Period Of Social Isolation Research Articles

The Measurement of Reactions to Face Masks and the Relation to Social Anxiety.

Introduction: Following a period of social isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic, social interactions may be particularly complicated for individuals with elevated levels of social anxiety. One potential implication relates to the use of face masks. Face masks have been used as an effective tool to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. However, for individuals with elevated social anxiety, face masks may be a form of avoidance and type of safety behavior and discontinued use of face masks may be associated with increases in social anxiety. In response to these possibilities, the purpose of this study was to develop a measure to assess potential anxiety-related reactions to face masks. Method: Participants were 564 nonreferred young adults who completed a measure developed for this study to assess behaviors and reactions to face masks (Reaction to Face Masks Questionnaire), including anxiety and avoidance behaviors. Measures of social anxiety, more general avoidance, and safety behaviors were also included. Results: Based on an exploratory factor analysis, a two-factor model was retained. Safety-Seeking and Avoidance (SSA) measures reductions in social anxiety derived from a feeling of safety when wearing a face mask, and Social Interference measures increases in social anxiety symptoms related to the interference/inhibition of social interactions related to wearing masks. Both subscales were found to be associated with general measures of social anxiety, more general avoidance, and safety behaviors; however, the correlations were more robust for the SSA subscale. Discussion: Based on the current findings, general social anxiety and common correlates of social anxiety, including safety-seeking behaviors, were found to be associated with face mask anxiety and avoidance. Implications for future research and potential clinical practice are discussed.

Senior organizations at the time of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Part I.

Senior Clubs are the most commonly available and, in most cases, free form of activation of older people. The aim of their functioning is improvement in the quality of life of seniors through education and activation. By using research tools to assess the needs of seniors it is possible to determine the direction of intervention related with an effective therapeutic, educational and activation procedures. An individual approach to seniors seems to be the key to knowing their real needs, which significantly determine the quality of life, and may also help limit the escalation of gerontophobia occurring in the society. Research was conducted among participants in Senior Clubs and Universities of the Third Age. The aim of the study was verification of the needs, expectations, and potential barriers faced by seniors at the time of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The basic tool used in the study was an author-constructed, anonymous questionnaire including items from the standardized European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47). Participation in the survey was voluntary, and the selection criterion was participation in meetings of senior organisations located in the Lublin Province of eastern Poland. The study showed that the distance between the place of residence of seniors and the location of senior institutions was the factor determining participation in the classes. In addition, during the period of sanitary regime the seniors had increased difficulties with access to medical care and medical specialists. Senior institutions and organizations should consider the needs of seniors and adjust their offer to the challenges resulting from the period of social isolation.

Adolescents with eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic: Changes in social ties and healthcare modalities.

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the health of young people worldwide, especially on people with eating disorders (EDs) due to the stress, anxiety, and changes experienced in access to health care. Objective. To explore adolescents' perceptions on changes in their social ties and the modalities of health care for patients with EDs. Population and methods. Qualitative study using in-depth interviews with adolescents with EDs seen at a teaching hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. Fifteen adolescents were interviewed; their mean age was 18 years; 93% were girls. Anorexia nervosa was observed in 86.6%. The most relevant negative aspects perceived were discomfort with family life (80%) and dissatisfaction with social media content regarding body image and dieting (73%). The aspects perceived as positive were peer support (66%) and improvements in eating habits (66%). The main change identified regarding the management before the COVID-19 pandemic was online followup by the mental healthcare team (73%). Conclusion. The adolescent population with EDs during the mandatory social isolation period reported discomfort with family life and dissatisfaction with social media content regarding body image and dieting. Notwithstanding this, adolescents highlighted peer support and improvements in their eating habits as positive aspects.

Kiss1 kisspeptin of bony fish and mammalian kisspeptin analogs enhance the communicative behavior of <i>Danio rerio</i> induced by social isolation

BACKGROUND: Rodents are often used as a social isolation model. This study investigated the effects of social isolation on Danio rerio. These animals form groups and social hierarchies and exhibit complex social interactions similar to rodents. The expression of some brain genes of fish reared in isolation was found to be different from individuals reared in a group. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of kisspeptins on the social behavior of Danio rerio in social isolation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fish were placed in 200-mL measuring cups for 48 h. After the social isolation period, bony fish kisspeptins and mammalian kisspeptin analogs were administered, and their effects were tested. The animal was placed in 1-L individual tanks for 15 min and then in the tank with a glass partition, behind which are a group of congeners. Fish were allowed to approach or swim away from the partition. Two patterns were used to assess behavior: latency time and number of swims to the partition. RESULTS: Compared with the control group with fish kept in social isolation, reliable differences were observed: The number of swims to the partition after isolation was 1.3 times higher than that in the control group (p 0.05). After the administration of bony fish kisspeptins Kiss1 and Kiss2, no significant changes in the number of swims to the partition were observed. Moreover, after the administration of KS6 and KS10, the number of swims to the aquarium partition increased 1.6 times (p 0.01) and 1.8 times (p 0.001), respectively. After the administration of the comparison drug oxytocin, the number of swims to the aquarium partition increased 1.6 times (p 0.01) compared with that in the untreated isolated group. The latency time of swimming to the partition increased 2.4 times in the untreated isolated group compared with the control group (p 0.001). Latency time decreased 2.3 times in the group administered with oxytocin compared with the untreated isolated group (p 0.001). In the group administered with Kiss1, the latency time decreased 2 times (p 0.001) compared with that in the untreated isolated group. The latency time decreased 5 times (p 0.001) after KS10 administration and 3.4 times (p 0.001) after KS6 administration compared with that in the untreated isolated group. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, social isolation in Danio rerio reduces communicative behavior. Analogs of mammalian kisspeptin, such as Kiss1, of bony fish and oxytocin normalize the communicative behavior of fish after a period of social isolation to the level of the control group.

Lifestyles and Academic Stress in University Students of Health Sciences: A Mixed-Methodology Study.

The global health emergency generated by the COVID-19 pandemic (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus) led to the implementation of extraordinary measures such as confinement and isolation in many countries to mitigate the spread of the virus. (1) This study analyzes the lifestyles and academic and perceived stresses of university students of health sciences during the period of online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship between lifestyles and academic stress was examined. (2) A parallel mixed-method convergent study was conducted, with a correlational non-experimental design. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed in parallel, with parametric and nonparametric testing for quantitative data and Miles and Huberman's approach to qualitative analysis. The qualitative findings complemented the quantitative results. The number of students who participated in this study was 2734, from six programs in health, nursing, medicine, clinical laboratory, physiotherapy, dentistry, and clinical psychology at the University of Chimborazo, Ecuador. (3) Overall, the health science students had "Unhealthy or health-compromising lifestyles", medical students being the ones who have healthier lifestyles. However, more than 80% experienced and perceived stress during the period of online learning and social isolation due to the pandemic, women being the ones who experienced it at a higher level. (4) The online learning modality during the COVID-19 pandemic modified lifestyles and generated stress in health science students, due to changes in daily routines, sedentary lifestyle, and stress, as a result of social isolation. Therefore, the students prefer face-to-face teaching, perceived as enabling more enriching interactions with their teachers and peers and the opportunity to develop essential practical skills in their health practice.

Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Youth Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

Adolescence is a period in which mental health problems emerge. Research suggests that the COVID-19 lockdown may have worsened emotional and behavioral health. To examine whether socioeconomic status was associated with mental health outcomes among youths during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study is a multisite 10-year longitudinal study of youth neurocognitive development in the US. Recruitment was staggered where the baseline visit (ages 9 to 10 years) occurred from 2016 to 2018, and visits occurred yearly. The COVID-19 lockdown halted research collection during the 2-year follow-up visits (ages 11 to 12 years), but eventually resumed. As some youths already underwent their 2-year visits prior to lockdown, this allowed for a natural experiment-like design to compare prepandemic and intrapandemic groups. Thus, data were gathered from the 1-year follow-up (pre-COVID-19 lockdown for all youths) and the 2-year follow-up, of which a portion of youths had data collected after the lockdown began, to compare whether a period of near social isolation was associated with mental health symptoms in youths. The prepandemic group consisted of youths with a 2-year follow-up visit collected prior to March 11, 2020, and the intrapandemic group had their 2-year follow-up visit after lockdown restrictions were lifted. Assessments included measures on income-to-needs ratio (INR; derived from total household income), the Child Behavior Checklist (a measure of mental health symptomology), and the Family Environmental Scale. The final sample included 10 399 youths; 3947 (52.3%) were male; 2084 (20.3%) were Latinx/Hispanic; 6765 (66.0%) were White; 4600 (44.2%) reported caregiver education levels below a 4-year college degree; and 2475 (26.2%) had INR either below 100% (indicating poverty) or between 100% and less than 200% (near poverty). Among youths in the intrapandemic group, worse mental health symptoms (eg, more total problems, greater depression, and greater anxiety) over time were associated with being from a household with higher socioeconomic status (eg, when comparing individuals who differed by 1 unit on INR between prepandemic and intrapandemic groups from 1-year to 2-year follow-up, their expected difference in total problems score was 0.79 [95% CI, 0.37-1.22]; false discovery rate-corrected P < .001). This cohort study found that the COVID-19 lockdown was associated with disproportionately negative mental health outcomes among youths from higher socioeconomic status backgrounds. Although this study does not shed light on the direct mechanisms driving these associations, it does provide some support for positive outcomes for youths. Future studies are needed to understand whether these associations persist over longer periods of time.

The structure of traumatic brain injury in the city of Rostov-on-Don during the new coronavirus infection COVID 19

Objective: to study the frequency and structure of traumatic brain injury in the pre-ovoid, covid and post-ovoid periods in Rostov-on-Don.Materials and methods: to study the frequency and structure of traumatic brain injury in three years from 2019 to 2021 (in the pre-ovoid, covid and post-ovoid periods) according to the neurosurgical department and the department of combined trauma of the Emergency Medical Hospital No. 2 in Rostov-on-Don. Data processing using the IBM SPSS Statictic program version 26.0 using the χ2-Pearson criterion, in pairwise a posteriori comparative analysis, the χ2-Pearson criterion with Yates correction and likelihood correction were used. If the significance level is p&lt;0.05, the differences are statistically significant.Results: in the pre-crisis period (2019), household trauma prevailed, the total number of hospitalized with TBI was 1,322. Of these, concussions accounted for 71%, brain contusions accounted for 28%, diffuse brain injury — 1%, street injury — 6.9%, transport injury — 6.81% and intentional injury — 24.1%. In the covid period (2020), the total number of patients admitted to the department decreased by 24%. The structure of the injury remained unchanged (concussions in 70% of cases, brain contusions in 28%, diffuse brain injury in 2%). In 2021 (completion of covid restrictions), the number of inpatient patients with TBI remained reduced (by 23%), the ratio of concussions, bruises, diffuse brain injuries remained the same.Conclusions: during the period of social isolation, there was a decrease in the number of hospitalized with TBI, which coincides with global indicators. The end of the restrictions associated with the pandemic is also characterized by a decrease in the number of patients admitted to the hospital with TBI. At the same time, a decrease in the ratio of the number of hospitalizations to the total number of deaths from head injury in 2019 and 2020 should be taken into account. from 19.83 to 14.98 in the Rostov region (according to the Federal State Statistics Service on the number of deaths from head injuries in 2019-2020), which reflects the level of accessibility of medical care. There was also a significant decrease in household, street, transport, school, sports and intentional types of TBI (p&lt;0.05), while occupational injuries and trauma, the circumstances of which are unknown, did not significantly differ from the pre-pandemic indicators. Taking into account these results will improve the organization of emergency and emergency medical care for patients with TBI.

ARIMA Analysis of PM Concentrations during the COVID-19 Isolation in a High-Altitude Latin American Megacity

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a unique period of social isolation, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to scrutinize the influence of human activities on urban air quality. This study employs ARIMA models to explore the impact of COVID-19 isolation measures on the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in a high-altitude Latin American megacity (Bogota, Colombia). Three isolation scenarios were examined: strict (5 months), sectorized (1 months), and flexible (2 months). Our findings indicate that strict isolation measures exert a more pronounced effect on the short-term simulated concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 (PM10: −47.3%; PM2.5: −54%) compared to the long-term effects (PM10: −29.4%; PM2.5: −28.3%). The ARIMA models suggest that strict isolation measures tend to diminish the persistence of the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations over time, both in the short and long term. In the short term, strict isolation measures appear to augment the variation in the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations, with a more substantial increase observed for PM2.5. Conversely, in the long term, these measures seem to reduce the variations in the PM concentrations, indicating a more stable behavior that is less susceptible to abrupt peaks. The differences in the reduction in the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations between the strict and flexible isolation scenarios were 23.8% and 12.8%, respectively. This research provides valuable insights into the potential for strategic isolation measures to improve the air quality in urban environments.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in patients with hepatitis B and C: a pre-vaccination study

The serological markers for the diagnosis of COVID-19 plays an important role in the epidemiological investigation of the pandemic. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in hepatitis B and C patients in a pre-vaccination of COVID-19 period. Between March 2020 and January 2021, 199 serum samples from individuals with HBsAg/HBV DNA or anti-HCV/HCV RNA positivity were tested for antibodies (IgM and IgG) against SARS-CoV-2 using Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay (ECLIA). Among these, 50.3 % (100/199) tested positive for hepatitis C virus infection and 49.7 % (99/199) for hepatitis B virus, confirmed through molecular and serological diagnosis. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 24.1 % (48/199) in this population, with 23.23 % (23/99) hepatitis B and 25 % (25/100) hepatitis C patients tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2. The higher seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 (16.58 %, 33/199) was detected among those over-40 years of age and the month of November 2020 had the highest number of detections 9 % (18/199) with the majority living in impoverished and neglected neighborhoods in the city of Rio de Janeiro. We found a high prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in patients with viral hepatitis before COVID-19 vaccination. This demonstrates the high exposure of this population during the period of social isolation.

The COVID-19 pandemic and cases of domestic violence: perceptions of primary healthcare professionals in the context of social isolation

Objective: to analyze the perceptions of primary health care professionals in Paranaguá/PR about the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and cases of domestic violence in their assigned territories, identifying challenges in the approach, impacts on families and case management. Methodology: qualitative research was conducted using semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 36 professionals from two primary health care units in Paranaguá, on the Paraná coast. Results: Primary health care professionals unanimously reported an increase in the number of domestic violence cases in those communities, affecting women, children, and adolescents, with the closure of schools identified as an aggravating factor. The main challenges highlighted were the disruption of primary health care services during the peak of the pandemic due to the reallocation of professionals and resources; misinformation about referral processes for domestic violence cases within the intersectoral network; fear among professionals regarding the pandemic and reporting domestic violence cases; and high staff turnover. Conclusion: The period of social isolation caused by the pandemic intensified domestic violence cases, according to the perceptions of primary health care professionals in Paranaguá. The dismantling of the intersectoral network further compromised the care of individuals in situations of vulnerability and/or violence. The absence of national guidelines from the federal government left municipalities and primary health care professionals on their own to deal with the issue. Submission: 03/30/23| Review: 06/14/23| Approval: 10/04/23

Forced Social Isolation leads to Smartphone Addiction and Depression

Background: Addiction to smartphone usage is a common problem among adults worldwide. Smartphones are popular devices capable of processing more information than other phones. During COVID-19, a situation of “forced social isolation” was created which increased the use of smartphones. We conducted this study with the hypothesis that the period of social isolation may enhance depression and it may be related to the excessive use of smartphones among the population.&#x0D; Objective: The purpose of this work is to investigate the impact of social isolation on smartphone addiction and depression.&#x0D; Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 191 individuals (44.50% male) with a mean age of (23.79 ±3.91) years. The participants completed the questionnaire via online Google forms to access their smartphone use, depression and chronotype.&#x0D; Result: Smartphone use and depression significantly increase during social isolation (p&lt;0.001). Smartphone addiction was found positively correlated with depression (r = 0.324, p &lt; 0.01) and was maintained during social isolation conditions as well (r = 0.434, p &lt;0.01). There was no direct effect of gender on smartphone addiction during lockdown (β= -0.059, t= -0.887, p= &lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions: The Smartphone addiction is positively correlated with depression and the social isolation induced the smartphone dependency may lead to depression in the Indian population. This study expanded the literature to include smartphone overuse and depression in the Indian population.

Effects of physical activity on levels of anxiety, depression, and stress during the social isolation caused by COVID-19

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a new strain within the coronavirus family, which manifests itself in a varied and aggressive manner. The scenario of the COVID-19 pandemic has favored episodes of stress generated by prolonged isolation. Adherence to the practice of physical activity promotes beneficial effects on mental disorders, proving effective in this critical moment. The study's objective was to verify the effects of physical activity on levels of anxiety, stress, and depression during the period of social isolation. It is a cross-sectional study that identified the symptomatology of anxiety, stress, and depression, using the DASS-21. A total of 551 participants responded to the questionnaire online. The results showed that participants who did not engage in exercise before COVID-19 (n = 182) had higher levels of depression (p = .005), while those who engaged in physical activity (n = 323) showed lower indicators of anxiety (p = .010), stress (p = .021), and depression (p = .001). The study revealed that the frequent and continued practice of physical activity minimizes symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression caused by the prolonged period of social isolation, favoring mental health benefits.

Evaluation of the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and mental status of female employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the physical, mental, and social well-being of humans worldwide. To evaluate the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and mental state of female employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 726 participants. Data was collected using the Personal Information Form, fear of COVID-19 scale, and brief symptom inventory. The fear experienced by women during the social isolation and quarantine period was associated with depression, anxiety, somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, phobic anxiety and paranoid experiences. Women, young people, the elderly and single individuals were most likely affected psychologically during the pandemic. Thus, interventions and psychological evaluations are recommended at an early stage to minimize this effect. Such interventions must be implemented considering the strategic planning and coordination of risk groups.

Суб’єктивна оцінка стану здоров’я педагогічними працівників з різними рівнями професійного вигорання в умовах соціальної ізоляції та воєнного стану

The aim of the study is to analyze data on the state of health of teachers with different levels of occupational burnout who were in different social conditions of life (social isolation and martial law). Materials and methods. To achieve the goal, the method of V. V. Boiko «Diagnostics of the level of emotional burnout» (1998) and a specially developed questionnaire «Subjective assessment of the state of health, life activities and working conditions of teachers» were used, with the help of which an anonymous survey was conducted general secondary education institutions in the city of Sumy during the period of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in 2021 (85 people) and during martial law in April 2023 (106 people). Results. The proportion of the group of teachers with a low level of occupational burnout increased and was 2.22 times higher than the similar group of teachers during the period of social isolation (30.97±3.35)%, t=8.04, p≤0.001), which may indicate a possible decrease in the influence of professional stressors and an actualization of the feeling of uncertainty, constant anxiety, fear for one’s own life and the lives of loved ones, which is due to the military situation in the country. In conditions of social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, average (48.24±3.36)% t=9.54, p≤0.001) and low (41.18±3.31)% t=7.83, p≤0.001) levels of occupational burnout prevailed. Under the conditions of martial law, the manifestations of occupational burnout changed: the proportion of the group of teachers with a low level of occupational burnout increased and was 2.22 times higher than the similar group of teachers during the period of social isolation (30.97±3.35)%, t=8.04, p≤0.001), which may indicate a possible decrease in the influence of professional stressors and an actualization of the feeling of uncertainty, constant anxiety, fear for one’s own life and the lives of loved ones, which is due to the military situation in the country. If during the period of isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a high level of occupational burnout significantly prevailed among teachers under the age of 40 (55.56±5.38)%), then during the period of martial law, a high level of occupational burnout was mainly registered among teachers of the older age group (up to 50 – (42.86±4.81)%). In general, (76.02±3.09)% of the surveyed teachers defined their health status as satisfactory, (16.29±2.67)% as unsatisfactory, and only (7.69±1.93)% of respondents as excellent. Among the interviewees in the group with unsatisfactory self-assessment of health, teachers of the age groups «under 50» and «over 50» predominated (36.11±3.47)% and (30.56±3.33)%, respectively) compared to the groups «up to 30» – (8.33±1.99)% and «up to 40» – (25.00±3.13)%, which can be explained by the natural accumulation over the years of functional abnormalities and chronic pathology. The leading complaints, regardless of social conditions and levels of occupational burnout, were complaints of headaches, palpitations, sleep disturbances, and increased blood pressure. Conclusions. The established results of the study require further improvement of the assessment of the components of mental health among teaching staff in conditions of martial law and the development of hygienic recommendations for the prevention of occupational burnout in various social conditions of the labor process.

Central areas in dispute: a look at the dynamics of space production in times of pandemic and its consequences

The aim of this paper is to reflect on the processes of production and re-signification of the central areas of Brazilian cities during a period of social isolation that required the reformulation, albeit temporary, of ways of socializing and consuming goods and services, as well as the creation of new strategies for urban planning and social control. During the New Coronavirus pandemic, between 2020 and 2022, urban centralities, which are usually dense and full of vitality, characterized by intense flows of people and vehicles and the convergence of interests, experienced an exceptional period. Emptied of some of their historic daily functions, Brazil's central areas, rediscovered by the real estate market as a privileged locus for the reproduction of capital since the 2010s, have received the attention of important space-transforming agents during the pandemic. The paper presents some of the transformations unleashed during this period in the traditional central area of the city of Recife, in its historic sites and surroundings, and ponders how these interventions can have repercussions on the transformation of the landscape, the social fabric and the dynamics of use of these areas.

SOCIAL ISOLATION AND MENTAL HEALTH OF LATIN AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: Systematic review

The objective of this study was to carry out a systematic review of publications that reported the assessment of the mental health of university students in Latin America specifically during the period of social isolation in the Covid-19 pandemic. The databases used for research were: Lilacs, PubMed, APA PsycInfo and Scielo to collect studies in english, spanish or portuguese. The database consultation took place in May 2022 and the descriptors adopted were: mental health, students and pandemic. The Boolean AND was used to combine the descriptors. Studies with undergraduates in institutions in Latin America were included, involving mental health and having been carried out during the period of social isolation. All publications that were not empirical studies, with other members of the academic community or in languages other than those used in the database consultation were excluded. The selection of eligible articles was carried out by two reviewers who assessed the quality of each study for subsequent data extraction. To synthesize the results, the thematic synthesis narrative approach was used. Were identified 6,150 publications initially, which resulted in 11 studies included after applying the eligibility criteria. The results reveal, with the exception of one study, that the quality of mental health of Latin American university students during the period of social isolation in the Covid-19 pandemic reduced. The main impacts reported involve an increase in levels of anxiety, stress and depression, as well as worsening sleep quality. It was observed that physical activity and pre-stress coping during this period served as protective factors for mental health. On the other hand, factors such as: sedentary lifestyle, economic instability, being female and having had Covid-19 were shown to aggravate the declining of individuals' mental health.

STUDY OF CHANGES IN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN COUPLES FACING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Digital technologies are popular means of exchanging, communicating, and accessing information, and their use has been increasing in recent years. Studies of changes in society's behavior are observed because of the new way of communicating and relating. To evaluate the sexual behavior of couples during the period of social isolation imposed by the pandemic and the frequent use of Digital Technologies (DTs), an online cross-sectional survey was carried out to obtain information on sexual behavior and the use of TDs. A total of 1,357 individuals were interviewed using the Google Forms tool, of which 616 were eligible to participate in the survey. According to the data obtained, DTs were used by 24.02% of the study participants, in which a change in sexual behavior was observed in this group that has the habit of using DTs. The logistic regression analysis verified an association between the variables that predicted significant and positive changes in the sexual behavior of individuals, which points to a tendency towards change in sexual behavior given the greater use of DTs.

Nursing Students' Experiences on Psychosocial Learning Environment, Personal and Social Challenges and Communication in Periods of Social Isolation: A Qualitative Study.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the global COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and the Norwegian government declared lockdown to stop the virus from spreading. In Norway, universities were immediately closed, and all teaching and learning were done digitally for the rest of the spring semester 2020. Our aim was to explore nursing students experience with studying and learning, as well as the psychological consequences it may incur during a period of social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. The study is a qualitative study based on a focus group with 6 nursing students. The analysis was conducted following Kvale's approach to qualitative analysis. Three main categories were identified: (1) psychosocial learning environment, (2) personal and social challenges, and (3) communication. We found that the restrictions due to social isolation and pandemic restrictions such as closing of the university campus, has impacted students` study situation significantly, both psychosocially and academically. If social isolation should be necessary in the future, universities need to use methods such as group discussions, quizzes, and short breaks in the lectures to prevent unnecessary problems among the students. Personal challenges due to the social isolation, such as anxiety or other mental health issues are more difficult to avoid or prevent, but the universities must be better prepared to give students more personal communication, have unformal meetings and providing more information to the students in times of crisis.

ATIVIDADE FÍSICA, ALIMENTAÇÃO E SONO EM ATLETAS APÓS UM ANO DA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19

ABSTRACT Introduction: The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has resulted in worrying effects related to the “new” habits adopted by the population. The long period of school closures and social isolation have profoundly impacted the learning, health, and protection of children and adolescents. Objective: To re-evaluate school athletes quarantined by COVID-19, highlighting the main physical activity (PA), eating and sleeping habits, and the implications related to physical and mental health after one year of the pandemic in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. Methods: Two surveys were conducted, 342 attended the first assessment, and 222 attended the second. An online questionnaire (Google docs) was applied to the students, consisting of 18 closed and open questions in the first moment (beginning of the pandemic) and 22 at the second moment (after one year of the pandemic). Results: Half of the students (53.2%; 57%) reported eating up to three meals daily. With regard to sleeping hours, the majority of students (80%; 79.5%) were able to sleep at night between 6:00 and 10:00. There was a significant decrease in the time spent on social networks, migrating to school activities (p &lt;0.005). Approximately a quarter of the student-athletes (27%) practiced PA every day and felt fulfilled in the first assessment, and in the second assessment, this number increased to 43% (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Despite the decrease in screen time and the increase in regular PA, there was an increase in body weight in more than a third of the athletes evaluated. Those who maintained their body weight maintained healthier lifestyles with several meals within the recommended range and slept 6 to 10 hours per night. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective comparative study.

Use of screens, sedentary lifestyle, and physical activity in children under six years of age, during the period of preventive and compulsory social isolation in AMBA: online survey

Within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, children were confined to their homes. The Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) region has the highest urban density in Argentina and has been the epicenter of COVID-19 infections and deaths. The objectives of this study are to characterize the habits of screen use, sedentary lifestyle and physical activity and describe their associations, in children under six years of age from AMBA, Argentina. analytical and cross-sectional study, in which data from the online survey (Google Forms®) were used. Through a non-probabilistic convenience sampling, fathers, mothers, legal guardians, and caregivers of children under six years of age were invited to participate. The survey was available during four months of the quarantine period and was made up of 31 questions about screen use, physical activity, and sedentary lifestyle of children. 256 surveys were answered, the majority (79.6%) were female and 50.8% in the age range of 31-40 years. The television is the most used and children begin to use touch screens from one year. The play time of adults with children and the time that they usually carry out activities such as reading a book or drawing is one to two hours per day. There was an association between owning the screen and using it for more hours. The lower the income level, the more time adults play with their children.