COVID-19 Pandemic Period Research Articles

Mental disorders in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from the DPV registry.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of children and adolescents in the general population, yet its impact on those with chronic conditions is relatively unknown. This study aimed to compare the incidences of comorbid mental disorders and substance misuse in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes before and during the pandemic. A total of 42,975 patients aged 6-18 years from the multicentre DPV (Diabetes Prospective Follow-up) registry were included. Multivariable regression models were applied to compare newly diagnosed comorbid mental disorders, adjusted for demographic and clinical variables, among them the number of medical visits, during the pre-pandemic period (09/2017-02/2020) and the COVID-19 pandemic period (03/2020-08/2022). Analysing both sexes together, there were no differences in the incidence rates of overall mental disorders between the pandemic and the pre-pandemic period. However, girls showed an increased incidence rate (odds ratio 1.2, CI 1.1-1.3) during the pandemic. Adolescent girls also displayed higher incidence rates of depression, eating disorders, and self-harm. Substance misuse declined overall during the pandemic (odds ratio 0.8, CI 0.7-0.9). During the COVID-19 pandemic, we found higher incidence rates of overall mental disorders in girls, but not in boys and not in the total study population of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Adolescent girls displayed increased incidence rates of depression, eating disorders, and self-harm. Substance misuse declined substantially. Clinicians should be aware of the high-risk group of adolescent girls during times of increased strain.

Decreased Positive Fecal Occult Blood Tests and Delayed Medical Presentation for Colorectal Cancer during the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Period: A Single-center Experience.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the examination and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) and on the behaviors of patients and practitioners. This is a retrospective analysis of the CRC patients who presented to our department between April 2019 and March 2021 and underwent surgery. Clinical presentation of CRC and time from symptom onset to medical presentation were compared between the control (April 2019 to March 2020, n=124) and COVID-19 pandemic periods (April 2020 to March 2021, n=111). Two hundred and thirty-five patients were reviewed. The rate of positive fecal occult blood tests was significantly lower during the COVID-19 pandemic period (13.5 vs. 25.0%, P = 0.027). Among the symptomatic patients who had melena and abdominal symptoms, the time from symptom onset to medical presentation was significantly longer during the COVID-19 period (115 vs. 31 days, P < 0.001). In addition, the interval between presenting to a practitioner and being referred to our department was similar between the two periods (19 vs. 13 days, P = 0.092). There were no significant differences in the stage of cancer between the two periods. The rate of preoperative sub-obstruction was significantly higher during the COVID-19 period (41.4 vs 23.4%, P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in overall survival and recurrence-free survival between two periods. Hesitation to seek examination and treatment for CRC was observed in patients but not in practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The prognosis did not change.

Exploring the antecedent factors of continuous intention to use mobile money: insights from emerging markets

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that may have an influence on the continuous intention to use mobile money as one of the Financial Technology (FinTech) products beyond the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. Design/methodology/approach This study has empirically tested the expanded post-acceptance model (Extend-PAM) and the expectation-confirmation model (ECM) to explain the mobile money adoption in Jordan. Data collected were analyzed through partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results mainly showed that the quality of administrative services and trust significantly impact confirmation and perceived usefulness. In addition, perceived security and knowledge of mobile money as one of the FinTech services significantly influence users’ confirmation and perceived usefulness. Also, usefulness and satisfaction influence continuous intention. Significant relationships were noted among confirmation, perceived usefulness, satisfaction and continuous intention to use mobile money. Originality/value This paper integrates two key theories: the expanded post-acceptance model (Extend-PAM) and the expectation-confirmation model (ECM) in the post-adoption behavior of mobile money. Therefore, this study attempts to fill a literature gap by examining the antecedent factors that influence the continuous intention to use mobile money services in the post-consumption stage.

Anti-HNA testing of allo-exposed COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors including genetic human neutrophil antigen screening to prevent anti-HNA antibody-mediated transfusion-related acute lung injury.

Transfusion-related acute lung injury caused by antibodies against human neutrophil antigens (HNA) is a serious but rare complication associated with blood transfusion. The presence of such antibodies is most probable in donors with a transfusion/pregnancy history. During the COVID-19 pandemic period convalescent plasma (CP) containing neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was widely used for COVID-19 patients as a therapy in the absence of any treatment. The aim of the study was to work out a simple diagnostic algorithm of anti-HNA testing of allo-exposed CP donors including genetic HNA screening. A total of 457 anti-HLA-negative allo-exposed CP donors were genotyped for HNA-1a/1b, HNA-3a/3b, and HNA-2, and only donors with homozygous HNA-1a/1a; HNA-3b/3b; or HNA-2null genotypes were tested for anti-HNA antibody using LabScreenMulti (One Lambda) and homozygous HNA-1b/1b using the granulocyte immunofluorescence test (GIFT) but verified using LabScreenMulti. Testing of 83 homozygous HNA-3b/3b; HNA-2null; or HNA-1a/1a donors revealed anti-HNA-3a antibody in one case. Testing of 181 HNA-1b/1b donors using GIFT gave 10 ambiguous results verified using LabScreenMulti which confirmed anti-HNA-1a antibody in one case. The frequency of FCGR3B*01 and *04 encoding HNA-1a was 0.34; FCGR3B*02, *03, and *05 encoding HNA-1b-0.66; SLC44A2*01 encoding HNA-3a-0.80; and SLC44A2*02 encoding HNA-3b-0.20. In 3.7% cases the HNA-2null genotype was revealed. Due to applying HNA genotyping as a primary test before anti-HNA antibody testing the serological work was limited only to HNA-homozygous donors revealing two anti-HNA immunized donors. The distribution of HNA genotypes in the cohort was similar to other Caucasian populations.

Changes in the epidemiological characteristics of influenza in children in Zhengzhou, China, in the post-COVID-19 era

BackgroundInfluenza is a contagious respiratory disease posing a huge burden of disease for children around the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic changes in childhood influenza in Zhengzhou, China, before, during, and after the COVID-19 outbreak. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and related prevention and control policies on the children’s influenza epidemiological trend.MethodsAll influenza report card data from the Children’s Hospital Affiliated with Zhengzhou University’s Disease Surveillance Reporting Management System were collected and analyzed monthly from January 2018 to December 2023. The period of the study was divided into three phases for comparison: the pre-pandemic period, the pandemic period, and the post-pandemic period.ResultsBetween January 2018 and December 2023, a total of 82,030 children with influenza were diagnosed at our hospital, including 46,453 males and 35,577 females. A total of 11,833 of them had to be hospitalized for influenza, and 321 of them were brought to the ICU. Influenza showed low-level epidemiologic status during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there was a substantial rise in influenza and a surge in the number of cases after the COVID-19 pandemic period. The year 2023 will had the most influenza cases (40,785). The peak incidence of influenza changes in 2022, from July to October, and in 2023, from February to April and from October to December. During the post-pandemic period, the proportion of new-borns and young children among influenza patients decreased, while the proportion of school-age children increased significantly, and the proportion of influenza patients hospitalized and the proportion of ICU admissions decreased.ConclusionInfluenza showed low-level epidemiologic status during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the post-pandemic period, there is a large increase in influenza incidence, with a double peak in influenza incidence. The proportion of school-age children with influenza has also increased. As a result, we recommend that influenza vaccination for key populations, particularly school-age children, be completed by October of each year in Henan Province, and that the government and schools increase education about nonpharmacological influenza prevention approaches.

Bioethical and Human Right Considerations during COVID-19 Pandemic Period: Reflections of Integrated Oncology Clinical Services from India

AbstractEver since the outbreak of COVID-19, the global health care systems are overwhelmed to cope up with the rapidly evolving disease paradigm through implementation of action plans at societal and medical domains. As per the directives from the World Health Organization and learned professional organizations, the international governments and states have formulated different protocols to prevent disease spread, for diagnosis and treatment of the disease and associated comorbidities, and to educate citizens during this crisis phase. Health care services across the world followed a “prioritizing strategy” for hospital population wherein the non-COVID cases were given less focus. Many hospitals opted for a conscious staff-sparing strategy to minimize exposure and protection of clinically valuable staff. Oncology services across the world reported a decline in the provision of clinical services to patients. There were medical concerns such as missed diagnosis, delayed diagnosis, delayed treatment, stoppage of screening programs, and differed follow-ups during the last 2 years of pandemic. The multidisciplinary oncology teams aim to ensure that cancer patients in the continuum of integrated cancer care pathway get globally accepted standards of optimum care. However, Beauchamp's ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and distributive justice were arguably compromised during the pandemic period. The articles of UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (UDBHR) declaration were possibly violated in cancer patients as a vulnerable population. This article analyses the bioethical and human right concerns with respect to medical and societal domains in oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

COVID-19 Across Pandemic Variant Periods: The Severe Acute Respiratory Infection-Preparedness (SARI-PREP) Study.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has evolved through multiple phases in the United States, with significant differences in patient centered outcomes with improvements in hospital strain, medical countermeasures, and overall understanding of the disease. We describe how patient characteristics changed and care progressed over the various pandemic phases; we also emphasize the need for an ongoing clinical network to improve the understanding of known and novel respiratory viral diseases. To describe how patient characteristics and care evolved across the various COVID-19 pandemic periods in those hospitalized with viral severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). Severe Acute Respiratory Infection-Preparedness (SARI-PREP) is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation-funded, Society of Critical Care Medicine Discovery-housed, longitudinal multicenter cohort study of viral pneumonia. We defined SARI patients as those hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral infection and an acute syndrome of fever, cough, and radiographic infiltrates or hypoxemia. We collected patient-level data including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, acute physiologic measures, serum and respiratory specimens, therapeutics, and outcomes. Outcomes were described across four pandemic variant periods based on a SARS-CoV-2 sequenced subsample: pre-Delta, Delta, Omicron BA.1, and Omicron post-BA.1. Multicenter cohort of adult patients admitted to an acute care ward or ICU from seven hospitals representing diverse geographic regions across the United States. Patients with SARI caused by infection with respiratory viruses. Eight hundred seventy-four adult patients with SARI were enrolled at seven study hospitals between March 2020 and April 2023. Most patients (780, 89%) had SARS-CoV-2 infection. Across the COVID-19 cohort, median age was 60 years (interquartile range, 48.0-71.0 yr) and 66% were male. Almost half (430, 49%) of the study population belonged to underserved communities. Most patients (76.5%) were admitted to the ICU, 52.5% received mechanical ventilation, and observed hospital mortality was 25.5%. As the pandemic progressed, we observed decreases in ICU utilization (94% to 58%), hospital length of stay (median, 26.0 to 8.5 d), and hospital mortality (32% to 12%), while the number of comorbid conditions increased. We describe increasing comorbidities but improved outcomes across pandemic variant periods, in the setting of multiple factors, including evolving care delivery, countermeasures, and viral variants. An understanding of patient-level factors may inform treatment options for subsequent variants and future novel pathogens.

Investigation of social isolation and depression in female employees with urinary incontinence during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Urinary incontinence (UI) affects almost one-third of adult women. This is often taken as a section of the aging process and incurable In general, women perceive UI as more of a social issue and a taboo rather than a medical problem; they are reluctant to discuss the matter or seek assistance. This research was conducted to investigate the level of social isolation and depression in female employees with UI during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The study was done with 533 paticipant. The study data were done using the Nottingham Health Profile Social Isolation Scale (NHPSIS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The total scores of the NHPSIS and BDI were found to be 18.55±3.3 (minimum = 5, maximum = 25) and 49.22±11.4 (minimum = 12, maximum = 60), respectively. In the Pearson correlation analysis, a strong, statistically significant, and positive correlation was discovered between NHPSIS and the average BDI total scores among women. The level of depression and social isolation were obtained to be high among UI women who had a mix UI, high frequencies of UI, belong to higher age groups, singles, and high body mass index. It was showed that the levels of depression and social isolation scores were showed to be high in women had UI.

Mental health among women and girls of diverse backgrounds in Canada before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: An intersectional analysis.

Mental health disparity is associated with diverse characteristics, such as gender, socioeconomic status, Indigenous identity, immigrant status, race, disability, and sexual orientation. However, intersectional studies on women's mental health have been rare, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Using data from two cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (2019 annual data and data from September to December 2020), self-reported mental health outcomes before the COVID-19 pandemic (sample size was 64,880) and during the second wave of the pandemic in the fall of 2020 (sample size of 27,246) were analyzed. After sociodemographic factors were controlled for, women and girls had higher odds of poorer self-perceived mental health and worsened mental health compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic than men and boys. Compared with 2019, the gender gap in negative self-perceived mental health increased during the pandemic. The number and type of intersections of specific socioeconomic characteristics also had an impact on mental health outcomes. During the pandemic, women and girls with the following characteristics were more likely to report low self-perceived mental health, compared with women and girls with no intersections: those with a disability (7.8 times); or who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual or have another sexual orientation than heterosexual (5.6); or who are Indigenous (3.6). The intersections of gender and other sociodemographic characteristics increased the odds of negative self-perceived mental health.

Contagious corporate reputation risk: Uncovering the pandemic's impact

Firms' Reputation Risk Index (RRI) co-move with their industry and local peers in the US market, suggesting that managers follow their industry and local peers to conduct ESG-related irresponsible activities. Moreover, the RRI co-movement with local peers is attenuated during the COVID-19 pandemic period, and the reduction is more significant in democratic states with stringent social distancing policies and in states with higher pandemic mortality rates. In contrast, the industry-level RRI co-movement is not significantly affected during the pandemic period. Our findings suggest that social interactions among local managers may be an essential driver for the regional RRI co-movement before the pandemic.

Response of PM2.5 chemical composition to the emission reduction and meteorological variation during the COVID-19 lockdown

PM2.5 is a main atmospheric pollutant with various sources and complex chemical compositions, which are influenced by various factors, such as anthropogenic emissions (AE) and meteorological conditions (MC). MC have a significant impacts on variations in atmospheric pollutant; therefore, emission reduction policies and ambient air quality are non-linearly correlated, which hinders the accurate assessment of the effectiveness of control measures. In this study, we conducted online observations of PM2.5 and its chemical composition in Hohhot, China, from December 1, 2019, to February 29, 2020, to investigate how the chemical compositions of PM2.5 respond to the variations in AE and MC. Moreover, the random forest (RF) model was used to quantify the contributions of AE and MC to PM2.5 and its chemical composition during severe hazes and the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. During the clean period, MC reduced PM2.5 concentrations by 124%, while MC incresed PM2.5 concentrations by 49% during severe pollution episode. Inorganic aerosols (SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+) showed the strongest response to MC. MC significantly contributed to PM2.5 (36%), SO42− (32%), NO3− (29%), NH4+ (28%), OC (22%), and SOC (17%) levels during pollution episodes. From the pre-lockdown to lockdown period, AE (MC) contributed 52% (48%), 81% (19%), 48% (52%), 68% (32%), 59% (41%), and 288% (−188%) to the PM2.5, SO42−, NO3−, NH4+, OC, and SOC reductions, respectively. The variations in MC (especially the increase in relative humidity) rapidly generated meteorologically sensitive species (SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+), which led to severe winter pollution. This study provides a reference for assessing the net benefits of emission reduction measures for PM2.5 and its chemical compositions.

Towards a Converged Post-Covid Journalism Training in Africa: A Case Study of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Eswatini

ABSTRACT Our study on the experiences of selected African journalism educators during the Covid-19 pandemic period offer valuable insights into the future of journalism education in Africa, where convergent learning holds prospects in an increasingly digitised world. A convergent teaching and learning approach, combining face-to-face and online teaching, is crucial for the delivery of quality journalism training during periods of macro shocks in Africa. This qualitative study used three country case studies of Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini to understand the reconfigurations accompanying convergence in teaching and learning and offering prospects for the future. Our findings show that the most affected learning aspects were courses involving practical learning as well as the internship component that requires students to be seconded to media houses of choice to develop a practical feel for the newsroom. We learnt that journalism’s practical components make it hard for instructors to conduct convergent learning because of resource constraints and limited literacy in some technology. However, and far from the discourse of scarcity and impoverishment, educators displayed high levels of creativity, adaptability and agency beyond the structuring influence of deprivation, presenting prospects for convergence in teaching and learning in post-Covid Africa.

ANALISIS LAPORAN KEUANGAN UNTUK MENGUKUR KINERJA KEUANGAN PERUSAHAAN SAAT PANDEMI COVID-19 PADA PT TELEKOMUNIKASI INDONESIA TBK

This study aims to find out the differences in financial performance of PT. Telekommunikasi Indonesia Tbk Company before and during the COVID-19 pandemic period 2019–2021, as seen from the ratios of liquidity, profitability, solvency, and activity. This study uses a type of descriptive research with a quantitative approach. The results of this study are seen in several ratios, with the results of the ratio of provability and also liability showing that the performance of Telecom Indonesia Tbk has had a positive impact since the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, which showed smaller corporate liability compared with its assets and equity. In the profitability section, namely ROA (return on assets), ROE (return on equity), and NPM (net profit margin), it can be concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the financial performance of PT Telecommunication Indonesia Tbk. Because of the four increasing ratios with the low operating burden on the liquidity side, namely the current ratio and the net working capital to asset ratio, it can be concluded that the actual ratio of PT Telecommunikasi Indonesia Tbk has increased. On the NWCA side, liquidity decreased due to the impact of COVID-19 compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Positive and negative elements of short and long-term interventions during the Covid-19 pandemic period

ABSTRACT Background During crises, such as the covid-19 pandemic, addiction treatment programs have been called upon to respond to people’s treatment needs through new methods, such as distance treatment interventions. These methods proved to be sufficiently effective, but a significant reduction in seeking, initiation and retention of individuals in treatment was observed. Method This particular article presents the example of KETHEA IN ACTION, a therapeutic program in Greece.The method followed concerns the collection of data from two therapeutic settings.The data was collected through the access of the researchers to the records of the treatment programs after receiving the relevant permission. Results The results of the short and long-term interventions are presented. The results show the effectiveness of the mild outpatient intervention program as there were positive therapeutic effects and a high degree of treatment retention. Conclusion The results are discussed on the basis of the readiness and flexibility of the treatment programs to respond to different crisis conditions in the requests of the residents.

Dynamics of Dental Care for the Population of the Ryazan Region in COVID-19 Pandemic

INTRODUCTION: Identification of morbidity (based on requests) and the population’s need for dental care optimizes the planning and distribution of compulsory health insurance (CHI) funds between medical organizations at the regional level. However, due to a decrease in the population’s demand for medical care in the context of the new coronavirus infection (Corona Virus Disease 2019, COVID-19), the dynamics of the provision of dental care and the structure of dental morbidity taken into account in the compulsory medical insurance system, have changed. AIM: To study the structure and dynamics of the provision of dental care in the period 2018–2021 (pre-pandemic and COVID-19 pandemic period) based on the volume of dental care paid for in the compulsory medical insurance system provided to citizens of the Ryazan region (RR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis was carried out on the basis of registers of bills accepted for payment submitted by medical organizations, taking into account the results of control and expert measures. All completed cases of treatment of insured persons with dental diseases in medical organizations of the Ryazan Region for 2018–2021 were selected for study according to territorial compulsory medical insurance programs. RESULTS: In the structure of outpatient primary health care in 2021, cases of its provision in the ‘Dentistry’ profile amounted to 7.40 ± 0.10%, taking 3rd place; the total number of cases of providing medical care to patients with this pathology decreased by 5.60% compared to 2018. Despite the reduction in the volume of primary dental care, the volume of dental examinations of the population of the RR increased by 30.46%. There was also a 34.08% reduction in completed cases of treatment of chronic periodontitis (p 0.02). For the 2018–2021 period 73,049 medical and economic examinations (MEE) and 1,626 examinations of medical care quality (EMCQ) were carried out, and 1,966 violations were identified (1,316 based on the results of the MEE and 650 based on the results of the EMСQ). The vast majority of these concerned non-compliance with standards of care and clinical guidelines. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate a reduction in the number of cases of insured persons seeking medical care for dental diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Owing to the approval of Order No. 231n of the Ministry of Health of Russia of March 19, 2021, obliging medical insurance organizations to carry out control and expert measures in each medical organization in a certain amount of dental care cases accepted for payment, the number of examinations has increased, and, as a result, the identification of violations in the provision of dental care.

Aggravated surface O3 pollution primarily driven by meteorological variations in China during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period

Abstract. Due to the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in China from late January to early April in 2020, a significant reduction in primary air pollutants, as compared to the same time period in 2019, has been identified by satellite and ground observations. However, this reduction is in contrast with the increase of surface ozone (O3) concentration in many parts of China during the same period from 2019 to 2020. The reasons for this contrast are studied here from two perspectives: emission changes and inter-annual meteorological variations. Based on top-down constraints of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from TROPOMI measurements and GEOS-Chem model simulations, our analysis reveals that NOx and volatile organic compound (VOC) emission reductions as well as meteorological variations lead to 8 %, −3 % and 1 % changes in O3 over North China, respectively. In South China, however, we find that meteorological variations cause ∼ 30 % increases in O3, which is much larger than −1 % and 2 % changes due to VOC and NOx emission reductions, respectively, and the overall O3 increase in the simulations is consistent with the surface observations. The higher temperature associated with the increase in solar radiation and the decreased relative humidity are the main reasons that led to the surface O3 increase in South China. Collectively, inter-annual meteorological variations had a larger impact than emission reductions on the aggravated surface O3 pollution in China during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Epidemiology and Management Paradigm of Head and Neck Infections, Including COVID-19 Pandemic Period: A 10-Year Retrospective Study in a Maxillofacial Center of Cluj-Napoca.

Background. The management of odontogenic infections varies across the globe. To shed light on the subject, this study delves into the practices of the Oral and Maxillofacial Department at Cluj-Napoca County Hospital. Material and Methods. This comprehensive retrospective analysis of 10 years of clinical experience covered a range of factors, including demographics, clinical and investigations factors, medical and surgical treatment approaches, and follow-up. Additionally, the study examined the change in trends over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. While head and neck infection occurrence had a decreasing trend before the COVID-19 pandemic, during the pandemic era the number of patients almost doubled. The infections were prevalent in the submandibular space, teeth being the prevalent cause. Young adults are prone to suffer from odontogenic infections. High levels of C reactive protein, ASA II-IV risk, and hepatic dysfunction indicated a longer time of hospitalization. The majority of antibiograms were negative, and the positive ones indicated Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species as prevalent pathogens. Extra- or intraoral surgical drainage and wide-spectrum antibiotics proved to be the workhorse for odontogenic infections. Conclusion. This study advances our understanding of oral and maxillofacial surgery and offers actionable strategies for improving patient outcomes in similar healthcare institutions worldwide.

Estimating the natural rate of interest for the emerging Asia

This paper evaluates the natural rate of interest (NRI) for Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, [Taipei, China], and Thailand and aggregates them using a GDP-weighted average. This paper discusses four key points. Firstly, to estimate the NRI in emerging Asian economies, this paper introduces a Time Varying Parameter Vector Autoregression (TVP-VAR) model that integrates exchange rates alongside conventional growth and inflation variables. Secondly, the results show that NRIs in the emerging Asia have been declining in trend since the 1990s. Thirdly, the behavior of the NRI for each economy is not uniform across crises—the Asian Financial Crisis, the Global Financial Crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Fourthly, the findings reveal that the ascertained Asian NRI decreased to the vicinity of 0% during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Primary health care utilisation and delivery in remote Australian clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic period (2020 to 2022) challenged and overstretched the capacity of primary health care services to deliver health care globally. The sector faced a highly uncertain and dynamic period that encompassed anticipation of a new, unknown, lethal and highly transmissible infection, the introduction of various travel restrictions, health workforce shortages, new government funding announcements and various policies to restrict the spread of the COVID-19 virus, then vaccination and treatments. This qualitative study aims to document and explore how the pandemic affected primary health care utilisation and delivery in remote and regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with staff working in 11 Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) in outer regional, remote and very remote Australia. Interviews were transcribed, inductively coded and thematically analysed.Results248 staff working in outer regional, remote and very remote primary health care clinics were interviewed between February 2020 and June 2021. Participants reported a decline in numbers of primary health care presentations in most communities during the initial COVID-19 lock down period. The reasons for the decline were attributed to community members apprehension to go to the clinics, change in work priorities of primary health care staff (e.g. more emphasis on preventing the virus entering the communities and stopping the spread) and limited outreach programs. Staff forecasted a future spike in acute presentations of various chronic diseases leading to increased medical retrieval requirements from remote communities to hospital. Information dissemination during the pre-vaccine roll-out stage was perceived to be well received by community members, while vaccine roll-out stage information was challenged by misinformation circulated through social media.ConclusionsThe ability of ACCHSs to be able to adapt service delivery in response to the changing COVID-19 strategies and policies are highlighted in this study. The study signifies the need to adequately fund ACCHSs with staff, resources, space and appropriate information to enable them to connect with their communities and continue their work especially in an era where the additional challenges created by pandemics are likely to become more frequent. While the PHC seeking behaviour of community members during the COVID-19 period were aligned to the trends observed across the world, some of the reasons underlying the trends were unique to outer regional, remote and very remote populations. Policy makers will need to give due consideration to the potential effects of newly developed policies on ACCHSs operating in remote and regional contexts that already battle under resourcing issues and high numbers of chronically ill populations.

Results of Treatment of Patients with Multiple Drug Resistant Tuberculosis among Key Populations during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

The objective: to identify changes in effectiveness of treatment of multiple drug resistant tuberculosis among key populations in Dushanbe, including the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.Subjects and Methods. Retrospective study of medical records of 431 MDR TB patients registered for treatment in Dushanbe was conducted (2017-2019 - Group 1 and 2020-2021 - Group 2 (the COVID-19 pandemic period)).Results. The duration of treatment was 15.4±6.9 months in Group 1, and 10.8±4.3 months in Group 2, which was due to the introduction of short-course regimens in that group. At the same time, in Group 2 there was an increase in effectiveness of MDR TB treatment to 85% versus 80% in Group 1, which was due to the use of new drugs and regimens containing them. In Group 1, a statistically significant association was found between MDR TB treatment failure and the following parameters: male gender (RR=2.3 (1.36-4.04), p=0.002), positive HIV status (RR=2.35 (1.37-4.05), p=0.011), hepatitis C infection (RR=3.0 (1.87-4.8), p &lt;0.001), alcohol (RR=3.2 (1.96-5.2), p&lt;0.001) and substances abuse (RR=3.99 (2.5-6.2), p&lt;0.001), previous imprisonment (RR=2.6 (1.48-4.6), p&lt;0.001), unemployment (RR=3.5 (1.8-6.7), p &lt;0.001), and homelessness (RR=5.0 (3.9-6.5), p=0.0011). In Group 2, failure of MDR TB treatment was statistically significantly associated with hepatitis C (RR=3.3 (1.5-7.2), p=0.02), alcohol and drug abuse (RR= 4.4 ( 1.95-10.1). p =0.026), as well as (unlike Group 1) labor migration (RR=3.0 (1.45-6.2), p=0.0068), in-patient treatment (RR=3.8 (1.36-10.64), p=0.0056), while there was no association with HIV status.