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Amos N, Bourne A, Macioti PG, Hill AO, Melendez-Torres GJ. COVID-19, lockdowns, and the mental wellbeing of LGBTQ people in Australia. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38753968 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2024.2352586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
LGBTQ communities around the world entered the COVID-19 pandemic with generally high rates of poor mental health and faced additional challenges including stigma, discrimination, and barriers to care. This study sample was drawn from a survey of 3135 LGBTQ adults residing in Australia during the pandemic. Regression analysis was used to explore individual differences in psychological distress and perceived change in mental wellbeing since the onset of the pandemic as well as the impact of lockdowns, by taking advantage of a natural experiment comparing the states that experienced more extensive lockdowns (Victoria and New South Wales) to the rest of Australia. The burden of mental health was found to vary across gender, sexual orientation, age, and area of residence. While no impact of lockdowns on psychological distress was observed, participants living in the states of Victoria (β = -0.15; 95% CI = -0.23, -0.07) and New South Wales (β = -0.13; 95% CI = -0.21, -0.05) self-reported a more negative impact of the pandemic on their mental wellbeing compared to the rest of the country. The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the mental wellbeing of LGBTQ populations, particularly among those who experienced extensive lockdowns and highlight the need for increased efforts to enable access to mental health supports during times of crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Amos
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Adam Bourne
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Paola Gioia Macioti
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Adam O Hill
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- Graduate School of Public Health, St Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan
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Ahmed F, Shafer L, Malla P, Hopkins R, Moreland S, Zviedrite N, Uzicanin A. Systematic review of empiric studies on lockdowns, workplace closures, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions in non-healthcare workplaces during the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic: benefits and selected unintended consequences. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:884. [PMID: 38519891 PMCID: PMC10960383 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18377-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We conducted a systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions within non-healthcare workplaces and community-level workplace closures and lockdowns on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, selected mental disorders, and employment outcomes in workers or the general population. METHODS The inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials and non-randomized studies of interventions. The exclusion criteria included modeling studies. Electronic searches were conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, and other databases from January 1, 2020, through May 11, 2021. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Meta-analysis and sign tests were performed. RESULTS A total of 60 observational studies met the inclusion criteria. There were 40 studies on COVID-19 outcomes, 15 on anxiety and depression symptoms, and five on unemployment and labor force participation. There was a paucity of studies on physical distancing, physical barriers, and symptom and temperature screening within workplaces. The sign test indicated that lockdown reduced COVID-19 incidence or case growth rate (23 studies, p < 0.001), reproduction number (11 studies, p < 0.001), and COVID-19 mortality or death growth rate (seven studies, p < 0.05) in the general population. Lockdown did not have any effect on anxiety symptoms (pooled standardized mean difference = -0.02, 95% CI: -0.06, 0.02). Lockdown had a small effect on increasing depression symptoms (pooled standardized mean difference = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.10, 0.21), but publication bias could account for the observed effect. Lockdown increased unemployment (pooled mean difference = 4.48 percentage points, 95% CI: 1.79, 7.17) and decreased labor force participation (pooled mean difference = -2.46 percentage points, 95% CI: -3.16, -1.77). The risk of bias for most of the studies on COVID-19 or employment outcomes was moderate or serious. The risk of bias for the studies on anxiety or depression symptoms was serious or critical. CONCLUSIONS Empiric studies indicated that lockdown reduced the impact of COVID-19, but that it had notable unwanted effects. There is a pronounced paucity of studies on the effect of interventions within still-open workplaces. It is important for countries that implement lockdown in future pandemics to consider strategies to mitigate these unintended consequences. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration # CRD42020182660.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruque Ahmed
- Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop V18-2, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, USA.
| | - Livvy Shafer
- Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop V18-2, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Pallavi Malla
- Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop V18-2, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Roderick Hopkins
- Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop V18-2, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, USA
- Cherokee Nation Operational Solutions, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Sarah Moreland
- Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop V18-2, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Nicole Zviedrite
- Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop V18-2, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, USA
| | - Amra Uzicanin
- Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop V18-2, Atlanta, GA, 30329-4027, USA
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Fehross A, Pahlman K, Silva DS. Ethics and Health Security in the Australian COVID-19 Context: A Critical Interpretive Literature Review. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2024; 21:131-150. [PMID: 37938499 PMCID: PMC11052779 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-023-10255-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Background The concept of "health security" is often used to motivate public health responses, yet the ethical values that underpin this concept remain largely unexamined. The recent Australian responses to COVID-19 serve as an important case study by which we can analyse the pre-existing literature to see what ethical values shaped, and continue to shape, Australia's response. Methods We conducted a critical interpretive literature review of academic and grey literatures within key databases, resulting in 2,220 sources. After screening for duplicates and relevance, we analysed ninety-six sources. Results First, risk and uncertainty are a leading focus, with a heavy concentration on risks to life and health. Second, free movement, safety, and security were recurringly emphasized, albeit narrowly focused upon the safety of the population. Third, legitimacy was a recurring theme, and it is here that discussions of "health security" figured highly. Conclusion Discussions of harm from government and associated official bodies fail to adequately distinguish between various senses of harm. Moreover, while the literature often discusses the balancing of rights, the steps involved in the weighing of these rights is rarely adequately explained and defended. We suggest that decision-makers should endeavour to clearly identify and defend the values undergirding their decisions in the public sphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anson Fehross
- Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building, A27 Fisher Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Kari Pahlman
- Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building, A27 Fisher Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Diego S Silva
- Sydney Health Ethics, University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building, A27 Fisher Rd, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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Margerison C, Aydin G, Larsson C, Booth A, Worsley A, Nanayakkara J. Australian adults cooked more and tried new recipes during COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns. Appetite 2024; 193:107122. [PMID: 37972657 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The lockdowns and restrictions due to COVID-19 caused changes in both food accessibility and availability for people around the globe resulting in changes in food habits and behaviours. To enable a better public health response to the next pandemic, lessons must be learnt from this most recent emergency. This study aimed to examine self-reported changes in food habits and behaviours, of Australian adults during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020. A cross-sectional, convenience, Australia-wide survey, with open-ended and closed-ended questions was conducted online. Respondents were asked to report their demographic characteristics, positive food habit development, worst food-related experiences, changes in food habits and behaviours and cooking and food preparation practices during the COVID-19 restriction period. Adult Australian residents, recruited through social media advertising of the survey. Respondents (n = 764) were mostly female (86%), over 55 years of age (57%, mean age (SD) 53.4 (18.1) years), and half (51%) were not in paid employment. Nearly two-thirds (63%) developed positive food habits, including trying new recipes (54%), eating less take-away (53%) and cooking from scratch (46%) during the COVID-19 restrictions. Furthermore, respondents reported including family members in food preparation and eating together as a family. Negative experiences included being unable to buy certain foods (due to lack of stock and store limits), cooking at home, and being unable to access some food outlets. Australians experienced both positive and negative food experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown periods, with most experiencing positive changes such as cooking at home from scratch and trying new recipes and relying on less take-away. Females and those who experienced a change in employment status were more likely to develop positive new food habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Margerison
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Gozde Aydin
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Christel Larsson
- Department of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science, University of Gothenburg, Läroverksgatan 5, Box 300, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
| | - Alison Booth
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Anthony Worsley
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Janandani Nanayakkara
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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Pedrana A, Bowring A, Heath K, Thomas AJ, Wilkinson A, Fletcher-Lartey S, Saich F, Munari S, Oliver J, Merner B, Altermatt A, Nguyen T, Nguyen L, Young K, Kerr P, Osborne D, Kwong EJL, Corona MV, Ke T, Zhang Y, Eisa L, Al-Qassas A, Malith D, Davis A, Gibbs L, Block K, Horyniak D, Wallace J, Power R, Vadasz D, Ryan R, Shearer F, Homer C, Collie A, Meagher N, Danchin M, Kaufman J, Wang P, Hassani A, Sadewo GRP, Robins G, Gallagher C, Matous P, Roden B, Karkavandi MA, Coutinho J, Broccatelli C, Koskinen J, Curtis S, Doyle JS, Geard N, Hill S, Coelho A, Scott N, Lusher D, Stoové MA, Gibney KB, Hellard M. Priority populations' experiences of isolation, quarantine and distancing for COVID-19: protocol for a longitudinal cohort study (Optimise Study). BMJ Open 2024; 14:e076907. [PMID: 38216183 PMCID: PMC10806709 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Longitudinal studies can provide timely and accurate information to evaluate and inform COVID-19 control and mitigation strategies and future pandemic preparedness. The Optimise Study is a multidisciplinary research platform established in the Australian state of Victoria in September 2020 to collect epidemiological, social, psychological and behavioural data from priority populations. It aims to understand changing public attitudes, behaviours and experiences of COVID-19 and inform epidemic modelling and support responsive government policy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This protocol paper describes the data collection procedures for the Optimise Study, an ongoing longitudinal cohort of ~1000 Victorian adults and their social networks. Participants are recruited using snowball sampling with a set of seeds and two waves of snowball recruitment. Seeds are purposively selected from priority groups, including recent COVID-19 cases and close contacts and people at heightened risk of infection and/or adverse outcomes of COVID-19 infection and/or public health measures. Participants complete a schedule of monthly quantitative surveys and daily diaries for up to 24 months, plus additional surveys annually for up to 48 months. Cohort participants are recruited for qualitative interviews at key time points to enable in-depth exploration of people's lived experiences. Separately, community representatives are invited to participate in community engagement groups, which review and interpret research findings to inform policy and practice recommendations. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The Optimise longitudinal cohort and qualitative interviews are approved by the Alfred Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee (# 333/20). The Optimise Study CEG is approved by the La Trobe University Human Ethics Committee (# HEC20532). All participants provide informed verbal consent to enter the cohort, with additional consent provided prior to any of the sub studies. Study findings will be disseminated through public website (https://optimisecovid.com.au/study-findings/) and through peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05323799.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna Bowring
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Anna Wilkinson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Freya Saich
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Jane Oliver
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bronwen Merner
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Thi Nguyen
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Long Nguyen
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Phoebe Kerr
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Martha Vazquez Corona
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tianhui Ke
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yanqin Zhang
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Limya Eisa
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Deng Malith
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Angela Davis
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa Gibbs
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Disaster Management and Public Safety, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karen Block
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danielle Horyniak
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jack Wallace
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert Power
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Danny Vadasz
- Health Issues Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca Ryan
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Freya Shearer
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Alex Collie
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Niamh Meagher
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Danchin
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jessica Kaufman
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peng Wang
- School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
- SNA Toolbox, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Garry Robins
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Colin Gallagher
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Petr Matous
- The University of Sydney Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bopha Roden
- School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - James Coutinho
- School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chiara Broccatelli
- Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Johan Koskinen
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Statistics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stephanie Curtis
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas Geard
- School of Computing & Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sophie Hill
- Centre for Health Communication and Participation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Nick Scott
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dean Lusher
- School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
- SNA Toolbox, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark A Stoové
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine B Gibney
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Murphy C, Lim WW, Mills C, Wong JY, Chen D, Xie Y, Li M, Gould S, Xin H, Cheung JK, Bhatt S, Cowling BJ, Donnelly CA. Effectiveness of social distancing measures and lockdowns for reducing transmission of COVID-19 in non-healthcare, community-based settings. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2023; 381:20230132. [PMID: 37611629 PMCID: PMC10446910 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2023.0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Social distancing measures (SDMs) are community-level interventions that aim to reduce person-to-person contacts in the community. SDMs were a major part of the responses first to contain, then to mitigate, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the community. Common SDMs included limiting the size of gatherings, closing schools and/or workplaces, implementing work-from-home arrangements, or more stringent restrictions such as lockdowns. This systematic review summarized the evidence for the effectiveness of nine SDMs. Almost all of the studies included were observational in nature, which meant that there were intrinsic risks of bias that could have been avoided were conditions randomly assigned to study participants. There were no instances where only one form of SDM had been in place in a particular setting during the study period, making it challenging to estimate the separate effect of each intervention. The more stringent SDMs such as stay-at-home orders, restrictions on mass gatherings and closures were estimated to be most effective at reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Most studies included in this review suggested that combinations of SDMs successfully slowed or even stopped SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the community. However, individual effects and optimal combinations of interventions, as well as the optimal timing for particular measures, require further investigation. This article is part of the theme issue 'The effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions on the COVID-19 pandemic: the evidence'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitriona Murphy
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Wey Wen Lim
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Cathal Mills
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jessica Y. Wong
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongxuan Chen
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanmy Xie
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingwei Li
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Susan Gould
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Tropical and Infectious Disease Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Hualei Xin
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Justin K. Cheung
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Samir Bhatt
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Benjamin J. Cowling
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, New Territories, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Christl A. Donnelly
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Dasgupta P, Amin J, Paris C, MacIntyre CR. News Coverage of Face Masks in Australia During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: Topic Modeling Study. JMIR INFODEMIOLOGY 2023; 3:e43011. [PMID: 37379362 PMCID: PMC10434701 DOI: 10.2196/43011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, web-based media coverage of preventative strategies proliferated substantially. News media was constantly informing people about changes in public health policy and practices such as mask-wearing. Hence, exploring news media content on face mask use is useful to analyze dominant topics and their trends. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to examine news related to face masks as well as to identify related topics and temporal trends in Australian web-based news media during the early COVID-19 pandemic period. METHODS Following data collection from the Google News platform, a trend analysis on the mask-related news titles from Australian news publishers was conducted. Then, a latent Dirichlet allocation topic modeling algorithm was applied along with evaluation matrices (quantitative and qualitative measures). Afterward, topic trends were developed and analyzed in the context of mask use during the pandemic. RESULTS A total of 2345 face mask-related eligible news titles were collected from January 25, 2020, to January 25, 2021. Mask-related news showed an increasing trend corresponding to increasing COVID-19 cases in Australia. The best-fitted latent Dirichlet allocation model discovered 8 different topics with a coherence score of 0.66 and a perplexity measure of -11.29. The major topics were T1 (mask-related international affairs), T2 (introducing mask mandate in places such as Melbourne and Sydney), and T4 (antimask sentiment). Topic trends revealed that T2 was the most frequent topic in January 2021 (77 news titles), corresponding to the mandatory mask-wearing policy in Sydney. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that Australian news media reflected a wide range of community concerns about face masks, peaking as COVID-19 incidence increased. Harnessing the news media platforms for understanding the media agenda and community concerns may assist in effective health communication during a pandemic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritam Dasgupta
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Janaki Amin
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cecile Paris
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Data61, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - C Raina MacIntyre
- Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Considering community care in public health responses: A national study regarding palliative care during a prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown. Aust N Z J Public Health 2023; 47:100019. [PMID: 37023481 PMCID: PMC10071762 DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100019] [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: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To describe changes in palliative care characteristics, utilisation and outcomes in Victoria during a period of enhanced public health management and a prolonged lockdown due to coronavirus disease 2019. Methods A national retrospective cohort study with palliative care service setting comparisons in Victoria and other mainland states was conducted. Results Analysis of 48 non-Victorian services (n=53,428 patients) and 20 Victorian services (n=31,125 patients) showed that for community services, patient volume, average length of stay, functional dependency and the proportion of admissions in a deteriorating phase increased during the lockdown in Victoria, yet little changed in comparator states. Regarding inpatient services, the management of family/carer problems remained constant in comparator states, yet substantial fluctuations in outcomes in Victoria were observed. Conclusions As health systems adapt to changing circumstances during the pandemic, the ability to upscale community services is critical. Addressing the implications of shifting inpatient care to the community needs attention. Implications for public health Our study highlights the need to ensure community care providers are adequately considered within public health management responses. ‘Joined up’ policy and implementation across care settings are essential, especially as major barriers to infection control and increased utilisation may be evident in the community during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
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Muduzu L, Wei L, Cope V. Exploring Nursing Staff's Experiences and Perspectives of COVID-19 Lockdown in a Residential Aged Care Setting in Australia. J Gerontol Nurs 2023; 49:34-39. [PMID: 36852989 DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20230210-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
An exploratory qualitative study was performed to evaluate the experiences of nursing staff (N = 10) working in a residential aged care facility (RACF) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown. Semi-structured, in-person interviews were performed, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Care staff had little or no knowledge of how to cope with a lockdown necessitated by a pandemic. However, management developed proactive plans as they aligned with the changing care circumstances and ongoing government directives. Five major themes were identified: Prolonged Use and Shortage of Personal Protective Equipment; "Blind Leading the Blind"; Communication and Teamwork; Lack of Education; and Resident Response. RACF staff described working under stressful conditions during the initial COVID-19 pandemic lockdown; yet with experience, care staff and the management team adapted to pandemic requirements to meet the needs of residents in their care. RACFs should be prepared for the impact of pandemics on staff and ensure care resources and support are available for the continuity of safe and quality care of residents. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(3), 34-39.].
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10
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Naeimi R, Sepidarkish M, Mollalo A, Parsa H, Mahjour S, Safarpour F, Almukhtar M, Mechaal A, Chemaitelly H, Sartip B, Marhoommirzabak E, Ardekani A, Hotez PJ, Gasser RB, Rostami A. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 56:101786. [PMID: 36590788 PMCID: PMC9795163 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The higher hospitalisation rates of those aged 0-19 years (referred to herein as 'children') observed since the emergence of the immune-evasive SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and subvariants, along with the persisting vaccination disparities highlighted a need for in-depth knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 sero-epidemiology in children. Here, we conducted this systematic review to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and determinants in children worldwide. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, we searched international and preprinted scientific databases from December 1, 2019 to July 10, 2022. Pooled seroprevalences were estimated according to World Health Organization (WHO) regions (at 95% confidence intervals, CIs) using random-effects meta-analyses. Associations with SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and sources of heterogeneity were investigated using sub-group and meta-regression analyses. The protocol used in this study has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022350833). FINDINGS We included 247 studies involving 757,075 children from 70 countries. Seroprevalence estimates varied from 7.3% (5.8-9.1%) in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to 37.6% (18.1-59.4%) in the fifth wave and 56.6% (52.8-60.5%) in the sixth wave. The highest seroprevalences in different pandemic waves were estimated for South-East Asia (17.9-81.8%) and African (17.2-66.1%) regions; while the lowest seroprevalence was estimated for the Western Pacific region (0.01-1.01%). Seroprevalence estimates were higher in children at older ages, in those living in underprivileged countries or regions, and in those of minority ethnic backgrounds. INTERPRETATION Our findings indicate that, by the end of 2021 and before the Omicron wave, around 50-70% of children globally were still susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, clearly emphasising the need for more effective vaccines and better vaccination coverage among children and adolescents, particularly in developing countries and minority ethnic groups. FUNDING None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Naeimi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mahdi Sepidarkish
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Mollalo
- Department of Public Health and Prevention Science, School of Health Sciences, Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, OH, USA
| | - Hamid Parsa
- Department of Neurology, University of Visayas, Gullas College of Medicine, Cebu City, 600 Cebu, Philippines
| | - Sanaz Mahjour
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Fatemeh Safarpour
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Amal Mechaal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Hiam Chemaitelly
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Disease Epidemiology Analytics on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Viral Hepatitis, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Qatar-Foundation-Education City, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, USA
| | - Behnam Sartip
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Elika Marhoommirzabak
- Department of Neurology, University of Visayas, Gullas College of Medicine, Cebu City, 600 Cebu, Philippines
| | - Ali Ardekani
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robin B. Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Ali Rostami
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
- Corresponding author.
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11
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Jiang J, Akhlaghi H, Haywood D, Morrissey B, Parnis S. Mental health consequences of COVID-19 suppression strategies in Victoria, Australia: a narrative review. J Int Med Res 2022; 50:3000605221134466. [PMID: 36352494 PMCID: PMC9659935 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221134466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed significant mental health burdens upon the general population worldwide, either directly owing to the disease or indirectly through aggressive public health measures to control spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. In this narrative review, we used a systematic approach to summarize the impact of restrictive lockdown measures on the general mental health of people living in Victoria, Australia during 2020 and to identify the groups with an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. A systematic database search (Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, Embase) for articles examining the mental health of Victorians in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 yielded 88 articles, of which 15 articles were finally included in this review. We found that the general mental health of Victorians was negatively affected by COVID-19 restrictions during 2020. Although studies reported heterogeneous mental health outcomes, we found that the general population consistently used coping strategies and demonstrated mental health help-seeking behaviors in response to the restrictions. Women, children, young people, carers, people who became unemployed owing to the pandemic, and those with pre-existing psychiatric conditions had a higher risk of adverse mental health consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Jiang
- Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hamed Akhlaghi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Faculty of Medical Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Darren Haywood
- St Vincent’s Mental Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Brendan Morrissey
- Department of Emergency Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen Parnis
- Department of Emergency Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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12
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Roelofs B, Ballas D, Haisma H, Edzes A. Spatial mobility patterns and COVID‐19 incidence: A regional analysis of the second wave in the Netherlands. REGIONAL SCIENCE POLICY & PRACTICE 2022. [PMCID: PMC9539347 DOI: 10.1111/rsp3.12575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A key policy measure introduced by governments worldwide at the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic was to restrict travel, highlighting the importance of people's mobility as one of the key contributors to spreading severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). However, there was little consistency regarding the geographical scale or the severity of these measures. Little use was made of commuting and travel data to inform decisions on when, where and at what level restrictions should be applied. We aim to contribute to regional policy by providing evidence that could be used to inform future policy debates on the most effective travel restrictions to impose during a pandemic. We present an analysis of the impact of mobility between municipalities on COVID‐19 incidence in the Netherlands. We used multiple linear regression models and geographical information systems to gain insight into the association between mobility‐related factors and demographic, socio‐economic and geographical factors with COVID‐19 incidence in municipalities. Our results indicate that spatial mobility patterns, when combined with COVID‐19 incidence in municipalities of origin, were associated with increased COVID‐19 incidence in municipalities of destination. In addition, various regional characteristics were associated with municipal incidence. By conducting our analyses over three different periods, we highlight the importance of time for COVID‐19 incidence. In the light of ongoing mitigation measures (and possible future events), spatial mobility patterns should be a key factor in exploring regional mobility restrictions as an alternative for national lockdowns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Roelofs
- Department of Economic Geography, Faculty of Spatial Sciences University of Groningen the Netherlands
| | - Dimitris Ballas
- Department of Economic Geography, Faculty of Spatial Sciences University of Groningen the Netherlands
| | - Hinke Haisma
- Population Research Centre, Faculty of Spatial Sciences University of Groningen the Netherlands
| | - Arjen Edzes
- Department of Economic Geography, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, and School of Law Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen the Netherlands
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Tedjaseputra A, Kuzich JA, Thiagarajah N, Teh TC, McClelland J, Rahman M, Brook R, Chua CC, Ong DM, Tan SY, Filshie R, Fong CY, Fedele P, Bajel A, Shortt J, Wei AH. Hyperleukocytosis associated with delayed presentation among patients with acute leukemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leuk Lymphoma 2022; 63:2731-2734. [DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2022.2087065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Tedjaseputra
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Haematology, Melbourne, Australia
- St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Nisha Thiagarajah
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Chong Chyn Chua
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Northern Health, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Shuh-Ying Tan
- St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Robin Filshie
- St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Pasquale Fedele
- Monash Haematology, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ashish Bajel
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jake Shortt
- Monash Haematology, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew H. Wei
- The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Saul A, Scott N, Spelman T, Crabb BS, Hellard M. The impact of three progressively introduced interventions on second wave daily COVID-19 case numbers in Melbourne, Australia. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:514. [PMID: 35655169 PMCID: PMC9160504 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07502-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The city of Melbourne, Australia experienced two waves of the COVID-19 epidemic peaking, the first in March and a more substantial wave in July 2020. During the second wave, a series of control measure were progressively introduced that initially slowed the growth of the epidemic then resulted in decreasing cases until there was no detectable local transmission.
Methods
To determine the relative efficacy of the progressively introduced intervention measures, we modelled the second wave as a series of exponential growth and decay curves. We used a linear regression of the log of daily cases vs time, using a four-segment linear spline model corresponding to implementation of the three successive major public health measures. The primary model used all reported cases between 14 June and 15 September 2020 then compared the projection of the model with observed cases predicting future case trajectory up until the 31 October 2020 to assess the use of exponential models in projecting the future course and planning future interventions. The main outcome measures were the exponential daily growth constants, analysis of residuals and estimates of the 95% confidence intervals for the expected case distributions, comparison of predicted daily cases.
Results
The exponential growth/decay constants in the primary analysis were: 0.122 (s.e. 0.004), 0.035 (s.e. 0.005), − 0.037 (s.e. 0.011), and − 0.069 (s.e. 0.003) for the initial growth rate, Stage 3, Stage 3 + compulsory masks and Stage 4, respectively. Extrapolation of the regression model from the 14 September to the 31 October matched the decline in observed cases over this period.
Conclusions
The four-segment exponential model provided an excellent fit of the observed reported case data and predicted the day-to-day range of expected cases. The extrapolated regression accurately predicted the decline leading to epidemic control in Melbourne.
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Andeobu L, Wibowo S, Grandhi S. Medical Waste from COVID-19 Pandemic-A Systematic Review of Management and Environmental Impacts in Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031381. [PMID: 35162400 PMCID: PMC8835138 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a global medical emergency. The unforeseen occurrence of a pandemic of this magnitude has resulted in overwhelming levels of medical waste and raises questions about management and disposal practices, and environmental impacts. The amount of medical waste generated from COVID-19 since the outbreak is estimated to be 2.6 million tons/day worldwide. In Australia, heaps of single-use gowns, facemasks/face shields, aprons, gloves, goggles, sanitizers, sharps, and syringes are disposed everyday as a result of the pandemic. Moreover, the establishment of new home/hotel quarantine facilities and isolation/quarantine centres in various Australian states and territories have increased the risks of transmission among people in these facilities and the likelihoods of general waste becoming contaminated with medical waste. This warrants the need to examine management and disposal practices implemented to reduce the transmission and spread of the virus. This study reviews the various management and disposal practices adopted in Australia for dealing with medical waste from the COVID-19 pandemic and their impacts on public health and the environment. To achieve the aims of this study, prior studies from 2019–2021 from various databases are collected and analysed. The study focuses on generation of medical waste from COVID-19, management and disposal methods, current problems/challenges and environmental and public health impacts. Considering the enormous risks involved and the significance of appropriate handling and disposal of medical waste from COVID-19, this study provides insights on short and long term responses towards managing COVID-19 waste in Australia. The study contributes to Australia’s efforts against the transmission and spread of COVID-19 and provides recommendations for the development of workable and sustainable strategies for mitigating similar pandemics in the future.
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Fuss FK, Weizman Y, Tan AM. Which preventive control measure initiated the "flattening of the curve" : A comparison of Austria and Victoria during the 2nd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2022; 134:831-841. [PMID: 36434408 PMCID: PMC9702737 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-022-02108-w] [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] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When a country introduces different COVID-19 control measures over time, it is important to identify the specific measure that was effective and therefore responsible for "flattening the curve". This information helps policymakers find the right decision and saves the economy by avoiding severe yet ineffective measures. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to fill the literature gap by investigating two regions that introduced two or three consecutive measures during the second COVID-19 wave, namely Austria and Victoria. METHOD We calculated the first derivative (acceleration) of the filtered daily case data and identified the date of the start and end of the acceleration's major downturn (effective phase) relative to the date when the control measures were introduced (Austria: soft/hard lockdowns; Victoria: stages 3/4 lockdowns, mask order). RESULTS In Austria, the effective phase started 5 days after the introduction of the soft lockdown and ended at the start of the hard lockdown. In Victoria, the effective phase started 19 days after the introduction of the stage 3 lockdown, 5 days after the introduction of the mask order, and ended 6 days after the start of the stage 4 lockdown. CONCLUSION Considering that the effect of control measures is expected the earliest one serial interval after their introduction, the control measure responsible for "flattening the curve" was the soft lockdown in Austria and the mask mandate in Victoria. The severe lockdowns in both regions were ineffective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Konstantin Fuss
- grid.7384.80000 0004 0467 6972Chair of Biomechanics, Faculty of Engineering Science, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 9, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Yehuda Weizman
- grid.7384.80000 0004 0467 6972Chair of Biomechanics, Faculty of Engineering Science, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 9, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Adin Ming Tan
- grid.7384.80000 0004 0467 6972Chair of Biomechanics, Faculty of Engineering Science, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 9, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany ,grid.1027.40000 0004 0409 2862Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University, VIC 3000 Melbourne, Australia
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Scott N, Saul A, Spelman T, Stoove M, Pedrana A, Saeri A, Grundy E, Smith L, Toole M, McIntyre CR, Crabb BS, Hellard M. The introduction of a mandatory mask policy was associated with significantly reduced COVID-19 cases in a major metropolitan city. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253510. [PMID: 34288910 PMCID: PMC8294480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whilst evidence of use of face masks in reducing COVID-19 cases is increasing, the impact of mandatory use across a large population has been difficult to assess. Introduction of mandatory mask use on July 22, 2020 during a resurgence of COVID-19 in Melbourne, Australia created a situation that facilitated an assessment of the impact of the policy on the epidemic growth rate as its introduction occurred in the absence of other changes to restrictions. METHODS AND FINDINGS Exponential epidemic growth or decay rates in daily COVID-19 diagnoses were estimated using a non-weighted linear regression of the natural logarithm of the daily cases against time, using a linear spline model with one knot (lspline package in R v 3.6.3). The model's two linear segments pivot around the hinge day, on which the mask policy began to take effect, 8 days following the introduction of the policy. We used two forms of data to assess change in mask usage: images of people wearing masks in public places obtained from a major media outlet and population-based survey data. Potential confounding factors (including daily COVID-19 tests, number of COVID-19 cases among population subsets affected differentially by the mask policy-e.g., healthcare workers) were examined for their impact on the results. Daily cases fitted an exponential growth in the first log-linear segment (k = +0.042, s.e. = 0.007), and fitted an exponential decay in the second (k = -0.023, s.e. = 0.017) log-linear segment. Over a range of reported serial intervals for SARS-CoV-2 infection, these growth rates correspond to a 22-33% reduction in an effective reproduction ratio before and after mandatory mask use. Analysis of images of people in public spaces showed mask usage rose from approximately 43% to 97%. Analysis of survey data found that on the third day before policy introduction, 44% of participants reported "often" or "always" wearing a mask; on the fourth day after, 100% reported "always" doing so. No potentially confounding factors were associated with the observed change in growth rates. CONCLUSIONS The mandatory mask use policy substantially increased public use of masks and was associated with a significant decline in new COVID-19 cases after introduction of the policy. This study strongly supports the use of masks for controlling epidemics in the broader community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Scott
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Allan Saul
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Mark Stoove
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexander Saeri
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emily Grundy
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Liam Smith
- BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Brendan S. Crabb
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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Staples L, Nielssen O, Kayrouz R, Cross S, Karin E, Ryan K, Dear B, Titov N. Rapid Report 3: Mental health symptoms, characteristics, and regional variation, for users of an Australian digital mental health service during the first 8 months of COVID-19. Internet Interv 2021; 24:100378. [PMID: 33732628 PMCID: PMC7937977 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2021.100378] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The MindSpot Clinic provides services to Australians with anxiety and depression. Routine data collection means that MindSpot has been able to monitor trends in mental health symptoms and service use prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these have been reported in two earlier studies. This third study describes user characteristics and volumes in the first 8 months of COVID-19, including a comparison between users from states and territories with significantly different COVID-19 infection rates. METHODS We examined trends in demographics and symptoms for participants starting an online assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic, from March to October 2020. Participants from the state of Victoria (n = 4203), which experienced a significantly larger rate of COVID-19 infections relative to the rest of Australia, were compared to participants from the rest of Australia (n = 10,500). Results were also compared to a baseline "comparison period" prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS A total of 14,703 people started a mental health assessment with MindSpot between 19th March and 28th October 2020. We observed two peaks in service demand, one in the early weeks of the pandemic, and the second in August-September when COVID-19 transmission was high in Victoria. Mean symptom scores on standardised measures of distress (K-10), depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) were lower during this second peak in service demand, but there were significantly higher levels of concern about COVID-19 in participants from Victoria, and a higher proportion of Victorian respondents reported that they had made significant changes in response to the pandemic. Many respondents reported changes to their mental health, such as increased feelings of worry. Most respondents reported implementing strategies to help manage the psychological impact of COVID-19, such as maintaining social connections and limiting exposure to news or social media. CONCLUSIONS We did not observe increased levels of clinical anxiety or depression on standardised symptom measures. However, there were increases in service demand, and increased levels of concern and difficulties related to COVID-19, particularly in Victoria. Encouragingly, a significant proportion of participants have implemented coping strategies. These results continue to suggest that the mental health impacts of COVID-19 represent a normal response to an abnormal situation rather than an emerging mental health crisis. This distinction is important as we develop individually appropriate and proportional mental health system responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Staples
- MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Australia
- Corresponding author at: MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Olav Nielssen
- MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Rony Kayrouz
- MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Shane Cross
- MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Eyal Karin
- MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Australia
- eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Katie Ryan
- MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Australia
| | - Blake Dear
- MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Australia
- eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nickolai Titov
- MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Australia
- eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
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Talley NJ. Health and medicine in a pandemic year: moving from the “winter of despair” to the “spring of hope”. Med J Aust 2020; 213:484-488. [DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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