COVID-19 Quarantine Research Articles

Physiological evidence of stress reduction during a summer Antarctic expedition with a significant influence of previous experience and vigor

Antarctica provides a unique environment for studying human adaptability, characterized by controlled conditions, limited sensory stimulation, and significant challenges in logistics and communication. This longitudinal study investigates the relationship between stress indicators, with a specific focus on mean sleep heart rate, during a COVID-19 quarantine and subsequent 83 days long summer Antarctic expedition at the J. G. Mendel Czech Antarctic Station. Our novel approach includes daily recordings of sleep heart rate and weekly assessments of emotions, stress, and sleep quality. Associations between variables were analyzed using the generalized least squares method, providing unique insights into nuances of adaptation. The results support previous findings by providing empirical evidence on the stress reducing effect of Antarctic summer expedition and highlight the importance of previous experience and positive emotions, with the novel contribution of utilizing physiological data in addition to psychological measures. High-frequency sampling and combination of psychological and physiological data addresses a crucial gap in the research of stress. This study contributes valuable knowledge to the field of psychophysiology and has implications for expedition planners, research organizations, teams in action settings, pandemic prevention protocols, global crises, and long-duration spaceflight missions. Comprehensive insights promote the well-being and success of individuals in extreme conditions.

Agile in crisis: unveiling perceptions and advantages of agile management in organizations in times of COVID-19 pandemic

In March 2020, the WHO (World Health Organization) declared that the world is experiencing a pandemic of the new coronavirus, which means that an epidemic that used to be localized only in a specific location has spread to several countries and continents, exacerbating the scenario of changes and uncertainties in the business environment. Moreover, with the exponential advancement of technology and the dynamism of the market, companies need to adapt ever more quickly to changes and trends to remain innovative and competitive and offer better experiences to consumers. In this context, this study sought to find out whether, during the pandemic, organizations have used agile project management to adapt to the rapid changes in market demands caused by the COVID-19 quarantine. To this end, an exploratory survey was used to gather information and perceptions from professionals working in companies during the pandemic. The study concluded that companies that had been using agile project management for less than a year, or that started using it during the quarantine, performed well, but were at a competitive disadvantage compared to companies that had been using agile methodologies for a longer period of time. It is recommended that companies that are having to overcome challenges adopt agile project management, ensuring better customer satisfaction, greater competitiveness and more efficient internal processes. As limitations of the research, firstly, due to lack of time, the survey had fifty responses and could have been more exhaustive, with a statistical sample. To overcome these limitations, it is proposed to carry out new surveys after the quarantine period, in order to be able to analyze the data statistically.

When contexts collapse: How ubiquitous video cameras in the home during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns transformed family representation

Utilising interviews from a range of caregivers and teachers alongside textual analysis of circulating and non-circulating videos made by children during the COVID-19 quarantine, this article examines the collaborative, experimental models of media making that emerged at this unique time. Children’s media-making practices during quarantine provided a window into and between personal dwelling spaces and private details, disrupting conventions of family self-representation while forcing a confrontation with the capitalist imperative to separate work and private life and for parents to produce, share, and monetize personal media content. This transformation in home mode media is bound up in making visible the incommensurability of home life and office labour, and the insistence of care (for each other) over careful production (of family and professional images).

Assessment of the Mental, Social, and Educational Impact of the COVID-19 Quarantine and Predictors: A Survey-Based- Study from Saudi Parents

Assessment of the Mental, Social, and Educational Impact of the COVID-19 Quarantine and Predictors: A Survey-Based- Study from Saudi Parents

Optimization of medical care in regional health care: perspectives and barriers

The perspectives of Russian health care in the transition to personalized medicine are realized in the formation of an innovative digital health care system. Forming with the use of digital technologies the accessibility of health care provides enormous social advantages in regional conditions and assumes a qualitatively new level of regional health care system.
 The problems of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring isolation, quarantine and social distancing and characterized by the formation of trends of social “atomization”, accelerated the dependence on digital health care, and served as a “catalyst for the development and implementation of a wide range of remote monitoring technologies in health care delivery”. However, the digitalization process is “objectively slow” in Russia. The research establishes a high differentiation of digitalization of regional health care systems in the Russian Federation.
 The implementation in regional health care of digital technologies, which have a high potential for improving the efficiency of the health care system, is limited by institutional barriers.
 The article presents a typology of institutional barriers to the digitalization of the regional health care system: on federal level [legal barriers, organizational and managerial (logistical) and technological barriers], regional level (financial barriers), level of medical organizations and users (medical staff and patients) [behavioral barriers, organizational and managerial (logistic) and technological barriers].
 Modern health care is experiencing large-scale digital technology inclusion, which can radically change the health care system by determining the accessibility and quality of medical care. However, the provision of cost-effective and quality health care initiated by the regional health care digitalization process is limited by institutional barriers at the federal, regional, medical organization and user levels.

Impact of Social Isolation Produced by Covid-19 on Eating Habits and Emotional States in Perú

COVID-19 pandemic changed our life. Though isolation and confinement help to reduce the spread of disease, remaining isolated for long periods brings negative consequences on mental health. This study describes the impact on dietary habits and emotional states of Peruvian population produced during COVID-19 quarantine. A nationwide survey containing multiple choice questions related to the types of diets and social states of Peruvian citizens was carried out. It was found that consumption of food like beans and legumes increased, while seafood and sauces decreased. Additionally, using emojis allowed those surveyed to easily and intuitively express their emotional state on delivery services and their feelings when eating foods. The most commonly used emojis were: crazy or fun face, face which enjoys food, and face with protective mask. Also, people reported not eating in excess and feeling happy about the recuperation of the environment, however, still worried about the increase in prices. Concurrently, the use of electronic devices, fear of losing one’s job, and fear of contracting the virus increased by 76%, 51%, and 54%, respectively. Moreover, 56% of the population saw a lower rate of physical activity as a consequence of stress and emotional issues.
 
 Received: 08 August 2023 / Accepted: 14 December 2023 / Published: 5 January 2024

Physical Activity in Patients with Neuromuscular Disease Three Years after COVID-19, a Longitudinal Survey: The After-Effects of the Quarantine and the Benefits of a Return to a Healthier Life-Style.

Quarantine was one of the strategies adopted by governments against the spread of COVID-19. This restriction has caused an increase in sedentary behaviors and a decrease in the practice of physical activity (PA), with a consequent negative impact on lifestyle both in healthy people and in those who need constant practice of PA to combat diseases, such as patients suffering from neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). Hence, this study aimed to compare PA levels among patients with NMD during and after quarantine. An adapted version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form and the Short-Form Health Survey were administered during COVID-19 quarantine (T0) and after 3 years (T1) to 91 Italian patients with NMDs. We found a significant increase in the total PA level at T1, with no significant changes in vigorous-intensity PA. Moreover, a significant decrease in the PA level was found among the patients with different NMDs. No significant changes in physical component scores and mental component scores were detected. Our results suggest that it would be necessary to provide alternative indoor exercise settings to prevent the adoption of sedentary behaviors.

The archaeological survey of remains from the 1982 Falklands war

ABSTRACT This paper provides an introduction and progress report on the first season of fieldwork carried out by the Falklands War Mapping Project. In March and April 2022, a team including two Scots Guards veterans travelled to the Falkland Islands and surveyed field fortifications and artefacts related to the Battle of Tumbledown (13–14 June 1982). The focus was on the western and southern flanks of the feature, with a notable series of Argentine dugouts recorded on the low ground at the southern base of the mountain. The first five days were spent in COVID-19 quarantine in Stanley, followed by eight days dedicated to the Tumbledown survey and site visits – a further three days were spent on Pebble Island by two of the project team. This project marks the first occasion on which the veterans of a battle have been engaged in the archaeological survey of their own battlefield.

Enhanced Parent-child Interaction and Language Development during COVID-19 Quarantine in Children with Cochlear Implants

Abstract Objectives: The study aimed to assess how the COVID-19 quarantine affected parent-child interaction (PCI) in children with cochlear implants (CI) and to investigate the role of parental knowledge in the early language development for these children. Methods: We conducted our survey primarily utilizing social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to recruit participants. A total of 40 parents took part in the study, with a majority being females (70%) under the age of 44 years. Most of the children with CIs (87.5%) were under the age of 10 years. Around 67.5% (n = 27) received bilateral implants, while 32.5% of children had unilateral CI The parents filled out a questionnaire which had five domains, and responses related to demographic information, PCI, and the child’s communication skills were recorded. Results: Our statistical analysis, using paired t-tests, revealed a significant and positive impact of the quarantine period on both PCI (P = 0.001, t = 6.50) and the communication skills of the children (P = 0.001, t = 3.77). A simple linear regression analysis indicated that parental knowledge did not significantly affect PCI (R 2 = 0.003; P = 0.73). PCI accounted for 14% of the variation in children’s communication skills (P = 0.01). Conclusions: In conclusion, our study sheds a light on the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the quality of PCI in children with CIs. The findings underscore the resilience and adaptability of both parents and children facing challenging circumstances. Notably, the increased quality and duration of time spent together allowed for enhanced PCI and subsequently led to improvements in the communication skills of the children.

THE EFFECTIVE USE OF VIRTUAL COMMUNICATION IN AN ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: INVESTIGATING TEACHERS’ ATTITUDES

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is considered to be an external factor that affects teachers’ attitudes toward online professional development. Therefore, this study investigates the use of virtual communication in an online professional development program through the lens of teachers’ attitudes toward technology. This study was conducted in 15 schools across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A teacher training program called The Ta’alouf Inclusion Special Education, one of the initiatives of the Al Jalila Foundation (AJL), aimed to train teachers, promote inclusion, and support children with special educational needs and disabilities. Participants (teachers, school leaders, learning support assistants, social workers, and department heads) received 24 hours of virtual training sessions on numerous topics related to inclusive education and special educational needs and disabilities. A concurrent mixed-method approach was utilized to collect quantitative data from participants using an online survey and qualitative data using interviews. The study results reveal that the quarantine of COVID-19 did not affect teachers’ continued professional development. On the contrary, teachers felt the ease of using technology and the usefulness of the topics mentioned, which formed their positive attitudes toward using technology and led to their engagement and continuation of developing professionally either during or after the pandemic.

Trabalhadoras essenciais abandonadas: psicodinâmica do trabalho e saúde mental de caixas de supermercado durante a pandemia de covid-19

Abstract Introduction supermarket cashiers were considered essential and worked during the COVID-19 quarantine, but were not prioritized for the vaccine despite extreme exposure. Objective to investigate the subjective experiences of cashiers during the covid-19 pandemic. Methods descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach. The subjects were cashiers of both sexes, from June to October 2021. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online to explore subjective aspects of the work. The recruitment took place in a Facebook group of the category. The comprehensive thematic analysis was based on the psychodynamics of work. Results supermarket cashier work is precarious. The pandemic caused fatigue, emotional exhaustion, sadness. Exposure to the public caused a perception of risk contamination, fear, intensification of preexisting tensions with customers and managers. The categorization of “essencial work” associated with not prioritizing vaccination mobilized anger, feelings of injustice, devaluation and helplessness. The lack of recognition accentuates suffering, leads to subjective demobilization, undermines identity and deteriorates mental health. Conclusions it is necessary to give the word, in a therapeutic context and in the collective public space, to people who work in supermarket cashier operations, enabling the politicization of the discourse.

COVID-19 contact tracing and quarantine policies in the Indo-Pacific Region: A mixed-methods study of experiences of public health professionals.

Contact tracing and quarantine are valuable public health tools to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and control the epidemic. Many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) adopted global contact tracing and quarantine guidelines but were unable to contextualise the guidance into policies and practices that were relevant to their setting. Therefore, we examine contact tracing policies and practices in the Indo-Pacific region and the need to design context-specific policies. We conducted a mixed-methods study, including a cross-sectional online survey followed by key-informant interviews (KIIs). Using convenience snowball sampling, we invited public health professionals primarily involved in COVID-19 pandemic response from the Indo-Pacific region. We undertook descriptive analyses using counts and percentages for survey data and framework analysis for qualitative data. Seventy-seven public health professionals participated in the survey, of whom ten also participated in the KIIs. The study identified significant gaps between policies and the local contexts. Factors that broaden the gaps were limited knowledge of the changing dynamics of COVID-19 transmission, poor leadership, and coordination, little or no formal training on contact tracing, poor understanding of the guideline recommendations, limited resources, community resistance and mistrust, social stigmatisation and fear of being ostracised, and discrimination. This study revealed substantial disparities between policies and local contexts, significantly influencing policy implementation at national, provincial, and district levels across the studied countries. To bridge these gaps, we advocate for national contact tracing and quarantine guidelines explicitly addressing the quarantine needs of specific demographics, including children, pregnant women, prisoners, and individuals affected by social exclusion issues. Furthermore, we propose strengthening contact tracing training programs, urging revised guidelines to account for social, cultural, and infrastructural nuances influencing contact tracing and quarantine implementation. We also recommend engaging local NGOs, faith-based organisations, and local administrations to reinforce community connections and strengthen contact tracing.

Fate of Returning People to Homeland under State Quarantine for COVID-19

Fate of Returning People to Homeland under State Quarantine for COVID-19

Vocal Self-Perception of Singers During COVID-19 Pandemic.

to compare the self-perception of vocal fatigue and use of singing voice during the COVID-19 pandemic between professional and amateur singers and to relate this self-perception with vocal use characteristics during this period. Participants were 121 singers divided into professional singers group (PSG) (12 men and 20 women) comprising singers who depended exclusively on singing as a profession and an amateur singers group (ASG) (37 men and 52 women) of singers who did not depend exclusively on singing for their livelihood. All answered online questionnaires through Google Forms ®. Sociodemographic and vocal characteristics were investigated before and during the pandemic; symptoms of vocal fatigue were assessed through the vocal fatigue index (VFI); and self-perception of use of singing voice through the evaluation of the ability to sing easily protocol for Brazil (EASE-Br). In the comparison between groups, the PSG presented higher scores of vocal fatigue in fatigue and vocal limitation (P=0.045), vocal restriction (P=0.002), and recovery with vocal rest (P=0.008) domains than did the ASG. There was no difference between the groups regarding the use of singing voice. Based on the relationship between self-perception and vocal use characteristics during the pandemic, it was observed that the presence of vocal complaint was the only factor associated with self-perception of fatigue symptomatology in both groups. Regarding the self-perception of the current status of the singing voice, singing time, the presence of vocal complaints, the need to increase visual concentration, and the perception of vocal worsening during the pandemic were considered predictive for amateur singers. For professional singers, vocal complaints and vocal training were predictors for self-perception of the current status of the singing voice. Professional singers presented with higher scores of vocal fatigue than did amateur singers. The symptomatology of vocal fatigue was associated with the presence of vocal complaints in both groups. However, self-perception of the current status of the singing voice was different between the groups and was associated with vocal training for professional singers and characteristics of vocal demand of singing voice during the pandemic period for amateur singers.

The impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the estimated quality of parent-child interactions in Saudi Arabia: Parental perspectives

The impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on the estimated quality of parent-child interactions in Saudi Arabia: Parental perspectives

The Impact of COVID-19 Quarantine on Lifestyle, Cognitive Function, Overweight, and Sleep Quality of Children and Adolescents

The Impact of COVID-19 Quarantine on Lifestyle, Cognitive Function, Overweight, and Sleep Quality of Children and Adolescents

Compliance with measures among actors and lessons learnt in the management of COVID-19 institutional quarantine in Uganda

IntroductionTo support COVID-19 containment measures, several countries implemented quarantine protocols. This study determined the level of compliance to COVID-19 quarantine measures, associated factors, and lessons learnt in institutional quarantine management in Uganda. MethodsThis concurrent mixed methods study involved a cross-sectional survey among individuals who were in institutional quarantine and interviews with key informants, who were reached mostly through phone calls. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariable analysis were conducted to analyse quantitative data while qualitative data were analysed thematically with the aid of Atlas ti 7. ResultsCompliance with quarantine measures at the individual level was moderate at 65.4 %. Factors associated with high compliance with measures were: older age (above 40 years) [APR = 1.30 (95 % CI: 1.04–1.63)], spending 14–15 days in quarantine [APR = 1.39 (95 % CI: 1.00–1.92)] and reporting a high Ministry of Health compliance [APR = 1.33 (CI: 1.11–1.58)]. The positive factors included the availability of guidelines, inspection of facilities and training of personnel. The challenges were related to long turnaround time for results and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE). ConclusionEfforts to improve training, supervision and inspection of facilities, and provision of adequate PPE would improve compliance with quarantine measures.

The Relationship Between Self-Reported Sleep Quality and Psychological Health in Undergraduates During the Home Quarantine of COVID-19

The present study aimed to investigate self-reported sleep quality and psychological well-being, specifically anxiety, depression and stress, in undergraduate students during home quarantine. A total of 7,364 students participated and completed the PSQI and DASS-21 scales. The results showed that higher-grade students were more likely to have mental health problems compared to their lower-grade students. Additionally, male students reported better sleep quality than females, and high-grade students reported more sleep problems than low-grade students. Significant correlations were observed between PSQI scores and stress, anxiety and depression scores (r=0.469, 0.458, 0.408, p＜0.01). Specifically, the PSQI score explained 22.0%, 21.0% and 16.6% of the variance in stress, anxiety and depression scores respectively. In conclusion, gender and grade differences in sleep and mental health were evident, with female students reporting lower sleep quality than males, and high-grade students experiencing worse sleep quality and mental health than their low-grade students.

Comparing undergraduate research experiences before, during, and after the COVID-19 quarantine: The successful adaptation of the BUILD PODER Summer JumpStart program.

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many in person undergraduate research experiences (UREs) to pivot to remote online training. To investigate how the COVID-19 quarantine disrupted student URE outcomes over time, the current study examines Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) Promoting Opportunities for Diversity in Education and Research (PODER) URE outcomes across different platforms (in-person, remote, and hybrid models) by comparing student survey data from 2019 to 2021. Participants consisted of three cohorts: 2019 (n = 26 students), 2020 (n = 33), 2021 (n = 34). The BUILD PODER Summer JumpStart program (SJS), which aims to increase diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by recruiting mostly underrepresented students, was conducted in person in 2019, remotely in 2020 and using a hybrid model in 2021. All students completed an online survey on the first and last day of the four-week SJS program. We used one-way and mixed ANOVA models to analyze Cohort, Time (pre-test vs. post-test scores), and interaction of Cohort and Time for Research Self-Efficacy, Sense of Belonging, Mentor Relationship, Mentee Knowledge, Health, Stress, and Student Program Satisfaction measures. Despite the platform changes, student scores increased significantly over time for all measures. There was a significant main effect of Time for Research Self-Efficacy, Sense of Belonging, Mentor Relationship, Mentee Knowledge, Health Assessment, and Stress Management. Findings indicate that URE programs that are implemented remotely and using a hybrid format can provide students with experiences similar to in-person URE programs. In addition, remote UREs may provide added benefits compared to in-person programs. For instance, remote UREs could engage more historically minoritized students, who may experience barriers to access, such as work/family commitments, financial constraints, and geographic limitations.

Impact of COVID-19 quarantine measures on electricity consumption in the central-southern zone of Chile: A quasi-experimental study

This paper investigates the causal effect of COVID-19 quarantine measures on the electricity consumption of different types of regulated customers. In particular, the average energy consumption of a group of customers in Chile is examined, exploiting the weekly variations in the application of the stages of the Step by Step Plan as a natural experiment. Step by Step Plan was the Chile COVID containment strategy, which involved implementing partial lockdowns based on the COVID incidence in the municipalities, and adjusted on a weekly basis. An econometric model is specified, and estimated using the technique Difference-in-Difference-in-Difference (DDD) to quantify the causal impact of these measures. After applying the model, it is found that the quarantine measures have had a negative effect on the trend weekly consumption of customers located in municipalities where some of the phases of the Plan have been applied. This effect is significantly different depending on each stage of the plan analysis, and statistically significant. It is also observed that, on average, the savings for a representative customer in the sample range from $8 to $6.15 for some municipalities, and the sample costs range from $0.02 to $0.26 for others, depending on the municipality analyzed. The results can be expressed in a total of 2.95 tons less CO2 emitted on a monthly basis. This shows a great impact in terms of sustainability and planning of energy demand and supply.