COVID-19 Confinement Research Articles

Health promotion and prevention in early times of the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from a Delphi study in Switzerland.

COVID-19 pandemic and confinement measures had a major impact on the health and well-being of the population. Health promotion and prevention (HP&P) professionals had to rethink their practices to respond to the challenges raised by the pandemic context. This study aimed to build a professional consensus on the HP&P priorities (apart from the COVID-19 fight) in the early times of the pandemic in Switzerland and to identify the most relevant interventions to respond to these issues. HP&P experts from the three main linguistic regions of Switzerland reached a consensus through a two-round Delphi methodology with online questionnaires in June-July and October-November, 2020. Out of 282 experts contacted, 121 (43%) contributed in the first round and 99 (35%) in the second. A strong consensus emerged about the importance of tackling mental health problems, non-communicable diseases and their main risk factors, as well as multiple social determinants of health. Although they believed that HP&P priorities changed in this context, experts reported that professional practices had only partially adapted to this new context due to multiple constraints (political, strategic, financial). The experts noted the need to adapt the means of communication to reach the different target groups. They underlined the potential of communication via digital technologies, but also drew attention to the risk of widening social inequalities due to the unequal access to these resources. This study generated new insights and confirmed pre-established knowledge regarding the orientations the field of HP&P should follow. While stressing the need to consolidate the traditional missions of the field (i.e. the fight against non-communicable diseases and the actions on social determinants of health), experts surveyed in this study also revaluated health priorities and rethought the way of developing HP&P actions in this specific context of the early pandemic of COVID-19.

Social Media Usages During COVID-19 Confinement

Social Media Usages During COVID-19 Confinement

The new (ab)normal: the participation of children attending preschool and elementary school during confinement

ABSTRACT Humans’ participation positively impacts society and individuals, suggesting that children's participation in activities carried out in supportive environments promotes positive health and the development of key capacities. Covid-19 abruptly changed the daily lives of children and their caregivers due to the general duty of home confinement with consequences for participation. This study focused on the participation of children attending preschool and elementary school during Covid-19 confinement in Portugal. Participants (175 caregivers) completed an online survey based on Picture My Participation! (PmP; Imms et al. 2014). Three case studies with children were conducted using PmP. Results showed good levels of participation in daily activities, with the school-aged children participating more (frequency and involvement) than the preschool-aged children; girls were more involved than boys. The caregivers and children had different perceptions of participation, with caregivers justifying these levels based mainly on the children’s characteristics, while the children reinforced the importance of the environment in their participation. These results are used to enhance a discussion about different perspectives of participation, highlight the importance of listening to different participants, and emphasise the relevance of the biopsychosocial and transactional perspectives to explain behaviour and human development.

Examining Energy Poverty among Vulnerable Women-Led Households in Urban Housing before and after COVID-19 Lockdown: A Case Study from a Neighbourhood in Madrid, Spain

People with lower incomes often live in homes with poor thermal properties, making it difficult for them to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. This vulnerability is closely related to the quality and maintenance of housing, which negatively affects indoor environmental comfort, especially in terms of energy usage, having an impact on health and well-being. Studying energy poverty from a qualitative perspective allows us to delve deeper into the experience of these people. A qualitative study was carried out through a case study of women in a situation of household vulnerability and energy poverty. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five women-led households and two key informants before and after the COVID-19 confinement, in one of the most vulnerable neighbourhoods of Madrid. Unveiling the complexity of this topic, three categories were identified: household composition and economic resources, perception and proposals for household improvements, and household health and well-being. Furthermore, the results suggest that reliance on inefficient solutions such as electric radiators or butane-cylinder heaters for space heating in winter (more affordable in the short term, but unsustainable in the long one) shows evidence of energy precariousness, which, together with other poor housing conditions and users’ behaviours, impact clearly on health, generating or worsening chronic diseases. Research in vulnerable populations requires interventions beyond visibility, supported by key informants. Social workers and educators are essential to improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable people; however, they need social policies and adequate intervention plans and strategies to support and make their efforts effective.

Differences in the Development of Motor Skills in Portuguese Children Aged 12 Months after 3 Years of COVID-19 Confinement.

(1) Background: The objective of the study was to verify the effects of COVID-19 confinement on motor skills through a longitudinal study in Portuguese children who were one year old at the beginning of the pandemic. (2) Methods: The sample consisted of 88 children of both sexes, in the pre-COVID-19 assessment, they were 13.31 ± 2.4 months old and in the post-COVID-19 assessment, the same children were already 49.31 ± 2.5 months old. Motor skills were assessed using the PDMS-2 scales. For the statistical analysis, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test normality, and the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the results of the two assessments in the same sample. (3) Results: There were statistically significant differences in all motor skills assessed, with children presenting, on average, worse results in all global motor skills in the post-COVID-19 assessment, as opposed to fine motor skills, showing better results in the post-COVID-19 assessment. (4) Conclusions: These results show the negative impact of the pandemic on children evaluated with a special emphasis on global motor skills, with the majority demonstrating values considered below average for their age, noting that the pandemic protocols may have had serious consequences on children's motor development, warning professionals who deal daily with children in these age groups about the importance of stimulating global motor skills.

Physical activity and sedentary lifestyle: changes during confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic according to age and non-communicable disease

Objective: To analyze the changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the adult population according to age and non-communicable disease. Method. A cross-sectional study including n=1,334 subjects 18-55-year-old was carried out. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) was applied through an online survey to estimate the time (minutes/week) at each PA intensity and the total amount of METs/week before and during the COVID-19 confinement period. Results. The total METs/week [median (interquartile range, IQR)] decreased from 3657 (1977, 5466) to 1059 (396, 2225); sedentary behavior increased from 840 (0, 2100) to 2520 (1680, 4200) [p <0.001]. PA decrease was mainly observed in those with a previously active lifestyle (≥3000 METs/week). Age was negatively related to this change. Conclusion. During the confinement, PA decreased, and sedentary behavior increased, mainly in subjects physically active before the confinement who were younger and regardless of suffering from non-communicable diseases. Keywords: guidelines physical activity, sedentary behavior, SARS-CoV-2, IPAQ.

Long-term results of the treatment of patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration during the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeTo quantify the long-term impact (24 months) on the visual results and activity of neovascular lesions of COVID-19 confinement in patients with nAMD in our population. MethodsA retrospective observational study of patients with nAMD who attended consultation or were treated during the 3 months before confinement was carried out. Results144 patients (168 eyes) with nAMD were included, 51 of them (35.42%) came during confinement, and at 24 months the final cohort was 118 patients (133 eyes).The previous VA of 57.99 ± 23.68 letters decreased, clinically relevant and statistically significant, by an average of 6.87 (±16.84) and 7.89 (±19.58) at 12- and 24-months follow-up. This change differs significantly from the two-year vision change observed in the national database of pretreated patients.The median number of injections and consultations is lower in our group at 12 months, compared to the pre-pandemic national database, and tends to equalize at 24 months.We did not find differences in vision when we compared patients who attended consultations during confinement or in treatment intervals greater than 8 weeks (Tq8w). ConclusionsThe VA of patients with nAMD decreased significantly after confinement, probably due to the lower number of antiangiogenic injections and consultations during the first year, and did not recover during the second year despite the increase in the number of injections and visits close to those reported before confinement.

Massification of streaming audiovisual content audiences on the Netflix and Disney Plus platforms in the context of COVID-19 (years 2020 to 2022)

The COVID-19 confinement affected the entertainment industry from production to distribution, causing methods to change to maintain audiovisual content consumers as subscribers. Streaming platforms were a solution, allowing access to entertainment from home with varied and original content.

Challenges Confronted, During Data Collection Concerning Nurses and Paramedics in Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Data collection is one of the initial steps in almost all research practices. This study describes the challenges and issues faced by a researcher, in a developing country like Pakistan, during the execution of time-use research on nurses and paramedics, working in public sector hospitals of District Bahawalpur. We collected the data from the year 2018 to 2021, in three phases from 364 participants. Obstacles faced included: non-cooperative behavior of health department officials, non-response, reluctance, disinformation and misinterpretation on behalf of participants during working hours or after working hours and limited resources regarding funds and time. This paper also highlights the social and religious restrictions & obligations of being a female, Muslim researcher in fieldwork. It also includes the problems faced during COVID-19 confinement. This article may help novice researchers, especially from developing countries who are planning to execute field research on nurses and paramedics.

Psychological consequences of stress in pregnant women during the confinement of covid-19 in Peru. A review study

The present research sought to identify and determine the psychological consequences of stress in women through a systematic review. According to data extracted from the Portal Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal del Perú in 2020, during the COVID-19 confinement there is an increase in Mixed Anxiety and Depression Disorder with 29.31%, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 4.47%, adjustment disorder with 14.47%, stress-related problems, not classified elsewhere with 15.57%. In Peru: the psychological consequences correspond to the fact that pregnant women have depression in 29.31%, post-traumatic stress disorder in 4.47%, adjustment disorder in 14.47%, stress-related problems, and those not classified elsewhere in 15.57%. It is concluded that there was an increase in the psychological consequences of stress in pregnant women due to social isolation, since pregnant women were deprived of the activities they carried out, even more so due to the emotional and physical changes that occur during their stage.

Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Anthropometric and Fitness Features of University Students

The Coronavirus pandemic impacted severely daily people’s life causing changes in lifestyle, behaviour, and social interactions. The question the research aims to answer is: How have the restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic affected the rate of overweight and fitness levels among university students. The anthropometric parameter we measured is the body mass index (BMI) and the physical test we apply to evaluate the explosive power was the standing long jump. Data were recorded in 2019 and 2022 on similar samples, totalling 474 units. The results confirm a significant statistical difference between the samples tested before and after the confinement. The difference consists of an increase in weight and a decrease in fitness level, which are established health risks. The magnitude of the changes in the physical ability and body weight of young men and women provides relevant information on the characteristics of the present university students and the future workforce.

Evaluation and assessment as main concerns of higher education students after COVID-19 confinement

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has had a great impact on the lives of all students. A survey conducted among Spanish university students aims to find out what their concerns are before the start of the 2020–2021 academic year. This study tries to explain the impact of the coronavirus on students after returning to the classroom, and not only during confinement. Among the main concerns of the students are the way examinations are conducted, the development of learning or the teaching method used as a consequence of the situation caused by the coronavirus. The results shown can be of great use to the educational community in establishing policies aimed at improving the level of teaching and the well-being of students in the face of this educational change.

Changes in Body Weight and Risk Factors for Overweight and Obesity in 5-6-Year-Old Children Attending School in Geneva.

Background: The prevalence of obesity and overweight in children is increasing in industrialized countries. Monitoring the evolution of these phenomena is essential for understanding prevention and health promotion programs. This study aims to present the analysis of anthropometric data collected by school nurses from the School Health Service of Geneva (Service de santé de l'enfance et de la jeunesse) for children aged 5 to 6 years during the 2021-2022 school year, as well as describe the trends in overweight and obesity from 2003-2004 to 2021-2022. Risk factors were also assessed in the 2021-2022 sample. Methods: This study included a random sample of 958 (479 girls and 479 boys) primary school pupils aged 5 to 6 years in Geneva. Data on weight, height and socioeconomic status were collected. BMI was analyzed using the Cole standard. A multivariate analysis was conducted to assess the influence of socioeconomic factors on overweight and obesity. We compared these results with BMI trends in students of the same age since 2003. Results: In 2021-2022, overall prevalence of overweight was 12.73%, and obesity was 5.64%. Girls had higher rates of overweight (14.20%) and obesity (6.68%) compared to boys (11.27% and 4.59%, respectively) (p < 0.0001). Overweight in boys significantly increased since the 2013-2014 and 2019-2020 measurements (p = 0.003). The trend for girls was similar but not statistically significant. Obesity rates have not significantly increased since 2019-2020 in both genders, but there is a significantly increasing trend for girls since 2013-2014 p = 0.045). Socioeconomic factors, particularly the socioeconomic class of parents, played a predictive role in overweight and obesity. Conclusions: The School Health Service of Geneva and the Directorate General of Health have a crucial role in monitoring and preventing childhood obesity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity has remained high since 2010, justifying continuous efforts for prevention. A significant increase in prevalence has been observed since 2020, particularly among overweight boys, and could be related to COVID-19 confinement measures.

The Devil in the Details: Changes Under Stable Trends of Femicide in Italy During COVID-19 Lockdowns

In recent decades, the issue of violence against women has increasingly drawn the attention of international and national legislators and policymakers. The term “femicide” became widespread in the early 2000s and was incorporated into the criminal codes of several countries. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent social distancing measures raised significant concerns about their impact on women’s safety. This study examines the effect of COVID-19 confinement measures on femicide trends in Italy, a country which adopted stringent COVID-19 confinement measures and, since 2019, implemented new legislation to counteract violence against women. Using two data sets—one from the Italian Ministry of Interior containing 1,382 cases of female homicides (2013–2022) and another from Italian NGOs detailing 1,253 femicides according to media coverage (2012–2022)—the study employs autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) analysis to assess monthly trends alongside the stringency index for COVID-19 containment efforts. The findings reveal that, although overall femicide rates remained stable during lockdowns, there was a significant shift in victim–perpetrator relationships. Specifically, from March to May 2020, there was a decline in femicides by former partners, offset by an increase in those by cohabiting partners. These results underscore the complexity of femicide and the need for further research on various facets of violence against women. This includes the potential escalation of physical and psychological violence during lockdowns, influenced by forced proximity and substance abuse in domestic environments.

Depression and loneliness among Sub-Saharan immigrants living in the greater Paris area: results from the MAKASI empowerment stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.

The MAKASI intervention aimed to empower Sub-Saharan African immigrants living in precarious situations in the Paris metropolitan area. Because there are factors specifically related to immigration that may increase the risk for common mental disorders, the present study aimed to examine participants' levels of depression and loneliness and analyze the effect of the intervention on depression and loneliness. The MAKASI study was designed as a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial. Study participants were recruited through an outreach program led by a nongovernmental organization and randomly assigned to two clusters, with an intervention delay of 3months between them. Participants were assessed for 6months after inclusion and the effect of the intervention on depression and loneliness was assessed using generalized linear mixed models. The study was conducted from 2018 to 2021 and took in consideration whether being interviewed during one of the Covid-19 confinement had an effect on the results. Between 2018 and 2021 a total of 821 subjects participated in the Makasi study. High levels of depression and loneliness were found in the study population. We found no effect of the intervention on depression [95% CI 0.77 to 2.40]. Similarly, no effect of the intervention was found on loneliness [95% CI 0.87 to 2.54]. The intervention tested did not appear to improve the level of depression and loneliness among participants. However, the high prevalence of mental and emotional problems in the study population suggests a public health crisis among immigrants in the greater Paris area. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04468724 (July 13, 2020).

Implications of remote work in post-pandemic times: a gender risk profile in Colombian workers

PurposeRemote work has been intensifying in organizations, and the recent pandemic forced an immediate increase in it, ignoring its effect on the family. The purpose of this study was to analyze the work and personal-family life balance of Colombian workers during the lockdown and the effects on post-pandemic times.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative correlational study with a non-probabilistic sample of 1,069 participants: 349 (32.64%) men and 720 (67.35%) women.FindingsA total of 44.8% of the participants reported that their work interfered with their personal life; 61.6% reported that their work exceeded their habitual time; 72.2% felt comfortable with the remote work; and women perceived more affectation, as did participants with children. No interaction was present between these variables. There are more interruptions for workers with children younger than 12 years.Practical implicationsThere is satisfaction with remote work. However, there are difficulties regarding work-personal life balance that must be addressed to improve quality of life, with an emphasis on women and workers with children, especially younger children.Social implicationsThis study provides empirical evidence for the foundation of public and organizational policies aimed at managing remote work and the work-personal life balance to reduce the risk of loss of female labor force and effects on the quality of life of workers.Originality/valueStudies on the work-personal life balance with Latin American samples are scarce. This research contributes to the literature about satisfaction with working from home modality and the work-personal life balance during COVID-19 confinement, with a look at the differences by gender and the evaluation of the family conditions of Colombian workers, contributing to a regional perspective.

Psychosocial risk profiles to address future health emergencies: a country study during the COVID-19 lockdown period in Colombia.

The different strategies used worldwide to curb the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021 had a negative psychosocial impact, which was disproportionately higher for socially and economically vulnerable groups. This article seeks to identify the psychosocial impact of the confinement period during the COVID-19 pandemic for the Colombian population by identifying profiles that predict the levels of different mental health indicators (feelings of fear, positive emotions or feelings during free time, and work impact) and based on them, characterize the risk factors and protection that allows us to propose guidelines for prevention or recovery from future health emergencies. This is an observational, cross-sectional, retrospective ex post facto study. Multistage cluster probabilistic sampling and binary logistic regression analysis were used to predict extreme levels of various mental health indicators based on psychosocial indicators of the COVID-19 confinement period and to identify risk and protection factors. A relationship was established between the combination of some of the different psychosocial factors evaluated (this combination being the predictive profile identified) with each of the three main variables: feeling of fear (n = 8,247; R = 0.32; p = 0.00; Poverall = 62.4%; 𝜔overall = 0.25; 1-𝛽overall = 1.00), positive emotions or feelings during free time (n = 6,853; R = 0.25; p = 0.00; Poverall = 59.1%; 𝜔overall = 0.18; 1-𝛽overall = 1.00) and labour impact (n = 4,573; R = 0.47; p = 0.63; Poverall = 70.4%; 𝜔overall = 0.41; 1-𝛽overall = 1.00), with social vulnerability determined by sociodemographic factors that were common in all profiles (sex, age, ethnicity and socioeconomic level) and conditions associated with job insecurity (unemployed, loss of health insurance and significant changes to job's requirements) and place of residence (city). For future health emergencies, it is necessary to (i) mitigate the socio-employment impact from emergency containment measures in a scaled and differentiated manner at the local level, (ii) propose prevention and recovery actions through psychosocial and mental health care accessible to the entire population, especially vulnerable groups, (iii) Design and implement work, educational and recreational adaptation programs that can be integrated into confinement processes.

Patients with schizophrenia in Morocco during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal observational study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social-distancing and confinement measures were implemented. These may affect the mental health of patients with mental disorders such as schizophrenia. This study examined the clinical course of patients with schizophrenia at a public hospital in Morocco during the COVID-19 pandemic. This longitudinal observational study was conducted across three periods in 15 months: 1 April 2020 (start of strict home confinement) to 30 June 2020 (T1), 1 July 2020 to 31 January 2021 (corresponding to the Delta wave) [T2], and 1 February 2021 to 30 June 2021 (corresponding to the Omicron wave) [T3]. Patients aged 18 to 65 years with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (based on DSM 5) made before the pandemic who presented to the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat were invited to participate. Psychotic symptomatology was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Severity and improvement of mental disorder were evaluated using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI)-Severity and -Improvement subscales. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Calgary Depression Scale (CDS). Adherence to treatments was assessed using the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). All assessments were made by psychiatrists or residents face-to-face (for T1) or via telephone (for T2 and T3). Of 146 patients recruited, 83 men and 19 women (mean age, 39 years) completed all three assessments. The CGI-Severity score was higher at T2 than T1 and T3 (3.24 vs 3.04 vs 3.08, p = 0.041), and the MARS score was higher at T1 and T2 than T3 (6.80 vs 6.83 vs 6.35, p = 0.033). Patient age was negatively correlated with CDS scores for depressive symptoms at T1 (Spearman's rho = -0.239, p = 0.016) and at T2 (Spearman's rho = -0.231, p = 0.019). The MARS score for adherence was higher in female than male patients at T1 (p = 0.809), T2 (p = 0.353), and T3 (p = 0.004). Daily tobacco consumption was associated with the PANSS total score at T3 (p = 0.005), the CGI-Severity score at T3 (p = 0.021), and the MARS score at T3 (p = 0.002). Patients with a history of attempted suicide had higher CDS scores than those without such a history at T1 (p = 0.015) and T3 (p = 0.018) but not at T2 (p = 0.346). Home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic had limited negative impact on the mental health of patients with schizophrenia in Morocco.

Change in the trend of diet and lifestyle patterns among Indian children during COVID-19 confinement: a cross-sectional study

Background: To assess the change in the trend of diet and lifestyle behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic in children and their association with various COVID-19-related consequences. Methods: A cross-sectional study that employed a structured 22-item questionnaire through teledentistry to 1500 children who previously visited the dental department of a tertiary hospital in Delhi. The dietary habits lifestyle changes (DHLC-COVID19) questionnaire, which was customized and validated for the study, and their COVID-19 related consequences were administered. Results: A statistically significant decreased intake of certain types of foods, high-carbohydrate snacks with a lower trend in snacking frequency was observed in children during COVID-19. The study investigated the association of variation of food intake in children i.e., ‘no consumption’ and ‘decreased consumption’ in relation to family members who lost their job during COVID-19 and depicted significant relation w.r.t families who got infected, lost their life during COVID-19. Determinants of these perceived changes were examined in multivariable regression models, Chi-square test and Mc Nemar test. Moreover, a significant change in lifestyle behaviours was also observed in children during COVID-19. The comparison of weight assessment during COVID-19 and performing/ engaging in physical activity during the period depicted that there was a statistically significant difference in proportion (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: This study provides evidence of the detrimental effects of COVID-19 be taken into consideration when developing and implementing public health policies to protect children's health both during and after the pandemic, especially among vulnerable youngsters on the social spectrum.

Social Experiences and Health Needs of Patients with Severe Mental Illness and their Caregivers during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain

Background The strict isolation measures for the population imposed by the health authorities caused a prolonged disruption of informal social support networks. Both this new social situation and the decrease in accessibility to health care have generated new needs in people with severe mental illness (SMI) and their caregivers. Objectives This study provides insight into life experiences and health needs of a population with SMI during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. Methods Qualitative design using semi-structured dyadic interviews, conducted from January through December 2022. A purposive sampling of patients with SMI and their caregivers was carried out through key informants in rural and urban localities in southern Spain. Verbatims were identified and classified by triangulation after the evaluation of the interview transcripts. The codes were defined through content analysis using the NVivo software. Results Semi-structured dyadic interviews (21), identifying three main categories: 1. Social isolation: increased, causing greater personal vulnerability, exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms and exhaustion in caregivers. 2. Accessibility to Health Services : decreased with fewer face-to-face consultations, with difficulty in managing urgent situations and telephone attention in decompensated and disabled patients. 3. Continuity of healthcare: decreased with distrust in health professionals due to lack of communication between primary care and the hospital Conclusion COVID-19 confinement exacerbated loneliness and worse health self-perception in SMI people. Greater formal social support was required. GPs role is key to avoiding delays in appointments and lack of coordination between primary and specialised care.