COVID-19 Lockdown Measures Research Articles

Comparing the psychological impact of the Shanghai lockdown on local and non-local college students: an explanatory sequential mixed method approach.

In 2022, the Shanghai municipal government enforced strict COVID-19 lockdown measures. Lockdown experiences for college students varied. Local students normally returned home and had familial support while non-local students relied more on institutional support when quarantining in dormitories. The difference could profoundly impact their access to necessary material resources and emotional support, affecting their mental health. This study compared the psychological effects of the Shanghai Lockdown on local and non-local college students using an explanatory-sequential mixed methods design. Quantitative analyses of data from 327 college students examined local and non-local students' mental health outcomes during the lockdown. Follow-up qualitative interviews (N = 12) contextualized their sources of stress and group differences. Higher prevalences of probable anxiety (34.6%), depression (45.1%), and poor subjective mental well-being (65.4%) are found among non-local students compared to local students (23.7% anxiety, 29.4% depressive symptoms, and 47.9% poor well-being). Suicidal ideation was higher among local students (8.6% prevalence difference). Being a non-local college student was associated with increased odds of probable anxiety, depression, and poor well-being. Interviews identified group differences such that non-local students received more school support (i.e., food and financial) and perceived emotional support but faced poorer quarantine living environments compared to local peers. Non-local college students were more vulnerable to the impact of lockdown. Our findings also provide insights into the impact of familial versus institutional support on student mental health during times of crisis.

Quantifying the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on air pollution in Ahvaz: a comparative dual-approach assessment of observed against baseline and forecasted criteria air pollutants.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iranian government swiftly implemented immediate and decisive measures to control the spread of the infection. This study aims to demonstrate the impact of restriction measure on air pollution, also to highlight the potential variability in results that can arias from different methodological approach. A comprehensive dual-approach assessment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the lockdown measures on criteria air pollutants. Firstly, a traditional approach compared air quality during the pandemic period with baseline conditions from 2013 to 2019. Secondly, observed air pollution values during different periods with varying restrictions in 2020 were compared with expected values. This comprehensive analysis allows for a robust comparison and quantification of the impact of different lockdown measures in Ahvaz. The study revealed significant changes in air pollutant concentrations in Ahvaz during 2020, with variations observed across different pollutants. Notable reductions were observed in O3 levels, particularly in November (-54.44% compared to the baseline) and December (-63.58% compared to expected values). Decreases in CO levels were observed in multiple months, while substantial reductions in PM10 and PM2.5 were observed during various periods. Inconsistencies in the magnitudes and directions of changes were found when comparing baseline and forecasted values. The overall stringency index showed an inverse association with changes in O3, NO2, and CO, with international travel controls and restrictions on internal movement having significant impacts. This study provides valuable insights into the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on air pollution in Ahvaz, Iran, using a comprehensive dual-approach assessment. The findings highlight the effectiveness of these measures in reducing specific criteria air pollutants and emphasize the importance of implementing appropriate strategies for air quality management during similar public health emergencies.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on mother and child health - the case of Ghana.

The lockdown measures in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have led to a wide range of unintended consequences for women and children. Until the outbreak of COVID-19, attention was on reducing maternal and infant mortality due to pregnancy and delivery complications. The aim of this study was to interrogate the impact of lockdown measures on women and children in two contrasting districts in Ghana - Krobo Odumase and Ayawaso West Wuogon. This study adopted the mixed-method approach using both qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative study relied on two data collection methods to explore the impacts of COVID-19 control measures on women and children in Ghana. These were: Focus Group Discussions (FGDs; n = 12) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs; n = 18). The study complemented the qualitative data with survey data - household surveys (n = 78) which were used to support the nutrition and school closure data; and policy data gathered from government websites consisting of government responses to COVID-19. The qualitative data was analysed using the thematic approach with codes generated apriori with the NVIVO software. The quantitative data used percentages and frequencies. Engagements with participants in the study revealed that the lockdown measures implemented in Ghana had consequences on child and maternal health, and the health care system as a whole. Our study revealed, for example, that there was a decrease in antenatal and postnatal attendance in hospitals. Childhood vaccinations also came to a halt. Obesity and malnutrition were found to be common among children depending on the location of our study participants (urban and rural areas respectively). Our study also revealed that TB, Malaria and HIV treatment seeking reduced due to the fear of going to health facilities since those ailments manifest similar symptoms as COVID 19. Government responded to COVID-19 using different strategies however the policy response resulted in both intended and unintended consequences especially for women and children in Ghana. It is recommended that national policy directions should ensure the continuous provision of child and maternal healthcare services which are essential health services during lockdowns.

COVID-19 lockdown measures affect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons distribution and sources in sediments of Chaohu Lake, China

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted human activities and the environment globally. The lockdown measures have led to significant changes in industrial activities, transportation, and human behavior. This study investigates how the lockdown measures influenced the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of Chaohu Lake, a semi-enclosed lake. Surface sediment samples were collected in summer of 2020 (lockdown have just been lifted) and 2022 and analyzed for 16 priority PAHs. The range of ΣPAHs concentrations remained similar between 2020 (158.19–1693.64 ng·g−1) and 2022 (148.86–1396.54 ng·g−1). Among the sampling sites, the west lake exhibited similar PAHs concentrations characteristics over the two years, with higher levels observed in areas near Hefei City. However, the east lake exhibited increased ΣPAHs concentrations in 2022 compared to 2020, especially the area near ship factory. PAHs source analysis using principal component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) revealed an increased proportion of petroleum combustion sources in 2022 compared to 2020. The isotope analysis results showed that organic matter (OM) sources in the western lake remained relatively stable over the two years, with sewage discharge dominating. In contrast, the eastern lake experienced a shift in OM sources from sewage to C3 plants, potentially contributing to the increased PAH levels observed in the eastern lake sediments. Ecological risk assessment revealed low to moderate risk in both 2020 and 2022. Health risk evaluation indicated little difference in incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values between the two years, with only benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) posing a high risk among the carcinogenic PAHs. Children generally faced higher health risks compared to adults. This study reveals pandemic-induced changes in PAH pollution and sources in lake sediments, offering new insights into the impact of human activities on persistent organic pollutants, with implications for future pollution control strategies.

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on NO2 Pollution and the Associated Health Burden in China: A Comparison of Different Approaches.

So far, a large number of studies have quantified the effect of COVID-19 lockdown measures on air quality in different countries worldwide. However, few studies have compared the influence of different approaches on the estimation results. The present study aimed to utilize a random forest machine learning approach as well as a difference-to-difference approach to explore the effect of lockdown policy on nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration during COVID-19 outbreak period in mainland China. Datasets from 2017 to 2019 were adopted to establish the random forest models, which were then applied to predict the NO2 concentrations in 2020, representing a scenario without the lockdown effect. The results showed that random forest models achieved remarkable predictive accuracy for predicting NO2 concentrations, with index of agreement values ranging between 0.34 and 0.76. Compared with the modelled NO2 concentrations, on average, the observed NO2 concentrations decreased by approximately 16 µg/m3 in the lockdown period in 2020. The difference-to-difference approach tended to underestimate the influence of COVID-19 lockdown measures. Due to the improvement of NO2 pollution, around 3722 non-accidental premature deaths were avoided in the studied population. The presented machine learning modelling framework has a great potential to be transferred to other short-term events with abrupt pollutant emission changes.

Opioid prescribing in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national register-based study

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown measures disrupted global healthcare provision, including opioid prescribing. In North America, opioid sales declined while opioid-related deaths increased. In Europe, the effect of the...

Time series analysis of COVID-19 stringency measures on the spatio- temporal dynamics of air pollution

Introduction: Execution of COVID-19 lockdown measures caused variations in air pollution worldwide. This paper investigates the impact of COVID-19 stringency measures on the spatio-temporal dynamics of air pollution in Mumbai, India, using a comprehensive two-and-a-half-year pandemic period dataset. Materials and methods: We classified the pandemic period into 7 phases and 21 sub-phases based on the severity of the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) Stringency Index (SI). Optimized Hotspot analysis (OHS) and Ordinary Least Square Regression models explored the spatio-temporal fluctuations and the effect of stringency measures on air quality. Results: The R2 value varied; with the best model R2 of 0.61 for Particulate Matters (PM10) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and lowest of 0.23 for Sulfur dioxide (SO2). A 10-point increase in SI caused a 3-7% reduction in air pollutants. Substantial reduction in average PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and Carbon monoxide (CO) was observed throughout the COVID-19 phases. Meteorology and SI collectively caused maximum reduction of 82.6%, 72.7%, 53.8%, 52.2%, 49.1%, 28.4% for NO2, PM2.5, PM10, NH3, CO, and SO2 respectively, during complete or extreme lockdown phases. Except SO2, seasonality significantly influenced the pollutant concentrations. Winter was the worst period while monsoon was the best. OHS identified central Mumbai wards as hotspots and areas close to the national park as coldspots. Conclusion: PM10, NO2 and CO were more affected by SI measures than NH3 and SO2. For a rapid emergency response to high PM10, implementation of SI, very high (≥ 80 score) and above is advised. Findings of this study have significant public health policy implications, especially among global south nations.

Move Well, Feel Good: Feasibility and acceptability of a school-based motor competence intervention to promote positive mental health.

In response to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown measures Move Well, Feel Good (MWFG) was developed as a school intervention using improvement of motor competence as a mechanism for promoting positive mental health. Study objectives were to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of MWFG and to describe changes in child-level outcomes. Five northwest England primary schools were recruited. MWFG was delivered over 10-weeks through physical education (PE) lessons, which were supplemented by optional class-time, break-time, and home activities. The intervention focused on development of 9-10 year-old children's motor competence in locomotor, object control, and stability skills, and psychosocial skills. Feasibility was evaluated against nine pre-defined criteria using surveys, interviews (teachers), and focus groups (children). Pre- and post-intervention assessments of motor competence, mental health, prosocial behaviour, wellbeing, and 24-hour movement behaviours were also completed. The five recruited schools represented 83% of the target number, 108 children consented (54% of target) with teachers recruited in all schools (100% of target). Intervention dose was reflected by 76% of the 45 scheduled PE lessons being delivered, and adherence was strong (>85% of children attending ≥75% of lessons). Positive indicators of acceptability were provided by 86% of children, 83% of PE teachers, and 90% of class teachers. Data collection methods were deemed acceptable by 91% of children and 80% of class teachers, and children spoke positively about participating in the data collection. Child-level outcome data collection was completed by 65%-97% of children, with a 3%-35% attrition rate at post-intervention, depending on measure. Favourable changes in motor competence (+13.7%), mental health difficulties (-8.8%), and prosocial behaviour (+7.6%) were observed. MWFG is an acceptable and feasible motor competence intervention to promote positive mental health. Content and delivery modifications could inform progression to a pilot trial with a more robust design.

Recent decline in carbon monoxide levels observed at an urban site in Ahmedabad, India.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a prominent air pollutant in cities, with far-reaching implications for both local air quality and global atmospheric chemistry. The long-term change in atmospheric CO levels at a specific location is influenced by a complex interplay of local emissions, atmospheric transport, and photochemical processes, making it a subject of considerable interest. This study presents an 8-year analysis (2014-2021) of in situ CO observations using a cutting-edge laser-based analyzer at an urban site in Ahmedabad, western India. The long-term observations reveal a subtle trend in CO levels, masked by contrasting year-to-year variations, particular after 2018, across distinct diurnal time windows. Mid-afternoon (12:00-16:00h) CO levels, reflecting background and regional conditions, remained relatively stable over the study period. In contrast, evening (18:00-21:00h) CO levels, influenced by local emissions, exhibited substantial inter-annual variability without discernible trends from 2014 to 2018. However, post-2018, evening CO levels showed a consistent decline, predating COVID-19 lockdown measures. This decline coincided with the nationwide adoption of Bharat stage IV emission standards and other measures aimed at reducing vehicular emissions. The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 further resulted in a noteworthy 29% reduction in evening CO levels compared to the pre-lockdown (2014-2019) period, highlighting the potential for substantial CO reduction through stringent vehicular emission controls. The observed long-term changes in CO levels do not align with the decreasing emission estimated by various inventories from 2014 to 2018, suggesting a need for improved emission statistics in Indian urban regions. This study underscores the importance of ongoing continuous CO measurements in urban areas to inform policy efforts aimed at controlling atmospheric pollutants.

Hypovitaminosis D is A Biological Vulnerability for Depressive Symptoms in Major Depression at the Era of the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak

Abstract Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent mental health condition causing substantial global issues. Emerging evidence indicates that depression rates have risen during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Insufficient vitamin D levels have been linked to increased psychological problems and heightened responses to stress. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the connection between serum vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms in individuals with MDD compared to healthy controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 MDD patients diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (DSM)-5 criteria version 7.0.2, assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. During COVID-19 lockdown measures, participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-9) to assess depressive severity. Blood samples were collected for vitamin D assays. Statistical analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to predict depressive symptom severity. Results: Patient and control groups had similar mean age and body mass index (BMI), with most participants classified as obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2). Female patients were predominant in the study. MDD patients exhibited significantly lower mean serum vitamin D levels compared to controls (10.3 ± 6.2 vs. 18.1 ± 9.6 ng/mL). Female patients had higher vitamin D levels than males. Correlations among serum vitamin D levels, BMI, MDD duration, and age were insignificant. ROC curve analysis indicated that lower vitamin D levels moderately predict MDD presence (area under curve [AUC] = 0.750) and, to a lesser extent, severe MDD (AUC = 0.739). Conclusion: The study suggests an inverse association between serum vitamin D levels and clinical depression during the COVID-19 era. However, the evidence is not entirely conclusive, prompting the need for further randomized trials to determine whether this relationship is causal.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic: Lockdown related morbidity among young adults in Chennai, India

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered widespread lockdown measures, profoundly altering the daily routines and lifestyles of individuals worldwide. This study aims to investigate the repercussions of these lockdowns on the morbidity patterns among young adults in Chennai. Methods: A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted among 1110 young adults aged 18 to 29 years in Chennai, India. The study analyzed various aspects of health, encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being, during the lockdown period using a prevalidated questionnaire. Frequency distribution of variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables were employed. Result: The study revealed significant impacts on physical, mental, and social well-being during the lockdown period. Physical health was affected, with weight gain (56.83%) being the most common morbid condition due to physical inactivity and frequent eating. Headaches (33.24%) were prevalent, attributed to prolonged digital screen exposure and irregular sleep patterns. Psychological impacts included stress rates of 43.42% among young adults. Conclusion: This research highlights the intricate relationship between COVID-19 lockdown measures and morbidity among young adults. The findings provide valuable insights into the potential long-term implications of the pandemic on the health of this demographic group, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions and support systems.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Suicide Trends in Pretoria, South Africa.

Suicide is one of the worldwide leading causes of unnatural death. Pretoria is a capital city of South Africa and is the fourth most populated city in South Africa. Between 16 and 22 suicide cases are recorded daily in South Africa.Case files from the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory were reviewed between 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2021, which spanned the COVID-19 pandemic. All cases of possible and probable suicides were included. One-way analysis of variance and Pearson chi 2 tests were conducted to determine statistical significance in the observed trends.A total of 1820 possible and probable suicide cases were identified. The year following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic accounted for the largest number of suicides. White males were the most heavily represented population, followed by Black males. Hanging was the most common method for males, whereas poisoning via ingestion and/or overdose was more commonly used by females.Suicides in Pretoria have increased since previous studies from 9.74% and 10.2% to 13.32%. Methods used have changed among various population groups over the past two decades. This paper examined changes in suicide trends in Pretoria compared to previous studies and highlighted correlations between suicide trends and COVID-19 lockdown measures.

The effect of COVID‐19 lockdown periods and societal restrictions on blood product usage in adult trauma patients: A retrospective observational study

Background. Blood products, though potentially lifesaving, are a scarce and costly resource. Trauma injuries, which contribute to the demand for these resources, increase in proportion to alcohol consumption. South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown measures included a ban on alcohol sales and curfews.Objective. To investigate the effect of these societal measures on blood product usage. Methods. We retrospectively compared medical patient data from the South African National Blood Service database of red cell concentrate (RCC) usage in four disciplines during the COVID-19 period with data from the 3 years preceding the pandemic. We also examined trauma case patterns using an institutional database from the Harry Gwala Regional Hospital (HGRH) Emergency Department during the same periods. Results. In total, 16 922 RCCs at HGRH and 528 734 RCCs in KwaZulu-Natal were issued across the four disciplines, from March 2017 - March 2021. RCC usage significantly decreased among trauma patients at institutional and provincial levels during the COVID-19 period (provincial pre-lockdown mean 10.99 units per day; SD 6.89, 95% CI 10.63 - 11.35 v. lockdown 7.46 units per day; SD 5.42, 95% CI 6.14 - 8.79; p<0.01). Further, RCC usage significantly increased during the weekend immediately following the lifting of the first alcohol ban, along with a significant decrease in the number of trauma patients seen during hard lockdown periods. Conclusions. Societal restrictions, including curfews and banning alcohol consumption, decreased the use of RCCs in trauma patients. Government policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related traumatic injuries would likely have a significant impact on RCC usage.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on calls to an alcohol and drug helpline in Victoria, Australia, for alcohol, methamphetamine and cannabis use concerns.

Helplines are often the first contact with the alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment system. We examined call data from an AOD helpline in Victoria, Australia, to explore the association between COVID-19 lockdown measures and frequency of calls. This was a retrospective analysis of AOD helpline data collected between January 2018 and September 2020, for alcohol, methamphetamine and cannabis use concerns. Linear and logistic regression analyses examined differences in pre-COVID-19 (January 2018 to March 2020) and during COVID-19 (March 2020 to September 2020) caller characteristics, and interrupted time-series analyses examined changes in frequency of calls relative to lockdown measures. There were 14,340 calls for alcohol (n = 10,196, 71.10%), methamphetamine (n = 2522, 17.59%) and cannabis (n = 1622, 11.31%). Relative to pre-COVID-19, during COVID-19 there was an increase in the rate of change over time in number of alcohol calls (b = 0.39), increase in first-time alcohol callers (OR = 1.29), and reduction in first-time methamphetamine callers (OR = 0.80). During COVID-19, alcohol callers had lower Socio-Economic Indicators for Areas scores (b = -3.06) and cannabis callers were younger (b = -2.07). During COVID-19, there were reductions in alcohol calls involving counselling/support (OR = 0.87) and information provision (OR = 0.87), cannabis calls involving information provision (OR = 0.71) and methamphetamine calls involving referral (OR = 0.80). In the first 6 months of the pandemic, frequency of alcohol-related calls increased over time, and first-time alcohol-related callers increased. The number of calls for cannabis and methamphetamine remained stable. Results suggest the helpline was not used to its full capacity, suggesting a role for further promotion during times of crises.

Chemical characterization and source apportionment of PM2.5 in a Northeastern China city during the epidemic period.

To investigate the influence of COVID-19 lockdown measures on PM2.5 and its chemical components in Shenyang, PM2.5 samples were continuously collected from January 1 to May 31, 2020. The samples were then analyzed for water-soluble inorganic ions, metal elements, organic carbon, and elemental carbon. The findings indicated a significant decrease in PM2.5 and its various chemical components during the lockdown period, compared to pre-lockdown levels (p < 0.05), suggesting a substantial improvement in air quality. Water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) were identified as the primary contributors to PM2.5, accounting for 47% before the lockdown, 46% during the lockdown, and 37% after the lockdown. Ionic balance analysis revealed that PM2.5 exhibited neutral, weakly alkaline, and alkaline characteristics before, during, and after the lockdown, respectively. NH4+ was identified as the main balancing cation and was predominantly present in the form of NH4NO3 in the absence of complete neutralization of SO42- and NO3-. Moreover, the higher sulfur oxidation ratio (SOR) and nitrogen oxidation ratio (NOR), along with the significant increase in PM2.5/EC, suggested intense secondary transformation during the lockdown period. The elevated OC/EC ratio during the lockdown period implied higher secondary organic carbon (SOC), and the notable increase in SOC/EC ratio indicated a significant secondary transformation of total carbon. The enrichment factor (EF) results revealed that during the lockdown, 9 metal elements (As, Sn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Sb, Ag, Cd, and Se) were substantially impacted by anthropogenic emissions. Source analysis of PMF was employed to identify the sources of PM2.5 in Shenyang during the study period, and the analysis identified six factors: secondary sulfate and vehicle emissions, catering fume sources, secondary nitrate and coal combustion emissions, dust sources, biomass combustion, and industrial emissions, with secondary sulfate and vehicle emissionsand catering fume sourcescontributing the most to PM2.5.

Quantifying COVID-19′s impact on GHG emission reduction in Oman's transportation sector: A bottom-up analysis of pre-pandemic years (2015–2019) and the pandemic year (2020)

On February 24, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit Oman, forcing nationwide lockdowns and movement limitations. This study estimates the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on Oman's transportation sector's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Using a bottom-up methodology, this analysis compares the years preceding the pandemic (2015–2019) to the pandemic year (2020). According to the results, the implementation of COVID-19 lockdown measures significantly reduced GHG emissions from passenger vehicles by 26.4 % and 27.8 % from whole road transportation. The overall GHG reduction from whole road transportation in Oman during the pandemic year (2020) was estimated around 1,502 kilotons CO2eq. These reductions represent 17 % of the pledged of carbon reduction target in the Second Nationally Determined Contributions by 2030. These results highlight the possibility of achieving emission reduction goals through the adoption of remote work practices, which has contributed significantly to the decline in emissions during the pandemic. Remote work has the potential to reduce commuter trips, thereby reducing overall mobility and emissions, particularly in Oman, which lacks public transportation and relies heavily on private vehicles. The potential benefits of remote work in reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector should be carefully evaluated and encouraged by policymakers in order to help Oman achieve its climate goals.

Stories of social and emotional resilience among pregnant Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan migrant women during COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria, Australia: A qualitative study using photo-elicitation.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted family and community support systems that typically nurture pregnancy and birth experiences of migrant Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan women in Australia. Very little is known about how COVID-19 lockdown measures impacted Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan pregnant women living in Australia during the pandemic. Using an intersectional and resilience thinking approach, we explored the social and emotional resilience of Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan pregnant women living in Victoria, Australia during COVID-19 lockdowns. Semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews were conducted in English, Tamil and Bangla and audio-recorded in-person and virtually. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the visual and oral qualitative data produced. Twenty-five Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan-born women were interviewed. Three key themes emerged from data analysis: challenges exacerbated by COVID-19, sources of social resilience, and sources of emotional resilience. Participants were negatively impacted by closed international borders, care for children, financial pressures of temporary residence and their physical and mental health was impacted. Primary sources of social resilience were derived from family, community and healthcare professional support. Photo data produced by participants depicted patterns of emotional resilience to overcome the challenges of social isolation during their pregnancy in lockdown. The visual and oral data highlighted that participants were significantly impacted by social isolation during COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia. Findings from this study can contribute to understanding how social support networks influence maternity during a pandemic and how culturally safe maternal health practices can be reinforced to support the motherhood of migrant women regardless of visa status.

Machine learning insights into PM2.5 changes during COVID-19 lockdown: LSTM and RF analysis in Mashhad.

This study seeks to investigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on air quality in the city of Mashhad employing two strategies. We initiated our research using basic statistical methods such as paired sample t-tests to compare hourly PM2.5 data in two scenarios: before and during quarantine, and pre- and post-lockdown. This initial analysis provided a broad understanding of potential changes in air quality. Notably, a low reduction of 2.40% in PM2.5 was recorded when compared to air quality prior to the lockdown period. This finding highlights the wide range of factors that impact the levels of particulate matter in urban settings, with the transportation sector often being widely recognized as one of the principal causes of this issue. Nevertheless, throughout the period after the quarantine, a remarkable decrease in air quality was observed characterized by distinct seasonal patterns, in contrast to previous years. This finding demonstrates a significant correlation between changes in human mobility patterns and their influence on the air quality of urban areas. It also emphasizes the need to use air pollution modeling as a fundamental tool to evaluate and understand these linkages to support long-term plans for reducing air pollution. To obtain a more quantitative understanding, we then employed cutting-edge machine learning methods, such as random forest and long short-term memory algorithms, to accurately determine the effect of the lockdown on PM2.5 levels. Our models' results demonstrated remarkable efficacy in assessing the pollutant concentration in Mashhad during lockdown measures. The test set yielded an R-squared value of 0.82 for the long short-term memory network model, whereas the random forest model showed a calculated cross-validation R-squared of 0.78. The required computational cost for training the LSTM and the RF models across all data was 25min and 3s, respectively. In summary, through the integration of statistical methods and machine learning, this research attempts to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of human interventions on air quality dynamics.

Review Article] Drug Use Disorder and Coping Mechanisms Due to COVID-19 Lockdown Measures: A Cross-Sectional Survey

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic presented numerous obstacles to people of different health status and capabilities. There is scarcity of information on the coping mechanisms for people with substance use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic in Arab nations. This study aimed to identify behavioural mechanisms and factors associated with how the COVID-19 pandemic measures imposed among people with substance use disorders in Oman. METHODS: Survey data on demographic and behavioural factors from 61 respondents with substance use disorder receiving treatment at a specialised hospital. Changes in behaviour related to substance use due to the COVID-19 measures were investigated using demographic and modifiable factors. For the specific study evaluation, the variables studied included; age, family size, marital status, employment status, suicidal thoughts, and ways of substance abuse, family responsibilities, hospitalisation tendency, and change of behaviour. FINDINGS: All enrolled participants were male. On average, the participants were 16-48 years old (mean age 31.5 years, SD=6.82). The study findings show that the consumption of morphine as the main drug compared to others (OR = 0.03, _p_=0.003) resulted in a reduction in the odds of feeling increased effects of COVID-19 measures among individuals with substance use disorder. Furthermore, the increase in effects was significant among the participants who opted to be hospitalised to reduce drug use (OR=9.97, _p_=0.017) and those who took overdoses (OR=8.17, _p_=0.008). CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate that due to the measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic measures, individuals with drug use disorders switched to different types of drugs, such as morphine, to reduce the effects due to the measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, people with drug use disorders who took overdoses and those hospitalised were more associated with increased effects of measures implemented at the time. The implication of our findings is that outreach and community-based services should be made more accessible for people with drug use disorders, since this could relieve effects due to measures usually implemented to curb pandemics.

Life-event-induced changes in daily routines: Their association with the manifestation of dysphoric emotions

Life events are usually followed by significant changes in the everyday routines of the affected individuals. In this study, we investigated the association of the changes in daily activities caused by the strict COVID-19 lockdown measures adopted in Greece to people’s psycho-emotional adjustment. A new measure, the everyday life change index (ELCI), was administered to 853 adults, while their psychological distress was measured with the depression-anxiety-stress scale (DASS-21). Results showed that the greater the changes a person experienced in their daily life due to lockdown, the higher the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress they manifested. We suggest that life-event-induced changes in routine activities could be a meaningful measure for clinical practice.