Threat Of COVID-19 Research Articles

Predictors of preventative behavior in the restaurant industry: learning from the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT This study used a structural model to analyze the health beliefs and prevention expectations of consumers in order to better understand their health risk behavior and their experience with restaurant precautionary measures. The findings indicated the perceived severity of COVID-19 during the pandemic led to a significant increase in the consumers’ preventative behaviors. Likewise, the customers’ perceived severity of the COVID-19 threat enhanced their concerns about the safety of restaurant service. Based on the moderating effect, we found that lower trust in restaurant precautionary measures weakened the otherwise positive relationship between the consumers’ perceived severity of the COVID-19 threat and their preventative behavior. Recommendations can help the restaurant prepare for future public health concerns.

Digital Contact Tracing Implementation Among Leaders and Health Care Workers in a Pediatric Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Interview Study.

Health systems had to rapidly implement infection control strategies to sustain their workforces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various outbreak response tools, such as digital contact tracing (DCT), have been developed to monitor exposures and symptoms of health care workers (HCWs). Limited research evidence exists on the experiences with these technologies and the impacts of DCT innovations from the perspective of stakeholders in health care environments. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the adoption of DCT, highlight variations in perspectives across 3 key stakeholder groups concerning the impact of DCT, and provide benchmarking evidence for future pandemic preparedness. Guided by the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, we conducted an exploratory qualitative study to investigate the implementation and impact of DCT at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario between December 2022 and April 2023. We conducted 21 semistructured interviews with key stakeholders, including health care administrators (6/21, 29%), occupational health and safety specialists (8/21, 38%), and HCWs (7/21, 33%). Stakeholders were asked about the factors influencing engagement with the DCT tool, organizational-level uptake, the implementation process, long-term use and sustainability of DCT, and unintended consequences. Verbatim transcripts were subject to thematic analysis using NVivo (QSR International). The implementation of DCT was viable and well received. End users indicated that their engagement with the DCT tool was facilitated by its perceived ease of use and the ability to gain awareness of probable COVID-19 exposures; however, risk assessment consequences and access concerns were reported as barriers (reach). Participants commonly agreed that the DCT technology had a positive influence on the hospital's capacity to meet the demands of COVID-19 (effectiveness). Implementors and occupational specialists referred to negative staffing impacts and the loss of nuanced information as unintended consequences (effectiveness). Safety-focused communication strategies and having a DCT tool that was human-centered were crucial factors driving staff adoption of the technology. Conversely, adoption was challenged by the misaligned delivery of the DCT tool with HCWs' standard practices, alongside the evolving perceived threat of COVID-19. Stakeholders collectively agreed on the viability of DCT and its applicability to infectious disease practices (maintenance). Hospital stakeholders were highly satisfied with DCT technology and it was perceived as feasible, efficient, and having a positive impact on organizational safety. Challenges related to the alignment and delivery of DCT, alongside the evolving perspectives on COVID-19, posed obstacles to continued adoption by HCWs. Our findings contribute to evidence-based practices and present benchmarks that can inform preparedness for future pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks and help other organizations implement similar technologies.

Exploring Challenges Influencing the Discontinued Utilisation of the Flipped Classroom Pedagogy: A Case of South Africa Underprivileged High School and Organic Chemistry

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated technological advancements in education. However, when the threat of COVID-19 subsided some schools discontinued the use of technology-enhanced flipped classroom. This study reports on challenges that could have influenced the discontinued utilisation of technology-mediated flipped classroom model that supported some of the underprivileged high schools of South Africa during the COVID-19 era. While acknowledging that the final decision on whether to discontinue rests with the teachers, learner challenges are equally important as they can contribute to the teachers’ decisions. Hence, this study, anchored by the TPACK framework and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, explored both learner and teacher challenges that influence discontinuation of the use of the flipped learning model. This entailed using semi-structured interviews of purposively selected teachers and learners (N=8) to close this gap in the literature on the use of flipped classroom in the post-COVID-19 era focusing on organic chemistry. Using deductive thematic analysis, the key challenges that could have contributed to the discontinuation of the use of this teaching model were identified as lack of access to Internet services, stable Wi-Fi and ability to navigate the online learning system, competence, motivation, effect of lack of support from the educational institutions and teacher overloading. These findings contribute to the literature on the continued use of this teaching model beyond emergencies such as COVID-19 by highlighting challenges that educational practitioners should be wary of. Additionally, the study has implications for the need to fast-track infrastructure and teacher professional development in underprivileged high schools.

On the Selection of Workplace in the COVID-19 Era Using Attitudinal Factors

After two years of living with the threat of COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada, pre-pandemic circumstances returned. During the pandemic, we relied on ICT-based tools to carry out our daily tasks, and now we have reached a tipping point. Should we keep our new routines to benefit us in the future? Or should we return to our routines before the pandemic? This study utilized a travel survey to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work activity-travel behavior and the persistence of new traditions in the post-pandemic era. The data for this study comes from a sample of 1,000 Greater Toronto Area residents who participated in a web-based survey in July, 2021, when Ontario began the third phase of reopening. This paper investigates work activity and workplace selection in more depth. Using factor analysis, a collection of latent attitudinal variables was identified. An integrated choice and latent variable model estimated the influential systematic and latent variables on the perceived workplace selection in the post-pandemic condition. The results showed that 71% of responders want to continue working from home at least once weekly after the pandemic. The preferred frequency of telecommuting in the post-pandemic period was positively correlated with education level, positive feelings about telecommuting experience, and certain occupation types, while negatively associated with age.

Tobacco consumption behavior change during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with perceived COVID threat

RationaleTobacco use is a risk factor for COVID-19 adverse outcomes. Despite health implications, data conflict regarding COVID-19 and tobacco consumption. We present results from a survey of health behaviors during the pandemic to identify how COVID-19 influenced tobacco behaviors.MethodsA nationally administered, internet-based survey was deployed between May–September 2020. Of respondents, we analyzed participants who reported current smoking and/or vaping. Our primary outcome of interest was change in tobacco or vape use using measures from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, as well as whether participants reported that these changes were related to COVID-19. Our principal exposures were previously psychometrically evaluated measures of anxiety, depression, and novel perceived COVID-19 threat scale with additional adjustment for age. We employed multinomial logistic regression to determine associations between these factors and tobacco consumption.ResultsWe identified 500 respondents who reported ever smoking in their lifetime, 150 of which reported currently smoking at the time of the survey. Of 220 participants who reported any use of vapes, 110 reported currently vaping. Increased perceived threat of COVID-19 was associated with both increased (aRRincrease 1.75, 95% CI [1.07–2.86], P = 0.03) and decreased (aRRdecrease 1.72 [1.04–2.85], P = 0.03) tobacco consumption relative to no change. There were no significant relationships found between perceived threat of COVID-19 and vaping behavior.ConclusionsAs perceived COVID-19 threat increased, people were more likely to increase or decrease their smoking as opposed to continue at the same amount of use, even after controlling for anxiety and depression, both of which are known to affect smoking in either direction. Further study into motivators of changing tobacco consumption behaviors, and how barriers to care from safer-at-home policies and changes in care delivery moderate change in tobacco use will aid planning tobacco reduction interventions during the ongoing and future respiratory viral pandemics.Trial registrationThis manuscript is derived from baseline survey data obtained in the “Understanding Community Considerations, Opinions, Values, Impacts, and Decisions in COVID-19” study. ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT04373135, registered 04/30/2020.

Impact of COVID-19 on psychological distress in subsequent stages of the pandemic: The role of received social support.

This longitudinal study examined a sample of adult Poles (N = 1245), who were interviewed three times from July 2021 to August 2022, during the later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study had two primary objectives. The first was to assess the impact of the pandemic on psychological distress, measured through symptoms of depression and anxiety. The pandemic's effects were evaluated using three predictors: direct exposure to COVID-19, COVID-19 related stressors, and perceived threats from COVID-19. The second objective was to investigate the role of received social support in coping with the pandemic's hardships. Receipt of social support was measured by both the quantity of help received and the perceived quality of that support. A Latent Growth Curve Model (LGCM) was employed to analyze psychological distress across three waves, controlling for sociodemographic variables, non-COVID life events, coping self-efficacy, and perceived social support. Findings indicated that COVID-19 stressors and COVID-19 threats were strongly and consistently associated with greater psychological distress throughout the study period. The impact of direct COVID-19 exposure was limited. The quantity of received support predicted higher distress, whereas higher quality of received support was linked to better mental health. Crucially, the relationship between the quantity of support and distress was moderated by the quality of support. Effective social support was associated with the lowest distress levels, regardless of the amount of help received. Conversely, receiving large amounts of low-quality support was detrimental to psychological health. In summary, the ongoing psychosocial challenges of COVID-19 significantly eroded mental health, highlighting the importance of support quality over quantity in coping with significant life adversities.

Marketing Strategy Development in Entrepreneurship in the Creative Economy Sector, Tourism Sub Sector

To overcome the challenges in the tourism sector during the COVID-19 pandemic and restore the national economy, a strategy is needed to be able to survive and recover. One strategy that can be done is to innovate in marketing, find new markets, and guarantee security from the threat of COVID-19. This will make tourists interested in visiting and continue to comply with health protocols so as not to be exposed to COVID-19. In addition, it is hoped that tourism in Indonesia can recover after experiencing a downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aims to analyze marketing strategy development in entrepreneurship in the creative economy sector, tourism sub sector. This type of research uses qualitative research. The object of the research is the creative economy sector, tourism sub sector in Indonesia. Data collection for research purposes uses secondary data. Data analysis in this study uses qualitative data analysis. The results of the study indicate that the preparation of marketing strategies in entrepreneurship in the creative economy sector, tourism sub sector aims to obtain, maintain, and increase tourist visits. The strategy consists of environmental analysis, marketing research analysis, and positioning analysis.

Factors Driving Sustainability of Food and Beverage Industries

This study has two objectives, namely compiling and analyzing vulnerability indexes of business unit, and analyzing key success variables for food and beverage industries after the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis tool used in this study is business vulnerability analysis. The vulnerability analysis is derived from the vulnerability index to the COVID-19 threat, which is collected from all aspect indicator values of MSMEs' vulnerability to the COVID-19 theeat. These values consist of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The results of the study explain that food and beverage MSMEs are categorized into medium vulnerability to the threat of COVID-19, where sensitivity is the highest influence aspect as a determinant of the vulnerability level. Due in part to the high number of MSMEs that are sensitive to the threat of COVID-19 and lack the ability to adjust, there may have been a fall in sales and bankruptcy of food and beverage MSMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exploring the Views of Barbers and Stylists on the Acceptability of Delivering Community-Based Interventions to Promote COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination in South Carolina.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for effective community-based interventions to promote disease prevention and reach high-risk, underserved communities. Trusted community leaders like barbers and stylists may serve as effective conduits for intervention implementation. This study aimed to explore the perceived acceptability of an intervention to promote COVID-19 testing and vaccination delivered by barbers in South Carolina. We conducted exploratory in-depth interviews to ascertain barbers' and stylists' perceptions and identify potential barriers and facilitators. Data analysis used a deductive coding approach to identify themes and was guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Sixteen participants were interviewed. Participants expressed positive reactions towards the interventions. Acceptability was influenced by strong trust relationships with clients, perceived community influence, self-efficacy in providing the intervention, and a shared sense of responsibility for community health. However, potential barriers included declining public concern about COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy, and limited COVID-19 knowledge among barbers and stylists. Participants emphasized the need for training and incentives for effective and sustained intervention delivery. Barbers and stylists are well-positioned to promote COVID-19 testing and vaccination due to their trusted roles and community influence. Given the complacency from the waning perceived COVID-19 threat and the historical mistrust in health interventions, vaccine hesitancy must be addressed through supportive communication strategies.

Quantifying wildland fire resources deployed during the compound threat of COVID-19

Fire agencies across the United States must make complex resource allocation decisions to manage wildfires using a national network of shared firefighting resources. Firefighters play a critical role in suppressing fires and protecting vulnerable communities. However, they are exposed to health and safety risks associated with fire, smoke inhalation, and infectious disease transmission. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated these risks, prompting fire agencies to propose resource management adaptations to minimize COVID-19 exposure and transmission. It is unclear if and how the pandemic may have operationally influenced wildland firefighting personnel resource use given compounding wildfire and COVID-19 risks. Therefore, we developed generalized linear mixed models that were fit using multiple integrated datasets to detect changes in personnel resource use for years prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, while controlling for historical fire and landscape conditions, societal risks, and management objectives. Analyses of observed and predicted firefighting resource use revealed reductions in the mean personnel resources used per wildfire per day during the pandemic for models developed across the western U.S. and for various western U.S. fire regions. Notably, the Northern California and the Great Basin Coordination Centers showed statistically significant reductions in ground personnel use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learning from wildland fire management strategies and resource use trends that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, fire agencies can better anticipate resource constraints that may arise during the compounding threats of severe wildland fire activity and infectious disease outbreaks to proactively prepare and adapt suppression management strategies.

Insights from a community-based survey on factors influencing acceptance and uptake of Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) as a COVID-19 antiviral medication in Singapore

IntroductionAntiviral treatment can reduce the burden of COVID-19. But utilisation can be suboptimal, even in a setting like Singapore where it is fully subsidized for those with selected medical conditions and older adults (≥ 50 years). We hence investigated the factors affecting awareness, acceptance, and initiative to request Paxlovid.MethodsWe assessed the Paxlovid awareness, factors impacting its uptake in a survey conducted from August 2022 to September 2022 through the SOCRATES cohort. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate associations between sociodemographics, perceptions, and attitudes with the key study outcomes.ResultsAmong respondents to the Paxlovid survey, 54% were aware of Paxlovid. On being provided essential details about Paxlovid, 75% reported they would likely be receptive to taking it if prescribed, and 38% indicated the initiative to request for it if it was not suggested by their doctors. Factors associated with awareness of Paxlovid include aged 40 years old and above, higher education, citing websites as an information source, greater trust in healthcare providers (aOR: 1.65, 95% CI 1.26 – 2.15) and government communications (aOR: 0.69, 95% CI 0.55 – 0.86), and higher perceived risk of COVID-19 infection (aOR: 1.25, 95% CI 1.10 – 1.42). Factors associated with acceptance to take Paxlovid include male gender, citing trust in healthcare providers (aOR: 1.49, 95% CI 1.11 – 1.99) and government communications (aOR: 1.38, 95% CI 1.09 – 1.76), and higher perceived severity of COVID-19 (aOR: 1.23, 95% CI 1.07 – 1.42). Factors associated with initiative to request Paxlovid include male gender, having pre-existing diabetes and higher perceived severity of COVID-19 (aOR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.09 – 1.40). The most common reasons for why respondents might not take Paxlovid were concerns about side effects (64%), concerns about costs (29%), and the perception that COVID-19 is a mild (25%).ConclusionThe majority of our respondents would take Paxlovid if it was prescribed to them, but a much smaller proportion would have the initiative to request for this. Key factors that may influence uptake are COVID-19 threat perceptions, trust in healthcare and government, and perceptions of the drug’s side effects and cost.

Nanoplatform Based Intranasal Vaccines: Current Progress and Clinical Challenges.

Multiple vaccine platforms have been employed to develop the nasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in preclinical studies, and the dominating pipelines are viral vectored as protein-based vaccines. Among them, several viral vectored-based vaccines have entered clinical development. Nevertheless, some unsatisfactory results were reported in these clinical studies. In the face of such urgent situations, it is imperative to rapidly develop the next-generation intranasal COVID-19 vaccine utilizing other technologies. Nanobased intranasal vaccines have emerged as an approach against respiratory infectious diseases. Harnessing the power of nanotechnology, these vaccines offer a noninvasive yet potent defense against pathogens, including the threat of COVID-19. The improvements made in vaccine mucosal delivery technologies based on nanoparticles, such as lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles etc., not only provide stability and controlled release but also enhance mucosal adhesion, effectively overcoming the limitations of conventional vaccines. Hence, in this review, we overview the evaluation of intranasal vaccine and highlight the current barriers. Next, the modern delivery systems based on nanoplatforms are summarized. The challenges in clinical application of nanoplatform based intranasal vaccine are finally discussed.

One year of COVID-19: A longitudinal study of individual and relational factors of psychological adjustment of individuals living in a romantic relationship in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This longitudinal study explored the impact of COVID-19 on individuals in romantic relationships. The sample spans three waves: first confinement (n = 52), deconfinement (n = 49), and second confinement (n = 26). The study tested sociodemographic factors, psychological adjustment (anxiety, depression, stress, well-being), COVID-19 threat perception, dyadic coping, and relationship quality. Results from repeated measures ANOVA and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) models revealed a decline in anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, coupled with improved relationship quality over time. Well-being and dyadic coping remained stable, while COVID-19 threat perception increased. QCA models emphasized the predictive power of initial mental states (anxiety, depression, stress, and well-being at W1) on subsequent adjustment. Notably, shorter relationship duration, healthcare worker status, and not having children, when combined with prior mental states, explained increased symptoms and diminished well-being. The study underscores the significance of addressing these factors in individuals navigating romantic relationships during the pandemic.

Modelling associations between mortality salience, environmental concerns, and climate change risk perception in the context of the pandemic

The pandemic and climate change are mortality salience triggers. Environmental issues, attitudes, and climate change risk perceptions were hypothesised to impact how individuals perceived the threat of COVID-19 and climate change during the pandemic. The study explored: 1.) the associations between seeing a link between COVID-19 and climate change and environmental concerns; 2.) the associations between mortality salience and environmental concerns; 3.) the associations between feeling less worried during the pandemic and environmental concerns; and 4.) what these associations tell us about the relationship between mortality salience, the perceived link between COVID-19 and climate change, and feeling less worried during the pandemic. A sample of 665 respondents was achieved from an online survey in 2021. The results of the multiple regression analysis and structural equation modelling showed that environmental issues, attitudes and perceptions, time spent in nature, and climate change risk perception played a role in the extent to which individuals perceived COVID-19 as an indicator of climate change threats, whether mortality salience was made conscious, and whether there was distancing of concern about climate change and social issues during the pandemic. The study makes an important contribution to understanding psychological processes that are activated during disasters that trigger mortality salience, and how this is impacted by the human-nature nexus, and climate change risk perception.

“God is my vaccine”: the role of religion, conspiracy beliefs, and threat perception in relation to COVID-19 vaccination

AbstractReligious and conspiracy beliefs are based on the assumption that a potent force exists which is capable of affecting people’s destinies. According to compensatory control theory, the belief in such a potent external agent may serve to alleviate feelings of uncertainty and help restore a sense of control. This is of particular relevance and importance to attitudes and behaviour of religious individuals towards vaccinations during the Covid-19 pandemic, where a belief in such a potent external force controlling events and destinies may have lowered the sense of threat posed by Covid-19 and in turn reduced vaccination uptake. To test this, we conducted a cross-sectional study of highly religious adults in Poland (N = 213) and found that the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses taken was negatively predicted by conspiracy beliefs, perceived closeness to God, and frequency of church attendance, and positively predicted by the perceived COVID-19 threat. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that both conspiracy beliefs and perceived closeness to God were related to a decreased perception of the COVID-19 threat, which in turn led to a decreased number of vaccine doses received. Our study offers important insights for public health professionals and identifies further research pathways on conspiracy and religious beliefs in relation to health-related behaviours.

Influences on COVID-19 vaccine Decision-Making: A Qualitative Study With Urban Indigenous and Rural Adults.

Despite the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, public hesitancy about receiving vaccination remains strong among disproportionately affected populations in the United States. To design more locally and culturally appropriate strategies, research is needed to explore the qualitative characteristics of vaccine hesitancy in these populations. Thus, we conducted in-depth interviews with 19 Indigenous and 20 rural participants and utilized a grounded theory approach to identify factors associated with their COVID-19 vaccine decision making. Wariness regarding safety of vaccines, resignation over the quality of available health care, and a historical mistrust of government-led interventions influenced vaccine rejection for indigenous participants. Rural participants remained divided on the perceived threat and consequences of COVID-19 and the efficacy and safety of the vaccines. The influence of friends and family members impacted vaccine hesitancy, as did discussions with healthcare providers when discussions were perceived to be respectful, sensitive, and non-judgmental.

The space between us: The effect of perceived threat on discomfort distance and perceived pleasantness of interpersonal vicarious touch

The space we keep between ourselves and others allows us either to engage in close shared experiences or to distance ourselves for safety. Focusing primarily on the latter, previous studies have identified a link between interpersonal boundaries and perceived threat, perceptual discrimination including pain perception as well as how we move and behave as a result. Although interpersonal distancing has been studied in a range of contexts, a mechanistic way of how such spatial behaviour might alter how we perceive affective touch has yet to be investigated. Here we probe the effect of perceived threat of COVID-19 on interpersonal boundary preferences and perceived pleasantness of vicarious affective touch. Our results demonstrate that increased perceived threat from COVID-19 is associated with larger boundaries of discomfort distance. Moreover, we show a positive association between perceived threat and pleasantness of vicarious touch coming from a member of the household, but no association with outsider touch. Importantly, rather than focusing on the purely “positive” and prosocial functions of affective touch, these results bolster a novel perspective that socially-relevant cues guide both approach and avoidance behaviours.

Developing an SEIHR epidemiological model featuring saturated incidence rate and investigating its stability

Each and every person will inevitably come into contact with infectious diseases over their lifetime. This unavoidable phenomena is a characteristic of all people. Ideally, the effects of such diseases are still controllable, but under unfavourable circumstances, they may worsen and become full-fledged outbreaks. As a result, this article tries to offer an SEIHR model whose main goal is to reduce and stop the transmission of infectious diseases. Notably, infectious diseases continue to plague many countries, represented by the global threat of Covid-19, underlining the urgent need for efficient control methods. This model stands out because it carefully takes into account the saturated incidence rate of infectivity. The concept also divides the infected population into two different groups, enabling more focused and customized medical interventions. The article begins by closely examining the positivity and boundedness of the model, then conducts a thorough analysis of the fundamental reproductive number. The model's stability is then categorically proven at both equilibrium points. In summary, the article concludes with convincing numerical simulations that validate the suggested model, providing convincing evidence of its effectiveness as a whole. In conclusion, the suggested SEIHR model, which is supported by a wealth of empirical evidence confirming its efficacy and optimality, represents a significant advancement in the management and containment of infectious diseases. It offers a promising route for addressing the enduring threat of infectious diseases on a global scale, and its unique form and extensive analysis highlight its potential to alter our approach to infectious disease control.

Depressive symptoms and its multifaceted associated factors among young men who have sex with men facing the dual threats of COVID-19 and mpox in China

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of human beings since 2020, especially the young people and the pre-existing marginalized groups such as men who have sex with men (MSM). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the multi-country outbreak of mpox in 2022 additionally posed a significant stress on the most-affected communities (i.e., MSM). This study investigated the level of depressive symptoms and its multifaceted associated factors among Chinese young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in this unique period. MethodsIn September 2022, a large-scale cross-sectional survey was conducted among YMSM aged 18–29 years across six representative provinces in China. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to test the various types of associated factors of depressive symptoms. ResultsAmong the 2493 participants, 65.6 % (n = 1638) reported mild to severe depressive symptoms. The hierarchical regression analysis identified that depressive symptoms was significantly positively associated with unemployment, having substance use in the past 6 months, a higher level of MSM self-stigma, incompletion of COVID-19 vaccination, greater mpox risk perception, and presence of mpox related-like symptoms. LimitationsThis study used the facility-based sampling method to recruit the participants, which may lead to selection bias. ConclusionsChinese YMSM faced significant mental health challenges during the concurrent epidemics of COVID-19 and mpox, which was associated with their socio-economic status, risk behaviors, stigma, and multiple diseases-related variables. Proactive measures may hold promise as effective strategies for mitigating mental distress among marginalized groups during public health crises.

Community Behavior and Outreach Communication in Covid-19 Pandemic

Objectives: This study aims to examine the approach and development of extension communication in accelerating community behavior in breaking the chain of Covid-19. The main focus in this research is the lack of implementation of counseling communication in people's behavior amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Extension communication as an approach is an effort to increase motivation, awareness, and empowerment of the quality of human resources (people centered development). Methods: This study used a qualitative research approach to analyze in depth the content of sources of information regarding counseling activities and community behavior in the transmission of Covid-19. The primary data collected was obtained through observation and in-depth interviews (depht interviews) with 106 informants in 90 villages in 18 districts/cities of South Sulawesi. Meanwhile, secondary data was obtained by searching documents at the Covid-19 service post in South Sulawesi Province. Results: This research study shows that people's behavior in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic can be known from their knowledge about Covid-19. Some are still unfamiliar with the dangers and threats of Covid-19 and are very worried about this situation. Many have experienced termination of employment (PHK) and find it difficult to make a living economically as well as the many horrendous news about the disease so that they are afraid to go anywhere and their work automatically stops Conclusions: Community behavior is disciplined in maintaining cleanliness and health during the Covid-19 pandemic, but they are still worried and anxious and lack interaction during the Covid-19 pandemic. Government education and motivation through counseling communications to the community to change behavior is well respected by the community.