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Crouzet L, Scarlett H, Colleville AC, Pourtau L, Melchior M, Ducarroz S. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups, including homeless persons and migrants, in France: a qualitative study. Prev Med Rep 2022; 26:101727. [PMID: 35155084 PMCID: PMC8824256 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Social inequalities in health increased especially during lockdown. Homeless persons felt neglected as lockdown was designed for those with stable housing. Access to an emergency shelter had positive impacts on homeless persons. Sudden implementation of lockdown reminded prior violent or traumatic circumstances. Crisis communication should be adapted to improve adherence to preventive measures.
Social inequalities tended to increase in the context of the pandemic, particularly in relation to the measures taken to manage and reduce the risk of COVID-19. When lockdown measures required the general population “to stay home”, what were homeless people expected to do? The ECHO study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a convergent mixed-method design. Data were collected across shelters in France both during and immediately following the lockdown (April – June 2020). This article presents the study’s qualitative findings, with a focus on understanding both the experiences and perceptions among these populations of the measures taken to limit the COVID-19 infection. A total of 26 semi-directed individual interviews were conducted across seven shelters in both Lyon (42%) and Paris (58%). Data were analysed using thematic content analysis with partial blinded coding. Four key themes were identified: 1- Reactions to the introduction of lockdown: a sudden implementation reminiscent of prior violent or traumatic circumstances amongst participants, 2- Accommodation during lockdown: participants’ conflicting visions of the shelter, 3- Influence of the media and public communication: an abundant flow of information impacting participant’s wellbeing and representations on the pandemic, and 4- The individual impact of lockdown: perceived health and limitations to daily life activities. The most vulnerable populations have borne the heaviest burden during the pandemic. It is therefore crucial that we improve both the availability of information, and the health literacy of, all groups within the national population.
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Scarlett H, Davisse-Paturet C, Longchamps C, Aarbaoui TE, Allaire C, Colleville AC, Convence-Arulthas M, Crouzet L, Ducarroz S, Melchior M. Depression during the COVID-19 pandemic amongst residents of homeless shelters in France. J Affect Disord Rep 2021; 6:100243. [PMID: 34632442 PMCID: PMC8487751 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulating evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected global mental health and well-being. However, the impact amongst homeless persons has not been fully evaluated. The ECHO study reports factors associated with depression amongst the homeless population living in shelters in France during the spring of 2020. Methods Interview data were collected from 527 participants living in temporary and/or emergency accommodation following France's first lockdown (02/05/20 – 07/06/20), in the metropolitan regions of Paris (74%), Lyon (19%) and Strasbourg (7%). Interviews were conducted in French, English, or with interpreters (33% of participants, ∼20 languages). Presence of depression was ascertained using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results Amongst ECHO study participants, 30% had symptoms of moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10). Multivariate analysis revealed depression to be associated with being female (aOR: 2.15; CI: 1.26–3.69), single (aOR: 1.60; CI: 1.01–2.52), chronically ill (aOR: 2.32; CI: 1.43: 3.78), facing food insecurity (aOR: 2.12; CI: 1.40–3.22) and participants’ region of origin. Persons born African and Eastern Mediterranean regions showed higher levels of depression (30–33% of participants) than those migrating from other European countries (14%). Reduced rates of depression were observed amongst participants aged 30–49 (aOR: 0.60; CI: 0.38–0.95) and over 50 (aOR: 0.28; CI: 0.13–0.64), compared to 18–29-year-olds. Limitations These data are cross-sectional, only providing information on a given moment in time. Conclusions Our results indicate high levels of depression amongst homeless persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Predicted future instability and economic repercussions could particularly impact the mental health of this vulnerable group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honor Scarlett
- Équipe de Recherche en Épidémiologie Sociale, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris F75012, France
| | - Camille Davisse-Paturet
- Équipe de Recherche en Épidémiologie Sociale, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris F75012, France
| | - Cécile Longchamps
- Équipe de Recherche en Épidémiologie Sociale, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris F75012, France
| | - Tarik El Aarbaoui
- Équipe de Recherche en Épidémiologie Sociale, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris F75012, France
| | - Cécile Allaire
- French National Public Health Agency, Santé Publique France, Saint-Maurice F94415, France
| | - Anne-Claire Colleville
- French National Public Health Agency, Santé Publique France, Saint-Maurice F94415, France
| | - Mary Convence-Arulthas
- Équipe de Recherche en Épidémiologie Sociale, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris F75012, France
| | - Lisa Crouzet
- Research on Healthcare Performance RESHAPE, INSERM U1290, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France
| | - Simon Ducarroz
- Équipe de Recherche en Épidémiologie Sociale, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris F75012, France.,Research on Healthcare Performance RESHAPE, INSERM U1290, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, France
| | - Maria Melchior
- Équipe de Recherche en Épidémiologie Sociale, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, IPLESP,Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Paris F75012, France.,CNRS, Institut Convergences Migration, Aubervilliers, France
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