Increased Risk of Death Triggered by Domestic Violence, Hunger, Suicide, Exhausted Health System during COVID-19 Pandemic: Why, How and Solutions

The Global Landscape of Domestic Violence against Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an alarming increase in domestic violence against women owing to lockdown measures and limited access to support services. This article provides insights into the global prevalence of domestic violence, barriers to seeking help, its impact on women and children, and the best practices implemented worldwide. Domestic violence encompasses various forms of abuse; many young women experience partner violence. Barriers to seeking help include fear, financial constraints, lack of awareness of available services, and distrust among stakeholders. The consequences of domestic violence affect the mental health of both mothers and children. Countries have increased shelter funding and developed innovative protocols to reach survivors and address this issue. However, the healthcare sector's involvement in addressing domestic violence has been limited. This review advocates collaboration among healthcare institutions and government bodies. Key recommendations include utilizing telehealth services, implementing comprehensive training programs, establishing effective referral systems, enhancing health education, developing a domestic violence registry, improving the responses of law enforcement and justice systems through healthcare integration, promoting data sharing, and conducting further research. Healthcare systems should recognize domestic violence as a public health concern and detect, prevent, and intervene in cases to support survivors.

A Statewide Analysis of Self-Inflicted Injuries During COVID-19 Pandemic: Is There Adequate Access to Mental Health?

INTRODUCTION

Many social and behavioral changes occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objective was to identify changes in incidence of self-inflicted injuries during COVID-19 compared to prepandemic years. Further, we aimed to identify risk factors associated with self-inflicted injuries before and during the pandemic.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≥18 y with self-inflicted injuries from 2018 to 2021 was performed using the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study registry. Patients were grouped into pre-COVID Era (pre-CE, 2018-2019) and COVID Era (CE, 2020-2021). Statistical comparisons were accomplished using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

There were a total of 1075 self-inflicted injuries in the pre-CE cohort and 482 during the CE. There were no differences in age, gender, race or ethnicity between the two cohorts. Among preexisting conditions, those within the pre-CE cohort had a higher incidence of mental/personality disorder (59.2% versus 52.3%, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the mechanism of self-inflicted injuries or place of injury between the two periods. Additionally, there were no differences in discharge destinations or mortality between the two cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

During the height of social isolation in Pennsylvania, there were no associated increases in self-inflicted injuries. However, there were increased incidences of self-inflicted injuries among those with a prior diagnosis of mental or personality disorder in the pre-CE group. Further investigations are required to study the access to mental health services in future pandemics or public health disasters.

Hidden Costs of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response

"First, do no harm" [...].

Self-harm and suicide: occurrence, risk assessment and management for general nurses

Suicide is a tragic event that has traumatic and far-reaching effects on families, friends and healthcare professionals, for whom feelings of guilt, blame and regret are common. Although there have been reductions in suicide rates globally and in the UK over past decades, it remains one of the leading causes of death. Assessing and supporting people who present with self-harm and risk of suicide are essential aspects of all nurses' clinical practice. This article explains the relationship between suicide, self-harm and other risk factors. It also provides guidance for general nurses on evidence-based approaches to managing self-harm and assessing suicide risk collaboratively with service users.

Changes in Prevalence of Mental Illness Among US Adults During Compared with Before the COVID-19 Pandemic

The authors review trend and cohort surveys and administrative data comparing prevalence of mental disorders during, versus, and before the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in mental health disparities. Best evidence suggests clinically significant anxiety-depression point prevalence increased by relative-risk (RR) = 1.3 to 1.5 during the pandemic compared with before. This level of increase is much less than the implausibly high RR = 5.0 to 8.0 estimates reported in trend studies early in the pandemic based on less-appropriate comparisons. Changes in prevalence also occurred during the pandemic, but relative prevalence appears not to have changed substantially over this time.

Forgoing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland - A cross-sectional population-based study

BACKGROUND

Health systems around the world continue to navigate through operational challenges surfaced by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; these have implications for access to healthcare. In this study, we estimate the prevalence and reasons for forgoing healthcare during the pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland; a country with a universal and mandatory private health insurance coverage.

METHODS

Participants from a randomly selected population-based sample of the adult population living in the Canton of Geneva completed an online socio-demographic and lifestyle questionnaire between November 2020 and January 2021. The prevalence and reasons for forgoing healthcare since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic were examined descriptively, and logistic regression models were used to assess determinants for forgoing healthcare.

RESULTS

The study included 5397 participants, among which 8.0% reported having forgone healthcare since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic; participants with a disadvantaged financial situation (OR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.56-2.65), and those reporting an average (OR = 2.54; 95% CI: 1.94-3.31) or poor health (OR = 4.40; 95% CI: 2.39-7.67) were more likely to forgo healthcare. The most common reasons to forgo healthcare were appointment cancellations by healthcare providers (53.9%), fear of infection (35.3%), and personal organizational issues (11.1%).

CONCLUSION

Our paper highlights the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to healthcare and identifies population sub-groups at-risk for forgoing healthcare. These results necessitate public health efforts to ensure equitable and accessible healthcare as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Feelings of Entrapment during the COVID-19 Pandemic Based on ACE Star Model: A Concept Analysis

This study aimed to analyze the concept of the "feelings of entrapment" during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic using a systematic review. We included literature based on content and outcomes related to feelings of entrapment, such as antecedents, attributes, and consequences. The exclusion criteria were studies that did not have inappropriate subject, content, conceptual definition, and degree thesis was excluded. Walker and Avant's process of concept analysis was used in this systematic literature review. The attributes of the concept of feelings of entrapment during the COVID-19 pandemic were found to be feelings of: (1) being out of control, (2) no escape, (3) being trapped, (4) being robbed, and (5) hopelessness. The causes for these were identified as (1) the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) lockdown system, (3) restricted situation, (4) uncertain future, (5) economic hardship, and (6) poor coping abilities. Consequences of the concept were: (1) increased suicide, (2) decreased mental health, and (3) decreased well-being. In situations such as COVID-19, it is important need to know what feelings of entrapment's antecedents and attributes are to prevent suicide and enhance mental health and well-being. Based on the results of this study, counseling services, policies, and systems for relieving feelings of entrapment in the COVID-19 situation are recommended.