1
|
Gillen P, Neill RD, Manthorpe J, Mallett J, Schroder H, Nicholl P, Currie D, Moriarty J, Ravalier J, McGrory S, McFadden P. Decreasing Wellbeing and Increasing Use of Negative Coping Strategies: The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the UK Health and Social Care Workforce. EPIDEMIOLGIA (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 3:26-39. [PMID: 36417265 PMCID: PMC9620918 DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia3010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Many health and social care (HSC) professionals have faced overwhelming pressures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As the current situation is constantly changing, and some restrictions across the UK countries such as social distancing and mask wearing in this period (May-July 2021) began to ease, it is important to examine how this workforce has been affected and how employers can help rebuild their services. The aim of this study was to compare cross-sectional data collected from the HSC workforce in the UK at three time points during the COVID-19 pandemic: Phase 1 (May-July 2020), Phase 2 (November 2020-January 2021) and Phase 3 (May-July 2021). Respondents surveyed across the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) consisted of nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers. Wellbeing and work-related quality of life significantly declined from Phase 1 to 3 (p < 0.001); however, no significant difference occurred between Phases 2 and 3 (p > 0.05). Respondents increasingly used negative coping strategies between Phase 1 (May-July 2020) and Phase 3 (May-July 2021), suggesting that the HSC workforce has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. These results have the potential to inform HSC employers' policies, practices, and interventions as the workforce continues to respond to the COVID-19 virus and its legacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gillen
- School of Nursing, Jordanstown Campus, Ulster University, Shore Road, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK;
- Southern Health and Social Care Trust, 10 Moyallen Road, Gilford BT63 5JX, UK;
- Correspondence:
| | - Ruth D. Neill
- School of Applied Social Policy Sciences, Magee Campus, Ulster University, Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK; (R.D.N.); (P.N.)
| | - Jill Manthorpe
- NIHR Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King’s College London, 22 Kingsway, London WC2B 6LE, UK;
| | - John Mallett
- School of Psychology, Coleraine Campus, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK;
| | - Heike Schroder
- Queen’s Management School, Queen’s University Belfast, Riddel Hall, 185 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5EE, UK; (H.S.); (D.C.)
| | - Patricia Nicholl
- School of Applied Social Policy Sciences, Magee Campus, Ulster University, Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK; (R.D.N.); (P.N.)
| | - Denise Currie
- Queen’s Management School, Queen’s University Belfast, Riddel Hall, 185 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5EE, UK; (H.S.); (D.C.)
| | - John Moriarty
- School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast, 69–71 University Street, Belfast BT7 1HL, UK;
| | - Jermaine Ravalier
- School of Science, Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Newton St. Loe, Bath BA2 9BN, UK;
| | - Susan McGrory
- School of Nursing, Jordanstown Campus, Ulster University, Shore Road, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK;
| | - Paula McFadden
- Southern Health and Social Care Trust, 10 Moyallen Road, Gilford BT63 5JX, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alo UR, Nkwo FO, Nweke HF, Achi II, Okemiri HA. Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions against COVID-19 Pandemic: Review of Contact Tracing and Social Distancing Technologies, Protocols, Apps, Security and Open Research Directions. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 22:280. [PMID: 35009822 PMCID: PMC8749862 DOI: 10.3390/s22010280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 Pandemic has punched a devastating blow on the majority of the world's population. Millions of people have been infected while hundreds of thousands have died of the disease throwing many families into mourning and other psychological torments. It has also crippled the economy of many countries of the world leading to job losses, high inflation, and dwindling Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The duo of social distancing and contact tracing are the major technological-based non-pharmaceutical public health intervention strategies adopted for combating the dreaded disease. These technologies have been deployed by different countries around the world to achieve effective and efficient means of maintaining appropriate distance and tracking the transmission pattern of the diseases or identifying those at high risk of infecting others. This paper aims to synthesize the research efforts on contact tracing and social distancing to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The paper critically and comprehensively reviews contact tracing technologies, protocols, and mobile applications (apps) that were recently developed and deployed against the coronavirus disease. Furthermore, the paper discusses social distancing technologies, appropriate methods to maintain distances, regulations, isolation/quarantine, and interaction strategies. In addition, the paper highlights different security/privacy vulnerabilities identified in contact tracing and social distancing technologies and solutions against these vulnerabilities. We also x-rayed the strengths and weaknesses of the various technologies concerning their application in contact tracing and social distancing. Finally, the paper proposed insightful recommendations and open research directions in contact tracing and social distancing that could assist researchers, developers, and governments in implementing new technological methods to combat the menace of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uzoma Rita Alo
- Department of Computer Science and Informatics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo P.M.B 1010, Abakaliki 480211, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; (F.O.N.); (I.I.A.); (H.A.O.)
| | - Friday Onwe Nkwo
- Department of Computer Science and Informatics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo P.M.B 1010, Abakaliki 480211, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; (F.O.N.); (I.I.A.); (H.A.O.)
| | - Henry Friday Nweke
- Centre for Research in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Network Systems, Computer Science Department, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B 053, Abakaliki 480211, Ebonyi State, Nigeria;
| | - Ifeanyi Isaiah Achi
- Department of Computer Science and Informatics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo P.M.B 1010, Abakaliki 480211, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; (F.O.N.); (I.I.A.); (H.A.O.)
| | - Henry Anayo Okemiri
- Department of Computer Science and Informatics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo P.M.B 1010, Abakaliki 480211, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; (F.O.N.); (I.I.A.); (H.A.O.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
COVID-19 Stigma and Charismatic Social Relationship: A Legitimization Narrative of President Trump’s Status as a Charismatic Leader following a SARS-CoV-2 Infection Reported by the Portuguese Media. SOCIETIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/soc11040130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This concept paper aimed to understand how stigma, a concept usually associated with negative social relationships, in the context of a pandemic threat such as COVID-19 can, in some situations, structure a charismatic social relationship in a perceived positive association between stigma and a specific social characteristic. For this purpose, we used the example of the news selected and highlighted by several Portuguese media about the actions and messages developed by President Trump in the context of his infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the subsequent recovery process. These news reports gave visibility to a narrative that can be considered as reinforcing the legitimization of his condition as a charismatic leader in an electoral context marked by the pandemic threat. In conclusion, stigma associated with a pandemic health threat and generally linked to a negative social status can also reinforce admiration, trust, and belief in the charismatic leader by supporters and followers, as demonstrated with the plight of President Trump. Stigma can be a factor in social uplift in affirming an upward trajectory of social status and symbolic power for actors seen as ill, where stigma-motivated discrimination is experienced positively, unlike in most cases.
Collapse
|
4
|
Majee S, Saha A, Chaudhuri S, Chakravortty D, Basu S. Two-dimensional mathematical framework for evaporation dynamics of respiratory droplets. PHYSICS OF FLUIDS (WOODBURY, N.Y. : 1994) 2021; 33:103302. [PMID: 34744412 PMCID: PMC8565799 DOI: 10.1063/5.0064635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
In majority of pandemics in human history, respiratory bio-aerosol is the most common route of transmission of diseases. These tiny droplets ejected through mouth and nose from an infected person during exhalation process like coughing, sneezing, speaking, and breathing consist of pathogens and a complex mixture of volatile and nonvolatile substances. A cloud of droplets ejected in such an event gets transmitted in the air, causing a series of coupled thermo-physical processes. Contemplating an individual airborne droplet in the cloud, boundary layers and wakes develop due to relative motion between the droplet and the ambient air. The complex phenomenon of the droplet's dynamics, such as shear-driven internal circulation of the liquid phase and Stefan flow due to vaporization or condensation, comes into effect. In this study, we present a mathematical description of the coupled subprocesses, including droplet aerodynamics, heat, and mass transfer, which were identified and subsequently solved. The presented two-dimensional model gives a complete analysis encompassing the gas phase coupled with the liquid phase responsible for the airborne droplet kinetics in the ambient environment. The transient inhomogeneity of temperature and concentration distribution in the liquid phase caused due to the convective and diffusive transports are captured in the 2D model. The evaporation time and distance traveled by droplets prior to nuclei or aerosol formation are computed for major geographical locations around the globe for nominal-windy conditions. The model presented can be used for determining the evaporation timescale of any viral or bacterial laden respiratory droplets across any geographical location.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sreeparna Majee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India
| | - Abhishek Saha
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Swetaprovo Chaudhuri
- Institute for Aerospace Studies, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T6, Canada
| | - Dipshikha Chakravortty
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India
| | - Saptarshi Basu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Khorram-Manesh A, Dulebenets MA, Goniewicz K. Implementing Public Health Strategies-The Need for Educational Initiatives: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:5888. [PMID: 34070882 PMCID: PMC8198884 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the absence of a specific treatment or vaccines, public health strategies are the main measures to use in the initial stages of a pandemic to allow surveillance of infectious diseases. During the ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several countries initiated various public health strategies, such as contact tracing and quarantine. The present study aims to conduct a systematic literature review to identify the presence of educational initiatives that promote the implementation of public health strategies before public health emergencies, with a special focus on contact tracing applications. Using Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, and Gothenburg University search engines, all published scientific articles were included, while conference, reports, and non-scientific papers were excluded. The outcomes of the reviewed studies indicate that the effective implementation of public health strategies depends on the peoples' willingness to participate and collaborate with local authorities. Several factors may influence such willingness, of which ethical, psychological, and practical factors seem to be the most important and frequently discussed. Moreover, individual willingness and readiness of a community may also vary based on the acquired level of knowledge about the incident and its cause and available management options. Educational initiatives, proper communication, and timely information at the community level were found to be the necessary steps to counteract misinformation and to promote a successful implementation of public health strategies and attenuate the effects of a pandemic. The systematic review conducted as a part of this study would benefit the relevant stakeholders and policy makers and assist with effective designing and implementation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amir Khorram-Manesh
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Development and Research, Armed Forces Center for Defense Medicine, Gothenburg, 426 76 Västra Frölunda, Sweden
| | - Maxim A. Dulebenets
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Florida A&M University-Florida State University (FAMU-FSU), 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Building A, Suite A124, Tallahassee, FL 32310-6046, USA;
| | - Krzysztof Goniewicz
- Department of Aviation Security, Military University of Aviation, 08521 Deblin, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|