Lost Family Members Research Articles

Differences in COVID-19 Vaccination and Experiences among Patients with Hypertension in Colombia and Jamaica during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, hypertensive patients had increased infection and healthcare disruption in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with limited vaccine access. The objective of this report is to describe COVID-19 experiences and vaccination uptake among hypertensive patients in Colombia and Jamaica. A cross-sectional study of patients with hypertension was conducted in primary care clinics in both countries between 2021 and 2022. Trained interviewers used a telephone-administered questionnaire to assess COVID-19 experiences (infection, vaccination, and healthcare access). A total of 576 patients (68.5% female, mean age: 67.5 years) participated. Health service disruption affecting access to care was low (<10%). Compared to Jamaica, more participants from Colombia reported testing positive for COVID-19, having family members or friends testing positive, losing family members or friends due to COVID-19, and being vaccinated. In logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, education, and rural/urban clinic status, fear of COVID-19 (OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2-6.1) and residence in Colombia (OR 5.9, 95% CI: 2.4-14.6) were associated with higher vaccination uptake. Disparities in access to COVID-19 testing and diagnosis may have influenced these country differences including fear of COVID-19 and vaccine uptake. Other factors need to be better understood to prepare for future pandemic responses.

UJI VALIDITAS IBFWS (IMPACT BASE FORECAST AND WARNING SERVICES) DALAM MEMPREDIKSIKAN WILAYAH YANG BERPOTENSI TERDAMPAK BANJIR DI KALIMANTAN SELATAN

South Kalimantan is one of the provinces in Indonesia which has a high risk of flood disasters seen from its physical condition, which geographically is mostly located below sea level. In 2021, 11 out of a total of 13 districts and cities in South Kalimantan were affected by flooding on a large scale, which caused tens of thousands of residents to suffer losses and even lost family members. IBFWS (Impact Base Forecast and Warning Services) is present as the latest innovation from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency as an impact-based weather forecast information service. To determine the accuracy of the IBFWS service information, it is necessary to validate the prediction results issued by IBFWS with the actual situation. By using spatial analysis methods, it is hoped that it can describe which areas are potentially affected by flooding and continued with the calculation of the contingency table so that the accuracy value of IBFWS is obtained in predicting areas potentially affected by flooding in South Kalimantan. IBFWS validation results in predicting areas potentially affected by flooding in South Kalimantan during the rainy season range between 0.85 – 1.00 which mean 85% - 100% the IBFWS prediction results are correct, during the transition season in general is 0.77 which mean 77% the IBFWS prediction results are correct, and during the dry season it ranges between 0.92 – 1.00 which mean 92% - 100% the IBFWS prediction results are correct.

Social Inclusion and Justice for the Internally Displaced by the Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict in Benue State, Nigeria

Executive Summary Herdsmen-farmers conflict has displaced 1.5 million residents of Benue State, Nigeria, according to government officials. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) have lost livelihoods, farms, personal property and community infrastructure. The paper highlights the social challenges they have experienced and the response by government and international humanitarian agencies (IHAs) to their situations. Based on interviews with 12 IDPs belonging to the displaced population from Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and interviews with seven humanitarian workers, the paper finds that the IDPs: • Have lost family members, neighbors, farms, churches, health centers, and means of mobility. • Cannot safely return home or access their ancestral lands. • Cannot support themselves. • Cannot attend public school or progress to a university. • Lack access to quality health care. • Live with multiple families in insecure shelters. • Cannot reliably obtain birth registration and replace other destroyed documents. • Can register their names, family relations, and former villages, but not their losses, which might lead to compensation and help them to rebuild their lives. The paper makes the following recommendations. • Registration, Effective Remedies and Access to Justice: The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs (FMHA) and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) should document personal and community socio-economic losses to ascertain the extent of damage to IDPs in order to facilitate effective remedies. The Ministries of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission, and UNHCR should support the IDPs by providing them with information and procedures that allow them to secure full compensation for their losses, and with safe, permanent solutions to their situations, including full integration into their host communities, safe and voluntary return home, or resettlement in a third community. • Engage IDPs as Stakeholders: The Benue State Government should ensure that BSEMA communicates to IDPs the possibilities for voluntary and dignified safe return. If return is not immediately foreseeable, BSEMA should offer IDPs the means to relocate and resettle elsewhere. • Provision of Sustainable Social Amenities: BSEMA, the FMHA, and international humanitarian agencies (IHAs) should provide sustainable healthcare, shelter, education in IDP camps, financial assistance and the means to access services outside of IDP camps. • Peace through Establishment of Ranches: Benue State Government’s Peace Commission should resolve the herdsmen-farmer conflict and restore peace by promoting peaceful co-existence between the conflicting parties. Herdsmen should be educated on the procedures for legal land acquisition for ranching, and farmers should be able to seek legal redress when their farms are damaged by grazing cattle. BSEMA and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs should also facilitate voluntary, safe and dignified return of IDPs or their resettlement in another community. • Safeguard IDP Camps: BSEMA and the Nigeria security agencies should safeguard official and unofficial IDP camps. • Inclusive Policy Implementation: The FMHA in collaboration with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) should develop humanitarian response plans that are beneficial to all IDPs in Nigeria irrespective of the cause of their displacement.

Does losing family members in midlife matter for late-life mental and cognitive health? A longitudinal study of older Swedes spanning 30 years

Objectives Mental and cognitive health is crucial to ensure well-being in older age. However, prolonged periods of stress, grief, and bereavement might compromise mental health balance, leading to profound changes. This study investigated the sex-stratified associations between midlife bereavement experiences (e.g. sibling loss, spousal loss, and multiple losses) and late-life depression (LLD) and cognitive impairment. Method Linked data from the Swedish Level-of-Living Survey and the Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old (SWEOLD) were used. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to examine the associations between midlife bereavement and LLD (n = 1078) and cognitive impairment (n = 995), separately. Results Sibling loss and multiple losses in midlife were associated with lower odds of LLD, especially among women. Among men, sibling loss in midlife was associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment, while the experience of two losses among women suggested an increased (but non-significant) risk of cognitive impairment. Interaction analyses did not show significant effects between bereavement and gender on LLD and cognitive impairment. Conclusion Midlife bereavement might have gendered implications on LLD and cognitive impairment, but associations need to be confirmed by well-powered studies. Further research is warranted to elucidate the association between multiple midlife losses and reduced LLD risk.

Japan’s Forgotten Korean Forced Laborers: The Search for Hidden Wartime Graves in Hokkaido

Abstract The return of remains of Korean forced laborers who died in Japan between 1940 and 1945 has been a major controversy for over half a century for Koreans. These deaths reveal the tragic consequences of Japan’s World War II forced labor system. Japan forcefully mobilized nearly 800,000 Koreans who were taken to at least 1,589 worksites in Japan and 381 worksites in Hokkaido. Over 10 percent of all Koreans forcefully mobilized throughout the empire are estimated to have died or disappeared, but the precise number of Korean forced laborers’ deaths inside Japan remains unknown. Until 1989, remains recovered from graves throughout Japan by local people were immediately cremated by Japanese Buddhist priests, making cause of death and precise identities forensically impossible. This account relates the first and only comprehensive effort to exhume Korean forced labor graves without immediate cremation, coordinated by Korean and Japanese activists and academics based in Hokkaido. This effort helped revive a neglected aspect of Korean forced labor history while focusing on the concerns of bereaved Koreans seeking the remains of their lost family members. Nevertheless, the project had serious limitations due to working in a difficult political environment and neglect of forensic science protocols in mass grave excavations and identification. This complex situation prevented identification of victims’ names and cause of death that could have held the Japanese government and companies involved accountable.

Youth mental health resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A critical review

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on mental health worldwide because of complex societal disruptions and neuropsychiatric consequences stemming from SARS-CoV-2 infection. All age groups have been affected by this pandemic, with particular focus on the vulnerabilities faced by children and adolescents who have experienced multiple stressors. These stressors involve various emotional, physiological, and behavioral challenges stemming from different factors, such as mandatory social distancing due to school closures, increased parental stress caused by the incessant spread of the pandemic, severe trauma from losing family members, a surge in cyberbullying linked to higher online activity, and a worrying rise in unreported incidents of child abuse. Empirical reports document an increase in suicidal tendencies and suicide attempts among adolescents during this crisis.ObjectivesThis study conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature focused on the mental health of individuals aged 0-24 years in both pre-pandemic and pandemic eras. This study conducted comparative analyses to identify significant changes.MethodsAdhering strictly to the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted comprehensive searches on Google Scholar and PubMed to identify peer-reviewed articles published in English.ResultsMost studies revealed deteriorating mental health conditions among adolescents and young adults following pandemic onset. These conditions were characterized by high rates of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. Furthermore, several studies have identified a notable increase in negative emotions and heightened feelings of loneliness. Primary school children experienced a decline in attention span, emotional regulation, hyperactivity, and enthusiasm for academic engagement.ConclusionsBased on the analysis of data from both the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, it is evident that the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental impact on the mental well-being of children and young individuals. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the risk factors and protective measures linked with pandemics to enhance mental health resilience and better equip societies to cope with future health emergencies and other crises.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Mental Health Policy Name: War and mental health (Croatian experience)

Abstract War represents one of the major traumatic events for humans and comes with enormous consequences for individuals and society over a long period of time. War causes acute psychological trauma, but also results in subacute, chronic psychiatric disorders for all those experiencing or witnessing direct war trauma and to those experiencing indirect war trauma resulting from losing the safety of home and financial income, to losing family members and close ones. Therefore, acute reaction to trauma may result in maladaptive disorders and PTSD within days of experiencing trauma and with chronic posttraumatic stress conditions even years after the traumatic experience. Chronic PTSD is associated with higher morbidity of somatic conditions, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, all resulting in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. Additionally, according to reports from World Health Organisation (WHO), it has been projected that in emergencies, on average, the percentage of people with a severe mental disorder increases by 1 per cent over and above an estimated baseline of 2–3 per cent. In addition, the percentage of people with mild or moderate mental disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders (including PTSD), may increase by 5–10 per cent above an estimated baseline of 10 per cent. Furthermore, research indicate the possibility of a transgenerational effect of trauma, via maternal psychosocial stress and socioeconomic disadvantage during pregnancy but also through adverse parenting practices, as parenting style may change when exposed to war traumas.As war affects mental health of different population groups dramatically and long-term, establishment of long term and coordinated mental health care is necessary. In the presentation, examples of practices from Croatia will be discussed.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Mourning in the time of coronavirus: Examining how grief differs in those who lost loved ones to COVID-19 vs. natural causes in Iran.

Our study aimed to analyze and compare the grief experiences of individuals in Iran who lost family members to COVID-19 and those who lost loved ones to other natural causes. In this study, telephone interviews were conducted with 640 first-degree relatives, and finally, a total of 395 people remained in the research. Participants answered the Prolonged Grief Questionnaire (PG-13-R) and Grief Experience Questionnaire. The results showed that the most common symptoms and features of grief were feeling guilt, searching for an explanation, somatic reactions, and rejection, with no significant difference observed between the 2 death groups. However, the average scores for these symptoms were higher in the COVID-19 death group. Moreover, the majority of bereaved reported signs and symptoms of prolonged grief, with a higher percentage in the COVID-19 death group, although there was no significant difference between the 2 death groups in terms of the distribution of symptoms and signs of prolonged grief. These findings suggest that the bereavement process can be challenging, and losing a loved one to COVID-19 may lead to more intense experiences of grief. The study reveals high levels of guilt, searching for meaning, somatic reactions, and rejection among COVID-19 grievers. Losing loved ones to the pandemic appears linked to more intense, prolonged grief symptoms.

GRIEF, POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS AND POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH AMONG BEREAVED FAMILIES DUE TO COVID-19

The aim of the current research was to investigate the nature of relationships among grief, post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth. Mean group differences on study variables based on circumstantial factors and demographic characteristics of the participants and the deceased including gender were inquired. A sample of 331 participants above 16 years, who had lost family members, near relative and close friends due to Covid-19, were selected. Translation process of scale, prolonged grief scale was carried out through back-translation design. Adapted Urdu versions of prolonged grief scale (Prigerson et al., 2021), post-traumatic stress disorder Checklist-DSM-5 (Weathers et al., 2013) and post-traumatic growth inventory-short form (Cann et al., 2010), along with a demographic sheet were used. Translation process of prolonged grief scale was carried out through back-translation design. The results showed that grief was positively significantly correlated with post-traumatic stress and significantly negatively correlated with posttraumatic growth; post-traumatic stress had significantly negatively correlated with post-traumatic growth. Results of t-test showed that females had significantly more intense grief and post-traumatic stress, whereas males reported greater experience of post-traumatic growth. Result also showed that there were significantly more grief and posttraumatic stress, where death of male occurred. Limitations of the current study were also highlighted and suggestions for future research are mentioned.

Differences in family functioning before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study in Peruvian families

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on family relationships, as several families have lost family members due to COVID-19 pandemic and become physically and emotionally estranged due to lockdown measures and critically economic periods. Our study contrasted two hypotheses: (1) family functioning changed notably before and after the COVID-19 pandemic initiation in terms of cohesion, flexibility, communication and satisfaction; (2) balanced families have a greater capacity to strictly comply with quarantine (i.e., social confinement), compared to unbalanced families. We performed an observational study comparing family functioning between two independent groups, evaluated before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru. A total of 7,980 participants were included in the study. For the first hypothesis, we found that, during the pandemic, families became more balanced in terms of cohesion (adjusted before-during mean difference or β1= 1.4; 95% CI [1.0–1.7]) and flexibility (β2= 2.0; 95% CI [1.6–2.4]), and families were less disengaged (β3= −1.9; 95% CI [−2.3 to −1.5]) and chaotic (β4= −2.9; 95% CI [−3.3 to −2.4]). Regarding the second hypothesis, we confirmed that families with balanced cohesion (adjusted prevalence ratio or aPR = 1.16; 95% CI [1.12–1.19) and flexibility (aPR = 1.23; 95% CI [1.18–1.27]) allowed greater compliance with quarantine restrictions; while disengaged (aPR = 0.91; 95% CI [0.88–0.93]) and chaotic families (aPR = 0.89; 95% CI [0.87–0.92]) were more likely to partially comply or not comply with the quarantine. Finally, family communication (aPR = 1.17; 95% CI [1.11–1.24]) and satisfaction (aPR = 1.18; 95% CI [1.11–1.25]) also played a role in favouring quarantine compliance. This new evidence enlightens the family systems theory while informing future interventions for improving compliance with quarantine measures in the context of social confinement.

The End of Life Accompanied by COVID-19: A Qualitative Study on Changes in Behavior and Stigmatization of the Grieving Families in Peru (Part II).

The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has led to changes in every aspect of life and death. In Peru, where the longest quarantine has occurred with suboptimal results, the rituals have been turned around, impacting the relatives in multiple aspects. Here, we used a qualitative approach to analyze unresolved grief, hygiene changes, and stigma through semi-structured, online (Google Meet) interviews with 15 participants aged 20-72, who had lost family members to COVID-19. The recorded and transcribed interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Most participants had unresolved grief due to the blocking of funeral rituals, which could predispose them to prolonged mourning. After the loss of relatives, hygiene measures will be improved to avoid infections and new deaths in every family, while most participants felt no stigma in their milieu, since their relatives accompanied them during the funeral, supporting them from afar. It is important that interventions are implemented to prevent the progression of grief by providing mental health opportunities for the bereaved.

Five years after the Earthquake and nuclear accident: Loss and its psychological effect

Abstract Background On March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake hit Tohoku. The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident forced many people to relocate, leaving their hometowns. This study focused on the sense of loss and its psychological effect on the people of Fukushima five years after the earthquake and nuclear accident. Methods Quantitative and qualitative analysis from a questionnaire survey including the IES-R scale and open-ended questions. Results 1021 people participated in this study. At the time of the survey, 490 people relocated within Fukushima prefecture and 531 people left. During the nuclear accident, 632 participants were close to the nuclear power plant; 407 participants reported actual nuclear accident experiences such as exposure to blast ashes, seeing the explosion, hearing explosive sounds and escaping. People lost family members (n = 112) and homes (n = 338) due to the tsunami and earthquake; 439 lost jobs after the earthquake and 410 had economic difficulties; 736 reported their sadness over losing hometowns; 391 people showed IES-R scores over 25, suggesting potential PTSD (Post Traumatic Syndrome). From a multivariate analysis, psychological distress was significantly affected by nuclear accident experience (OR = 1.43, p = 0.04), lost jobs (n = 1.57, p = 0.01), economic difficulty (OR = 1.68, p &amp;lt; 0.01), hometown loss (OR = 1.58, p &amp;lt; 0.05), feeling difficulty living (OR = 3.84, p &amp;lt; 0.01) and social isolation (OR = 1.74, p &amp;lt; 0.01). For hometown loss, significant factors were lost houses (n = 596, p &amp;lt; 0.01), friends (n = 590, p &amp;lt; 0.05), life (n = 421, p &amp;lt; 0.01), family relationships (n = 377, p &amp;lt; 0.01), community (n = 403, p &amp;lt; 0.01) and futures (n = 310, p &amp;lt; 0.01). From qualitative analysis,”I relocated with the children, leaving behind my husband which I regret (a mother with children)” and others. Discussion and conclusions After natural disasters, nuclear accidents and wars, people suddenly lose their special monitoring and support are necessary for affected people. Key messages • Many people still suffer from PTSD after the Nuclear Power Plant accident after 5 years. • Many people suffer from a variety of loss such as loss of hometown, friends, family and others due to migration from Fukushima.

The longitudinal contribution of prolonged grief to depression and suicide risk in the aftermath of suicide loss: The moderating role of self-criticism

BackgroundSuicide-loss survivors (SLSs)-individuals who lost family member to suicide, have been recognized as at risk for several mental health complications, including depression and suicide. Recent studies have emphasized the contribution of prolonged grief (PG) symptoms and suicide-related shame as facilitators of depression and suicide risk in the aftermath of suicide loss. In this six-year longitudinal design study, we examined self-criticism as a moderator of the link between PG and depression and suicide risk, with suicide-related shame mediating these links. MethodParticipants were 152 SLSs (130 females) aged 18–70 who completed questionnaires assessing prolonged grief, depression, and suicide risk as well as trauma-related shame and self-criticism. ResultsA moderated mediation model shows that high self-criticism intensified the relations between PG and shame and between shame and depression and suicide risk, above and beyond the contribution of the longitudinal PG trajectory. Importantly, the indirect effects of PG on both depression and suicide risk via shame levels were found only among SLSs with high levels of self-criticism. ConclusionThe findings highlight the critical longitudinal role of self-criticism in facilitating depression and suicide risk among SLSs with higher levels of PG. Theoretical implications relating to healing processes and focused clinical recommendations are discussed, including interventions for addressing self-criticism and suicide-related shame in the aftermath of suicide loss.

Impact of Disaster on mental health of women: A case study on 2022 flash flood in Bangladesh

Disasters can pose several threats to our psychological health and create short-term and long-term psychological discomfort, resulting in a considerable burden on the mental health of impacted individuals and communities. We have explored women's mental health problems due to the floods. A total of 393 women who resided in Ajmiriganj and Dharmapasha Upazila of Bangladesh during the 2022 flash flood were surveyed. We have applied the DASS-21 tool to assess the mental health status of these women. In addition, we have examined the variables associated with mental health issues. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were done. About 67%, 65%, and 37% of women experienced severe or extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. In addition, 89%, 88%, and 58% of women reported severe or extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress from experiencing family violence during a flood. Depression was associated with age, education, housing type, social satisfaction, a place's safety rating, flood-related injury or disease, family loss, family violence, and property damage from the 2022 flash flood. Except for education and the present place's flood safety rating, all depression-associated variables were also associated with anxiety. Stress was linked to all anxiety-associated variables. Older women, women living in inadequate infrastructure, least satisfied, unsafe rated of their places against flood, injured or diseased during the flood, lost family members, suffered family violence and property destruction due to flood reported mental health problems. Disaster risk mitigation and psychological intervention can mitigate mental health effects. This study can inform disaster management policies and public health worldwide.

Physical and mental health status of women in disaster-affected areas in Bangladesh

Despite the increased risk of disasters in the Bangladesh, there is a dearth of research about women’s physical and mental health vulnerability following disasters. This study aimed to explore the physical and mental health status and associated risk factors of women in recurrent disaster-affected areas of Bangladesh. Participants (N = 408) were recruited using systematic random sampling from two purposively selected disaster-prone areas (Upazilas of Sagata and Sarankhola), using a structured questionnaire conducted in person. Physical and mental health status was assessed using the health Short Form 12 (SF-12) measure that is comprised of both physical health (PCS-12) and mental health (MCS-12) subscales. Of the 408 participants, the mean scores on PCS-12 and MCS-12 subscales were 43.85 ± 28.04 and 37.70 ± 27.29, respectively, which were strongly correlated, r = .71, p < .001. Overall, 65.9% and 63.0% of total participants scored below the validated cut-off of PCS-12 and MCS-12 subscales which indicates both poor physical and mental health. The results indicated that physical and mental health were significantly poorer for the participants who witnessed casualties, lost family members or relatives, were relocated to shelters and sacrificed food during disasters. Moreover, poorer mental health scores were identified among participants who were physically injured and/or consulted a medical practitioner during or after the disaster. Accurate health knowledge is crucial for adequate and effective disaster preparation to decrease the health impacts on women in disaster-prone areas of Bangladesh. Research in this area is needed, and strategies to improve the public health status of women are warranted.

The Covid-19 Pandemic: Mourning In Brazilian Families

This article reports the experience of two therapeutic group projects carried out during the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil, coordinated by the working and research group Faces do Traumático [Faces of Trauma] at the Department of Psychoanalysis, Sedes Sapientiae Institute, São Paulo, Brazil. The groups were composed of people who lost family members as a result of Covid-19. We aim to demonstrate, using clinical vignettes and quotes from the participants, the importance of group interactions in the process of psychic elaboration of those losses, which took place in the broader context of social trauma that affected us all, through the recognition of suffering and the possibility of naming and giving voice to feelings that had remained silenced.

Study of Depression and Its Associated Factors Among Patients of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Hypertension (HTN) Attending a Primary Health Center (PHC) in a Rural Area of New Delhi, India.

Depression is among the most common mental disorders which is a leading cause of disability and is a negative prognostic indicator in many non-communicable chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN). Depression among these patients can further worsen their disease condition. Existing information on this topic has mostly come from tertiary care hospital setting. Hence, present study was done among patients attending a primary health center (PHC) in New Delhi. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 210 participants having diabetes and/or hypertension attending the non-communicable diseases (NCD) clinic at PHC, Fatehpur Beri, New Delhi. Simple random sampling was done and a pre-designed, semi-structured, interview-based questionnaire was used. Depression was assessed using a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The overall prevalence of depression was found to be 49% (n=103), out of which most had moderate depression (23.8%), 16.2% had moderately severe depression, and 9% had severe depression. Multivariate analysis results revealed the odds of having depression to be significantly higher among those who belonged to lower socioeconomic class (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=2.9, confidence interval, CI=1.2-7.4); had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus/hypertension (DM/HTN) (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=2.5, CI=1.1-6.1); had associated comorbidities (aOR=5.9, CI=2.4-15); sedentary lifestyle(aOR=7.8, CI=2.4-25.1); who had past history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection (aOR=14.7, CI=5.4-39.6); and those who lost family member(s) due to COVID-19 (aOR=10.1, CI=1.3-79.4). Prevalence of depression in patients with DM/HTN was found to be significantly high and various factors were found to be significant. Therefore, every such patient should be screened for depression; and periodic follow ups should also be conducted to prevent future complications and improve prognosis of the disease.

Ansiedade na Pandemia de COVID-19 no Brasil: Um Estudo Longitudinal

Objective: To measure the prevalence of anxiety longitudinally at two time points during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the associated factors. Method: A longitudinal observational study was conducted with 485 participants brazilians through a online questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics, individual health characteristics, stress, and anxiety were assessed using Chi-Square tests (to investigate the relationship between categorical variables and the outcome), Student's t-tests (to analyze the relationship between numerical variables and the outcome), and the Mann-Whitney test for the income variable.. Descriptive analysis was performed using means, standard deviation, and prevalence. Results: During the first data collection period (T1), 20.6% of respondents had clinically relevant anxiety, while in the second data collection period, 22.7% of participants had clinically significant anxiety. Among the analyzed periods, 15.6% of participants who did not have anxiety in the first data collection developed clinically significant anxiety in the second period, and 50% of those who were anxious in the first moment did not have clinically significant anxiety in the final period. It was possible to identify significant associations between the incidence of anxiety and being up to 24 years old, lower education level, high levels of fear of COVID-19, low physical activity, high levels of stress, and lower family income. At the same time, significant associations were observed between the incidence of recovery and higher education level, not having lost family members to COVID-19, lower levels of stress, and higher family income. Conclusion: Despite the high prevalence of anxious symptomatology among Brazilians, sociodemographic and behavioral factors could be identified as risk and protective factors for the development of clinically significant anxious symptomatology. Keywords: Pandemics, COVID-19, anxiety, mental health.

Weaponising Social Media, Mental Health and Surveillance Capitalism Another Side of the Coin

Individuals, executives lived experiences, and subjective information about every single action (ethical concern) you take is cautiously monetized and corroborated; false conspiracy theories and fake news, like various coronavirus thoughts, blow six times faster over social media is one of the practical case points as weaponizing social media and polarization, propaganda. These cosmetic modifications are tremendously popular among teenagers; plastic practitioners have underlined a new and unique syndrome for it. Persuasive Technology means everything we know about the psychology of what persuades people and builds that into a technological business attention extraction model to manipulate human behaviour for growth hacking. The term surveillance capitalism, explored by Twitter executives, says people must know everything online is being observed, pursued, and calculated. The former Twitter executive worked as senior vice president of engineering Tim Kendall (2021); members left Google in June (2017) due to ethical concerns. Positively, these sites have brought back together lost family members. They have sought out organ givers and saved lives. An expressive, systemic variation up-to-the-minute around the globe because of these platforms, but there is another side to see. This enquiry sheds light on the linkage between weaponizing social media, mental health and surveillance.

An Ecological Context That Scars: Reflections on Three Nature Documentaries of 2020

An Ecological Context That Scars: Reflections on Three Nature Documentaries of 2020