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Lovesky M, Merrell L, Grossman S, Henry D. Longitudinal trends in perceptions of COVID-19, vaccination, and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination among college students. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024:1-6. [PMID: 38848394 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2024.2361324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess changes in perceptions of COVID-19 worry and perceived severity, changes in COVID-19 vaccination status, and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination among college students. PARTICIPANTS 2,252 participants were recruited from a personal wellness course across four academic semesters at a large public university. METHODS Participants completed an anonymous online survey. Changes between groups were analyzed to capture changing perceptions and behaviors related to COVID-19. RESULTS COVID-19 related worry, perceived severity, and vaccination against COVID-19 significantly decreased over time. However, flu vaccination status did not decrease. The top three cited reasons for vaccination hesitation were concerns about side effects, being healthy and young, and at low risk for getting infected. CONCLUSION Given the likely endemic nature of COVID-19, it is important for universities to continue to provide health education regarding transmission prevention, promote COVID-19 vaccination, and reduce myths regarding side-effects and risk perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lovesky
- Department of Health Sciences, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Laura Merrell
- Department of Health Sciences, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Suzanne Grossman
- Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services (Affiliate), James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Dayna Henry
- Department of Health Sciences, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA
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Kalfas M, Ayling K, Jia R, Coupland C, Vedhara K, Chalder T. Fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic - prevalence and predictors: findings from a prospective cohort study. Stress 2024; 27:2352117. [PMID: 38757166 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2024.2352117] [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: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdowns had a substantial impact on mental health. Distress and fatigue are highly correlated. However, little is known about the determinants of fatigue in the general population during the pandemic. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and predictors of fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK population. Online surveys were completed by a UK community cohort in April 2020 (wave 1), July-September 2020 (wave 2) and November-December 2020 (wave 3). In total, 3097 participants completed the wave 1 survey, and 1385 and 1087 participants (85.4% women) completed wave 2 and 3 surveys respectively. Fatigue was assessed using the Chalder Fatigue Scale at waves 2 and 3. Hair samples were provided by 827 participants (90.6% women) at wave 1 and wave 2, which were analyzed to indicate HairE (stress hormone). The mean total fatigue score during wave 2 was 14.7 (SD = 4.7), significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels observed in the community (mean difference 0.50, p = .003). At wave 2, 614 (44.3%) participants met the case definition for fatigue, only 15.6% of whom indicated that fatigue lasted for more than 6 months (suggesting it had started prior to the pandemic). Predictors of fatigue at wave 3 included being in a risk group, depression and belief in having COVID-19, which explained 23.8% of the variability in fatigue scores. Depression at wave 1 was the only significant predictor of remaining a fatigue case at wave 3. Fatigue was highly prevalent in the UK community during the COVID-19 pandemic and limited people's daily function. Depression and sociodemographic variables were significant predictors of fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail Kalfas
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Kieran Ayling
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ru Jia
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Medical Science Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Carol Coupland
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Trudie Chalder
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Jaffar A, Mohd Sidik S, Rashid MRA, Lugova H. Editorial: Self-harm behaviors from young adults to the elderly: prevalence, prevention and treatment following the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1331376. [PMID: 38106997 PMCID: PMC10722496 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1331376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aida Jaffar
- Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, Sg Besi, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia
| | - Sherina Mohd Sidik
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - M. Radzniwan A. Rashid
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Malaysia
| | - Halyna Lugova
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UCSI University (Springhill Campus), Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
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Ng DLC, Bin Jamalludin MA, Gan XY, Ng SY, Bin Mohamad Rasidin MZ, Felix BA, Jagang NM, Sindeh W, Bin Mohd Abdul Rahim MAH, Tan SB, Chai CS. Public's Willingness to Perform COVID-19 Self-Testing During the Transition to the Endemic Phase in Malaysia - A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2023; 16:2505-2519. [PMID: 38024502 PMCID: PMC10676112 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s439530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Malaysia entered the transition to the endemic phase of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on 1st April 2022. This study aims to determine the public's willingness to perform COVID-19 self-testing. Factors that influenced their willingness were also assessed. Methods A nationwide, cross-sectional, and population-based study was conducted online in Malaysia from 28th April 2023 to 4th June 2023. Individuals aged 18 years and above were enrolled through the snowball sampling method. Data were analyzed by using the Chi-Square test, independent t-test, and binary logistic regression. Results One thousand four hundred fifty-three responses were included in the analysis. Of these respondents, 89.3% were willing, 4.1% were reluctant, and 6.6% remained hesitant to perform COVID-19 self-testing, The common reasons given by those willing to perform COVID-19 self-testing included being able to self-isolate (99.0%) and seek treatment (96.3%) earlier if tested positive. The common reasons against COVID-19 self-testing included the belief that COVID-19 is equivalent to the common flu (91.7%) and having received the COVID-19 vaccine (78.3%). The isolation policy for COVID-19 was the most significant consideration for those who were still hesitant (85.4%). Women [adjusted odds ratios (OR): 2.1, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.44-3.00, p < 0.001], individuals with tertiary education (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.32-3.26, p = 0.002), those vaccinated against COVID-19 (OR: 8.1, 95% CI: 2.63-24.82, p < 0.001), and individuals with prior experience of COVID-19 self-testing (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 2.84-6.12, p < 0.001) showed a significantly higher willingness to engage in COVID-19 self-testing. Conclusion The public exhibited a high willingness to perform COVID-19 self-testing during the transition to the endemic phase in Malaysia. Future strategies to promote COVID-19 self-testing uptake in Malaysia should focus on vulnerable groups, address the common concerns among those hesitant and reluctant, and highlight the advantages of COVID-19 self-testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana-Leh-Ching Ng
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | | | - Xhi-Yan Gan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siew-Yoong Ng
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Beverlyn Anak Felix
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
| | | | - Woweham Sindeh
- Telupid Health Clinic, Ministry of Health, Beluran, Malaysia
| | | | - Seng-Beng Tan
- Palliative Care Unit, Subang Jaya Medical Center, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chee-Shee Chai
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Malaysia
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Pavlidou E, Papadopoulou SK, Antasouras G, Vorvolakos T, Alexatou O, Tsourouflis G, Angelakou EP, Serdari A, Grammatikopoulou MG, Psara E, Vadikolias K, Dakanalis A, Lefantzis N, Giaginis C. Association of COVID-19 Infection with Sociodemographic, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in an Older Adults' Population Aged over 65 Years Old. Diseases 2023; 11:165. [PMID: 37987276 PMCID: PMC10660554 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11040165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unfavorable disruptions to daily living routines by exerting deleterious effects on several aspects of human mental and physical health and quality of life worldwide. The purpose of the current survey is to explore the potential association of COVID-19 infection with multiple sociodemographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle factors of community-dwelling older adults. METHODS This is a cross-sectional survey including 5197 older adults aged over 65 years old from 10 geographically diverse regions of Greece. Relevant questionnaires were used to record study the population sociodemographic factor, while anthropometric parameters were also measured. Validated questionnaires were also applied to assess several lifestyle factors such as depression, anxiety, stress, cognitive status, sleep quality, health-related quality of life, physical activity levels, and Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence. RESULTS In multivariate regression analysis, COVID-19 infection was significantly, independently related with urban residence (p = 0.0107), regular smoking (p = 0.0218), overweight status and obesity (p = 0.0036), as well as abdominal obesity (p = 0.0008), higher risk of depression (p = 0.0027), anxiety (p = 0.0045), stress (p = 0.0038), inadequate sleep quality (p = 0.0108), lower physical activity levels (p = 0.0012), reduced MD compliance (p = 0.0009), and poor health-related quality of life (p = 0.0002). In univariate analysis, older adults' age (p = 0.0001), male gender (p = 0.0015), living alone (p = 0.0023), lower educational and economic level (p = 0.0175 and p = 0.0294, respectively), and cognition decline (p = 0.0032) were also related with the presence of COVID-19 infection; however, these associations were considerably attenuated at a non-significant level by adjustment for several confounders in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS This is one of the few available studies supporting evidence that COVID-19 infection may be associated with diverse sociodemographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle factors in an older adults' population in Greece. This study highlights the strong demand to provide psychological and nutritional counselling and support to older adults diagnosed with COVID-19 infection in order to ameliorate disease symptoms and severity, emphasizing the adaptation of healthy dietary and lifestyle habits as preventing and supplementary therapeutic factors against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Pavlidou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece; (E.P.); (G.A.); (O.A.); (E.-P.A.); (E.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Sousana K. Papadopoulou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Antasouras
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece; (E.P.); (G.A.); (O.A.); (E.-P.A.); (E.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Theofanis Vorvolakos
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandoupoli, Greece;
| | - Olga Alexatou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece; (E.P.); (G.A.); (O.A.); (E.-P.A.); (E.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Gerasimos Tsourouflis
- Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Exakousti-Petroula Angelakou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece; (E.P.); (G.A.); (O.A.); (E.-P.A.); (E.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Aspasia Serdari
- Department of Psychiatry and Child Psychiatry, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece;
| | - Maria G. Grammatikopoulou
- Unit of Immunonutrition and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece;
| | - Evmorfia Psara
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece; (E.P.); (G.A.); (O.A.); (E.-P.A.); (E.P.); (C.G.)
| | - Konstantinos Vadikolias
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupoli, Greece;
| | - Antonios Dakanalis
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy;
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan Bicocca, Via Cadore 38, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Nikolaos Lefantzis
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical School, Attikon Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Chaidari, 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | - Constantinos Giaginis
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Environment, University of Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece; (E.P.); (G.A.); (O.A.); (E.-P.A.); (E.P.); (C.G.)
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