Nationwide Quarantine Research Articles

A workplace wellness program protects against COVID-19 effects on mental wellbeing

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had deleterious effects on workers’ mental wellbeing. The current study investigated the impact of an online workplace wellness program on teacher mental wellbeing and mindfulness during the first four months of nation-wide quarantine in New Zealand. Longitudinal data at three time points were examined: baseline, end of program, and 3 months post-program in a sample of 32 teachers. Tests of paired data of baseline versus the later time points found statistically significant improvements in mental wellbeing (Warwick-Edinburg Mental Wellbeing Scale) and mindfulness (The Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire) with large effect sizes. Mindfulness scores were higher at 3 months follow up compared to end-of-program suggesting teachers’ mindfulness ratings continued to improve after program completion. Implications for research and workplace training are discussed.

Anxiety, coping style and hopelessness during COVID-19 pandemic: An Iranian population-based study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused new conditions such as nationwide quarantine, a dramatic decrease in-person interaction and an increase in death anxiety for governments and people. The pandemic of an unpredictable disease with no definite treatment can pose physical and psychological risks to individuals. The present study aimed to investigate the state of anxiety, coping styles, and hopelessness of people in the lockdown period and reopening in Iran. In this national population-based cross-sectional study, a total of 1191 people who had access to social networks from all over Iran completed the anxiety, hopelessness, and coping style questionnaires online using the snowball sampling method. Analysis was conducted using Stata software version 12 (Stat Corp). The significance level was set at 0.05. The results of the study suggested that women experienced higher levels of anxiety than men, and, in stressful situations, women were more likely to use emotion-focused coping styles, while men frequently used problem-focused coping styles. The majority of participants reported moderate levels of anxiety and low levels of hopelessness (64.04%). The results of multiple linear regression show any level of anxiety mild (ß = 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.32-0.85), moderate (ß = 0.72, 95% CI: 1.36-1.08), and severe (ß = 2, 95% CI: 1.36-2.56) relative to the none anxiety significantly increase the hopelessness, Furthermore, showing a negative significant adjusted association with the problem-focused coping style (ß = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.07 to -0.04), and a significant positive association with the emotion-focused coping style (ß = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.06). Our findings could be used to prevent psychological damage in societies and suggested addressing problem-focused coping style, especially during a crisis, and providing people with preprepared mental health protocols at this pandemic.

Genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern circulating in Hawai'i to facilitate public-health policies.

Using genomics, bioinformatics and statistics, herein we demonstrate the effect of statewide and nationwide quarantine on the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) in Hawai'i. To define the origins of introduced VOC, we analyzed 260 VOC sequences from Hawai'i, and 301,646 VOC sequences worldwide, deposited in the GenBank and global initiative on sharing all influenza data (GISAID), and constructed phylogenetic trees. The trees define the most recent common ancestor as the origin. Further, the multiple sequence alignment used to generate the phylogenetic trees identified the consensus single nucleotide polymorphisms in the VOC genomes. These consensus sequences allow for VOC comparison and identification of mutations of interest in relation to viral immune evasion and host immune activation. Of note is the P71L substitution within the E protein, the protein sensed by TLR2 to produce cytokines, found in the B.1.351 VOC may diminish the efficacy of some vaccines. Based on the phylogenetic trees, the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1.427, and B.1.429 VOC have been introduced in Hawai'i multiple times since December 2020 from several definable geographic regions. From the first worldwide report of VOC in GenBank and GISAID, to the first arrival of VOC in Hawai'i, averages 320 days with quarantine, and 132 days without quarantine. As such, the effect of quarantine is shown to significantly affect the time to arrival of VOC in Hawai'i. Further, the collective 2020 quarantine of 43-states in the United States demonstrates a profound impact in delaying the arrival of VOC in states that did not practice quarantine, such as Utah. Our data demonstrates that at least 76% of all definable SARS-CoV-2 VOC have entered Hawai'i from California, with the B.1.351 variant in Hawai'i originating exclusively from the United Kingdom. These data provide a foundation for policy-makers and public-health officials to apply precision public health genomics to real-world policies such as mandatory screening and quarantine.

APPROACHES IN PROVIDING HIGHLY EFFECTIVE DISTANCE LEARNING AT THE DEPARTMENT OF THERAPEUTIC DENTISTRY, POLTAVA STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Modern medical education is significantly affected by the nationwide quarantine that has made adjustments to the development and functioning in all sectors of society. Inability to conduct offline full-fledged classes at educational settings contributed to the wider implementation of distance education.
 According to the Law of Ukraine "On Higher Education", distance education has the official status of an independent form of education on a par with full-time, extramural and externships.
 Modern platforms and services allow educators to continue the educational process at high quality levels during quarantine. Thus, groups in Viber, created for quick transmission of messages at the beginning of the last academic year, are now organically woven into the educational process. The educators at the Department of Therapeutic Stomatology actively use the Viber messenger in cases where there are problems in joining students to electronic courses and providing assistance. The department staff actively uses the services of the Zoom platform to conduct distance learning. Free service with a clear interface enables to actively participate in online meetings. The option of screen sharing allows each participant to receive and contribute their own information to group discussion thus maintaining feedback. In Zoom, it is easy to submit new material, in particular presentations, and check its assimilation by students. The chat can be used for asking quick questions and writing comments during the class. By controlling the chat, educators can add or remove participants, give the right to vote, access to the screen, separate communication. Such classes also foster the communication skills. You can plan the date of the conference [2]. The recording of the conference can be stored in separate folders. In addition, using the Zoom platform, we can hold department meetings, scientific student group meetings, etc. The department staff actively participates in various conferences, meetings of the academic councils using the Zoom platform.
 Nevertheless, online education cannot provide the proper question of practical skills. This prompted the search for visual examples and opportunities to demonstrate working with phantoms and patients in the format of distance learning to medical and dental students. Some opportunities in this direction are provided by the YouTube platform. A large number of correspondents provide this platform with an almost immeasurable variety of videos on different topics for students to view materials on the discipline. The videos are specially created for both teachers and students to explain and demonstrate certain concepts, ways of using equipment or dental accessories, the mechanism of action of a medicinal product, etc. Taking into account the above mentioned, we can determine the main ways of the development of the distance learning system: creation of various distance learning programs; increasing the number of open access and free educational distance mass courses, etc. Distance technologies applied in teaching the discipline "Therapeutic Dentistry" enables to enrich the medical training, foster systemic thinking, and to design more flexible student-centred approach.

“COVID-19 İÇİN EVDE KAL” HAYATININ ÖĞRENCİLERİN KAYGI DÜZEYLERİ VE YEME DAVRANIŞLARINA ETKİSİ

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of the quarantine process applied in the COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety levels and eating behaviors of individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was made in a cross-sectional type with students studying in the health department of a university. 510 students participated in the study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Test (GAD-7). RESULTS: The mean age of the students participating in the study was 21.82±4.45, 21.4% were male and 78.6% were female. During the stay at home, individuals frequently stated that they consume more home-cooked food and eat healthy. In the study, a significant correlation was found between the ages of the students and the TFEQ sub-dimension, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating. The mean score of the students from the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale was found to be 8.73±5.80. In addition, when their anxiety levels were graded, it was found that 25.9% had mild anxiety, 35.5% had moderate anxiety, 21.8% had high anxiety and 17.8% had severe anxiety. The general anxiety groups and TFEQ total scores and the scores of the TFEQ subgroups were compared and the TFEQ total score of the generalized anxiety groups was 38.03 ± 10.57, while those with moderate anxiety were 41.65 ± 10.74 and those with high anxiety were 45.22. ± 8.58 and those with severe anxiety were determined as 41.97 ± 11.62. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that a significant portion of university students experienced changes in eating behaviors and anxiety disorders during the nationwide quarantine caused by the pandemic. Quarantine measures taken to protect public health have shown that eating disorders have increased especially in the overweight and obese group.

The role of psychosocial factors in explaining sex differences in major depression and generalized anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundUnderstanding how pandemics differentially impact on the socio-protective and psychological outcomes of males and females is important to develop more equitable public health policies. We assessed whether males and females differed on measures of major depression and generalized anxiety during the COVID-19 the pandemic, and if so, which sociodemographic, pandemic, and psychological variables may affect sex differences in depression and anxiety.MethodsParticipants were a nationally representative sample of Irish adults (N = 1,032) assessed between April 30th to May 19th, 2020, during Ireland’s first COVID-19 nationwide quarantine. Participants completed self-report measures of anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9), as well as 23 sociodemographic pandemic-related, and psychological variables. Sex differences on measures of depression and anxiety were assessed using binary logistic regression analysis and differences in sociodemographic, pandemic, and psychological variables assessed using chi-square tests of independence and independent samples t-tests.ResultsFemales were significantly more likely than males to screen positive for major depressive disorder (30.6% vs. 20.7%; χ2 (1) = 13.26, p < .001, OR = 1.69 [95% CI = 1.27, 2.25]), and generalised anxiety disorder (23.3% vs. 14.4%; χ2 (1) = 13.42, p < .001, OR = 1.81 [95% CI = 1.31, 2.49]). When adjusted for all other sex-varying covariates however, sex was no longer significantly associated with screening positive for depression (AOR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.51, 1.25) or GAD (AOR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.60, 1.57).ConclusionObserved sex-differences in depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland are best explained by psychosocial factors of COVID-19 related anxiety, trait neuroticism, lower sleep quality, higher levels of loneliness, greater somatic problems, and, in the case of depression, increases in childcaring responsibilities and lower trait consciousnesses. Implications of these findings for public health policy and interventions are discussed.

Initial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a US Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Clinic.

Background:In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a nationwide quarantine that forced individuals to adjust their daily activities, potentially impacting the burden of foot and ankle disease. The purpose of this study was to compare diagnoses made in an orthopaedic foot and ankle clinic during the shelter-in-place period of the COVID-19 pandemic to diagnoses made during the same months of the previous year.Methods:A retrospective review of new patients presenting to the clinics of 4 fellowship-trained orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons in a major United States city was performed. Patients in the COVID-19 group presented between March 22 and July 1, 2020, during the peak of the quarantine for this city. Patients in the control group presented during the same period of 2019. Final diagnosis, chronicity of symptoms (acute: ≤1 month), and mechanism of disease were compared between groups.Results:A total of 1409 new patient visits were reviewed with 449 visits in the COVID-19 group and 960 visits in the control group. The COVID-19 group had a significantly higher proportion of ankle fractures (8.7% vs 5.4%, P = .020) and stress fractures (4.2% vs 2.2%, P = .031), but a smaller proportion of Achilles tendon ruptures (0.7% vs 2.5%, P = .019). The COVID-19 group had a higher proportion of acute injuries (35.4% vs 23.5%, P < .001).Conclusion:There was a shift in prevalence of pathology seen in the foot and ankle clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may reflect the adoption of different activities during the quarantine period and reluctance to present for evaluation of non-urgent injuries.Level of Evidence:Level III, retrospective cohort study.

"Mothers are Medicine": U.S. Indigenous Media Emphasizing Indigenous Women's Roles in COVID-19 Coverage.

As COVID-19 surged in 2020, non-Indigenous media had a chronic disease of its own: sparse pandemic news from Indian Country. Within this inadequate coverage, there was an erasure of sources: Indigenous women were missing. This study evaluates the role of gender in U.S. Indigenous news coverage during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a qualitative thematic textual analysis, 161 Indigenous media news articles were analyzed to examine gendered news coverage themes from the time the United States instituted a nationwide quarantine until the autumn of 2020. U.S. Indigenous media amplified voices of the Indigenous women on the COVID-19 frontlines. This study focuses on Indigenous media as the benchmark for telling ethical diverse Indigenous community-focused stories, illustrating how women's voices led media coverage and amplified issues. U.S. tribes are often matriarchal. As Europeans wielded disease and genocide as extermination tactics on these communities, women's voices served as medicine to guide narratives to community solutions and healing. As such, this study seeks to add to current theoretical understanding of how Indigenous women's roles were portrayed in COVID-19 coverage.

Who Does the Caring? Gender Disparities in COVID-19 Attitudes and Behaviors

AbstractDo men and women exhibit different attitudes and behaviors toward COVID-19 public health measures? Is there a gender gap in support for and compliance with government recommendations during a public health crisis? While the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on women suggests that they would oppose burdensome quarantine measures, theories of gender differences in prosocial and communion attitudes indicate that women should be more likely to conform with public health measures designed to protect the most vulnerable. We test hypotheses about a gender gap in attitudes toward public health recommendations through an original, nationally representative survey implemented in Peru, one of the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, and the construction of a representative matched sample that allows us to make comparisons between women and men. We find that women are more likely than men to endorse lockdown measures and to support the continuation of a nationwide quarantine. We also find evidence of a gender gap in compliance with public health recommendations about avoiding crowded areas and social gatherings. Our findings have important policy implications. The results suggest that public health recommendations to fight COVID-19 should be framed in a way that maximizes compliance by both men and women.

ПАНДЕМІЯ COVID–19 У ЄВРОПІ: ВИКЛИКИ ТА ПОШУК ВІДПОВІДЕЙ

The purpose of the article is violated in the studied and generalization of the main aspects of the policy of the European state, on the eve of the countries of the European Union, regarding countering the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and the study of the features and effectiveness of the Swedish model to prevent similar threats in the future. The scientific novelty of the study is due to the seriousness of the challenges and the threat of a universal nature both for Europe and for the modern globalized and interdependent world. This is especially important given the global scale and scale of the Covid-19 pandemic that humanity has faced in early 2020. The world community, including all its regional segments, faced an unprecedented challenge of chronic disease, which belongs to asymmetric shocks that begin with a small shock and then quickly cover the whole world. Conclusions. The outbreak of the coronavirus disease at the beginning of 2020 came as a surprise to the whole world. The World Health Organization belatedly, but in March 2020, announced the pandemic and the need for a serious and urgent fight against it. The first patients with Covid-19 in European countries appeared in January 2020. At the same time, the first deaths from the coronavirus disease were recorded in Europe. Already in the first months of the pandemic, Italy, Spain, and France faced its severe consequences, including a large number of deaths. Most European countries, including Ukraine, have introduced strict restrictive measures, including mass self-isolation, restrictions on economic and trade activities, termination of the educational process with its subsequent transfer to distance education, etc. Almost all available resources of the national health care systems were mobilized to fight the pandemic. Sweden’s public policy to combat the spread of the pandemic was outstanding in the European democratic space. The Swedish model of public policy to combat the Covid-19 pandemic was based on the principle of public responsibility and reliance on a highly developed national health care system. The main place in the approach of the Swedish government to this problem was taken by the course on the development of collective immunity. The principle of voluntariness, which did not involve the introduction of a nationwide quarantine, played an important role. At the initial stage) the restrictive measures in Sweden were mild, were mainly of a recommendatory nature, and were based on the principle of situational response. The Swedish government did not introduce strict measures and restrictions for the economy, businesses and institutions were recommended to switch to remote work. Sweden was the only country in the European Union that did not introduce a lockdown at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in Europe. In addition, the need to observe social distance, personal hygiene, and help the elderly was emphasized. The decline in economic and business activity in general was smaller in Sweden than in other European Union countries. At the same time, under the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the average annual mortality rates have increased significantly. In general, the generalization of the experience and results of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in the countries of the European Union, the study of the effectiveness of the features of the Swedish model of combating the coronavirus disease should contribute to greater resilience of the states and societies of Europe in the face of modern threats and challenges of the globalized world.

Swedish Policy of Сountering the COVID-19 Pandemic

Statement and relevance of the problem. In early 2020, the outbreak of coronavirus disease came as a surprise to the whole world. The need for effective counteraction at the global and regional levels required decisive action from international organisations and state governments. The World Health Organization has announced the pandemic and the need for a thorough and urgent fight against it. European countries have introduced strict restrictive measures, in particular, mass self-isolation, restrictions on economic and trade activities, termination of the educational process with its subsequent transfer to distance learning, etc. Sweden was the only EU member state to pursue a much softer and more liberal policy in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of the study is primarily to investigate features of the Swedish model of countering the spread of COVID-19. Scientific research is based on the use of comparative historical and statistical methods, and elements of retrospective and prospective factor analysis. Conclusions and prospects of the study. Based on the investigation of the Swedish government's policy on the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of features of the measures applied were highlighted. The Swedish model was based on the principle of public responsibility and reliance on a highly developed national health system. The basic course was to develop collective immunity in society. An important role was played by the principle of voluntariness, which did not provide for the introduction of a nationwide quarantine. Therefore, (especially at the initial stage) restrictive measures in Sweden were mild and mostly advisory in nature. Additionally, the need to maintain social distance and personal hygiene was emphasised. No strict measures or restrictions were introduced for the economy; businesses and institutions were advised to switch to remote work. Sweden has become the only EU country that has not implemented a lockdown in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Swedish counteraction policy, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was based on the principle of situational response: the authorities implemented certain measures in accordance with their timeliness and effectiveness. All this suggests a special Swedish model of state policy aimed at effectively overcoming the manifestations and consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. The generalisation of Sweden's experience would allow developing approaches for creating effective measures to prevent and quickly counter such threats

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Sexual Behavior of Hetero-, Homo-, and Bisexual Males in Germany.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered the way of life around the world. Due to social distancing measures, contact restrictions and fears of infection, social life has changed significantly. These measures along with the stressors associated with the current worldwide situation, will inevitably have an effect on people's interpersonal and personal behaviors.AimThis study evaluates the effect the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide German lockdown had on the sexual behavior of cis men.MethodsAn anonymous nationwide web-based questionnaire was conducted among cis men in Germany during the first COVID-19 home isolation (April 20, 2020–July 20, 2020). The questionnaire was distributed via e-mail, online chats and social-media platforms.Main Outcome MeasuresData was collected on general characteristics including demographics and socio-economic backgrounds. To evaluate sexual health, questions from the Sexual Behavior Questionnaire were included.Results523 cis male participated. 414 met the inclusion criteria. Most were heterosexual (n = 248, 59.9%; vs homosexual n = 97, 23.4%; vs bisexual n = 69, 16.7%). 243 (59%) were employed, 153 (37.1%) were students and 16 (3.9%) were unemployed. Most of the participants reported an annual income lower than 75.000€. During the lockdown, average weekly frequency of sexual intercourse and masturbation was increased in all groups. Consistently, a significant rise of higher satisfaction with the frequency of sexual contacts during the quarantine was observed (P < .05). Furthermore, the level of sexual arousal increased significantly in all groups (P < .0005). Capability to enjoy sexual intercourse or masturbation increased significantly in heterosexual (P < .0005) and homosexual men (P < .005). Bisexual participants showed a significant increase in general satisfaction with sexual life (P < .05) and a significant decrease in satisfaction in relationship or single life (P < .05). Positive confounders in the changing of sexual behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic were: Being in a relationship or being single, parenthood and being employed.ConclusionOur study firstly describes how COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions and social distancing measurements altered sexual behavior amongst cis male in Germany. Further studies, including sexual minorities specifically, are needed to clarify if the behavior in the first German nationwide quarantine has persisted or transformed as the pandemic proceeded. Mumm J-N, Vilsmaier T, Schuetz JM, et al. How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Sexual Behavior of Hetero-, Homo-, and Bisexual Males in Germany. Sex Med 2021;9:100380.

COVID-19, Diabetes, and Associated Health Outcomes in China: Results from a Nationwide Survey of 10 545 Adults.

This study examined the associations between diabetes and self-reported/familial COVID-19 infection and investigated health-related outcomes among those with diabetes during China's nationwide quarantine. The 2020 China COVID-19 Survey was administered anonymously via social media (WeChat). It was completed by 10 545 adults in all of mainland China's 31 provinces. The survey consisted of 74 items covering sociodemographic characteristics, preventive measures for COVID-19, lifestyle behaviors, and health-related outcomes during the period of quarantine. Regression models examined associations among study variables. Diabetes was associated with a six-fold increased risk of reporting COVID-19 infection among respondents or their family members. Among people with diabetes, individuals who rarely wore masks had double the risk of suspected COVID-19 infection compared with those who always wore masks, with an inverse J-shaped relationship between face mask wearing and suspected COVID-19 infection. People with diabetes tended to have both poor knowledge of COVID-19 and poor compliance with preventive measures, despite perceiving a high risk of personal infection (40.0% among respondents reporting diabetes and 8.0% without diabetes). Only 54-55% of these respondents claimed to consistently practice preventive measures, including wearing face masks. Almost 60% of those with diabetes experienced food or medication shortages during the quarantine period, which was much higher than those without diabetes. Importantly, respondents who experienced medication shortages reported a 63% higher COVID-19 infection rate. Diabetes was associated with an increased risk of self-reported personal and family member COVID-19 infection, which is mitigated by consistent use of face masks.

Pareto-based evaluation of national responses to COVID-19 pandemic shows that saving lives and protecting economy are non-trade-off objectives

Countries worldwide have adopted various strategies to minimize the socio-economic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Stringency of imposed measures universally reflects the standpoint from which protecting public health and avoiding damage to economy are seen as contradictory objectives. Based on epidemic trajectories of 25 highly developed countries and 10 US states in the (mobility reduction)–(reproduction number) plane we showed that delay in imposition of nation-wide quarantine elevates the number of infections and deaths, surge of which inevitably has to be suppressed by stringent and sustained lockdown. As a consequence, cumulative mobility reduction and population-normalized cumulative number of COVID-19-associated deaths are significantly correlated and this correlation increases with time. Overall, we demonstrated that, as long as epidemic suppression is the aim, the trade-off between the death toll and economic loss is illusory: high death toll correlates with deep and long-lasting lockdown causing a severe economic downturn.

Adjustment disorder, traumatic stress, depression and anxiety in Poland during an early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Background: The current COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a variety of stressors. Preliminary research has demonstrated that general public are experiencing a range of psychological problems, including stress-related disturbances. However, to date, there is not much research on the prevalence of adjustment disorder during the current pandemic. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of symptoms of adjustment disorder compared to posttraumatic symptoms, depression and generalized anxiety in a large sample of adult Poles, in the first phase of the current pandemic. Method: Self-report data from a web-based sample (N = 1,742) was collected between March 25 and April 27, just after the introduction of nationwide quarantine measures in Poland. Results: The current COVID-19 pandemic was a highly stressful event for 75% of participants and the strongest predictor of adjustment disorder. Increased symptoms of adjustment disorder were reported by 49%, and they were associated with female gender and not having a full-time job. However, after exclusion of co-occurring symptomatology, 14% of the sample were finally qualified as meeting diagnostic criteria of adjustment disorder. A substantial proportion of the sample screened also positive for generalized anxiety (44%) and depression (26%); the rate for presumptive PTSD diagnosis was 2.4%. Conclusions: High rates of negative mental health outcomes were found in the Polish population in the first weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures. They indicate the intense current stress-related symptoms in the early phase of the pandemic and warrant further monitoring on population’s mental health.

Knowledge and Impact of COVID-19 on Middle-Aged and Older People Living with HIV in Lima, Peru.

COVID-19 has had an unprecedented worldwide impact, and Peru has had one of the highest COVID-19 case rates despite implementation of an early strict nationwide quarantine. Repercussions on Peru's healthcare system may impact vulnerable populations, particularly people with HIV (PWH). We explored knowledge of COVID-19 and the socioeconomic and health impact of the pandemic among middle-aged and older PWH. A cross-sectional telephone survey was administered to 156 PWH age ≥40 years receiving care in one of two large HIV clinics in Lima, Peru. The majority of PWH (age 52 ± 7.7 years, 41% female, 65% completed secondary school or less) were knowledgeable regarding COVID-19 symptoms and prevention methods. Nearly half of those employed prior to the pandemic reported job loss. Female sex (unadjusted prevalence ratio [PR] 1.85 [95%CI 1.27-2.69]), low educational level (PR 1.62 [1.06-2.48]) and informal work (PR 1.58 [1.06-2.36]) were risk factors for unemployment but not in adjusted models. Increased anxiety was reported in 64% and stress in 77%. COVID-19 has had a substantial socioeconomic and mental health impact on PWH living in Lima, Peru, particularly those with lower educational levels and informal workers. Efforts are needed to ensure continued medical care and socioeconomic support of PWH in Peru.

The effect of nationwide quarantine on anxiety levels during the COVID-19 outbreak in China.

BackgroundIn the recent outbreak of COVID‐19, many countries have enacted various kinds of quarantine measures to slow down the explosive spread of COVID‐19. Although these measures were proven to be successful in stopping the outbreak in China, the potential adverse effects of countrywide quarantine have not been thoroughly investigated.MethodsIn this study, we performed an online survey to evaluate the psychological effects of quarantine using the Zung Self‐rating Anxiety Scale in February 2020 when the outbreak had nearly peaked in China. Along with the anxiety scores, limited personal information, such as age, gender, region, education, occupation, and specifically, the type and duration of quarantine, was collected for analysis.ResultsFrom a total of 992 valid questionnaires from 23 provinces in China, clinically significant anxiety symptoms were observed in 9.58% of respondents according to clinical diagnostic standards in China. The specific groups of people showing higher levels of anxiety were (a) adolescents (<18 years); (b) respondents with education lower than junior high school; (c) people with chronic diseases; and (d) frontline medical personnel. Other characteristics, such as gender, marital status, region, and acquaintance with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID‐19, did not affect anxiety levels significantly. Respondents who experienced different forms of quarantine showed different anxiety levels. People undergoing centralized quarantine have higher levels of anxiety. Unexpectedly, longer durations of quarantine did not lead to a significant increase in anxiety level.ConclusionsOur results suggest a rather mild psychological influence caused by the countrywide quarantine during the COVID‐19 outbreak in China and provide a reference for other countries and regions battling COVID‐19.

The Psychological Impact of Movement Restriction during the COVID-19 Outbreak on Clinical Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia and the subsequent closure of all educational institutions. We aimed to examine the psychological impact of the MCO among clinical undergraduates. A cross-sectional study was conducted using self-reported questionnaires that were distributed online using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS 21), Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS), and the newly designed MCO effect questionnaire. Seven hundred seventy-two students completed the survey. The prevalence of psychological distress was 52.8%, with around 60% of respondents reporting disruption to their daily lives. Older (p = 0.015) and more senior students (p < 0.001) were less likely to be anxious than their younger and junior counterparts, respectively. A greater number of social support (three or more) was linked to a lower score of depression (p = 0.005) and stress (p = 0.045). Undergraduates who received family support demonstrated lower depression scores (p = 0.037) and higher mental wellbeing (p = 0.020) compared to those without. Government support was independently associated with a lesser risk of depressive symptoms (Adjusted odds ratio, AOR 0.68; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.47–0.99) and a greater sense of mental wellbeing (AOR 1.54; 95% CI 1.06–2.22). The present finding provides evidence of a high prevalence of psychological distress among clinical undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appropriate social support is important in alleviating anxiety and stress and promoting greater mental wellbeing amongst students during the nationwide quarantine.

Demographic and Attitudinal Factors of Adherence to Quarantine Guidelines During COVID-19: The Italian Model.

In Italy, a large outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred from 2020 January 30, before the World Health Organization has stated that it is a pandemic. The nationwide quarantine had the desired impact of controlling the epidemic, although had presented many challenges, given its large economic and social costs. Complete adherence to recommendations can potentially decelerate and reduce infectious disease outbreaks. To date, it is not clear how compliant the Italian public has been with voluntary home quarantine, neither which factors have influenced an individual’s decision to comply with a quarantine order. The purposes of this study were to investigate the degree of the adherence to quarantine restrictions and the factors associated with the self-reported adherence. During the third week of the national lockdown, 3,672 Italian quarantined adult residents (65% females; range, 18–85 years) participated in an online cross-sectional survey focused on the risk perception of contracting COVID-19 and their reported adherence to quarantine protocols. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among demographic groups in tendency to comply with quarantine orders, with women, most educated people, residents of Southern Italy, middle-aged individuals, and health workers more likely to adhere to quarantine guidelines. As well, participants exhibiting the perception, anxiety, and susceptibility of risk of contracting COVID-19 disease were found significantly more likely to adhere to quarantine guidelines. The results of this study can help public health policy makers to recognize target populations for COVID-19 prevention and health education and to understand how inform communication strategies aimed at minimizing the impact and spread of the disease.

Invisible children and non-essential workers: Child protection during COVID-19 in Israel according to policy documents and media coverage

BackgroundThe protection of children from maltreatment has become extremely challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The public's gaze is focused on the urgent health crisis, while many children are at risk due to social isolation and reduced social services. ObjectiveExamine child protection in Israel during COVID-19, as portrayed in mainstream news media and government policy documents. Participants and settingThe study analyzed all policy documents and mainstream media reports published in Israel from March to May 2020, during the initial mandatory nationwide quarantine. Methods(1) Search of relevant articles in mainstream news websites; (2) Search of documents in official websites of relevant government ministries and agencies. Results28 government policy documents and 22 media articles were found relevant. When examined chronologically, what stood out was the initial decision to shut down social services, including some of the residential care units for youth at risk, and declare social workers “non-essential”. These decisions were revoked a few weeks into the quarantine, following persistent media pressure by child advocates, resulting in minor changes in policy. ConclusionChildren were initially invisible to Israeli policymakers facing the pandemic, highlighting the centrality of advocates promoting children's rights and of mainstream news media in disseminating the discourse of protecting children from maltreatment, especially in times of crisis. Moreover, the study points to the heightened threat to at-risk children due to inadequate policies, and to the urgent need to develop child protection policies in order to avoid further risk in future global crises.