physical fitness scores in the underweight group, although performance in handgrip strength had no significance between 2018/19 and 2021/22. CONCLUSIONS Schoolchildren who are both underweight and overweight/obese are vulnerable to adverse changes in physical fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic. To eliminate the negative health and fitness outcomes, it is urgent to develop strategies for assisting schoolchildren in achieving a healthy weight, especially in the postpandemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka-Man Yip
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sam W S Wong
- Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hung-Kwan So
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Winnie W Y Tso
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Parco M F Siu
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ian C K Wong
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Centre for Safe Medication Practice and Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jason C Yam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mike Y W Kwan
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Terry Y S Lum
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lobo H T Louie
- Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Albert Lee
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wilfred H S Wong
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Patrick Ip
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Wang W, Wang J, Zhang X, Pei Y, Tang J, Zhu Y, Liu X, Xu H. Network connectivity between anxiety, depressive symptoms and psychological capital in Chinese university students during the COVID-19 campus closure. J Affect Disord 2023; 329:11-18. [PMID: 36841295 PMCID: PMC9951030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the context of the outbreak of COVID-19 within mainland China, to understand the mental health status of university students during campus closure, this study analyzes the relationship between anxiety, depressive symptoms, and psychological capital and to reveals their central symptoms. METHODS A total of 12,945 university students were included in this study from April 10 to 19, 2022. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured by the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and two-item Patient Health Questionnaires (PHQ-2). Psychological capital was measured using the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24). The centrality and bridge centrality indexes were used to identify central and bridge symptoms, respectively. Network Comparison Test (NCT) was also administered to check whether network traits differed by gender and place of residence. RESULTS The most influential node in this study was Trouble relaxing (GAD4), followed by Uncontrollable worry (GAD2) and Excessive worry (GAD3). The main bridging symptoms were Depressed mood (PHQ2), Psychological capital. There are no differences in the network structure of students by place of residence, while there are more significant differences in the network structure of students by gender. CONCLUSION Central and bridging symptoms may be the core symptoms that trigger or maintain the development of anxiety and depression among university students during the COVID-19 campus closure. Timely and reasonable interventions targeting these symptoms may help reduce depression and anxiety in this population. In addition, improving university students' psychological capital may likewise contribute to the development of their good mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- School of Management, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yifei Pei
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jie Tang
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yiyang Zhu
- School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Xin Liu
- School of Management, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; Center for Mental Health Education and Research, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
| | - Haibo Xu
- School of Management, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China; Center for Mental Health Education and Research, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.
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Henzi BC, Baumann D, Erni SJ, Lötscher N, Tscherter A, Klein A. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Access to Education and Social Participation in Children and Adolescents with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Switzerland. Neuropediatrics 2023. [PMID: 36996861 PMCID: PMC10332943 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1764434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two-thirds of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have cognitive and neuropsychiatric problems. Concerning their quality of life, negative factors are the lack of qualifying education and social participation in sporting and leisure activities. Adapted assistance in education and participation in social life are thus important. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the pediatric population was less severely impacted by the disease, but by the restrictions associated. AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic regarding access to education and social participation for young patients with DMD in Switzerland. METHODS We conducted a survey study from May to August 2021 assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to education and social participation in 8 to 18 years old patients with DMD in Switzerland. RESULTS Of 60 sent surveys, 40 were returned and included. Mean age of participants was 13.5 years (±3.1 standard deviation); 23/40 of the participants were wheelchair bound, 21/40 attended a special school, and 19/40 a regular school. Of the 22/40 participants receiving assistance at school, 7/40 reported a change caused by the pandemic: for 5/7, the assistance was paused. Of the 12 boys and adolescents attending sporting activities, 10 had to suspend these. Nine attended other leisure activities; for 3/9, these activities were paused. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic had direct effects on school assistance, sporting, and leisure activities in young patients with DMD in Switzerland. It is important to ensure that school assistance and leisure activities are rapidly resumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina C Henzi
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Baumann
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah J Erni
- Division of Neuropediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Bern (Inselspital), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Lötscher
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anne Tscherter
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Klein
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Division of Neuropediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Bern (Inselspital), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Li L, Taeihagh A, Tan SY. A scoping review of the impacts of COVID-19 physical distancing measures on vulnerable population groups. Nat Commun 2023; 14:599. [PMID: 36737447 PMCID: PMC9897623 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36267-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Most governments have enacted physical or social distancing measures to control COVID-19 transmission. Yet little is known about the socio-economic trade-offs of these measures, especially for vulnerable populations, who are exposed to increased risks and are susceptible to adverse health outcomes. To examine the impacts of physical distancing measures on the most vulnerable in society, this scoping review screened 39,816 records and synthesised results from 265 studies worldwide documenting the negative impacts of physical distancing on older people, children/students, low-income populations, migrant workers, people in prison, people with disabilities, sex workers, victims of domestic violence, refugees, ethnic minorities, and people from sexual and gender minorities. We show that prolonged loneliness, mental distress, unemployment, income loss, food insecurity, widened inequality and disruption of access to social support and health services were unintended consequences of physical distancing that impacted these vulnerable groups and highlight that physical distancing measures exacerbated the vulnerabilities of different vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Li
- Policy Systems Group, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Araz Taeihagh
- Policy Systems Group, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Si Ying Tan
- Alexandra Research Centre for Healthcare in The Virtual Environment (ARCHIVE), Department of Healthcare Redesign, Alexandra Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
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Jallul M, Elgriw N, Eltaib FI, Al Dwigen SM, Elfallah A, Elgheriani HM, Atwear WS, Milad MB, Alhudiri IM, Elzagheid A. Parents' concerns and attitudes towards school reopening during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey-Tripoli, Libya, 2021. Libyan J Med 2022; 17:2087847. [PMID: 35791596 PMCID: PMC9262368 DOI: 10.1080/19932820.2022.2087847] [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] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The issue of school reopening has raised several concerns; therefore, the parent’s opinion is essential to consider. This study aimed to evaluate the parent’s attitudes and concerns toward school reopening in the COVID-19 era. A cross-sectional survey was performed using in-person self-administered questionnaires, the data was collected in the period between January and April 2021 covering parents’ concerns and attitudes toward school reopening. A total of 402 parents participated in the survey. Analysis showed that 56.7% of parents have agreed with school reopening, but 54% have raised some legitimate concerns. Importantly, there was a strong correlation between parents’ opinions towards school reopening and their level of education, and their concerns about their children’s safety if the school was reopened. Despite parents’ concerns, it does seem that slightly over half were in favour of school reopening and would send their children to school only if the schools did apply strict precautions and restriction measures. Sharing parents’ views toward school reopening with school leaders and decision-makers is important to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of return to schools and to improve existing prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mwada Jallul
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Libyan Centre for Biotechnology Research, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Nada Elgriw
- Department of Microbiology, Libyan Centre for Biotechnology Research, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Farag I Eltaib
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Libyan Centre for Biotechnology Research, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Samira M Al Dwigen
- Department of Cell Biology, Libyan Centre for Biotechnology Research, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Asma Elfallah
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Libyan Centre for Biotechnology Research, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Hajer M Elgheriani
- Department of Microbiology, Libyan Centre for Biotechnology Research, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Wafeya S Atwear
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Libyan Centre for Biotechnology Research, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Mohamed Burid Milad
- Department of Cell Biology, Libyan Centre for Biotechnology Research, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Inas M Alhudiri
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Libyan Centre for Biotechnology Research, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Adam Elzagheid
- Department of Genetic Engineering, Libyan Centre for Biotechnology Research, Tripoli, Libya
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Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Educational Settings by Level of Education, Taking into Account the Predominant Virus Variant. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10101947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected educational settings (ES) in Slovenia. To effectively limit the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections in ES, it is important to identify the pathways of introduction and transmission of infection. This study aims to analyse the spread of infections in ES according to the level of education, taking into account the predominant variant of the virus in Slovenia in order to advise on public health action. We calculated the incidence rate of infection by age group, according to the level of the ES. Additionally, we analysed data on the reported outbreak criteria in ES. In Slovenia, SARS-CoV-2 infections in children and adolescents (1–18 years) accounted for 16.8% of all confirmed infections. The incidence and leading outbreak criteria differed according to the level of the ES and predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant. The occurrence of cases in ≥3 different “bubbles” was the most common outbreak criteria (59%). A high number of employee-imported outbreaks was observed in pre-school settings (44%). As countries move away from widespread nonpharmaceutical interventions, the focus should be on vaccination promotion among teaching staff in pre-school settings and systemic solutions, such as self-testing and ventilation, to enable safe educational environments.
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Domino M, Borowska M, Zdrojkowski Ł, Jasiński T, Sikorska U, Skibniewski M, Maśko M. Application of the Two-Dimensional Entropy Measures in the Infrared Thermography-Based Detection of Rider: Horse Bodyweight Ratio in Horseback Riding. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22166052. [PMID: 36015813 PMCID: PMC9414866 DOI: 10.3390/s22166052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
As obesity is a serious problem in the human population, overloading of the horse's thoracolumbar region often affects sport and school horses. The advances in using infrared thermography (IRT) to assess the horse's back overload will shortly integrate the IRT-based rider-horse fit into everyday equine practice. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of entropy measures to select the most informative measures and color components, and the accuracy of rider:horse bodyweight ratio detection. Twelve horses were ridden by each of the six riders assigned to the light, moderate, and heavy groups. Thermal images were taken pre- and post-exercise. For each thermal image, two-dimensional sample (SampEn), fuzzy (FuzzEn), permutation (PermEn), dispersion (DispEn), and distribution (DistEn) entropies were measured in the withers and the thoracic spine areas. Among 40 returned measures, 30 entropy measures were exercise-dependent, whereas 8 entropy measures were bodyweight ratio-dependent. Moreover, three entropy measures demonstrated similarities to entropy-related gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture features, confirming the higher irregularity and complexity of thermal image texture when horses worked under heavy riders. An application of DispEn to red color components enables identification of the light and heavy rider groups with higher accuracy than the previously used entropy-related GLCM texture features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Domino
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (Ł.Z.); (T.J.)
- Correspondence: (M.D.); (M.M.)
| | - Marta Borowska
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Białystok University of Technology, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Łukasz Zdrojkowski
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (Ł.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Tomasz Jasiński
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (Ł.Z.); (T.J.)
| | - Urszula Sikorska
- Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Michał Skibniewski
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Maśko
- Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: (M.D.); (M.M.)
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SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Potential and Policy Changes in South Carolina, February 2020 - January 2021. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2022; 17:e276. [PMID: 35924560 PMCID: PMC9530385 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2022.212] [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] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We aimed to examine how public health policies influenced the dynamics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) time-varying reproductive number (R t ) in South Carolina from February 26, 2020, to January 1, 2021. METHODS COVID-19 case series (March 6, 2020, to January 10, 2021) were shifted by 9 d to approximate the infection date. We analyzed the effects of state and county policies on R t using EpiEstim. We performed linear regression to evaluate if per-capita cumulative case count varies across counties with different population size. RESULTS R t shifted from 2-3 in March to <1 during April and May. R t rose over the summer and stayed between 1.4 and 0.7. The introduction of statewide mask mandates was associated with a decline in R t (-15.3%; 95% CrI, -13.6%, -16.8%), and school re-opening, an increase by 12.3% (95% CrI, 10.1%, 14.4%). Less densely populated counties had higher attack rates (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The R t dynamics over time indicated that public health interventions substantially slowed COVID-19 transmission in South Carolina, while their relaxation may have promoted further transmission. Policies encouraging people to stay home, such as closing nonessential businesses, were associated with R t reduction, while policies that encouraged more movement, such as re-opening schools, were associated with R t increase.
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The Impact of Sport Activity Shut down during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults: Was It Worthwhile? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137908. [PMID: 35805566 PMCID: PMC9265880 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We conducted a national retrospective survey of 1764 athletes aged ≤25 years to investigate the benefit–risk balance of sport closure during the COVID-19 pandemic peaks in Italy. Univariate and multivariable analyses were carried out to investigate the association between sport practice during the study period and (1) the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in athletes and their families and (2) body mass index (BMI) change, and adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for physical activity. The percentage of subjects with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test was similar in those participating and not taking part into sport activities (11% vs. 12%, respectively, p = 0.31). Restricting the analysis to subjects who practiced sports within an organized sport society/center, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 positivity was reduced for athletes who had never stopped their training (odds ratio (OR); 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.62; 0.41–0.93). On the other side, responders who had stopped sport activity showed a 1% increase in BMI. Adherence to WHO guidelines for physical activity was significantly higher for athletes who had continued sport activities. In conclusion, sport closure and limitations had an important negative impact on the overall health of young athletes, being also not effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
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Opening or Not Opening Educational Centers in Time of SARS-CoV-2? Analysis of the Situation in Galicia (Spain). SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the world stage has implemented changes in all social activities and, therefore, in teaching at all educational levels. On the one hand, it is argued that the closure of centers and virtual teaching minimizes the risk of contagion and, on the other, this closure implies a reduction in social interactions in the population at ages in which social skills are lower developing. In addition, it is necessary to guarantee that all children and adolescents have access to the necessary means for distance education. This article analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the second, third and fourth waves in Galicia (northwestern region of Spain), where the centers were kept open with strict security protocols, with the aim of evaluating whether the measure of the center closure is a proportionate measure or not. The results obtained show that, at all educational levels, the incidence of infections has been low, as has the appearance of outbreaks of infections related to educational centers, so the damage caused by this measure can be considered uncompensated, with greater health security.
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SARS-CoV-2 transmission potential and rural-urban disease burden disparities across Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, March 2020 - May 2021. Ann Epidemiol 2022; 71:1-8. [PMID: 35472488 PMCID: PMC9035618 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To quantify and compare SARS-CoV-2 transmission potential across Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi and selected counties. METHODS To determine the time-varying reproduction number Rt of SARS-CoV-2, we applied the R package EpiEstim to the time series of daily incidence of confirmed cases (mid-March 2020 - May 17, 2021) shifted backward by 9 days. Median Rt percentage change when policies changed was determined. Linear regression was performed between log10-transformed cumulative incidence and log10-transformed population size at four time points. RESULTS Stay-at-home orders, face mask mandates, and vaccinations were associated with the most significant reductions in SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the three southern states. Rt across the three states decreased significantly by ≥20% following stay-at-home orders. We observed varying degrees of reductions in Rt across states following other policies. Rural Alabama counties experienced higher per capita cumulative cases relative to urban ones as of June 17 and October 17, 2020. Meanwhile, Louisiana and Mississippi saw the disproportionate impact of SARS-CoV-2 in rural counties compared to urban ones throughout the study period. CONCLUSION State and county policies had an impact on local pandemic trajectories. The rural-urban disparities in case burden call for evidence-based approaches in tailoring health promotion interventions and vaccination campaigns to rural residents.
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14
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Yu C, Liu Q, Wang W, Xie A, Liu J. Professional Identity of 0.24 Million Medical Students in China Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Three Waves of National Cross-Sectional Studies. Front Public Health 2022; 10:868914. [PMID: 35400047 PMCID: PMC8989960 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.868914] [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: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Professional identity (PI) influences the doctor's thoughts and behaviors. Thus, PI formation (PIF) plays an important role in medical students' education. Major changes to the learning environment could impact PIF, but the influence of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on medical students' PI had confusing conclusions in previous studies. We aimed to compare PI of medical students by using the data from three waves of national cross-sectional surveys conducted in China in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and to examine factors that influence PIF. Method We used data from the China Medical Student Survey (CMSS) which has conducted three national cross-sectional surveys. From 2019 to 2021, CMCC retrieved data on PI from a nationally representative sample of medical students from 33, 121, and 123 colleges, respectively. We analyzed the data using Chi-square test, analysis of variance, and multivariable logistic regression according to sociodemographic characteristics, pre-university experience, college characteristics, and college experience. Results A total of 244,040 medical students in China participated in the surveys. The overall score of PI increased from 3.80 in 2019 to 3.85 in 2021. Medical students with family medical background, high intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of major selection, teachers' positive role model, and high personal comprehensive quality ranking were more likely to have higher PI (all p < 0.05). The more attention students paid to the COVID-19 pandemic, the higher PI they would have (aOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.67-2.24 for more attention; aOR 2.31, 95% CI 2.00-2.68 for the most attention). However, parents' participation on the front lines of COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced the PI of medical students (aOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57-0.93). Conclusions PI of medical students increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the pandemic on PI was complex. To improve the PI of medical students, the education sector, health sector and the society need to make concerted efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Yu
- National Center for Health Professions Education Development, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Medical Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiao Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Weimin Wang
- National Center for Health Professions Education Development, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Medical Education, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ana Xie
- National Center for Health Professions Education Development, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Medical Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jue Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Department of Global Health and Development, Peking University, Beijing, China
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15
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Cason C, Zamagni G, Cozzi G, Tonegutto D, Ronfani L, Oretti C, De Manzini A, Barbi E, Comar M, Amaddeo A. Spread of Respiratory Pathogens During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Children in the Northeast of Italy. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:804700. [PMID: 35401434 PMCID: PMC8988150 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.804700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The social distancing measures adopted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a profound change in the behavioral habits of the population. This study analyzes the impact of restriction measures on the shaping of the epidemiology of common winter respiratory pathogens in the pediatric population of northeast of Italy. From August 2020 to March 2021, a total of 1,227 nasopharyngeal swabs from symptomatic pediatric patients were tested for the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A and B, adenovirus, other coronaviruses, parainfluenza virus 1–4, enterovirus, bocavirus, metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. To relate virus positivity with the clinic characteristics of the subjects enrolled, multinomial logistic models were estimated. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 5.2% of the children; fever resulted as risk factor for infection [relative risk ratio (RRR) = 2.88, p = 0.034]. Rhinovirus was detected in the 40.7% of the subjects, with cough and rhinitis as risk factors (respectively, RRR = 1.79, p = 0.001 and RRR = 1.53, p = 0.018). Other coronaviruses were found in 10.8% of children and were associated to pharyngodynia (RRR = 4.94, p < 0.001). Adenovirus, observed in 11.6% of subjects, showed to have fever as risk factor (RRR = 6.44, p < 0.001). Bocavirus was detected in 3.2% of children. In conclusion, our results showed that social isolation measures had an impact on the circulation of RSV and influenza, although children under the age of 2 were most affected by the other respiratory infections. Therefore, this study highlights the need for continuing surveillance for a delayed spread of RSV and other respiratory pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Cason
- Department of Advanced Translational Microbiology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo,” Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Zamagni
- Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health Research Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo,” Trieste, Italy
| | - Giorgio Cozzi
- Emergency Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo,” Trieste, Italy
| | - Davide Tonegutto
- Emergency Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo,” Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Ronfani
- Clinical Epidemiology and Public Health Research Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo,” Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Oretti
- Department of Services, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea De Manzini
- Department of Services, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), Trieste, Italy
| | - Egidio Barbi
- Emergency Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo,” Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Manola Comar
- Department of Advanced Translational Microbiology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo,” Trieste, Italy
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- *Correspondence: Manola Comar,
| | - Alessandro Amaddeo
- Emergency Department, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS “Burlo Garofolo,” Trieste, Italy
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16
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Poague KIHM, Blanford JI, Anthonj C. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Implications for the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:3124. [PMID: 35270814 PMCID: PMC8910349 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19053124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The global COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the extent to which schools are struggling with the provision of safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). To describe the WASH conditions in schools and discuss the implications for the safe reopening of schools during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature on WASH in schools in low- and middle-income countries was performed. In April 2021, five databases, including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, AJOL, and LILACS, were used to identify studies. Sixty-five papers met the inclusion criteria. We extracted and analyzed data considering the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) definitions and the normative contents of Human Rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. Publications included in this systematic review considered 18,465 schools, across 30 different countries. Results indicate a lack of adequate WASH conditions and menstrual hygiene management requirements in all countries. The largely insufficient and inadequate school infrastructure hampers students to practice healthy hygiene habits and handwashing in particular. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, being hindered to implement such a key strategy to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the school environment is of major concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasandra I. H. M. Poague
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation–ITC, University of Twente, Hengelosestraat 99, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands; (J.I.B.); (C.A.)
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17
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Paulsen M, Zychlinsky Scharff A, de Cassan K, Sugianto RI, Blume C, Blume H, Christmann M, Hauß C, Illig T, Jonczyk R, Klopp N, Kopfnagel V, Lichtinghagen R, Lucas H, Luhr A, Mutschler F, Pietschmann T, Pott PC, Prokein J, Schaefer P, Stahl F, Stanislawski N, von der Born J, Schmidt BM, Heiden S, Stiesch M, Memaran N, Melk A. Children and Adolescents' Behavioral Patterns in Response to Escalating COVID-19 Restriction Reveal Sex and Age Differences. J Adolesc Health 2022; 70:378-386. [PMID: 34972613 PMCID: PMC8610846 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic affects students in a myriad of different ways. Our prospective, longitudinal study in a cohort of students in Hannover, Germany explores behavioral patterns during escalating COVID-19 restrictions. METHODS In total, 777 students between the age of 9 and 20 were assessed for their activity engagement, travel patterns, and self-assessed compliance with protective recommendations at six time points between June 2020 and June 2021 (3,564 observations) and were monitored for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection by nasal swab polymerase chain reaction and serum antibody titers. RESULTS Activity engagement decreased, but self-assessed compliance with measures such as mask wearing and social distancing was stable during escalating restrictions. Although we found no sex difference during the summer break, when incidence was lowest, females engaged in a higher variety of activities than males for all other time points. Older students engaged in more activities and self-assigned themselves lower compliance values than younger ones. Greater involvement in different activities was seen in households which traveled more frequently. Infection rate in our cohort was low (0.03% acute infections, 1.94% positive seroprevalence). DISCUSSION Our study supports the view that, overall, students show high compliance with COVID-19 recommendations and restrictions. The identification of subsets, such as female and older students, with higher risk behavioral patterns should be considered when implementing public information campaigns. In light of the low infection rate in our cohort, we conclude that in-person learning can occur safely if extensive protective measures are in place and the incidence in the general population remains moderate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Paulsen
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Zychlinsky Scharff
- Common Trunk Residency Program, Children's Hospital, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kristof de Cassan
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Material Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rizky Indrameikha Sugianto
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Cornelia Blume
- Institute for Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover Germany
| | - Holger Blume
- Institute of Microelectronic Systems, Leibniz University Hanover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Christmann
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Illig
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rebecca Jonczyk
- Institute for Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover Germany
| | - Norman Klopp
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Verena Kopfnagel
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ralf Lichtinghagen
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Henning Lucas
- Institute of Innovation Research, Technology Management & Entrepreneurship, Leibniz University Hanover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anke Luhr
- Eye Center Kantplatz, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frauke Mutschler
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Philipp-Cornelius Pott
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Material Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jana Prokein
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Paula Schaefer
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Material Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Stahl
- Institute for Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover Germany
| | - Nils Stanislawski
- Institute of Microelectronic Systems, Leibniz University Hanover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jeannine von der Born
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bernhard M.W. Schmidt
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heiden
- Institute of Innovation Research, Technology Management & Entrepreneurship, Leibniz University Hanover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Meike Stiesch
- Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Biomedical Material Research, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nima Memaran
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anette Melk
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver, and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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18
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Fukuda Y, Fukuda K. Educators' Psychosocial Burdens Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Predictive Factors: A Cross-Sectional Survey of the Relationship with Sense of Coherence and Social Capital. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042134. [PMID: 35206324 PMCID: PMC8872629 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to identify the social and psychological burdens placed on educators during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan and to propose an optimal form of support. We investigated educators' perceptions of psychological and socioeconomic anxieties and burdens, sense of coherence, and social capital using a questionnaire survey of 1000 educators in January 2021. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to analyze the associations between the variables. Results: Approximately 80% of the respondents considered COVID-19 a formidable, life-threatening illness. Our results revealed that the higher the social capital, the greater the fear of COVID-19, and the higher the sense of coherence, the lower this fear. Conclusions: The anxiety burden of implementing infection prevention was higher than the anxiety burden associated with distance learning. The predictive factors for educators' perceptions of burden included sense of coherence, gender, and age. Our findings suggest the importance of having the government and educational institutions provide multidimensional assistance that matches educators' individual characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasue Fukuda
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka 513-8670, Mie, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-59-373-7030
| | - Koji Fukuda
- Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8050, Japan;
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19
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Lichand G, Doria CA, Cossi Fernandes JP, Leal-Neto O. Association of COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality Rates With School Reopening in Brazil During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2022; 3:e215032. [PMID: 35977276 PMCID: PMC8903124 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.5032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Question Is the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic associated with increased COVID-19 incidence and mortality? Findings In this cross-sectional study of 643 Brazilian municipalities including 18 761 schools, on average, there was no systematic association between school reopening and COVID-19 incidence or mortality in São Paulo State up to 12 weeks after reopening, which was also the case for schools in the most vulnerable conditions. Aggregate mobility was already high before the school reopening and did not significantly increase afterwards. Meaning The results of this study suggest that reopening schools under appropriate protocols in low- and middle-income countries during the pandemic is unlikely to be associated with higher aggregate COVID-19 cases or deaths when counterfactual mobility is already high. Importance School closures because of COVID-19 have left 1.6 billion students around the world without in-person classes for a prolonged period. To our knowledge, no study has documented whether reopening schools in low- and middle-income countries during the pandemic was associated with increased aggregate COVID-19 incidence and mortality with appropriate counterfactuals. Objective To test whether reopening schools under appropriate protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased municipal-level COVID-19 cases and deaths in São Paulo State, Brazil. Design, Setting, and Participants This observational study of municipalities in São Paulo State, Brazil, uses a difference-in-differences analysis to examine the association between municipal decisions to reopen schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and municipal-level COVID-19 case and death rates between October and December 2020. The study compared 129 municipalities that reopened schools in 2020 with 514 that did not and excluded data for 2 municipalities that reopened schools and closed then again. Main Outcomes and Measures New COVID-19 cases and deaths per 10 000 inhabitants up to 12 weeks after school reopenings and municipal-level aggregate mobility for a subset of municipalities. Results There were 8764 schools in the 129 municipalities that reopened schools compared with 9997 in the control group of 514 municipalities that did not reopen schools. The municipalities that reopened schools had a cumulative COVID-19 incidence of 20 cases per 1000 inhabitants and mortality of 0.5 deaths per 1000 inhabitants in September 2020 (the baseline period) compared with an incidence of 18 cases per 1000 inhabitants and mortality of 0.45 deaths per 1000 inhabitants during the baseline period in the comparison group. The findings indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between municipalities that authorized schools to reopen and those that did not for (1) weekly new cases (difference-in-differences, –0.03; 95% CI, –0.09 to 0.03) and (2) weekly new deaths (difference-in-differences, –0.003; 95% CI, –0.011 to 0.004) before and after October 2020. Reopening schools was not associated with higher disease activity, even in relatively vulnerable municipalities, nor aggregate mobility. Conclusions and Relevance The findings from this study suggest that keeping schools open during the COVID-19 pandemic did not contribute to the aggregate disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Onicio Leal-Neto
- Department of Economics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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20
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Dallolio L, Marini S, Masini A, Toselli S, Stagni R, Bisi MC, Gori D, Tessari A, Sansavini A, Lanari M, Bragonzoni L, Ceciliani A. The impact of COVID-19 on physical activity behaviour in Italian primary school children: a comparison before and during pandemic considering gender differences. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:52. [PMID: 34998379 PMCID: PMC8742559 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12483-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization stated an average of 60 min of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) that children should accumulate every day. Nevertheless physical inactivity is growing and, due to restrictions imposed during pandemic, PA levels of children might be more negatively affected. The study aimed to analyse the impact of COVID-19 on the PA of an Italian sample of primary school children by comparing it before and during COVID-19 considering gender differences. METHODS A pre-post analysis (October 2019-January 2021) was conducted using a randomized sample (N = 77) from the I-MOVE study settled in an Italian primary school. Both objective (Actigraph accelerometers) and self-reported (PAQ-c questionnaires) assessments of PA were performed. Changes were compared using T-Student and Chi-Square test. Gender differences were calculated using Anova. RESULTS Weekly and daily minutes time spent in MVPA significantly decreased respectively by - 30.59 ± 120.87 and - 15.32 ± 16.21 from before to during pandemic while the weekly time spent in sedentary behaviour increased (+ 1196.01 ± 381.49). PAQ-c scores followed the same negative trend (- 0.87 ± 0.72). Boys seem to have suffered more than girls from the imposed restrictions. CONCLUSION These findings outline the need for strategies to promote PA and reduce sedentary behaviours in children to prevent COVID-19 restriction long-term effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Dallolio
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sofia Marini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alice Masini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Stefania Toselli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Stagni
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi" University of Bologna, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Bisi
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi" University of Bologna, 40136, Bologna, Italy
| | - Davide Gori
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Tessari
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra Sansavini
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marcello Lanari
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, S. Orsola University Hospital, Scientific Institute for Research and Healthcare (IRCCS) Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Bragonzoni
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Campus of Rimini, 47921, Rimini, Italy
| | - Andrea Ceciliani
- Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Campus of Rimini, 47921, Rimini, Italy
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21
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Birimoglu Okuyan C, Begen MA. Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, its effects on health, and recommendations: The pandemic and beyond. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2022; 58:173-179. [PMID: 34003489 PMCID: PMC8242705 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We provide an overview of how to work from home during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and what measures should be taken to minimize the negative effects of working from during this time. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic has forced an adaptation process for the whole world and working life. One of the most adaptation measures is working from home. Working from home comes with challenges and concerns but it also has favorable aspects. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS It is crucial to develop and implement best practices for working from home to maintain a good level of productivity, achieve the right level of work and life balance and maintain a good level of physical and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canan Birimoglu Okuyan
- Gait and Brain Lab, Parkwood Institute, Western University, London, Canada.,Department of Nursing, Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet A Begen
- Ivey Business School, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Caffarelli C, Santamaria F, Procaccianti M, Piro E, delle Cave V, Borrelli M, Santoro A, Grassi F, Bernasconi S, Corsello G. Developments in pediatrics in 2020: choices in allergy, autoinflammatory disorders, critical care, endocrinology, genetics, infectious diseases, microbiota, neonatology, neurology, nutrition, ortopedics, respiratory tract illnesses and rheumatology. Ital J Pediatr 2021; 47:232. [PMID: 34876198 PMCID: PMC8650733 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-021-01184-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article, we describe the advances in the field of pediatrics that have been published in the Italian Journal of Pediatrics in 2020. We report progresses in understanding allergy, autoinflammatory disorders, critical care, endocrinology, genetics, infectious diseases, microbiota, neonatology, neurology, nutrition, orthopedics, respiratory tract illnesses, rheumatology in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Caffarelli
- Clinica Pediatrica, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, University of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Santamaria
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Procaccianti
- Clinica Pediatrica, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, University of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14 Parma, Italy
| | - Ettore Piro
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care ‘’G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria delle Cave
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Melissa Borrelli
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Angelica Santoro
- Clinica Pediatrica, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, University of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14 Parma, Italy
| | - Federica Grassi
- Clinica Pediatrica, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, University of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Corsello
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care ‘’G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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23
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SARS-CoV-2 Infection among School Population of One Developing Country. Do School Closures Protect Students and Teachers against SARS-CoV-2 Infection? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312680. [PMID: 34886403 PMCID: PMC8657140 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Evidence about the effectiveness of school closures as a measure to control the spread of COVID-19 is controversial. We posit that schools are not an important source of transmission; thus, we analyzed two surveillance methods: a web-based questionnaire and a telephone survey that monitored the impact of the pandemic due to COVID-19 cases in Bogotá, Colombia. We estimated the cumulative incidences for Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) and COVID-19 for each population group. Then, we assessed the differences using the cumulative incidence ratio (CIR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI95%). The ARI incidence among students was 20.1 times higher when estimated from the telephone survey than from the online questionnaire (CIR: 20.1; CI95% 17.11-23.53). Likewise, the ARI incidence among schoolteachers was 10 times higher in the telephone survey (CIR: 9.8; CI95% 8.3-11.5). the incidence of COVID-19 among schoolteachers was 4.3 times higher than among students in the online questionnarie (CIR: 4.3, CI95%: 3.8-5.0) and 2.1 times higher in the telephone survey (CIR = 2.1, CI95%: 1.8-2.6), and this behavior was also observed in the general population data. Both methods showed a capacity to detect COVID-19 transmission among students and schoolteachers, but the telephone survey estimates were probably closer to the real incidence rate.
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Luxi N, Giovanazzi A, Capuano A, Crisafulli S, Cutroneo PM, Fantini MP, Ferrajolo C, Moretti U, Poluzzi E, Raschi E, Ravaldi C, Reno C, Tuccori M, Vannacci A, Zanoni G, Trifirò G. COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy, Paediatrics, Immunocompromised Patients, and Persons with History of Allergy or Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Overview of Current Recommendations and Pre- and Post-Marketing Evidence for Vaccine Efficacy and Safety. Drug Saf 2021; 44:1247-1269. [PMID: 34739716 PMCID: PMC8569292 DOI: 10.1007/s40264-021-01131-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
To date, four vaccines have been authorised for emergency use and under conditional approval by the European Medicines Agency to prevent COVID-19: Comirnaty, COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, Spikevax (previously COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna) and Vaxzevria (previously COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca). Although the benefit-risk profile of these vaccines was proven to be largely favourable in the general population, evidence in special cohorts initially excluded from the pivotal trials, such as pregnant and breastfeeding women, children/adolescents, immunocompromised people and persons with a history of allergy or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, is still limited. In this narrative review, we critically overview pre- and post-marketing evidence on the potential benefits and risks of marketed COVID-19 vaccines in the above-mentioned special cohorts. In addition, we summarise the recommendations of the scientific societies and regulatory agencies about COVID-19 primary prevention in the same vaccinee categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Luxi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Alexia Giovanazzi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Annalisa Capuano
- Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Department of Experimental Medicine, Campania Regional Centre for Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Crisafulli
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Paola Maria Cutroneo
- Sicilian Regional Pharmacovigilance Centre, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Fantini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Ferrajolo
- Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Department of Experimental Medicine, Campania Regional Centre for Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Ugo Moretti
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Poluzzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emanuel Raschi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Ravaldi
- PeaRL-Perinatal Research Laboratory, NEUROFARBA Department, University of Florence and CiaoLapo Foundation for Perinatal Health, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Reno
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Tuccori
- Unit of Adverse Drug Reactions Monitoring, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfredo Vannacci
- PeaRL-Perinatal Research Laboratory, NEUROFARBA Department, University of Florence and CiaoLapo Foundation for Perinatal Health, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Trifirò
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134, Verona, Italy.
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Horve PF, Dietz LG, Fretz M, Constant DA, Wilkes A, Townes JM, Martindale RG, Messer WB, Van Den Wymelenberg KG. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in healthcare heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1826-1832. [PMID: 34189769 DOI: 10.1101/2020.06.26.20141085v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Evidence continues to grow supporting the aerosol transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To assess the potential role of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in airborne viral transmission, this study sought to determine the viral presence, if any, on air handling units in a healthcare setting where coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients were being treated. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in approximately 25% of samples taken from ten different locations in multiple air handlers. While samples were not evaluated for viral infectivity, the presence of viral RNA in air handlers raises the possibility that viral particles can enter and travel within the air handling system of a hospital, from room return air through high-efficiency MERV-15 filters and into supply air ducts. Although no known transmission events were determined to be associated with these specimens, the findings suggest the potential for HVAC systems to facilitate transfer of virions to locations remote from areas where infected persons reside. These results are important within and outside of healthcare settings and may present necessary guidance for building operators of facilities that are not equipped with high-efficiency filtration. Furthermore, the identification of SARS-CoV-2 in HVAC components indicates the potential utility as an indoor environmental surveillance location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F Horve
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Leslie G Dietz
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Mark Fretz
- Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, USA
| | - David A Constant
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Andrew Wilkes
- Healthcare Facilities, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - John M Townes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Robert G Martindale
- Division of Gastrointestinal and General Surgery, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - William B Messer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kevin G Van Den Wymelenberg
- Biology and the Built Environment Center, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
- Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, OR, USA
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Horve PF, Dietz LG, Fretz M, Constant DA, Wilkes A, Townes JM, Martindale RG, Messer WB, Van Den Wymelenberg KG. Identification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in healthcare heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:1826-1832. [PMID: 34189769 PMCID: PMC8447041 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Evidence continues to grow supporting the aerosol transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To assess the potential role of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in airborne viral transmission, this study sought to determine the viral presence, if any, on air handling units in a healthcare setting where coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients were being treated. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in approximately 25% of samples taken from ten different locations in multiple air handlers. While samples were not evaluated for viral infectivity, the presence of viral RNA in air handlers raises the possibility that viral particles can enter and travel within the air handling system of a hospital, from room return air through high-efficiency MERV-15 filters and into supply air ducts. Although no known transmission events were determined to be associated with these specimens, the findings suggest the potential for HVAC systems to facilitate transfer of virions to locations remote from areas where infected persons reside. These results are important within and outside of healthcare settings and may present necessary guidance for building operators of facilities that are not equipped with high-efficiency filtration. Furthermore, the identification of SARS-CoV-2 in HVAC components indicates the potential utility as an indoor environmental surveillance location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F. Horve
- Biology and the Built Environment CenterUniversity of OregonEugeneORUSA
| | - Leslie G. Dietz
- Biology and the Built Environment CenterUniversity of OregonEugeneORUSA
| | - Mark Fretz
- Institute for Health in the Built EnvironmentUniversity of OregonPortlandORUSA
| | - David A. Constant
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - Andrew Wilkes
- Healthcare FacilitiesOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - John M. Townes
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineSchool of MedicineOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - Robert G. Martindale
- Division of Gastrointestinal and General SurgerySchool of MedicineOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - William B. Messer
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - Kevin G. Van Den Wymelenberg
- Biology and the Built Environment CenterUniversity of OregonEugeneORUSA
- Institute for Health in the Built EnvironmentUniversity of OregonPortlandORUSA
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Kabir H, Hasan MK, Bhuya MTR. Recommendations for school-going students post CoVid-19 in Bangladesh. Bioinformation 2021; 17:500-505. [PMID: 34602777 PMCID: PMC8450153 DOI: 10.6026/97320630017500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The CoVid-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has taken more lives than any other pandemic so far, with non-pharmacological interventions such as lockdown, school closures, and travel bans, especially social distance, abounding around the world. With limited
resources, these interventions pose the ultimate challenge to the education system in developing countries like Bangladesh, especially in providing uninterrupted education for all children in rural areas, where a significant number of students are enrolled in
this area. However, the initiative to close schools for an extended period has affected children physically, emotionally, socially, and in various ways. Noteworthy, it demands to reopen to protect the future of children. Schools have reopened in many countries
around the world. It is of interest to document recommendations for school-going students post CoVid-19 in Bangladesh using evidence-based data, information, and knowledge. We document such data in the context of Bangladesh to take such policy initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humayun Kabir
- Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.,CRP Nursing College, Savar, Dhaka - 1343, Bangladesh
| | - Md Kamrul Hasan
- Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tejgaon College, National University, Gazipur - 1704, Bangladesh
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Simetin IP, Svajda M, Ivanko P, Dimnjakovic J, Belavic A, Istvanovic A, Poljicanin T. COVID-19 incidence, hospitalizations and mortality trends in Croatia and school closures. Public Health 2021; 198:164-170. [PMID: 34461449 PMCID: PMC8328567 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Objectives COVID-19 pandemic affected majority of students worldwide because school closures were one of the first and frequently taken measures in tackling epidemic. This study analyzed trends in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality from the beginning of pandemic in Croatia, in relation to schools opening and closing. Study design Retrospective data review. Methods Data on COVID-19 positive patients in Croatia from week 9 of 2020 to week 10 of 2021 in Croatia were analyzed using joinpoint regression. Analysis also included hospitalizations and mortality trends for age groups 26 to 65 and 66+ from week 30 of 2020. Results Schools opened in fall after the summer holidays in week 37. Joinpoint regression analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in cumulative incidence rates of COVID-19 in all age groups until 50th week, except in the 19–25 age group which saw an increase until 49th week. During the period of increase, there were periods of moderate increases and rapid increases in incidence that were present between 39/41 week and 43/44 week in all age groups except in those 0–6 years [from 40th till 43rd week in age groups 7–14 and 15–18, average percentage change (APC) = 87.41, P = 0.035, and APC = 83.47, P = 0.013; from 39th till 43rd in 19–25, APC = 91.90, P = 0.002; from 40th till 44th in 26–65, APC = 74.79, P < 0.001; from 41st till 44th in 66+, APC = 81.95, P = 0.004]. Steeper increase in hospitalizations was seen in 40th week for age groups 26 to 65 (40th to 45th week APC = 34.67, P < 0.001) and 66+ (40th to 45th week APC = 38.76, P < 0.001). Steeper increase in mortality started in 41st week for both age groups 26 to 65 and 66+ (41st to 46th week APC = 59.59, P < 0.001 and 41st to 45th week APC = 70.28, P < 0.001). Schools were closed for winter holidays in week 51. A steep decrease occurred in week 50 for cases and in week 51 for mortality and hospitalizations. There was no significant increase in hospitalizations and mortality after schools were re-opened in week 03 of 2021 (primary schools) and week 07 (secondary schools). Conclusion COVID-19 morbidity and mortality trends in Croatia observed in fall 2020 in Croatia perhaps cannot completely exclude potential association of school opening in all age groups. However, in winter 2021 effect was completely lacking and numbers were independent of schools’ dynamics. The observed inconsistent pattern indicates that there were no association of school openings and COVID-19 morbidity and mortality trends in Croatia and that other factors were leading to increasing and decreasing numbers. This emphasizes the need to consider the introduction of other effective and less harmful measures by stakeholders, or at least to use school closures as a last resort.
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Affiliation(s)
- I P Simetin
- Division for School Medicine, Mental Health and Addiction Prevention, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Rockefeller's Street 7, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia
| | - M Svajda
- Division for Health Informatics and Biostatistics, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Rockefeller's Street 7, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia
| | - P Ivanko
- Division for Health Informatics and Biostatistics, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Rockefeller's Street 7, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia
| | - J Dimnjakovic
- Division for Health Informatics and Biostatistics, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Rockefeller's Street 7, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia.
| | - A Belavic
- Division for School Medicine, Mental Health and Addiction Prevention, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Rockefeller's Street 7, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia
| | - A Istvanovic
- Division for School Medicine, Mental Health and Addiction Prevention, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Rockefeller's Street 7, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia
| | - T Poljicanin
- Division for Health Informatics and Biostatistics, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Rockefeller's Street 7, Zagreb 10 000, Croatia
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Tan W. School closures were over-weighted against the mitigation of COVID-19 transmission: A literature review on the impact of school closures in the United States. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e26709. [PMID: 34397701 PMCID: PMC8322504 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000026709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread wildly across the world. In March of 2020, almost all kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) schools were closed in the United States in an urgent attempt to curb the pandemic in the absence of effective therapeutics or vaccination. Thirteen months since then, schools remain partially closed. Accumulated evidence suggests that children and adolescents are not the primary facilitators of transmission, limiting the restrictive effects of school closures on disease transmission. The negative effects of school closures on K-12 students need to be systematically reviewed. METHODS Following the guideline of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyzes, a comprehensive literature search from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science regarding school closures and its impact on K-12 students was conducted. The primary outcomes included the impact of school closures on the mitigation of the pandemic and the resulting public health concerns of K-12 students. RESULTS Prolonged school closures possessed negative effects on K-12 students' physical, mental, and social well-being and reduced the number of health and social workers, hindering the reopening of the country. CONCLUSIONS School closures were over-weighted against the mitigation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. A safe reopening of all K-12 schools in the United States should be of top priority.
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COVID-19 in schools: Mitigating classroom clusters in the context of variable transmission. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009120. [PMID: 34237051 PMCID: PMC8266060 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Widespread school closures occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because closures are costly and damaging, many jurisdictions have since reopened schools with control measures in place. Early evidence indicated that schools were low risk and children were unlikely to be very infectious, but it is becoming clear that children and youth can acquire and transmit COVID-19 in school settings and that transmission clusters and outbreaks can be large. We describe the contrasting literature on school transmission, and argue that the apparent discrepancy can be reconciled by heterogeneity, or “overdispersion” in transmission, with many exposures yielding little to no risk of onward transmission, but some unfortunate exposures causing sizeable onward transmission. In addition, respiratory viral loads are as high in children and youth as in adults, pre- and asymptomatic transmission occur, and the possibility of aerosol transmission has been established. We use a stochastic individual-based model to find the implications of these combined observations for cluster sizes and control measures. We consider both individual and environment/activity contributions to the transmission rate, as both are known to contribute to variability in transmission. We find that even small heterogeneities in these contributions result in highly variable transmission cluster sizes in the classroom setting, with clusters ranging from 1 to 20 individuals in a class of 25. None of the mitigation protocols we modeled, initiated by a positive test in a symptomatic individual, are able to prevent large transmission clusters unless the transmission rate is low (in which case large clusters do not occur in any case). Among the measures we modeled, only rapid universal monitoring (for example by regular, onsite, pooled testing) accomplished this prevention. We suggest approaches and the rationale for mitigating these larger clusters, even if they are expected to be rare. During the COVID-19 pandemic many jurisdictions closed schools in order to limit transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Because school closures are costly and damaging to students, schools were later reopened despite the risk of contact among students contributing to increased prevalence of the virus. Early data showed schools being mostly a low risk setting, but occasionally large outbreaks were observed. We argue that this heterogenous behaviour can be explained by variability in the rate of transmission, both at the level of the individual student and at the level of the classroom. We created a mathematical model of transmission in the classroom to explore the consequences of this variability for cluster size and control measures, considering what happens when a single infectious individual attends a classroom of susceptible students. We used the model to study different interventions with the aim of reducing the size of infection clusters, in situations where such clusters would be large. We found that interventions based on acting after symptomatic students receive a positive test, as is standard practice in many jurisdictions, are ineffective at preventing most infections, and instead found that only frequent screening of the entire class was able to reduce the size of clusters substantially.
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Bullard J, Funk D, Dust K, Garnett L, Tran K, Bello A, Strong JE, Lee SJ, Waruk J, Hedley A, Alexander D, Van Caeseele P, Loeppky C, Poliquin G. Comparaison de l’infectivité du coronavirus du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère 2 chez les enfants et les adultes. CMAJ 2021; 193:E870-E877. [PMID: 34099475 PMCID: PMC8203260 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.210263-f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXTE: Le rôle des enfants dans la propagation et la transmission communautaire du coronavirus du syndrome respiratoire aigu sévère 2 (SRAS-CoV-2) est encore mal compris. Nous visons à quantifier l’infectivité du SRAS-CoV-2 d’échantillons nasopharyngés provenant d’enfants comparativement à ceux provenant d’adultes. MÉTHODES: Nous avons obtenu des écouvillons nasopharyngés de cas adultes et pédiatriques de la maladie à coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) ainsi que de leurs contacts qui ont obtenu un résultat positif à la présence du SRAS-CoV-2 lors d’un test de dépistage au Manitoba entre les mois de mars et décembre 2020. Nous avons comparé la croissance virale en culture cellulaire, les valeurs de cycle seuil de test d’amplification en chaîne par polymérase couplé à une transcription inverse (RT-PCR) de l’enveloppe (E) du gène du SRAS-CoV-2 et de la dose infectieuse pour 50 % de la culture tissulaire (DICT50/mL) entre les adultes et les enfants. RÉSULTATS: Parmi les 305 échantillons positifs à la présence du SRAS-CoV-2 validés par RT-PCR, 97 échantillons provenaient d’enfants de 10 ans et moins, 78 échantillons d’enfants de 11–17 ans et 130 échantillons d’adultes (≥ 18 ans). On a observé une croissance virale en culture dans 31 % des échantillons, dont 18 (19 %) échantillons d’enfants de 10 ans et moins, 18 (23 %) d’enfants de 11–17 ans et 57 (44 %) d’adultes (enfants c. adultes, rapport de cotes 0,45; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % 0,28–0,72). Le cycle seuil était de 25,1 (IC à 95 % 17,7–31,3) chez les enfants de 10 ans et moins, 22,2 (IC à 95 % 18,3–29,0) chez les enfants de 11–17 ans et 18,7 (IC à 95 % 17,9–30,4) chez les adultes (p < 0,001). La DICT50/mL médiane était considérablement plus faible chez les enfants de 11–17 ans (316, écart interquartile [EI] 178–2125) que chez les adultes (5620, EI 1171–17 800, p < 0,001). Le cycle seuil était un indicateur exact d’une culture positive chez les enfants et les adultes (aire sous la courbe de la fonction d’efficacité du récepteur, 0,87, IC à 95 % 0,81–0,93 c. 0,89, IC à 95 % 0,83–0,96, p = 0,6). INTERPRÉTATION: Comparés aux adultes, les enfants qui ont obtenu un résultat positif à un test de dépistage du SRAS-CoV-2 à l’aide d’un écouvillon nasopharyngé étaient moins susceptibles de présenter une croissance du virus en culture et obtenaient un cycle seuil plus élevé et une concentration virale moins élevée, indiquant que les enfants ne sont pas les principaux vecteurs de la transmission du SRAS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Bullard
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man.
| | - Duane Funk
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - Kerry Dust
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - Lauren Garnett
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - Kaylie Tran
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - Alex Bello
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - James E Strong
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - Santina J Lee
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - Jillian Waruk
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - Adam Hedley
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - David Alexander
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - Paul Van Caeseele
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - Carla Loeppky
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
| | - Guillaume Poliquin
- Laboratoire provincial Cadham (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Santé Manitoba, Département de pédiatrie et de santé de l'enfant (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), Université du Manitoba; Laboratoire national de microbiologie (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Agence de la santé publique du Canada; Département d'anesthésiologie et de médecine (Funk), section des soins intensifs, Université du Manitoba; Département de microbiologie médicale et des maladies infectieuses (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), Université du Manitoba; Contrôle des maladies transmissibles, Santé publique (Lee), Santé Manitoba; Unité d'épidémiologie et de surveillance (Waruk, Loeppky), Santé Manitoba; Département des sciences en santé communautaire (Loeppky), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man
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Psychosocial and behavioral problems of children and adolescents in the early stage of reopening schools after the COVID-19 pandemic: a national cross-sectional study in China. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:342. [PMID: 34083509 PMCID: PMC8172553 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01462-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to explore the psychosocial and behavioral problems of children and adolescents in the early stage of reopening schools. In this national cross-sectional study, a total of 11072 students from China were naturally divided into two groups based on their schooling status: reopened schools (RS) and home schooling (HS) group. The psychosocial and behavioral functioning were measured by Achenbach Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and compared in these two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the independent predictors associated with the psychosocial and behavioral problems. Our results showed that the students in the RS group had more adverse behaviors than that of HS group. The RS group had the higher rates of parent-offspring conflict, prolonged homework time, increased sedentary time and sleep problems (all p < 0.001). When separate analyses were conducted in boys and girls, the RS group had the higher scores for (1) overall behavioral problems (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01), internalizing (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02) and externalizing (p = 0.02 and p = 0.004) behaviors in the 6-11 age group; (2) externalizing (p = 0.049 and p = 0.006) behaviors in the 12-16 age group. Multivariable regression showed parent-offspring conflict and increased sedentary time were the most common risk factors, while physical activity and number of close friends were protective factors for behavior problems in RS students (p < 0.01 or 0.05). The present study revealed that students' psychosocial and behavioral problems increased in the early stage of schools reopened unexpectedly. These findings suggest that close attention must be paid and holistic strategies employed in the school reopening process of post-COVID-19 period.
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Crea F, Panfili FM, Amodeo ME, Fintini D, Rossi FP, Trenta I, Menichella A, Ossella C, Deidda A, Lidano R, Macchiarulo G, Lambiase C, Barbieri MA, Raponi M. The impact of National Containment Measures on a Pediatric Italian regional Hub for COVID-19, an observational study. Ital J Pediatr 2021; 47:122. [PMID: 34078423 PMCID: PMC8170452 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-021-01081-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous studies described the epidemiological link and main clinical features of pediatric COVID-19, during the first pandemic period. Our study encompasses several different phases since the National Lockdown in Italy. The primary outcome is (I) to analyze the prevalence of positive NST (Nasopharyngeal Swab Test) among the largest Italian Pediatric cohort admitted to a single regional PED Hub for COVID-19 during an eight-month period. Secondary outcomes are: (II) the description of trend of admissions in our PED and (III) the categorization of the positive patients according to clinical manifestations and epidemiological link. Methods We described 316 patients with a positive NST for SARS-CoV2, on a total of 5001 nasopharyngeal swabs performed among 13,171 admissions at our PED, over a period starting from March 17th, 2020 to December 1st, 2020. Age, epidemiological link, clinical features and hospitalizations were analyzed according to different lockdown phases. Data were collected anonymously from electronic records and analyzed using SPSS 22.00 statistics software (Chicago, IL). Results Thirty-six percent of total admissions have been tested. During the post lockdown period, we performed the highest percentage of NST (Nasopharyngeal Swab Test) 49.7%, and among them 7.9% were positive. The prevalence of infection during a 10-month period was 2.3%. Mean age was 6.5 years old. Familial Link accounted for the 67.7% of infection, while Extrafamilial and Unknown link accounted for 17 and 14.9%, respectively. Familial link is predominant during all phases. Seventeen patients showed an intra-scholastic link, and the highest prevalence was observed in the 7–10 years age group, with a prevalence of 12.8% (5 patients). Fever was the most frequent symptom (66%), in particular among preschooler children aged 0–6 years (71.9%). Older children were more frequently symptomatic. Seven patients were admitted with MIS-C diagnosis. Conclusions Different levels of containment measures caused important changes in number of positive NST for SARS-CoV2. Familial link was predominant in our cohort, during all phases of Lockdown. The risk of being infected at home is four time greater than the risk of being infected from an extra familial individual. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clear impact of intra-scholastic link. The constant improvement in knowledge on onset symptoms and risk factor for SARS-CoV2 infection and its complications (e.g. MIS-C), can impact on number of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and early management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Crea
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | - Danilo Fintini
- Endocrinology Unit, University-Hospital Pediatric Department (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Rossi
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Italo Trenta
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Menichella
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Ossella
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Deidda
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Lidano
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Macchiarulo
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Lambiase
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Massimiliano Raponi
- Occupational Medicine/Health Technology Assessment and Safety Research Unit, Clinical-Technological Innovations Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCSS, Rome, Italy.,Health Directorate, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
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Action and Reaction of Pre-Primary and Primary School-Age Children to Restrictions during COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11060451. [PMID: 34070992 PMCID: PMC8224797 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11060451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The fast-spreading coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced countries to apply restrictive measures to counteract it. School closure was quickly adopted by health authorities. We aimed to investigate the compliance of children aged 4 to 12 years with the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and evaluate the impact of school closure on the children’s educational, social, economic, and psychological outcomes. An online survey was distributed through a social networking platform to parents of pre-primary and primary school-age children. The study period was defined as from 27 November 2020 to 3 December 2020, two weeks after the school closure due to the general lockdown in Greece. This study showed that the school units were well-informed and complied with the protection measures against COVID-19. The pupils quickly adopted the protection measures, even those whose parents suggested masks were less effective. The quarantine-forced school closure highly impacted primary school children’s physical activity, quality of sleep, psychological status, eating habits, academic performance, and household income. Web use showed an increase, with the children over-spending extracurricular time in web activities. Our study highlights the need for long term monitoring of these aforementioned indices, and the development of COVID-19 mitigation measures that carefully incorporate effectiveness and societal impact.
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The Impact of COVID-19 School Closure on Child and Adolescent Health: A Rapid Systematic Review. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8050415. [PMID: 34069468 PMCID: PMC8159143 DOI: 10.3390/children8050415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
School closures during pandemics raise important concerns for children and adolescents. Our aim is synthesizing available data on the impact of school closure during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on child and adolescent health globally. We conducted a rapid systematic review by searching PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar for any study published between January and September 2020. We included a total of ten primary studies. COVID-19-related school closure was associated with a significant decline in the number of hospital admissions and pediatric emergency department visits. However, a number of children and adolescents lost access to school-based healthcare services, special services for children with disabilities, and nutrition programs. A greater risk of widening educational disparities due to lack of support and resources for remote learning were also reported among poorer families and children with disabilities. School closure also contributed to increased anxiety and loneliness in young people and child stress, sadness, frustration, indiscipline, and hyperactivity. The longer the duration of school closure and reduction of daily physical activity, the higher was the predicted increase of Body Mass Index and childhood obesity prevalence. There is a need to identify children and adolescents at higher risk of learning and mental health impairments and support them during school closures.
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Lin PI, Srivastava G, Beckman L, Kim Y, Hallerbäck M, Barzman D, Sorter M, Eapen V. A Framework-Based Approach to Assessing Mental Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:655481. [PMID: 34054613 PMCID: PMC8155579 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.655481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has yielded extensive impacts globally in the year of 2020. Although the mental health of children and adolescents may be particularly susceptible to stressors stemming from the pandemic and anti-contagion policies, most ongoing efforts are geared toward curbing the viral spread. In the current perspective, we have identified four domains of factors corresponding to an ecological framework that may directly or indirectly influence the mental health of children and adolescents during the pandemic. The evidence suggests that anti-contagion policies might trigger cascades that impact the mental health of children and their families through multiple different sectors that used to form a safety net for youths. Additionally, children with neuropsychiatric disorders could experience exacerbated symptoms during the pandemic. Furthermore, the risk of domestic violence has surged during the pandemic, which further compounds the imminent mental health crisis. A mental health pandemic could be inevitable if no proactive prevention strategies were in place. Therefore, we recommend understanding each individual mental health risk pathway via the ecological framework in order to develop integrative prevention and intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-I Lin
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Gautam Srivastava
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Linda Beckman
- Department of Health Sciences, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | - Yunhwan Kim
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
| | | | - Drew Barzman
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Michael Sorter
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Valsamma Eapen
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
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Would Parents Get Their Children Vaccinated Against SARS-CoV-2? Rate and Predictors of Vaccine Hesitancy According to a Survey over 5000 Families from Bologna, Italy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9040366. [PMID: 33920109 PMCID: PMC8069076 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In the near future, COVID-19 vaccine efficacy trials in larger cohorts may offer the possibility to implement child and adolescent vaccination. The opening of the vaccination for these strata may play a key role in order to limit virus circulation, infection spreading towards the most vulnerable subjects, and plan safe school reopening. Vaccine hesitancy (VH) could limit the ability to reach the coverage threshold required to ensure herd immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of VH among parents/guardians toward a potentially available COVID-19 vaccination for children and adolescents. An online survey was performed in parents/guardians of children aged <18 years old, living in Bologna. Overall, 5054 questionnaires were collected. A vast majority (60.4%) of the parents/guardians were inclined to vaccinate, while 29.6% were still considering the opportunity, and 9.9% were hesitant. Highest vaccine hesitancy rates were detected in female parents/guardians of children aged 6–10 years, ≤29 years old, with low educational level, relying on information found in the web/social media, and disliking mandatory vaccination policies. Although preliminary, these data could help in designing target strategies to implement adherence to a vaccination campaign, with special regard to web-based information.
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Bullard J, Funk D, Dust K, Garnett L, Tran K, Bello A, Strong JE, Lee SJ, Waruk J, Hedley A, Alexander D, Van Caeseele P, Loeppky C, Poliquin G. Infectivity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in children compared with adults. CMAJ 2021; 193:E601-E606. [PMID: 33837039 PMCID: PMC8101972 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.210263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The role of children in the transmission and community spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is unclear. We aimed to quantify the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal samples from children compared with adults. METHODS: We obtained nasopharyngeal swabs from adult and pediatric cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and from their contacts who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Manitoba between March and December 2020. We compared viral growth in cell culture, cycle threshold values from the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of the SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) gene and the 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50/mL) between adults and children. RESULTS: Among 305 samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, 97 samples were from children aged 10 years or younger, 78 were from children aged 11–17 years and 130 were from adults (≥ 18 yr). Viral growth in culture was present in 31% of samples, including 18 (19%) samples from children 10 years or younger, 18 (23%) from children aged 11–17 years and 57 (44%) from adults (children v. adults, odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28–0.72). The cycle threshold was 25.1 (95% CI 17.7–31.3) in children 10 years or younger, 22.2 (95% CI 18.3–29.0) in children aged 11–17 years and 18.7 (95% CI 17.9–30.4) in adults (p < 0.001). The median TCID50/mL was significantly lower in children aged 11–17 years (316, interquartile range [IQR] 178–2125) than adults (5620, IQR 1171 to 17 800, p < 0.001). Cycle threshold was an accurate predictor of positive culture in both children and adults (area under the receiver-operator curve, 0.87, 95% CI 0.81–0.93 v. 0.89, 95% CI 0.83–0.96, p = 0.6). INTERPRETATION: Compared with adults, children with nasopharyngeal swabs that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were less likely to grow virus in culture, and had higher cycle thresholds and lower viral concentrations, suggesting that children are not the main drivers of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Bullard
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man.
| | - Duane Funk
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - Kerry Dust
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - Lauren Garnett
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - Kaylie Tran
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - Alex Bello
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - James E Strong
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - Santina J Lee
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - Jillian Waruk
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - Adam Hedley
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - David Alexander
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - Paul Van Caeseele
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - Carla Loeppky
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
| | - Guillaume Poliquin
- Cadham Provincial Laboratory (Bullard, Dust, Hedley, Alexander, Van Caeseele), Manitoba Health; Department of Pediatrics & Child Health (Bullard, Strong, Lee, Van Caeseele, Poliquin), University of Manitoba; National Microbiology Laboratory (Funk, Garnett, Tran, Bello, Strong, Poliquin), Public Health Agency of Canada; Departments of Anesthesiology and Medicine (Funk), Section of Critical Care, University of Manitoba; Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (Garnett, Tran, Bello, Alexander), University of Manitoba; Communicable Disease Control, Public Health (Lee), Manitoba Health; Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Waruk, Loeppky), Manitoba Health; Department of Community Health Science (Loeppky), University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Man
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Wu J, Wang K, He C, Huang X, Dong K. Characterizing the patterns of China's policies against COVID-19: A bibliometric study. Inf Process Manag 2021; 58:102562. [PMID: 33678941 PMCID: PMC7923916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ipm.2021.102562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Since the beginning of 2020, the Chinese government has implemented substantial policies to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic. This research attempts to reveal and characterize the patterns of China's policy against COVID-19. Bibliometric methods are applied for studying policy evolution, with the aim of discovering the transitions of the policies over time, the collaborations among policy makers, and the effects of the policies. A total of 366 policies of epidemic prevention are collected. Policy topic shifting, the cooperation of policy-issuing agencies, and the policy content of agencies are analyzed. According to the results, China's policies are implemented in four stages. Moreover, the policy's foci against COVID-19 shifted from medical support in the early stage to economic development in the late stage. Agencies involved in the policymaking can be categorized into three types: leading agencies, key agencies, and auxiliary agencies, with their corresponding administrative influence ranked in this order. Especially, the Chinese government adopted a multi-agency, joint epidemic prevention and control mechanism to ensure the efficiency of the policymaking cooperation. Furthermore, aside from ensuring cooperation among the policy-issuing agencies, they each had their own primary focus of policies in the early stage, but their foci were gradually shared as the epidemic situation changed. This research reveals how China responded to the public health emergency of COVID-19 from the perspective of policy making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Wu
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China.,Center for Studies of Information Resources, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Kaili Wang
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Chaocheng He
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiao Huang
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ke Dong
- School of Information Management, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China.,Center for Studies of Information Resources, Wuhan University, 299 Bayi Road, Wuhan 430072, China
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40
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Mullane MJ, Thomas HM, Epstein M, Mandzufas J, Mullan N, Whelan A, Lombardi K, Barrow T, Ang S, Leahy A, Cameron E, Lester L, Cooper M, Stevenson P, Hartman M, McKenzie A, Mitrou F, Zubrick SR, Coffin J, Cross D, Bowen AC, Gething P. DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools. Front Public Health 2021; 9:636921. [PMID: 33692984 PMCID: PMC7937789 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.636921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is key to providing peace of mind for the community and informing policy-making decisions. While available data suggest that school-aged children are not significant spreaders of SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission in schools remains an ongoing concern, especially among an aging teaching workforce. Even in low-prevalence settings, communities must balance the potential risk of transmission with the need for students' ongoing education. Through the roll out of high-throughput school-based SARS-CoV-2 testing, enhanced follow-up for individuals exposed to COVID-19 and wellbeing surveys, this study investigates the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the current psychosocial wellbeing impacts of the pandemic in school communities. Methods: The DETECT Schools Study is a prospective observational cohort surveillance study in 79 schools across Western Australia (WA), Australia. To investigate the incidence, transmission and impact of SARS-CoV-2 in schools, the study comprises three "modules": Module 1) Spot-testing in schools to screen for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2; Module 2) Enhanced surveillance of close contacts following the identification of any COVID-19 case to determine the secondary attack rate of SARS-CoV-2 in a school setting; and Module 3) Survey monitoring of school staff, students and their parents to assess psycho-social wellbeing following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in WA. Clinical Trial Registration: Trial registration number: ACTRN12620000922976.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Melanie Epstein
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Karen Lombardi
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Tina Barrow
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Adele Leahy
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ewan Cameron
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Leanne Lester
- Cancer Council Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Matt Cooper
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Juli Coffin
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Donna Cross
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Asha C. Bowen
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Peter Gething
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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41
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Gori D, Reno C, Remondini D, Durazzi F, Fantini MP. Are We Ready for the Arrival of the New COVID-19 Vaccinations? Great Promises and Unknown Challenges Still to Come. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:173. [PMID: 33670697 PMCID: PMC7922137 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
While the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to strike and collect its death toll throughout the globe, as of 31 January 2021, the vaccine candidates worldwide were 292, of which 70 were in clinical testing. Several vaccines have been approved worldwide, and in particular, three have been so far authorized for use in the EU. Vaccination can be, in fact, an efficient way to mitigate the devastating effect of the pandemic and offer protection to some vulnerable strata of the population (i.e., the elderly) and reduce the social and economic burden of the current crisis. Regardless, a question is still open: after vaccination availability for the public, will vaccination campaigns be effective in reaching all the strata and a sufficient number of people in order to guarantee herd immunity? In other words: after we have it, will we be able to use it? Following the trends in vaccine hesitancy in recent years, there is a growing distrust of COVID-19 vaccinations. In addition, the online context and competition between pro- and anti-vaxxers show a trend in which anti-vaccination movements tend to capture the attention of those who are hesitant. Describing this context and analyzing its possible causes, what interventions or strategies could be effective to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy? Will social media trend analysis be helpful in trying to solve this complex issue? Are there perspectives for an efficient implementation of COVID-19 vaccination coverage as well as for all the other vaccinations?
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Gori
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (M.P.F.)
| | - Chiara Reno
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (M.P.F.)
| | - Daniel Remondini
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Francesco Durazzi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Maria Pia Fantini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.G.); (M.P.F.)
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42
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D'angelo D, Sinopoli A, Napoletano A, Gianola S, Castellini G, Del Monaco A, Fauci AJ, Latina R, Iacorossi L, Salomone K, Coclite D, Iannone P. Strategies to exiting the COVID-19 lockdown for workplace and school: A scoping review. SAFETY SCIENCE 2021; 134:105067. [PMID: 33162676 PMCID: PMC7604014 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2020.105067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In an attempt to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries have implemented various social restrictions, such as closing schools and asking people to work from home. Nevertheless, after months of strict quarantine, a reopening of society is required. Many countries are planning exit strategies to progressively lift the lockdown without leading to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Identifying exit strategies for a safe reopening of schools and places of work is critical in informing decision-makers on the management of the COVID-19 health crisis. This scoping review describes multiple population-wide strategies, including social distancing, testing, and contact tracing. It highlights how each strategy needs to be based on both the epidemiological situation and contextualize at local circumstances to anticipate the possibility of COVID-19 resurgence. However, the retrieved evidence lacks operational solutions and are mainly based on mathematical models and derived from grey literature. There is a need to report the impact of the implementation of country-tailored strategies and assess their effectiveness through high-quality experimental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela D'angelo
- Centro Eccellenza Clinica, Qualità e Sicurezza delle Cure, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Sinopoli
- Department of Prevention, Local Health Unit Roma 1, Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Napoletano
- Centro Eccellenza Clinica, Qualità e Sicurezza delle Cure, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Gianola
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Milan, Italy
| | - Greta Castellini
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Del Monaco
- Directorate General for Economics, Statistics and Research, Bank of Italy, Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Josephine Fauci
- Centro Eccellenza Clinica, Qualità e Sicurezza delle Cure, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Latina
- Centro Eccellenza Clinica, Qualità e Sicurezza delle Cure, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Iacorossi
- Centro Eccellenza Clinica, Qualità e Sicurezza delle Cure, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Katia Salomone
- Centro Eccellenza Clinica, Qualità e Sicurezza delle Cure, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Coclite
- Centro Eccellenza Clinica, Qualità e Sicurezza delle Cure, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Primiano Iannone
- Centro Eccellenza Clinica, Qualità e Sicurezza delle Cure, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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Ezeonu C, Uneke C, Ezeonu P. A rapid review of the reopening of schools in this COVID-19 pandemic? how ready are we in Nigeria? NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/njm.njm_161_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Gilbert LK, Strine TW, Szucs LE, Crawford TN, Parks SE, Barradas DT, Njai R, Ko JY. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Parental Attitudes and Concerns About School Reopening During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, July 2020. MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2020; 69:1848-1852. [PMID: 33301437 PMCID: PMC7737683 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6949a2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
In light of the disproportionate risk of hospitalization and death attributable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among racial and ethnic minority groups, parental attitudes and concerns regarding school reopening were assessed by race and ethnicity using data from three online CARAVAN omnibus surveys conducted during July 8-12, 2020, by ENGINE Insights.* Survey participants included 858 parents who had children and adolescents in kindergarten through grade 12 (school-aged children) living in their household. Overall, 56.5% of parents strongly or somewhat agreed that school should reopen this fall, with some differences by race/ethnicity: compared with 62.3% of non-Hispanic White (White) parents, 46.0% of non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black) parents (p = 0.007) and 50.2% of Hispanic parents (p = 0.014) agreed that school should reopen this fall. Fewer White parents (62.5%) than Hispanic (79.5%, p = 0.026) and non-Hispanic parents of other racial/ethnic groups (66.9%, p = 0.041) were supportive of a mask mandate for students and staff members. Understanding parental attitudes and concerns is critical to informing communication and messaging around COVID-19 mitigation. Families' concerns also highlight the need for flexible education plans and equitable resource provision so that youth education is not compromised.
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Tobia V, Sacchi S, Cerina V, Manca S, Fornara F. The influence of classroom seating arrangement on children's cognitive processes in primary school: the role of individual variables. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 41:6522-6533. [PMID: 33162725 PMCID: PMC7602767 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-01154-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
To date, despite the great debate regarding the best seating arrangement for learning in classrooms, no empirical studies have examined the direct effects of different seating arrangements on children’s cognitive processes. This is particularly important nowadays that the COVID-19 measures include maintaining distance in the classroom. Aim of this study was experimentally investigating the effect of changing the seating arrangement (clusters vs. single desks), on logical reasoning, creativity and theory of mind, in children attending primary school. Furthermore, some individual characteristics (e.g., gender, loneliness, popularity) were analysed as potential moderators. Results on 77 participants showed that, when children were seated in single desks, their score in logical reasoning was globally higher. Furthermore, when seated in single desks, girls showed a better performance in the theory of mind, and lonelier children performed better in theory of mind and creativity. This on field experimental study suggests the importance of considering both the nature of the task and children’s individual characteristics when deciding on a seating arrangement in the classroom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tobia
- Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Sacchi
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Cerina
- Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sara Manca
- Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Fornara
- Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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46
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Garcia-Alamino JM, Tobías A. [Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its impact on the first week of reopening schools in Catalonia]. GACETA SANITARIA 2020; 35:302-303. [PMID: 33162227 PMCID: PMC7553001 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Josep Maria Garcia-Alamino
- Grupo de Investigación Salud Global, Género y Sociedad (GHenderS), Blanquerna-Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, España; Programme in Evidence Based Health Care, University of Oxford, Oxford, Reino Unido
| | - Aurelio Tobías
- Instituto de Diagnóstico Ambiental y Estudios del Agua (IDAEA), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Barcelona, España.
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47
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SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children in Southern Italy: A Descriptive Case Series. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17176080. [PMID: 32825563 PMCID: PMC7504571 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
At the beginning of the coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Italy was one of the most affected countries in Europe. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is less frequent and less severe in children than in adults. This study analyzed the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infection among all children aged <18 years in the Apulia region of southern Italy and the characteristics of the infected children. Clinical and demographic data were collected through the national platform for COVID-19 surveillance. Of the 166 infected children in the Apulia region, 104 (62.6%) were asymptomatic, 37 (22.3%) had mild infections, 22 (13.3%) had moderate infections, and 3 (1.8%) had severe infections. Only ten children (6.0%) were hospitalized, but none required intensive care support and none died. SARS-CoV-2 infection was transmitted mainly from parents or relatives to children. Because of school closure during the lockdown, infection was unlikely to have been transmitted among children. It is unclear whether school reopening would enhance virus spread, leading the Italian government to develop guidelines for safe school reopening. The actual role of children in virus transmission remains unclear. A sensitive surveillance system, prompt identification of cases, testing, and contact tracing will be key to reducing the further spread of infection.
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