Outbreak Of Coronavirus Disease Research Articles

Mental health status and quality of life among Thai people after the COVID-19 outbreak: a cross-sectional study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on individuals’ mental health and well-being worldwide. This study investigated the prevalences of and association between mental health and quality of life (QOL) in Thailand after the COVID-19 outbreak. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Thai individuals aged ≥ 20 years across all regions. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between mental health and QOL. A total of 1,133 participants (mean age: 35.1 ± 17.2 years) completed the survey. The prevalence of depression with PHQ-9 instrument was 19.4%. Depression was significantly associated with those who have had family members die from COVID-19 infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.13–4.52]). The percentages of depression, anxiety, and stress with DASS-21 instrument were 32.4%, 45.4%, and 24.1%, respectively. Smokers and alcohol consumption had approximately 1.5-time higher risk of stress compared with non-smokers and no alcohol consumption (AOR = 1.50, 95% CI [1.01–2.24], AOR = 1.48, 95% CI [1.09–2.02], respectively). An association was observed between socioeconomic factors such as job and income loss and mental health outcomes. Depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly negatively associated with QOL. This study demonstrates a strong association between mental health and QOL among Thai people after the COVID-19 outbreak. The findings underscore the need for interventions targeting lifestyles, including those addressing alcohol consumption and smoking, especially among those who have had family members die from COVID-19 infection and mental health support services that can address depression, anxiety, and stress to improve the overall well-being of the population.

Public health rapid response in managing COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities: a regional public health unit perspective.

We describe here the impact of managing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks, during January-August 2022, in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Central Queensland, Australia, following the deployment of a public health rapid response team (PHRRT, comprising a medical officer, a communicable disease nurse, and an epidemiologist) from a regional public health unit (PHU). Our existing vaccine preventable diseases surveillance framework was used in identifying any symptomatic resident, triggering a PHRRT response. We found that the Hospital in the Home (HiTH) admission and death events were significantly lower after the introduction of the PHRRT than in the outbreaks that occurred before. Based on our experience with a PHRRT-led approach in mitigating the burden of outbreaks, we recommend regular reflection on optimising resources and practices in RACFs. Effective communication from PHUs can improve the RACFs' preparedness and capacity to respond, and can inform the best practice model to protect the highly susceptible elderly residents and their staff.

Lived experiences of South African bariatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Patients having bariatric surgery require comprehensive support both socially and professionally for successful surgery outcomes. With the outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many bariatric patients were negatively impacted due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing practices. This study used a qualitative research design using a phenomenological approach to gain a better understanding of bariatric patients’ difficulties and lifestyle challenges between 3 months and 6 years after having bariatric surgery, and to determine the impact that COVID-19 had on patients’ daily lives. A sample of 17 adults were recruited from three hospitals in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. In-depth interviews were conducted with open-ended questions that allowed participants to express their feelings and describe their lived experiences during the pandemic. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The research data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Most participants were women (88.2%) and married (64.7%). The study identified five main categories: (1) physical impact; (2) psychological impact; (3) social impact; (4) medical and follow-up care; and (5) financial impact. The study yielded results that were in support of existing COVID-19 bariatric surgery literature. Many participants in the study regained weight during the pandemic due to stress and the disruption of physical routines and healthy eating habits. Many experienced an increased anxiety of contracting the virus due to a compromised immune system. The need for professional support during this time was emphasised. All follow-up appointments were cancelled due to the pandemic. Virtual support groups were not favoured above in-person support groups. This research study concluded that bariatric patients regained weight due to the pandemic because of their healthy routines being disrupted. Bariatric patients are reliant on social and professional support for successful outcomes. In-person support group meetings are highly favoured amongst these patients.

The prevention and response to infectious diseases in long-term care facilities in Korea: a nationwide survey.

Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are communal environments for patients with chronic diseases or older adults, making them particularly susceptible to significant harm during infectious disease outbreaks. Nonetheless, LTCFs have historically been subject to less stringent infection prevention and control (IPC) mandates. This study aimed to assess the current state of LTCFs and to develop an IPC system tailored for these facilities following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We conducted an online survey of 11,366 LTCFs in Korea from December 30, 2022 to January 20, 2023, to evaluate the components of IPC in LTCFs. The infectious diseases targeted for IPC included COVID-19, influenza, and scabies. Additionally, we compared institution-based and home-based long-term care insurance facilities. Overall, 3,537 (31.1%) LTCFs responded to the survey, comprising 1,819 (51.4%) institution-based and 1,718 (48.6%) home-based facilities. A majority (87.4%, 2,376/2,720) of these facilities experienced COVID-19 outbreaks. However, only 42% of home-based facilities, in contrast to 90.6% of institution-based facilities, were equipped to manage concurrent COVID-19 cases. Similarly, while 92.1% of institution-based facilities were capable of managing influenza, only 50.5% of home-based facilities could do the same. The incidence of scabies was significantly higher in institution-based facilities than in home-based ones (26.1% vs. 4.3%). Additionally, 88.7% of institution-based facilities managed scabies cases effectively, compared to only 42.1% of home-based facilities. Approximately half of the LTCFs had a basic capacity to respond to infectious diseases. However, there were differences in response capabilities between institution-based facilities and home-based facilities.

Restorative and endodontic clinical strategies during COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic: a revision of the literature.

The aim of this study was to analyze clinical strategies supported by validated references during two of the most frequent dental emergencies (i.e. restorative and endodontic treatment) in the COVID-19 pandemic. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of an emergency in the health system worldwide and a potentially fatal disease. Person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through aerosol and droplets led to extensive preventive measures to contain COVID-19 outbreak. Dental care providers have been exposed to a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, due to the face-to-face communication and the exposure to saliva, blood, and other body fluids during routine interventions; this can also contribute to a high risk for cross-infection, even though dentist usually cope with those situations in everyday practice. Restorative and endodontic emergencies represented a high proportion of dental emergencies, with prolonged exposure time for dentists/endodontists in contact with suspected or confirmed infected patients. Lack of knowledge and undefined progression controlled the decision-making in clinical dentistry. The dynamicity of the situation determined change of views and recommendations in dental setting. The implementation of strict restorative and endodontics protocols are aimed at preventing circumstances similar to those observed with COVID-19.

An Empirical Study on Indian Economy Over COVID-19 Pandemic

The infectious disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged as a human pathogen and contributed to a pandemic around the world. According to the reports released as of February 2021, around 103 million confirmed cases and 2,247,917 deaths are registered. The pandemic of COVID-19, or coronavirus, has exposed several global system vulnerabilities. Even after having all the abilities to handle hazards, the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 isolated every one of us from others. COVID-19 has caused the Indian economy to experience considerable disruption. The current pandemic of the coronavirus may lead to a permanent loss of 4 per cent of real Indian gross domestic product (GDP). Some key sectors such as tourism and aviation, telecommunication, automobiles and transport are negatively impacted. The other sectors such as e-learning, e-retail, logistics, pharmaceuticals and so on benefit from COVID-19. The present research is intended to study the positive and negative effects of COVID-19 in different industries, taking into account data of a secondary type. The survey also concludes with the initiatives, schemes and market effects for five important sectors using various relevant statistical instruments and techniques for analysis and conclusion.

Exceptional heatwaves and mortality in Europe: Greater impacts since the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak

Record-breaking hot weather (exceptional heatwaves) has been increasingly common worldwide, posing a significant threat to human health. However, little is known about the effect of these exceptional heatwaves on mortality in Europe, especially since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, which converges with climate change to affect healthcare systems and human lives. We collected mortality data of 967 regions in 30 European countries over the last decade (2014–2023) from the Eurostat. A standard time-series analysis was used to estimate the effect of exceptional heatwaves by quasi-Poisson regression model, including the main effect (effect from heatwave intensity) and the added effect (effect from heatwave duration), on mortality for each region during two periods (before and since the COVID-19 outbreak). We used random effects meta-analysis to pool the mortality risk (i.e., relative risk [RR]) and burden (i.e., attributable fraction [AF]) associated with exceptional heatwaves, at the country level and for Europe as a whole. In Europe, the mortality burden attributable to main and added effects increased from 0.492% (95% CI: 0.488%–0.496%) to 1.276% (95% CI: 1.266%–1.285%) and from 0.307% (95% CI: 0.294%–0.318%) to 0.428% (95% CI: 0.407%–0.448%), respectively. Furthermore, substantial variations across countries were observed, with some countries such as France and Spain experiencing a large increase in the mortality burden attributable to exceptional heatwaves since the COVID-19 outbreak. Our findings underscore the urgent need for heat-health actions to consider the multi-effects of exceptional heatwaves amidst a warming climate.

Effects of essential caregiver policies on COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes.

Federal authorities banned nursing home visitation in the early days of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, there was growing concern that physical isolation may have unintended harms on nursing home residents. Thus, nursing homes and policymakers faced a tradeoff between minimizing COVID-19 outbreaks and limiting the unintended harms. Between June 2020 and January 2021, 17 states implemented Essential Caregiver policies (ECPs) allowing nursing home visitation by designated family members or friends under controlled circumstances. Using the Nursing Home COVID-19 Public File and other relevant data, we analyze the effects of ECPs on deaths among nursing home residents. We exploit variation in the existence of ECPs across states and over time, finding that these policies effectively reduce both non-COVID-19 and COVID-19 deaths, resulting in a decrease in total deaths. These effects are larger for states that implemented policies mandatorily or without restrictions, indicating a dose-response relationship. These policies reduce non-COVID-19 deaths in facilities with higher quality or staffing levels, while reducing COVID-19 deaths in facilities with lower quality or staffing levels. Our findings support the use and expansion of ECPs to balance resident safety and the need for social interaction and informal care during future pandemics.

Nosocomial Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a Hospital Ward during the Omicron Variant-Dominant Wave with a Review of the Relevant Literature.

Clusters of nosocomial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported globally during the recent pandemic. Unfortunately, these clusters negatively affect inpatient morbidity, mortality, and hospital functioning. Using epidemiological data and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2, this study investigated the outbreak of COVID-19 at a university hospital. Eight inpatients and 13 healthcare workers tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during a 1-month period. WGS of the virus in 11 patients revealed that the two variants of concern belonging to the Omicron sublineages, BA.2.3 and BA1.1.2, caused an outbreak when the proportion of the Omicron lineage in the community changed. When variants of concern undergo mutation, a response to the outbreak should be made with multiple variants in mind, even in the absence of epidemiological data showing close contact or other potential vectors of infection. Awareness of infection prevention and control should be raised to safeguard patient safety.

Consideration of the Impact of COVID-19 Crises on Radiation Safety: Focus on Regulatory Systems and Related Activities

Background: The radiation safety regulation system, characterized by its critical and domestically tailored features, encountered unexpected challenges due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Accordingly, each country implemented diverse measures to ensure the continuous efficacy of its regulatory system. This study investigates the responses of five institutions concerning radiation safety, collecting data aiming to enhance preparedness through systematic procedure.Materials and Methods: The data were extracted from official documents or websites of respective regulatory bodies (RBs) that discussed their responses to the radiation safety regulation system from COVID-19. From this data, it was observed that each country responded uniquely based on its specific conditions.Results and Discussion: Due to the repercussions of COVID-19, the regulatory system faced challenges, particularly regarding on-site inspections. In response, many countries published COVID-19 annual reports, with a few set up dedicated websites addressing its impact on the radiation regulatory frameworks. This data observed the distinct and situation-specific approaches adopted by each country in response to the pandemic. Notably, several nations introduced digital technologies into their regulations, including remote systems and online methods, while also customizing their regulatory systems according to respective circumstances.Conclusion: A variety of responses from the national RB regarding the radiation safety regulation system after the outbreak of COVID-19 highlight the importance of crisis preparedness and indicate that the current regulatory system could be enhanced.

Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO) Disturbed Lipid Metabolism in Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio), as Revealed by Lipidomics and Transcriptomics Analyses.

Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) has been widely utilized since the initial outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The widespread use of NaClO means that it can directly enter aquatic ecosystems through wastewater discharge. In this study, we analyzed the expression of PPAR-γ, FAS, and ACC1, which significantly increased in larval zebrafish following exposure to 300 μg/L NaClO for 7 days. Additionally, we examined the effects of high concentrations of NaClO on zebrafish through non-targeted lipidomics and transcriptomics. A total of 44 characteristic lipid molecules were identified using non-targeted lipidomics; an absolute quantitative analysis revealed that the contents of these subclasses of lipids decreased significantly following exposure to 300 μg/L NaClO for 7 days. The levels of triglyceride (TG), phosphatidylethanolamines (PE), and diglyceride (DG) were particularly affected. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that exposure to 300 μg/L NaClO could significantly disrupt global gene transcription in larval zebrafish. Interestingly, more than 700 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, primarily associated with lipid metabolism and glycometabolism pathways. Overall, our study provided new insights into the toxicological effects of chlorine-containing disinfectants in aquatic organisms.

The epidemiology and phylogenetic trends of Omicron subvariants from BA.5 to XBB.1 in Taiwan

BackgroundOmicron, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant, entered Taiwan at the end of 2021. The Taiwanese government ended its "zero-COVID" policy in March 2022. Multiple coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks began in April 2022. We monitored the replacement of Omicron subvariants after BA.1/BA.2 and analyzed their correlation with COVID-19 outbreaks. MethodsWe collected SARS-CoV-2 real-time qRTPCR-positive nasopharyngeal swabs from Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH), Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, and performed sequencing for specimens exhibiting a cytopathic effect in Vero E6 cells to determine their clades and lineages. We analyzed the medical records of COVID-19 patients and identified hospitalization risk factor(s). We retrieved SARS-CoV-2 sequences identified in Taiwan from GISAID and analyzed their correlation with COVID-19 data from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. ResultsWe analyzed the phylogenesis of KMUH-47 to KMUH-104 (SARS-CoV-2 isolates identified herein) and all of the Omicron subvariants from BA.5 to XBB.1 (n = 1930). Age and comorbidities were hospitalization risk factors. Men generally exhibited a greater fatality rate than women. COVID-19-related deaths predominantly occurred in individuals over 70 years old. The COVID-19-related case fatality rate increased as nucleotide (NT) and amino acid (AA) substitutions increased. The number of COVID-19-related cases and deaths progressively decreased with each outbreak between August 2022 and October 2023. ConclusionHospitalization was associated with age and the presence of comorbidities. COVID-19-related fatality was linked to sex, age, and the accumulation of NT and AA substitutions in emerging Omicron subvariants.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital setting.

Globally, cases of children's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported since the pandemic started. Most children have an asymptomatic or mild infection. Therefore, the incidence rate of COVID-19 in children might have been underestimated. This study aimed to determine (1) the seroprevalence (and seroconversion rates) of COVID-19, including associated risk factors, in pediatric patients visiting hospitals; and (2) the immunological responses to COVID-19. This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. Patients aged 0-18 years who visited the hospital from September 2020 to February 2022 were included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were reviewed. A total of 1,443 pediatric patients were enrolled. Of these, 323 (22.6%) had a history of COVID-19. In the pre-Delta period, the seroprevalence increased from 4.1% to 70.6% in all included patients and from 0.5% to 10% in patients without a known history of COVID-19 compared with the Delta-Omicron period. The seroconversion rate was 6.8% (19 per 100 person-years) in pediatric patients with COVID-19. Risk factors for COVID-19 seropositivity were respiratory symptoms, being in an outpatient department setting, and infection during the Delta-Omicron period. Exposure to household members with confirmed COVID-19 was a risk factor for seropositivity and seroconversion. Infection during the Delta-Omicron period and testing conducted >2 weeks after the onset of symptoms was associated with spike immunoglobulin (Ig) M and spike and nucleocapsid IgG, respectively. High nucleocapsid IgG levels were associated with pneumonia in pediatric patients with COVID-19. Pediatric patients exposed to household members with COVID-19 and respiratory symptoms should be tested for COVID-19. Nucleocapsid IgG can be used as a surrogate marker to identify patients who may have experienced pneumonia from COVID-19 and as a screening tool for the COVID-19 outbreak, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

Toward improved human health: Ferroptosis‐related “Hyperfoods” as the nutritional supplement in COVID‐19

AbstractThe outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) stimulates a body of studies for better investigating the essential mechanisms and clinical characteristics of this disease. Notwithstanding, the underlying mechanisms of multiple organ failure (MOF) remain unclear. Understanding the mechanism of COVID‐19‐stimulated programmed cell death (RCD) may contribute to better strategies for these patients. Based on the exploration of COVID‐19‐related basic science reports and clinical research, we speculate that ferroptosis, a recently identified RCD, might be a substantial stimulator for MOF in COVID‐19, and it may act as a novel treatment target. However, the published investigations to determine how ferroptosis works in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection are still lacking. This review reveals new crucial missing links in our prevailing understanding of the mechanisms that ferroptosis‐triggered MOF in COVID‐19 patients. We also specifically summarize several literatures evidence about the functional food components as the nutritional supplement for COVID‐19 by its characteristics of ferroptosis inhibition. We hope this hypothesis may launch a new wave of studies to unveil the relationship between ferroptosis and COVID‐19 and explore more ferroptosis‐related functional food components in daily life for preventing the COVID‐19 and/or to improve the outcome during therapy.

The first occurrence of COVID-19 delta variant in Anhui province, China

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it has caused serious casualties worldwide. In recent months, the virus has mutated into an increasingly infectious form (Delta variant) and spread rapidly. In the current study, we analyzed the clinical, epidemiological and viral genetic characteristics of the first four imported Delta cases in Anhui Province, China. These four patients developed lung inflammation, tissue damage and recovered after admission, and the serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and CRP levels showed a first increasing and then decreasing trend. The results showed that hs-CRP/CRP level showed the same trend as the degree of chest lesions in these patients, and serum neutralizing antibodies (Nab) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) level was also associated with the regression of chest lesions. The combination of genetic sequencing and epidemiological analysis suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant infection of these four patients may originate from Russia. Although the relatively smaller sample size of this study limited the extrapolation of the results, our study found a certain correlation between hs-CRP/CRP and Nab levels and the occurrence, development and outcome of COVID-19 delta variant, suggesting that monitoring hs-CRP/CRP and Nab levels of COVID-19 delta variant patients at hospital admission may be useful for understanding the severity of patients’ current conditions.

Seeking Dental Healthcare in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study Examining the Health Belief Model

Abstract Background and Objectives The main purpose of the study was to examine the factors influencing older adults’ seeking dental care, in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). Research Design and Methods Phone interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire, among 200 older adults aged 65 and above, who are members of the Israeli largest sick fund Clalit Health Services, that were sampled through a systematic random sample. The data were collected between January 2022 and March 2022 and during September 2022. Results Our findings indicate that since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Israel, 61.5% and 55% of the participants reported visiting a dentist and a dental hygienist, respectively, and about a fifth of the participants have foregone care at both. Seeking dental care was associated with an increase in perceived threat, benefits, willingness to seek care, and with a decrease in perceived barriers. The HBM was found to be a suitable framework for illuminating older adults’ dental behavior, which explains 43% of the variance. Discussion and Implications The results of the study provided first-hand findings regarding seeking dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings emphasize the importance of providing dental services with clear recommendations about dental care and appropriate protective equipment, even under conditions of health concern, to enhance oral health services utilization.

Cost-effectiveness and Accuracy Analysis of Different Screening Strategies for COVID-19

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is mainly confirmed through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which is both expensive and time-consuming and requires specific equipment. Thus, demand for rapid diagnostic methods, such as rapid antigen detection (RAD) tests, has emerged. Here, we assessed the efficiency and reliability of RAD for early diagnosis of COVID-19. Methods: We performed a retrospective study based on systemic COVID-19 screening and diagnosis using RAD and RT-PCR at Taipei City Hospital during the first COVID-19 outbreak week in Taiwan (28 May-6 June 2021). We postulated five strategies for COVID-19 screening in the general population: one RAD test, one RT-PCR test, one RAD test (negative) followed by one RT-PCR, one RAD test (positive) followed by one RT-PCR test, and two RAD tests and calculated their cost and accuracy. We also conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis to identify the most economically efficient strategy for COVID-19 diagnosis. This study included 6368 cases in total. Results: Although RAD exhibited low sensitivity (mean 66%), other values were acceptable: mean specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 99%, 82.8%, 97.5%, and 94.2%, respectively. RAD was the most cost-effective method. Additionally, it may be an effective diagnostic strategy in the later stages of the epidemic, warranting further research. Conclusion: Although RT-PCR remains the standard method for diagnosing COVID-19, RAD is faster and a more cost-effective, convenient, and globally available method, allowing for early detection of SARS-CoV-2. conclusion: We propose that RAD could be a fast and feasible method for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection, allowing for early detection. Although RT-PCR remains the standard method for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infection, RAD is a more cost-effective, convenient, fast, and globally available method.

Strength of Association between Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Neurological Disorders in Children: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Evidence suggests potential neurological complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly in adults. While case series have hinted at associations between COVID-19 and neurological disorders (NDs) in children, the extent of this link remains unclear. This study investigates temporal trends in NDs during the pandemic and assesses their potential association with COVID-19 infection in children. Methods: We analyzed national Thai hospitalization data (2017–2022) for children under 18 with specific NDs (acute transverse myelitis, central nervous system demyelination, neuromyelitis optica, optic neuritis, polyneuropathy, stroke). An interrupted time series analysis was employed to identify changes in the incidence trends of NDs following the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. A matched case-control analysis was conducted using data specific to the Thai COVID-19 outbreak period. This analysis aimed to estimate the association between recent/concurrent COVID-19 infection and NDs in children. A propensity score matching on age group, sex, and month of admission was performed before conducting logistic regression. Results: From 2017–2022, 1,721 children were admitted with NDs (2,474 admissions), with a male predominance (55%) and average age of 10.6 years. Significant slope change was observed in optical neuritis trends coinciding with the third COVID-19 wave. The case-control analysis included 468 cases and 2,340 controls. Children with NDs had a significantly higher prevalence of recent/concurrent COVID-19 (matched odds ratio: 1.95, 95% confidence interval: 1.21–3.16). Subgroup analysis revealed an association between stroke and recent/concurrent COVID-19 (matched odds ratio: 3.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–7.16). Thus, this study suggests an association between recent/concurrent COVID-19 and NDs, especially pediatric stroke.

Assessing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Social Determinants Among COVID-19 Case-Contact Dyads in Household Settings.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).The COVID-19 outbreak raised several public and mental health concerns including tremendous psychological distress. To assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among COVID-19-positive patientsand household contacts and to determine the socio-demographic factors associated with PTSD in the study population. A cross-sectional study was conducted among COVID-19-positive patients and their family members in Ernakulam district. A daily list of COVID-19-positive patients was obtained from the district officials. Confirmed cases and their close contacts in households were contacted over telephone and were interviewed after obtaining consent. Post-traumatic stress was assessed by the PTSD Symptom Scale - Interview Version (PSS-I-5) questionnaire. There were 279 study participants, of whom 93 were COVID-19 positive and the remaining 186 were their contacts.More than a third (34, 36.6%) of cases suffered from PTSD while about a fifth (40, 21.5%) of contacts suffered from PTSD. Among cases, persons belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) had 2.9l (1.19, 7.24) times higher risk compared to those above poverty line (APL). Women also had a 2.8 (1.14, 7.01) higher odds compared to males. Among contacts, graduates had a 9.54 (95% CI: 1.84, 49.36) increased odds whereas homemakers were found to be protected (0.195 (0.06, 0.66)) against PTSD compared to the employed group. Psychological counselling and support are essential for addressing PTSD among women and those living with BPL, as these groups are disproportionately affected.

Mitigating the effect of COVID-19 in a postemergency phase: The role of sense of community and individual resilience.

To identify and confirm patterns of relationships connecting sense of community (SOC) and individual resilience with psychological well-being, via the mediation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacts on life domains. An online survey was conducted with a sample of adults (n = 650) 1 year after the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy and the United States (April-December 2021). Utilizing a Structural Equation Model, we tested a mediation model (n = 563) to identify the associations between SOC and individual resilience and the perceived impacts of the emergency situation and psychological well-being. Results revealed that during the crisis, SOC had an influence on psychological well-being, but only by mediating the effects of COVID-19 impacts on life domains. Independently, individual resilience had a direct influence on psychological well-being. The findings support the importance of the interaction of individual and collective variables that played different roles at different phases of the pandemic. The findings suggest for possible interventions to enhance well-being during crises.