Implementation Of Prevention Interventions Research Articles

A Human-centered innovation process (HCIP) for evidence-based substance use prevention intervention implementation.

A Human-centered innovation process (HCIP) for evidence-based substance use prevention intervention implementation.

Fate or fault? Nurses’ perspectives on dementia prevention in German care facilities

Following the recent shift in medicine towards viewing dementia as a preventable disease, various activating interventions are being discussed to halt cognitive decline of people living in long-term care facilities. This article examines how the dementia discourse, with its turn towards prevention, translates into local everyday care practices. Based on problem-centered interviews, the study analyses how nurses negotiate the prevention paradigm in the context of current health policies, active aging culture, and institutional frameworks in German nursing homes.The study reveals two contrasting patterns in how nurses perceive, interpret, and implement current principles of dementia prevention in care: Despite most nurses being aware of current prevention recommendations, subjective conceptions of both the impact of lifestyle choices in earlier life and the effectiveness of activating interventions in care settings vary greatly. Adopting conceptions of successful aging, neuroplasticity and activity theory, some nurses understand dementia as associated with earlier lifestyle choices and see prevention as a task of nursing care. Focusing strongly on the individuals' personal needs and the well-being of those in need of care, the other group still sees dementia as fated, suggesting either a critical stance or a more holistic understanding of dementia prevention.Furthermore, institutional frameworks and economization processes in the German care system undermine the goal of strengthening prevention and health promotion. While prevention is promoted as an answer to the care crisis in health policy discourses, the implementation of preventive interventions is severely restricted by the fragmentation of nursing tasks, time constraints, and limited resources in care facilities.

Epidemiology of infectious diseases in migrant populations from endemic or high-endemic countries: A multicentric primary care-based study in Spain.

We aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of seven infections (Chagas disease, strongyloidiasis, schistosomiasis, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C virus, and active tuberculosis) in migrant populations attended at primary care facilities in Catalonia, Spain. This is a cross sectional study conducted from March to December 2018 at eight primary care centres in Catalonia, Spain where health professionals were recommended to systematically screen multiple infections in migrants considering the endemicity of the pathogens in their country of birth. Routine health data were retrospectively extracted from electronic health records of the primary care centres. The proportion of cases among individuals tested for each infection was estimated with its 95% confident interval (CI). Mixed-effects logistics regression models were conducted to assess any possible association between the exposure variables and the primary outcome. Out of the 15,780 migrants that attended primary care centres, 2410 individuals were tested for at least one infection. Of the 508 (21.1%) migrants diagnosed with at least one condition, a higher proportion originated from Sub-Saharan Africa (207, 40.7%), followed by South-East Europe (117, 23.0%) and Latin-America (88, 17.3%; p value <0.001). The proportion of migrants diagnosed with Chagas disease was 5/122 (4.1%, 95%CI 0.5-7.7), for strongyloidiasis 56/409 (13.7%, 95%CI 10.3-17.0) and for schistosomiasis 2/101 (2.0%, 95%CI 0.0-4.7) with very few cases tested. The estimated proportion for human immunodeficiency virus was 67/1176 (5.7%, 95%CI 4.4-7.0); 377/1478 (25.5%, 95%CI 23.3-27.7) for hepatitis B virus, with 108/1478 (7.3%, 95%CI 6.0-8.6) of them presenting an active infection, while 31/1433 (2.2%, 95%CI 1.4-2.9) were diagnosed with hepatitis C virus. One case of active tuberculosis was diagnosed after testing 172 migrant patients (0.6%, 95%CI 0.0-1.7). We estimated a high proportion of the studied infections in migrants from endemic areas. Country-specific estimations of the burden of infections in migrants are fundamental for the implementation of preventive interventions.

Predictive modeling for identification of older adults with high utilization of health and social services

Aim Machine learning techniques have demonstrated success in predictive modeling across various clinical cases. However, few studies have considered predicting the use of multisectoral health and social services among older adults. This research aims to utilize machine learning models to detect high-risk groups of excessive health and social services utilization at early stage, facilitating the implementation of preventive interventions. Methods We used pseudonymized data covering a four-year period and including information on a total of 33,374 senior citizens from Southern Finland. The endpoint was defined based on the occurrence of unplanned healthcare visits and the total number of different services used. Input features included individual’s basic demographics, health status and past usage of healthcare resources. Logistic regression and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) methods were used for binary classification, with the dataset split into 70% training and 30% testing sets. Results Subgroup-based results mirrored trends observed in the full cohort, with age and certain health issues, e.g. mental health, emerging as positive predictors for high service utilization. Conversely, hospital stay and urban residence were associated with decreased risk. The models achieved a classification performance (AUC) of 0.61 for the full cohort and varying in the range of 0.55–0.62 for the subgroups. Conclusions Predictive models offer potential for predicting future high service utilization in the older adult population. Achieving high classification performance remains challenging due to diverse contributing factors. We anticipate that classification performance could be increased by including features based on additional data categories such as socio-economic data.

The Correlation of Education, Employment, Parental Income and Social Emotional Development with the Nutritional Status of Preschool Children Living in Flood Areas

Nutrition is a biological factor that influences children's growth and development. In 2022, the World Health Organization stated that around 148.1 million children under five years old have a height that is not appropriate for their age or stunting, 45 million children are too thin compared to their height or wasting, and 37 million children are too heavy for their height or overweight..This study aims to determine the nutritional status of preschool children in flood areas and looking at the correlation of education, employment, parental income and children's social emotional development with the nutritional status of preschool children. The sample in this study was 114 preschool children aged 3 - 6 years who lived in flood areas. Sampling technique with cluster sampling. There are 9.6% of children who are very underweight, 29.8% are underweight, 15.8% are at risk of being overweight according to weight per age. According to height per age, there are 22% of children who are malnourished and 0.9% obese. According to BMI, there are 22.8% malnutrition and 18.4% malnutrition. There were 13.2% of children in the short category and 4.4% of very short children. There is a social emotional relationship between children and nutritional status according to BMIA. However, stunting and undernutrition or underweight are important findings in this study. These findings relevant for nursing to design and implement treatment or prevention interventions in overcoming nutritional problems in children. Future studies require surveys with larger samples and with more varied characteristics.

Substances use among a sample health care workers in Iran: prevalence, pattern of use and gender differences

ABSTRACT Background Substance use (SU) among HCWs leads to reduced productivity and overall health and, moreover, is a negative role to promote SU reduction. Aim This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SU and assess its determinants among HCWs. Methods The study analyzed data related to the first phase of the SHAHWAR Cohort study which included 1177 university employees. Results The prevalence of current tobacco use is 11.6% (2.7% in women, and 24.5% in men), and the prevalence of lifetime tobacco use was 19.8 (6.3% in women, and 39.3% in men). The ratio of hookah: cigarette use in women is about seven times that of men. The self-reported current tobacco, alcohol and opium use were 11.6% (M: F ratio > 9), 2.6% (M: F ratio > 6) and 1.4% (M: F ratio > 7) of total subjects. There was a significant difference in substance or alcohol users based on gender, job position, working schedule, employment status, marital status and education levels. There was a negative correlation between job security and stability in terms of work status among workers with substance or alcohol use. Conclusion Since implementation of preventive interventions knowing the high-risk groups and occupational risk factors, the results of the present study may meet this need.

An Integrated Cancer Prevention Strategy: the Viewpoint of the Leon Berard Comprehensive Cancer Center Lyon, France.

This article describes some of the key prevention services in the Leon Berard Comprehensive Cancer Center (CLB) Lyon, France, which are based on clinical prevention services, outreach activities, and collaboration with professional and territorial health communities. In addition, research is embedded at all stages of the prevention continuum, from understanding cancer causes through to the implementation of prevention interventions during and after cancer. Health promotion activities in the community and dedicated outpatient primary cancer prevention services for individuals at increased risk have been implemented. The CLB's experience illustrates how prevention can be integrated into the comprehensive mission of cancer centers, and how in turn, the cancer centers may contribute to bridging the current fragmentation between cancer care and the different components of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. With increasing cancer incidence, the shift toward integrated prevention-centered cancer care is not only key for improving population health, but this may also provide a response to the shortage of hospital staff and overcrowding in cancer services, as well as offer opportunities to reduce carbon emissions from cancer care.

Anaemia Prevention Among Pregnant Women

This paper offers a thorough analysis of the worldwide occurrence and consequences of anaemia, with particular emphasis on its effects during pregnancy. Anaemia, a condition marked by inadequate red blood cells, is widely prevalent worldwide, with the African area having the greatest occurrence. The study highlights the complex and varied character of anaemia, which may be caused by factors such as insufficient nutrition, infections, and genetic predispositions. Pregnant women are at a higher risk, thus specific measures are needed to manage iron deficiency and reduce the possibility of negative effects for both the mothers and neonates. The article discusses diagnostic techniques, highlighting the need of thorough examinations that take into account several elements. The repercussions of anaemia go beyond its immediate health effects, affecting cognitive and motor development, productivity, and increasing the chances of maternal and neonatal death. The research elucidates the interdependence of maternal and foetal health outcomes, underscoring the comprehensive care necessary throughout pregnancy. Suggestions include giving priority to evidence-based treatments and programmes for the prevention and management of anaemia, especially in groups at high risk. Effective implementation of preventative interventions relies on the essential collaboration of healthcare practitioners, dietitians, legislators, and communities. Ongoing research, education, and sharing of knowledge are crucial elements of a comprehensive worldwide strategy to tackle anaemia and improve the health outcomes of both mothers and their unborn babies.

Effect of different positioning before, during and after surgery on pressure injury: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Background: Patients undergoing surgery are at risk of developing pressure injuries because they remain immobile and in a fixed position on the operating table for a long time under anesthesia. Prevention of surgery-induced pressure injuries is the best strategy and requires risk assessment and timely implementation of preventive interventions. This trial aims to evaluate the effect of positioning in a different position pre-operatively and post-operatively than the position adopted during surgery on pressure injuries. Methods: This trial was designed as a prospective randomized controlled study. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria will be assigned to the intervention or control groups using a random number generator. The participants in the intervention group will be placed in different positions than their surgical position during the night before surgery, and the first 36 h after surgery. The control group will receive only routine care. The groups will be evaluated in terms of pressure injury development for at least 72 h, until discharge. Conclusions: Surgery-induced pressure injuries have important effects on patients, healthcare professionals, and healthcare organizations. Current guidelines recommend that patients be positioned in a different position preoperatively and postoperatively than the surgical position to redistribute the pressure generated during surgery. There is a need for well-designed, comprehensive studies to investigate the effectiveness of this weak evidence-level recommendation. This trial will provide valuable evidence to inform clinical practice, guide surgical nurses, and allow evaluation of the effects of this intervention. Trial registration: Clinical trials registration number NCT05549830

Acute respiratory infections among individuals seeking outpatient care in the states of Washington and Michigan by pregnancy status, 2011-2016.

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) during pregnancy are associated with poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Using U.S. Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Network data (2011-2016) from Washington and Michigan, we tested for respiratory viruses among pregnant and non-pregnant outpatients matched on age, site, and season (n= 191). Among all participants, detection of human coronaviruses and rhinovirus was common. We also observed differences in virus detection by pregnancy status; human coronaviruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were detected more frequently among pregnant and non-pregnant participants, respectively. The role of respiratory viruses in maternal ARI morbidity should be further characterized to inform implementation of prevention interventions including maternal vaccines.

Prevalence of Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli among Children Aged between 0-36 Months in Peri-Urban Areas of Lusaka.

Diarrhoea is a major contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries, with diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli being among the top aetiological agents. We sought to investigate the burden and describe the diarrhoeagenic E. coli pathotypes causing diarrhoea among children in peri-urban areas of Lusaka, Zambia. This was a facility-based surveillance study conducted over an 8-month period from 2020 to 2021. Stool samples were collected from children aged 0-3 years presenting with diarrhoea at five peri-urban health facilities in Lusaka. Stool samples were tested for diarrhoeagenic E. coli using the Novodiag bacterial GE+® panel, a platform utilising real-time PCR and microarray technology to detect bacterial pathogens. Of the 590 samples tested, diarrhoeagenic E. coli were detected in 471 (76.1%). The top three pathogens were enteropathogenic E. coli 45.4% (n = 268), enteroaggregative E. coli 39.5% (n = 233), and enterotoxigenic E. coli 29.7% (n = 176). Our results revealed that 50.1% of the diarrhoeagenic E. coli positive samples comprised multiple pathotypes of varying virulence gene combinations. Our study demonstrates a high prevalence of diarrhoeagenic E. coli in childhood diarrhoea and the early exposure (<12 months) of children to enteric pathogens. This calls for the early implementation of preventive interventions for paediatric diarrhoea.

Nursing interventions in preventing pressure injuries in acute inpatient care: a cross-sectional national study

BackgroundSeveral nursing interventions for pressure injury prevention have been identified, including risk and skin status assessment. The aim of this study was to explore prevention of pressure injuries in Finnish acute inpatient care. The data were collected on pressure injury risk and skin status assessments, repositioning, the use of support surfaces, preventive skin care, malnutrition risk assessment, and nutritional care.MethodsThis multicentre, cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 acute care hospitals, excluding psychiatric care. Adult patients from inpatient care were recruited on the annual international Stop Pressure Ulcers Day in 2018 and 2019. Enrolment covered 6,160 participants in 503 units. Descriptive statistics were used to describe pressure injuries, risk assessments, and preventive nursing interventions. Cross tabulation, Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were also used. Reporting follows the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.ResultsIn all, 30% of the participants had their pressure injury risk assessed during the care, and for 19% within 8 h after admission. The same time limit in risk assessment was fulfilled for 16% of the participants with a pressure injury, and 22% of the participants using a wheelchair or being bedridden. A skin status assessment within 8 h after admission was conducted for 30% of all participants, and for 29% of the participants with a pre-existing pressure injury, and for 38% of the participants using a wheelchair or being bedridden. The risk of malnutrition was screened in 20% of the participants. Preventive interventions were targeted to participants with a pressure injury instead of patients with a high-pressure injury risk.ConclusionThis study adds evidence about pressure injury risk assessments and the implementation of preventive nursing interventions in Finnish acute care. Skin status and pressure injury risk assessments were irregularly conducted, and the outcome was not used by nurses to guide the implementation of preventive interventions. The results reveal the gaps in evidence-based nursing practice, which require further efforts to prevent pressure injuries. Improving the national focus on pressure injury prevention practice is critical for improving healthcare for our patients.

Effects of exergaming on cognitive functions and loneliness of older adults with cognitive frailty.

Cognitive frailty combines physical frailty and cognitive impairment in the absence of dementia. The prompt detection of cognitive frailty and early implementation of preventive interventions may reduce the incidence of dementia. However, intervention studies of exergaming in older adults with cognitive frailty are scant. Therefore, we aim to investigate the effectiveness of exergaming on cognitive functions and loneliness among older adults with cognitive frailty. Quasi-experimental design. Participants were recruited from four community settings. The experimental group participated in two 40-min group exergaming sessions weekly for eight weeks; the control group received usual care. The outcome measures were the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Chinese Version of the Loneliness Scale. Analyses of covariance were conducted to analyze whether exergaming influenced participants' cognitive functions and loneliness. In addition, the effect size of the posttest of the experimental group relative to its baseline value was calculated to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. 69 older adults with cognitive frailty were included, and 35 and 34 were assigned to the experimental and control groups, respectively. The exergaming effectively improved the cognitive function of older adults with cognitive frailty. Exergaming interventions can effectively improve the cognitive functions of older adults with cognitive frailty but do not positively affect loneliness. We provide evidence to healthcare workers to apply exergaming interventions for older adults with cognitive frailty to improve cognitive function.

The lifetime health and economic burden of obesity in five European countries: what is the potential impact of prevention?

Estimating the burden of obesity in five European countries (Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK) and the potential health benefits and changes in health care costs associated with a reduction in body mass index (BMI). A Markov model was used to estimate the long-term burden of obesity. Health states were based on the occurrence of diabetes, ischaemic heart disease and stroke. Multiple registries and literature sources were used to derive the demographic, epidemiological and cost input parameters. For the base-case analyses, the model was run for a starting cohort of healthy obese people with a BMI of 30 and 35 kg/m2 aged 40 years to estimate the lifetime impact of obesity and the impact of a one-unit decrease in BMI. Different scenario and sensitivity analyses were performed. The base-case analyses showed that total lifetime health care costs (for obese people aged 40 and BMI 35 kg/m2 ) ranged from €75 376 in Greece to €343 354 in the Netherlands, with life expectancies ranging from 37.9 years in Germany to 39.7 years in Spain. A one-unit decrease in BMI showed gains in life expectancy ranging from 0.65 to 0.68 year and changes in total health care costs varying from -€1563 to +€4832. The economic burden of obesity is substantial in the five countries. Decreasing BMI results in health gains, reductions in obesity-related health care costs, but an increase in non-obesity related health care costs, which emphasizes the relevance of including all costs in decision making on implementation of preventive interventions.

Self-Regulation Challenges and Supports in Middle Level Education: Health Education Teachers’ and School Counselors’ Views

Adolescents are in a dynamic period of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development. School-based interventions that focus on social-emotional learning, including the development of self-regulation skills, have been shown to have positive impacts on students’ mental health and academic achievement. In this qualitative study, we examine health education teachers’ and school counselors’ views of their students’ challenges and their strategies for supporting students’ social and emotional development. We conducted 16 focus groups and interviews with 24 educators: 16 middle level health education teachers and eight school counselors. Our qualitative analysis of the transcripts indicated that both teachers and counselors described the contexts for students’ challenges as related to academic/school pressures, social media, peer relationships, and home influences. Educators also identified students’ challenges as being related to their developmental stage, challenges with impulsive behaviors, and difficulty regulating emotions. Strategies for supporting students’ self-regulation included day-to-day interactions, skills instruction and practice, positive teacher-student relationships, and a structured classroom environment. Implications for professional development for middle level educators and the implementation of preventive interventions are discussed.

Evaluating the feasibility of implementing a prescription drug misuse prevention intervention in the community: a mixed methods study

BackgroundThis study is part of a state-wide effort to promote the safe disposal of prescription medications and mitigate prescription drug misuse. The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a two-component prevention intervention through Community Prevention Organizations (CPOs) in Texas. The first component involved the distribution of in-home disposal products (IHDP) and the second focused on providing education of the risks of prescription drug misuse.MethodsThis study followed a mixed methods sequential explanatory study design. In the quantitative phase, the extent to which CPOs carried out the intervention was determined by the distribution rate – a proportion representing the number of IHDP distributed to end users from the amount of IHDP the CPO was shipped. This measure was used to organize the CPOs in to one of three performance categories. In the qualitative arm of the study, stratified random sampling was used to select five CPOs from each performance strata to participate in an in-depth, semi-structured interview about their distribution activity. The interview guide and the data analysis were guided by Bowen’s Feasibility Framework. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a content analysis approach by two research team members. All qualitative analyses were conducted in ATLAS.ti© V7.ResultsThere was a total of 47 CPOs contacted and asked to be part of this study. Of them, 44 CPOs participated in the quantitative phase of the study. This phase revealed that all CPOs had existing relationships with organizations throughout the community such as pharmacies and schools that could act as points of distribution. Following the quantitative phase, 15 CPOs were selected for more in-depth interviews about their distribution practices. In the qualitative phase, this finding was reinforced through the theme “partnerships with local institutions and ability to implement the intervention at community events”. Similarly, education promotion efforts were unanimously emphasized as a strategy to increase utilization of IHDP among end users. All CPOs indicated that the intervention was supplemental to their overall goals.ConclusionCPOs have unparalleled access to community events, local institutions, and the general population they serve, thus, they have the potential to be active facilitators in implementing prevention interventions.

Approaching Urban Food Waste in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Framework and Evidence from Case Studies in Kibera (Nairobi) and Dhaka

Increased urbanization rates pose crucial challenges in terms of food systems’ sustainability, including urban food waste (FW). The global narrative around FW has focused mainly on Western countries, but recent evidence shows that FW is also a major issue in the developing world. The objective of this article is to define the characteristics and drivers of urban FW in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). We firstly present a tailor-made three-step approach to identify urban FW hotspots in LMIC, understand the main drivers and design and implement prevention and reduction interventions considering LMIC food system characteristics. We then draw on results from four different urban FW case studies based in Nairobi (Kenya) and Dhaka (Bangladesh) and discuss their characteristics in light of the proposed approach. The case of Nairobi focuses on quantifying and understanding possible drivers of household FW in Kibera and characterizing FW disposal through a household survey (N = 774). The other three studies examine FW at retail, food service and institutional levels for onions, mangoes and beef in Dhaka. The results confirm that FW happens at the urban supply chain level, particularly among mobile vendors but also among households living below the poverty line. The article thus urges LMIC municipalities to consider urban FW strategies as a key action to tackle food security, environmental issues and FW management challenges.

Albanian university students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 infection and vaccine: A cross-sectional study

COVID-19 pandemic remains a public health concern worldwide. Given that, students represent a subgroup of the population with an impact on the pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Albanian students about COVID-19, and to provide a database to plan and implement preventive evidence-based interventions. An online survey was conducted among Albanian university students during April-May 2022, to collect information on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19, through a structured questionnaire. A total of 906 students, 72.8% females, were included in it. 93.4% of participants knew the ways of transmission of COVID-19; 92.5% had information about preventive measures, but only 30% knew about quarantine and 37.0% knew vaccination as a preventive measure. Regarding attitudes, 54.8% of participants believed that COVID-19 infection is very dangerous. 46.5% have a negative attitude toward covid vaccines. Almost all respondents (93.7%) apply regular hand washing as a preventive measure; 82.8% cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing; but only 28.2% always use a mask indoors. Albanian university students had good knowledge, positive attitudes, and appropriate preventive practices against COVID-19, but the study found that some limitations in terms of information and misconceptions still exist. Raising awareness and providing adequate information, education, and more effective communication programs will have a positive impact on increasing knowledge, improving attitudes, and supporting the required student behavior change.

Accelerating Solutions for the Overdose Crisis: an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Protocol for the HEAL Prevention Cooperative.

Given increasing opioid overdose mortality rates in the USA over the past 20years, accelerating the implementation of prevention interventions found to be effective is critical. The Helping End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Prevention Cooperative (HPC) is a consortium of research projects funded to implement and test interventions designed to prevent the onset or escalation of opioid misuse among youth and young adults. The HPC offers a unique opportunity to synthesize and share lessons learned from participating research projects' varied implementation experiences, which can facilitate quicker integration of effective prevention interventions into practice. This protocol paper describes our hybrid approach to collecting and analyzing information about the implementation experiences of nine of the HPC research projects while they maintain their focus on assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of prevention interventions. To better understand implementation within this context, we will address five research questions: (1) What were the context and approach for implementing the prevention interventions, and how was the overall implementation experience? (2) How representative of the target population are the participants who were enrolled and retained in the research projects' effectiveness trials? (3) For what purposes and how were stakeholders engaged by the research projects? (4) What are the adaptable components of the prevention interventions? And finally, (5) how might implementation of the prevention interventions vary for non-trial implementation? This work will result in intervention-specific and general practical dissemination resources that can help potential adopters and deliverers of opioid misuse prevention make adoption decisions and prepare for successful implementation.

The impact of COVID-19 perceived threat and restrictive measures on mental health in Italy, Spain, New York, and Hong Kong: An international multisite study.

In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Italy, Spain, New York, and Hong Kong stood out for the ir high rates of infections. Given this scenario, a web-based international multisite and cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2020 to investigate the psychological impact of the pandemic and the restrictions imposed by the governments in these countries. We expected similar patterns in European countries, and no significant differences in terms of psychological impairment between Hong Kong (with a previous experience related to SARS, but subjected to restrictions for a longer time) and the other areas. Participants were 1955 adults from the above-mentioned areas. We assessed anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), COVID-19-related threats, and perceived burden of restrictive measures. Two-explorative factor analyses (EFAs) with Promax rotation identified COVID-19-related factors: personal physical threat, personal economic threat, global economic threat, and restriction-related burden. ANOVAs studied locations' differences and two-separate hierarchical multiple regression analyses by location determined whether and how COVID-19-related variables were associated with anxiety and depression, adjusting for age and sex. Italy and Hong Kong showed higher anxiety than Spain (p < 0.05); Hong Kong scored higher on depression than Italy and Spain (p < 0.001), which highlighted the lowest mean-score. New York participants showed the poorest mental health conditions. Anxiety was predicted by restriction-related burden (βNY = 0.242; βHK = 0.116) and personal economic threat (βNY = 0.246; βHK = 0.145) in New York (Adj.R 2 = 0.125) and Hong Kong (Adj.R 2 = 0.079); by global economic threat (β = 0.199) and restriction-related burden (β = 0.124) in Italy (Adj.R 2 = 0.108); and by personal physical threat (β = 0.144) in Spain (Adj.R 2 = 0.049). Depression was predicted by restriction-related burden (βNY = 0.313; βHK = 0.120) and personal economic threat (βNY = 0.229; βHK = 0.204) in New York (Adj.R 2 = 0.161) and Hong Kong (Adj.R 2 = 0.089); by global economic threat (β = 0.209) in Italy (Adj.R 2 = 0.149); and no predictors emerged in Spain. Findings could contribute to understanding the specific impact of the pandemic on people's psychological health in each area, along with the factors that impacted mental health. This information may be useful to implementing prevention interventions in case of restrictions.