Fear Of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Research Articles

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and dietary changes according to the fear of COVID-19 during the pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to the implementation of restrictions to reduce transmission worldwide. The restrictions and measures have affected the psychological health and eating habits. The objective of the present study was to evaluate dietary habits, lifestyle changes, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and fear of COVID-19 in Turkey during the pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey of socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle habits was used for data collection. The fear of COVID-19 levels of the participants was determined by the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S). The Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) was used to evaluate participants' adherence to the MD. The differences between the FCV-19S and MEDAS according to gender were compared. Eight hundred and twenty subjects (76⋅6 % women and 28⋅4 % men) were evaluated within the study. The mean of MEDAS (ranged between 0 and 12) was 6⋅4 ± 2⋅1, and almost half of the participants moderately adhered to the MD. The mean of FCV-19S (ranged between 7 and 33) was 16⋅8 ± 5⋅7, while women's FCV-19S and MEDAS were significantly higher than men's (P < 0⋅001). The consumption of sweetened cereals, grains, pasta, homemade bread and pastries of the respondents with high FCV-19S were higher than in those with low FCV-19S. High FCV-19S was also characterized by decreased take-away food and fast food consumption in approximately 40 % of the respondents (P < 0⋅01). Similarly, women's fast food and take-away food consumption decreased more than men's (P < 0⋅05). In conclusion, the respondents' food consumption and eating habits varied according to the fear of COVID-19.

Shaping North-African Public Health Decisions: A Latent Class Analysis of Social Media's Influence on Attitudes and Behaviors Towards COVID-19 Vaccines

Background: The global crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the crucial role of vaccines in public health. However, the success of vaccination campaigns is not solely determined by the availability of vaccines but also by public willingness to receive them. In North Africa, the variability in vaccine acceptance has raised concerns, drawing attention to the need for understanding the factors influencing public attitudes. Objectives: To identify the impact of the information consumption modalities related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its vaccines, on the vaccine uptake decision among social media users. Also, to study the relationships between vaccination attitudes, and latent subgroups, in terms of socio-demographic variables, fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress. Method: A total of 723 subjects (males: 48.8%; mean±standard deviation of age: 31±11 years), participated in our survey prepared online on the Google Forms application via the platforms Twitter and Facebook. Results: Five latent classes were identified by the analysis: Class 1 (mixed consumers), class 2 (largest consumers of social media), class 3 (consumers of official information), class 4 (low consumers of information on the vaccine), and class 5 (social media consumers and information verifiers). The subgroup that is knowledgeable about COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccines, and which consumes the most information about the vaccine from official sources, is the one with the highest vaccine acceptance rate. In addition, the hesitant attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine was linked to gender and mask wearing, while refusal behavior was linked to age, female gender, education level, mask wearing, and fear of COVID-19. Conclusion: This study's investigation into the impact of social media on public attitudes and behaviors towards COVID-19 vaccines in North Africa has significant implications for both public health strategy and policy. By identifying distinct latent classes based on social media usage patterns, the research reveals a complex landscape of factors influencing vaccine hesitancy in the region. The nuanced understanding derived from these findings is crucial for the development of more effective public health messaging, tailored to address the specific concerns and misinformation trends prevalent within each identified group. The insights gained from this study can guide policymakers in allocating resources more effectively, particularly in areas exhibiting higher levels of vaccine hesitancy.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 among Health-care Workers in Nepal: An Analytical Cross-sectional Study

Context: Many psychological problems including stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, frustration, denial, anger, and fear emerged during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Aims: This study was done to assess the prevalence and associated factors of depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, and fear experienced by health-care workers (HWs) during COVID-19 in Nepal. Settings and Design: This was web-based analytical cross-sectional study conducted among health-care workers from December 27, 2020, to February 28, 2021, all over Nepal. Subjects and Methods: All the HWs including doctors, nurses, and allied health-care professional from 7 provinces were selected using convenience sampling technique. Data collection was done using the validated questionnaires. Statistical Analysis Used: Univariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to find the association between the different variables. Statistical significance was set at P &lt; 0.05. Results: A total of 608 HWs completed the survey with a mean age of 30.82 ± 6.68. About 27% had symptoms of depression, 28% anxiety, 10% stress, 18% insomnia, and 49.8% fear of COVID-19. Resident doctors and health workers who had bachelor level of education and working experience &lt;2 years were significantly associated with higher odds of experiencing depression and anxiety. Health workers working 2–5 years and with more than 5 years' experience had significantly lower odds of experiencing fear. History of tobacco use or medical condition had significantly higher odds of experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, and fear. Conclusions: This study concluded that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and fear was found to be high. Resident doctors and health workers with bachelor level of education, working experience &lt;2 years, and history of medical condition were significantly associated with experiencing adverse mental health outcomes.

Effects of self-management education on COVID-19 prevention in patients undergoing hemodialysis

AimTo develop self-management education for preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients on hemodialysis and to verify its effects. BackgroundDuring the current pandemic, studies on various areas, such as infection control in dialysis units, infection rates, clinical characteristics, treatment progress, and the emotional and psychological states of dialysis patients, have been actively reported. However, experimental research verifying the effects of interventions on infection prevention in hemodialysis patients is very rare. MethodsThis study included 34 patients on hemodialysis in a South Korean general hospital (18 in the experimental group and 16 in the control group). Data were collected from September to October 2021. The experimental group was provided with self-care behavior for infection prevention education for 8 weeks, and the control group was provided with usual nursing care. ResultsThe patients on hemodialysis showed moderate fear of COVID-19, good compliance with patient role behavior and self-management efficacy, and poor handwashing practice. After the intervention, there were no significant differences concerning fear of COVID-19, compliance with patient role behavior, and self-management efficacy between the experimental and control groups. However, confidence in handwashing (subjective norm) and proper handwashing practice improved significantly in the experimental group compared with the control group. ConclusionThe infection prevention education developed in this study positively affected confidence in handwashing and proper handwashing practice in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This intervention can be used in various clinical settings where care is provided for patients with chronic illness, including those on hemodialysis.

Gebelerin Sosyodemografik Özellikleri Depresyon Anksiyete Stres Düzeyinin COVID-19 Korkusu ile İlişkisi: Tanımlayıcı Çalışma

Objective: This study was conducted to see the fear of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and depression, anxiety and stress with socio-demographic characteristics of pregnant women. Material and Methods: The descriptive study was conducted with 209 pregnant women who met the research criteria and applied to the pregnant service of a training and research hospital between July 01, 2021- September 15, 2021. The data of the study were collected with the 'Participant Information Form', 'COVID-19 Fear Scale', and 'Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale.' The analysis of the data was made in the SPSS-25 package program, and the level of significance was accepted as p<0.05. Results: Average age of pregnant women was 27.70±5.51, the mean week of gestation was 27.31±9.92, 37.8% were between 24-28 years old, 37.8% had less than their income, 22% had less than their income. It was determined that she graduated from secondary school. It was determined that there was a significant difference between the number of pregnancies, the number of children and the fear of COVID-19, the age and planned pregnancy and depression, and the income level and stress (p<0.05). A positive and significant correlation was found between the total score on the fear of coronavirus scale and the total anxiety scores in pregnant women (p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be said that the anxiety level of pregnant women increases as the fear of COVID-19 increases. In the face with the anxiety, it is recommended that the expectant mother receives nursing support.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health Among the General Population: A Narrative Review

The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has infected millions of people worldwide, resulting in a global burden for long-term care of sufferers. The impact of COVID-19 has affected the mental health of innumerable people. Emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all parts of our mental health, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Additionally, it affects how people respond to stress and make good decisions. For instance, depression raises the risk of a wide range of physical health issues, especially chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions worldwide, leaving a global burden for the long-term care of COVID-19 survivors. Therefore, it is imperative to study the shortterm (post-COVID) and long-term effects of COVID-19, specifically as the local and systemic pathophysiological outcomes of other coronavirus-related diseases (such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome - MERS and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 - SARS-CoV-2) have been well-documented. Mental health was evaluated using four psychological measurement scales to assess fear of COVID-19, depression, general anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. The worldwide social and economic upheaval has resulted in the worst recession since the Great Depression. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale can be used to evaluate the psychological impact and mental health status. The main themes include the biology of stress and the effect of infection on the brain. Adversity can cause anatomical and functional changes in the brain. Although cortisol, for example, can alter brain architecture, tolerable stress is mitigated by protective systems and interpersonal connections that promote adaptive coping. The risk of physical and mental illness, as well as cognitive decline, may increase due to toxic stress, which is often caused by prolonged activation. From a behavioural standpoint, it is essential to understand burnout, compassion fatigue, grief, and other psychological processes and strategies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has adversely affected the mental states of people. The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with significantly high levels of psychological distress that meet the threshold for clinical relevance. Mitigating the harmful effects of COVID-19 on mental health is an international public health priority

Challenges Faced in Biomedical Waste Management by Waste Handlers amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) saw an overhaul in the biomedical waste management (BMWM) practices. Waste handlers were at the brunt of these changes. If the challenges pertaining to BMWM at the ground level are better understood, more effective measures to overcome them can be formulated. Objectives: 1. To identify myths and concerns regarding BMWM in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. 2. To explore the challenges faced in BMWM amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 3.To explore opportunities and future perspectives of BMWM. Method: In-depth interviews were conducted among 17 purposively selected Class IV health care workers during August to November 2021 in a tertiary care institute in Mumbai. Data was reported using thematic analysis. Results: Three major themes - challenges and concerns faced by BMW handlers, enablers/ motivators, opportunities and future practices were generated from the transcripts. Various challenges faced by waste handlers were- difficulties in segregation and transport of BMW, exhaustion from PPE usage and fear of acquiring and spreading COVID-19 from work, stigma faced from public, and handling COVID-19 deaths. Support from family and colleagues, incentives and a positive change in public perception enabled them to work. Forming redressal committees, addressing job security concerns and timely provision of good quality equipment can improve hospital waste management measures in the future. Conclusion: It is of utmost importance to address challenges faced by waste handlers in BMWM. Onus should also be on periodic training in BMW

Proposed Cut-Off Score for the Japanese Version of the Fear of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Scale (FCV-19S): Evidence from a Large-Scale National Survey in Japan.

The Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Scale (FCV-19S) is a seven-item self-administered psychological scale for measuring the fear of this disease. The scale has been widely adapted and validated worldwide. This study aimed to propose a cut-off score for the validated Japanese version of the FCV-19S. We conducted a nationwide online survey and included 26,286 respondents in the analysis. Respondents answered questions on their sociodemographic characteristics, and using the FCV-19S and six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, we measured psychological distress and assessed whether the fear of COVID-19 interfered with their daily lives. A total score of ≥21 points was considered adequate to identify those with psychological distress or difficulties in daily living because of the fear of COVID-19. This cut-off score will contribute to mental health assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Combating COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: A Synthetic Public Segmentation Approach for Predicting Vaccine Acceptance.

Vaccine hesitancy impacts the ability to cope with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) effectively in the United States. It is important for health organizations to increase vaccine acceptance. Addressing this issue, this study aimed to predict citizens' acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine through a synthetic approach of public segmentation including cross-situational and situational variables. Controlling for demographics, we examined institutional trust, negative attitudes toward, and low levels of knowledge about vaccines (ie, lacuna public characteristics), and fear of COVID-19 during the pandemic. Our study provides a useful framework for public segmentation and contributes to risk and health campaigns by identifying significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. We conducted an online survey on October 10, 2020 (N = 499), and performed hierarchical regression analyses to predict citizens' COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. This study demonstrated that trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and federal government, vaccine attitude, problem recognition, constraint recognition, involvement recognition, and fear positively predicted COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. This study outlines a useful synthetic public segmentation framework and extends the concept of lacuna public to the pandemic context, helping to predict vaccine acceptance. Importantly, the findings could be useful in designing health campaign messages.

ANXIETY IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS AND ITS RELATED FACTORS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract The rate of infection and magnitude of the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has far exceeded the realm of what most people had previously experienced in their lives. There is an urgent need to ensure that strategies are in place to prevent and reduce anxiety in older adults. The present study aimed to assess anxiety in community-dwelling older adults and the related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. A community-based cross-sectional study was completed in July 2021. The Japanese version of the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory was used to screen for anxiety symptoms. Demographical data and data for the following five other factors were collected: loneliness, mental well-being, perceived social support, coping behaviors to COVID-19, and fear of COVID-19. The association between anxiety and potential predictors was analyzed using binomial logistic regression. A total of 385 participants aged 65 to 86 years were included in the present study. 17% developed anxiety symptoms. Factors associated with anxiety were age, living alone, loneliness, significant people support, fear of COVID-19, and health monitoring as a COVID-19 coping behavior. Older age, living alone, and significant people support were associated with lower anxiety, and loneliness, fear of COVID-19, and health monitoring as a COVID-19 behavior were associated with higher anxiety in community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings can help to develop effective measures for reducing anxiety and will support the development of a psychological intervention for tackling the mental health of community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fear of COVID-19 and social distancing on the health behavior of coronary heart disease patients

PurposeThis study aimed to provide basic data to improve the health behavior of patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease during pandemics such as that caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by identifying the fear of COVID-19 and the degree of social distancing behavior of coronary patients. MethodsIn this study, 162 patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease who received follow-up care at the cardiovascular center of Dong-A University Hospital in Busan were selected. The variables examined in this study included subjects' general characteristics and disease-related characteristics, fear of COVID 19, social distancing behavior, and health behavior. Data were collected from June 8–25, 2021, and data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS26.0 program. ResultsThe results showed that older participants, those who were religious, those with cohabitants, and those who showed better compliance with social distancing showed better health behavior practice. Factor with the greatest influence on the health behavior of patients with coronary artery disease was social distancing behavior (β = 0.299, p < .001). ConclusionAfter the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to develop a health care program to promote the health behavior of high-risk patients, including coronary artery disease, in preparation for the COVID-19 era. The younger the patient, the fewer health activities are undertaken when living alone, so appropriate education and support for these individuals should increase the rate of implementation of health activities for coronary artery disease.

Fear of COVID-19 and Anxiety in the Arabic Language Learners in Kuala Lumpur

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic contributed to distress and affected mental health in many sectors, including education, which triggered fear and anxiety among learners and educators. Therefore, this research aimed to perceive mental health issues such as fear, stress, and anxiety during the pandemic, especially among learners aged between 15 to 25 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The questionnaire consisted of seven questions related to the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). The respondents were invited to participate via social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Emails, and Facebook. The link to the Google form was given to them to allow them to join the survey. Three hundred twenty-four respondents from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, participated in this survey to show their anxiety levels during this pandemic. The findings showed that the level of fear of COVID-19 was high and significant by using SPSS version 26. It also constructed mental health issues among the learners, decreasing their performance in education. This research is applicable to distinguish and describe the fear of the COVID-19 pandemic, which influences learners’ mental health. The findings also revealed that fear and anxiety were high and affected students’ performance.

Differences between COVID-19-vaccinated and unvaccinated participants from Croatia

To compare Croatian participants vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and unvaccinated participants in terms of socio-demographic, personal, social, and COVID-19-related variables. From August till December 2021, 721 (465 vaccinated and 256 unvaccinated) participants completed an online survey about socio-demographic (age, sex income, education, marital status), personal (well-being indicators, personality measures and health), social (trust in experts, trust in government), and COVID-19-related characteristics (fear of COVID-19, history of COVID-19 infection). Differences between the groups were assessed with discriminant analysis. The variables that best discriminated between vaccinated and unvaccinated participants were higher trust in experts, no history of COVID-19 infection, older age, higher fear of COVID-19, and intellect. Conclusion The study points to the importance of trust in experts in the promotion of COVID-19 vaccine.

Quality of life in cancer patients during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic: A systematic review study

Background and aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused various psychosocial problems in many people worldwide. Patients with cancer are at higher risk of dying from COVID-19 because of their physical conditions. For this purpose, this research focused on reviewing studies on the quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients during the outbreak of COVID-19. Methods: In this study, several keywords, including cancer, quality of life, and COVID-19, in the abstract and title of articles published in 2020 (May) and 2022 (June) in reputable international scientific databases were searched in Google Scholar, ISI, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PubMed databases. The PRISMA checklist was used to review the quality of the articles. Results: Based on the reviewed studies, it was found that cancer patients had high levels of depression, anxiety, insomnia, stress, and death anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Home quarantine, fear of COVID-19, and limited access to a doctor and medication also reduced the QoL of cancer patients. Female gender, low income, old age, inappropriate lifestyle, lack of social support, low level of education, physical activity, marital status, and duration of illness were among the factors aggravating mental disorders in cancer. Conclusion: The findings indicated a decrease in the QoL in cancer patients. Given that it is unclear how long COVID-19 mutates as a pandemic, tele-mental health care is one of the solutions that can improve the QoL of cancer patients by providing timely services.

Physical activity and mental health in sports university students during the COVID-19 school confinement in Shanghai.

BackgroundIn 2022, Shanghai was seriously affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The government implemented citywide static management for 2 months, as well as all universities in Shanghai, which changed the normal learning and living style of sports students and led to a decline in physical activity level. As the physical activity has a strong correlation with mental health, this study aimed to investigate the current state of physical activity (PA) and mental health of the students in Shanghai University of Sport. It will try to reveal the correlation between PA and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, fear of COVID-19 and smartphone addiction.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sample of 400 students who came from six different majors in May 2022 at the Shanghai University of Sport. Respondents completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Chinese version of the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Chinese version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), the Chinese version of the COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV- 19S), and the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV). Demographics, PA, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, fear of COVID-19, and smartphone addiction were compared. A binary logistic regression model was used for the further analysis.ResultsA total of 376 college students were included in the final analysis. Binary logistics analysis showed that moderate physical activity (MPA) was negatively correlated with depression (OR = 0.95, 95%CI = 0.93–0.98), anxiety (OR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.95–0.99), fear of COVID 19(OR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.98–0.99)and smartphone addiction (OR = 0.94, 95%CI = 0.9–0.98) (all P < 0.05). Sedentary behavior was positively correlated with smartphone addiction (OR = 1.01, P < 0.01, 95%CI = 1.001–1.004).ConclusionThere was an association between the presence of MPA and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, fear of COVID-19, smartphone addiction, and sedentary behavior associated with smartphone addiction levels. Clarifying the causal relationship between PA and mental health will require further research.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in patients with Parkinson's disease.

BackgroundAs coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination campaign underway, little is known about the vaccination coverage and the underlying barriers of the vaccination campaign in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).ObjectiveTo investigate the vaccination status and reasons for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among PD patients.MethodsIn concordance with the CHERRIES guideline, a web-based, single-center survey was promoted to patients with PD via an online platform from April 2022 and May 2022. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors related to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.ResultsA total of 187 PD cases participated in this online survey (response rate of 23%). COVID-19 vaccination rate was 54.0%. Most participants had a fear of COVID-19 (77.5%) and trusted the efficacy (82.9%) and safety (66.8%) of COVID-19 vaccine. Trust in government (70.3%) and concerns about the impact of vaccine on their disease (67.4%) were the most common reasons for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy, respectively. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was independently associated with the history of flu vaccination (OR: 0.09, p < 0.05), trust in vaccine efficacy (OR: 0.15, p < 0.01), male gender (OR: 0.47, p < 0.05), disease duration of PD (OR: 1.08, p < 0.05), and geographic factor (living in Shanghai or not) (OR: 2.87, p < 0.01).ConclusionsThe COVID-19 vaccination rate remained low in PD patients, however, most individuals understood benefits of vaccination. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was affected by multiple factors such as geographic factor, history of flu vaccination, disease duration and trust in efficacy of vaccine. These findings could help government and public health authorities to overcome the barrier to COVID-19 vaccination and improve vaccine roll-out in PD patients.

The association between fear of COVID-19 and depression, anxiety, and psychosis among Lebanese chronic patients with schizophrenia: any moderating effect of spirituality?

To assess whether fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with depression, anxiety, and psychosis and to evaluate if these variables are correlated with the interaction between spirituality and fear of COVID-19. Between September and November 2020, this cross-sectional study enrolled 118 chronic schizophrenia patients. The interview with patients included Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Lebanese Anxiety Scale-10, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being-12. The results were analyzed by using linear regressions (Enter method), with anxiety, depression, total PANSS score, positive PANSS, negative PANSS, and general psychopathology PANSS subscales as dependent variables. Spirituality, fear of COVID-19, and the interaction of spirituality with fear of COVID-19 were independents variables. Fear of COVID-19 was positively correlated with increased total PANSS scores (Beta=0.90, P=0.030). Higher spirituality was significantly associated with lower anxiety (Beta=-0.14, P=0.009), lower depression (Beta=-0.21, P=0.001), lower total PANSS score (Beta=-0.90, P=0.004), lower negative PANSS score (Beta=-0.23, P=0.009), and lower general psychopathology PANSS score (Beta=-0.61, P=0.001). In patients with high fear of COVID-19, having low spirituality was significantly associated with higher anxiety, depression, and psychotic symptoms. This study suggests a positive correlation between fear of COVID-19 and higher psychosis among inpatients with schizophrenia. The interaction of spirituality with fear of COVID-19 was correlated with reduced anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

Protective and Risk Factors of Mental Health in Iranian Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review Study

Objectives With the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the world, including Iran, the need for its prevention and treatment became a national priority for the countries. Children, as one of the most vulnerable groups, are affected by this pandemic in various dimensions. This study aims to identify and categorize the protective and risk factors of mental health problems in Iranian children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This is a systematic review. A search was conducted in international and national databases for the related studies, and the results were reported based on the PRISMA diagram. The quantitative studies were assessed by Joanna Briggs Institute’s Critical Appraisal Checklist. Finally, 9 studies were selected for the review. Results Among the reviewed studies, only one study was conducted in the entire Iran; more than 44% were conducted in Tehran. The study populations of more than 77% of studies were the children selected from the general population. The protective factors of mental health problems (anxiety and fear of COVID-19) in children included: High level of self-differentiation, positive parent-child conflict resolution tactics, older age, parents’ increased time of staying at home, and high educational level of mothers. On the other hand, the risk factors of mental health problems (anxiety, fear of COVID-19, and aggression) in children were: COVID-19-related anxiety in mothers, anxiety/stress/depression in mothers, children’s awareness of COVID-19, infection or death of a relative due to COVID-19, employment of parents as a medical staff, parents’ intrusion and hyperarousal, being a single child, and hearing loss. Conclusion Compared to other countries, limited studies have addressed the social determinants of mental health problems (anxiety, fear of COVID-19, and aggression) of children in Iran during the pandemic. Identifying and addressing the factors that threaten, exacerbate, or enhance Iranian children’s mental health through interventions and social measures can lead to breaking the ineffective cycle of inequality and discrimination, promoting mental health, and reducing harm in the face of future pandemics.

Structural equation modeling of the effects of psychological distress and a fear of coronavirus disease 2019 on diabetes care in Japan: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to examine the effects of psychological distress and a fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on diabetes care in Japan. We used data from a 2020 nationwide Internet survey in Japan involving 28,000 respondents aged 15–79 years. The question items included psychological factors (Kessler psychological distress scale and fear of COVID-19), employment, trust in neighbors, informal caregiving, and history of diabetes care. After excluding respondents with comorbidities and those who had not visited the hospital, 625 patients with diabetes were analyzed. Statistical mediation was then examined through a path analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM). Discontinued diabetes care was independently associated with psychological distress (risk ratio = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [1.01–2.06]) and a fear of COVID-19 (1.41 [1.01–1.95]). The SEM results indicated that a fear of COVID-19, employment, trust in neighbors, and informal caregiving were indirectly associated with continued diabetes care via psychological distress. These findings suggest that a fear of COVID-19 may affect psychological distress and continued diabetes care among patients with diabetes in Japan, and that trust in neighbors and family caregiving may be related to the discontinuation of diabetes care. Therefore, because psychological factors and socioeconomic status may affect diabetes care, it is important to consider a fear of COVID-19 among patients with diabetes to maintain diabetes treatment.

Fear and anxiety of COVID-19 in dental patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey in Turkey.

The significant risk of cross-infection in dental practice has caused indecision among dental patients about whether to attend dental appointments. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant psychological impact on dental patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of and the associated factors for fear and anxiety among dental patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey consisting of 6 parts was conducted. The 6 parts were sociodemographic data, knowledge about COVID-19, information sources, the perception of COVID-19, the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCoV-19S), and the generalized anxiety disorder-7 scale (GAD-7). A total of 301 participants completed the survey. As many as 81% of the participants perceived COVID-19 as a serious disease, and 73% reported the fear of visiting their dental clinic due to the possibility of being infected with COVID-19. The participants' knowledge about COVID-19 was significantly correlated with gender, the educational status and the use of the Internet. There was a strong negative correlation between the participants' levels of knowledge and the FCoV-19S and GAD-7 scores. A significant positive correlation was observed between the FCoV-19S score and the GAD-7 score. In regression analysis, being female, perceiving COVID-19 as a serious disease, being afraid of going to the dentist, having a low knowledge score, and having a high GAD-7 score were the predictors of a high FCoV-19S score. This study determined that the COVID-19 pandemic had had significant psychological effects on dental patients in Turkey. The results also underline the importance of providing more educational information to the public about the strict infection control measures taken by dental clinics against COVID-19 transmission in order to eliminate misperception.