Post-pandemic Period Research Articles

Constructing a Discourse of Hope and Inspiration: A Positive Discourse Analysis of Joko Widodo’s Press Statements on COVID-19

ABSTRACT Using positive discourse analysis as a framework, this article examines Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s press statements on the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on how he constructed a message of hope and inspiration. The analysis demonstrates that Widodo used his language to encourage the people of Indonesia to be resilient, remain positive, and collaborate with the government to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic. The findings reveal that metaphor, lexicalisation, and rationalisation were the three main strategies that helped Widodo to construct his message of hope and inspiration and to formulate an emancipatory discourse intended to liberate the people of Indonesia from the difficulties of the pandemic and chart a way forward in the post-pandemic period. The study underscores the crucial role of language as a resource for hope and as a response strategy during a crisis as well as its significance in helping individuals, communities, nations, and societies make sense of their experiences and (re)imagine a positive future despite their present predicament.

Exploring anxiety and depression trends: insights from the BELHEALTH cohort 2022-2024 in Belgium

Abstract Background The swift impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions on the mental health of the Belgian population prompted the need for a sustainable system to monitor its evolution. Repeated COVID-19 surveys were conducted between 2020 and 2022 to address this issue, followed by the launch of the BELHEALTH cohort project. Our study aims to analyze the trajectory of anxiety and depression at the post-pandemic period, using data from five waves of the BELHEALTH longitudinal surveys from October 2022 to March 2024. High-risk groups and the potential of social support and resilience to mitigate anxiety and depression were explored. Methods The BELHEALTH follow-up cohort of around 7,300 Belgian residents uses online surveys to assess anxiety (with the GAD-7), and depression (with the PHQ-9). The analyses were performed using linear mixed models on the 3,676 individuals who participated in all five waves. Results Preliminary results indicated that more people were affected by anxiety in October 2022 (16%) compared to June 2023 (14%), while depression rates were lower in October 2022 (13%) compared to February 2023 (14%) and March 2024 (15%). However, the trajectory of mental health varied across demographic subgroups, with worse outcomes observed among unemployed and younger individuals, as well as those living alone, in the Walloon Region (South of Belgium). Overall, people with a low level of resilience or a low level of social support exhibited higher odds of experiencing depression. Conclusions Reducing these social inequities in mental health necessitates the development of structural prevention measures and interventions at the regional level. These measures should target factors such as unemployment, which is particularly prevalent among younger individuals and those living in Wallonia. Additionally, fostering protective factors such as social support and resilience is crucial for mitigating mental health inequalities over time. Key messages • Monitoring mental health and its determinants remains crucial to identify and address social inequities, tailor interventions, and support vulnerable populations. • Unemployed, younger people, and those residing in the Walloon region are at particular risk.

Do changes in BMI during the COVID-19 pandemic persist in the post-pandemic period in a pediatric population attending health care clinics? A longitudinal study.

The long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on body weight has not been sufficiently analyzed. This study aimed to analyze changes in body mass index (BMI) during and after the COVID-19 pandemic among a large pediatric population attending health care clinics. This retrospective longitudinal cohort study utilized electronic medical data of 106,871 children (52.1% males, median age 8.2 years at pre-pandemic assessment). Each child had at least one BMI measurement recorded pre-pandemic and two additional measurements: one during the pandemic and one post-pandemic. Obesity rates increased from 12.8% pre-pandemic to 15.4% during the pandemic, slightly decreasing to 15.0% post-pandemic. BMI-standard deviation scores (SDSs) increased during the pandemic, in both sexes, across all ages and all socioeconomic position (SEP) clusters, and in children with pre-pandemic underweight or normal weight (all P<0.001). Post-pandemic, BMI-SDS decreased but remained above pre-pandemic levels, particularly in younger children (aged 2-6 years) and those from low/medium SEP clusters (all P<0.001). BMI-SDS continued to increase in children aged 6.1-16 years, those of Arab ethnicity, and those in the high SEP cluster. The COVID-19 pandemic correlated with an overall increase in BMI-SDS, which decreased post-pandemic but remained above pre-pandemic levels. Effective policy interventions to prevent pediatric obesity are crucial.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Increased the Risk of Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating Symptoms: A Review of the Current Clinical Evidence

Background: There has been recent evidence to suggest that people who suffer from eating disorders (EDs) or other eating behavior disturbances, such as emotional eating (EE), are particularly vulnerable post-COVID-19. This narrative literature review aims to comprehensively analyze and scrutinize the existing clinical studies regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with EDs or EE. Moreover, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is very important to find out whether a person’s emotional state may lead them to wrongly confront their emotional behavior with food consumption. Methods: A thorough search of several databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Public Library of Science, Google Scholar, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, and Academic Search Complete) was performed to identify available clinical studies on the COVID-19 pandemic published between 2020 and 2024 using relevant keywords. Results: There is substantial evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic exerted negative effects on persons suffering from EDs, including those who are symptomatic, those who are in remission, and those with an EE behavior. Characteristically, people diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), or binge eating disorder (BED) showed considerable symptomatic worsening after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical studies investigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons suffering from EE have also clearly demonstrated that their mood disturbances negatively affected their eating behaviors. These studies have also shown that vulnerable people were at greater risk of EE development and progression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have exerted a significant deleterious effect on people who have a history of suffering from EDs or EE. The COVID-19 pandemic has been related to the frequency of dysfunctional eating behaviors, thus decreasing therapeutic intervention efficiency in people with EDs as well as in those with disturbed eating behaviors such as EE. In this aspect, further clinical studies are strongly recommended to investigate the exact effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to explore their potential long-term deleterious complications in the post-pandemic period. Public strategies and policies should be applied to provide special healthcare for this group of patients.

Patient reported outcomes, control of hypertension and dyslipidemia: results of two epidemiological studies in Romania, conducted during pandemia (Snapshot-1) and post-pandemic (Snapshot-2)

Abstract Background Coexistence of hypertension and dyslipidemia is commonly found in daily practice. Patient reported outcomes (PRO) are increasingly used to guide clinical decision-making, as well as public reporting of health system performance. Purpose To assess patient reported outcomes (PRO: socio-economic factors, depression level, and treatment adherence) and control of blood pressure (BP) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) during pandemia and in the post-pandemic period. Methods Two real-world, cross-sectional, multicentre, observational studies, with a similar design, were conducted in Romania during pandemia, in June 2021 (SnapShot-1), and post-pandemic, in June 2022 (SnapShot-2). They included 5004 consecutive outpatients diagnosed with both hypertension and dyslipidemia, addressing cardiologists, diabetologists, and general practitioners: 2469 in SnapShot-1 and 2535 in SnapShot-2. Patients completed a three-part questionnaire including: (1) questions on socio-economic factors; (2) Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (Depression scale); and (3) Hill-Bone Medication Adherence Scale (HBMAS) for hypertension and dyslipidemia. Results Characteristics of patients were similar between studies: 65.0±10.0 years and 40.9% men (SnapShot-1), 63.6±10.7 years and 43.3% men (SnapShot-2). Most of the patients declared themselves as "adherent" to the prescribed treatment: 91.8% (SnapShot-1) and 93.0% (SnapShot-2) adherent to antihypertensive treatment; 89.6% (SnapShot-1) and 90.9% (SnapShot-2) adherent to lipid lowering treatment. Socio-economic factors were similar between studies, except education, with higher education rates in SnapShot-2 (Table 1). Compared to SnapShot-1, depression scores evaluated by PHQ-9 scale were lower in SnapShot-2, conducted post-pandemic: 5.9±4.9 for SnapShot-1, suggesting a "mild" depression level, vs. 4.9±4.6 for SnapShot-2, which is below the "mild" depression threshold. Similarly, the adherence scores measured by HBMAS were lower in SnapShot-1 vs. SnapShot-2: 33.8±3.0 vs. 34.0±2.9 for antihypertensive medication, and 33.5±3.5 vs. 33.7±3.4 for lipid lowering treatment (Table 2). Conclusion Data collected from two large epidemiological studies in Romania showed an improvement of post-pandemic depression rates, as well as an improvement of adherence scores. Use of PRO assessment in routine clinical practice could support identification of patients on risk for uncontrolled BP or LDL-C, in need of more intense medical care.

Monthly Tracking of Infant Mortality in Portugal: Post-COVID Trends

Abstract Background The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is a fundamental health indicator that reflects the overall well-being of populations. Recognizing the need for more timely data to inform public health strategies, the authors have presented a novel method for monitoring IMR monthly instead of traditional annual reporting. Our work aims to increase further the robustness of a novel method for monitoring IMR monthly. Methods This new approach leverages the Portuguese E-Death Certification System (SICO) and Statistics Portugal (2016-2024) data. It provides the most recent insights into IMR trends in Portugal, highlighting the post-pandemic period. This method allows for the analysis of cumulative deaths under one year of age against live births over the previous 12 months, offering a more responsive metric to guide interventions. Results The updated analysis reveals a continued pattern influenced by the dynamic public health landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the phasing out of restrictions and the end of mandatory mask usage. The pandemic has significantly impacted IMR trends, with Portugal experiencing a decline in IMR during the stringent phases, reaching historically low levels. This trend slightly reversed following the lifting of restrictions, underscoring the urgent need for understanding the complex interplay between public health policies and infant mortality. In the post-pandemic period, the IMR increased until October 2023, showing a later (up to February 2024) global decreasing trend within the range of 2.5 and 2.9 deaths per 1000 live births. Conclusions Recent updates confirm the effectiveness of real-time IMR monitoring as a vital tool for policymakers and health professionals. Portugal’s experience underscores the importance of real-time health indicators in managing public health crises. It stresses the need for further research to understand factors affecting IMR and to continue reducing infant mortality. Key messages • COVID-19 restrictions correlated with a historical low in Portugal’s IMR, showcasing the impact of stringent public health measures. • Post-lockdown, the rise in IMR after the phasing out COVID-19 restrictions and later stabilization underscores the challenges and the necessity for dynamic health policies.

AUMENTO DO USO DE ANSIOLÍTICOS APÓS A PANDEMIA – REVISÃO DA LITERATURA

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are significant areas of research due to the high incidence of anxiety being diagnosed in the population, leading to temporary or permanent disability. Investigations conducted on the mental health of Brazilian residents during the COVID-19 outbreak indicate an increase in diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and stress. The deterioration of mental well-being was influenced by multiple factors, including the absence of proper funeral ceremonies, the escalation of unemployment, and the decline in financial capacity, which heightened tension and anguish among those needing a source of income to support their families. This scenario significantly contributed to the increase in the use of anxiolytics, as many individuals resorted to these medications as a form of immediate relief for the symptoms of anxiety and stress exacerbated by the pandemic, highlighting the need for a broader and more integrated approach to mental health treatment in the current context. Objectives: To analyze the increase in the use of anxiolytics after the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for public health. Methodology: This study is structured as a literature review, aiming to compile and analyze existing information on the topic. Additionally, the research is exploratory and descriptive, with the objective of mapping existing knowledge on the subject and outlining its nuances. The platforms Scielo, Portal de Periódicos CAPES, and Medline were used. The period considered was from 2018 to 2023, with texts fully available online, in Portuguese. Results: The results indicate a significant increase in the use of anxiolytics during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among more vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions. The use of medications like Alprazolam increased by 35% in 2020, reflecting the intensification of anxiety in the population. Conclusion: The pandemic exposed the fragility of mental health systems, highlighting the need for public policies that combine pharmacological treatment with continuous support. Future research is essential to monitor the long-term effects of anxiolytic use in the post-pandemic period.

On the Selection of Workplace in the COVID-19 Era Using Attitudinal Factors

After two years of living with the threat of COVID-19 in Ontario, Canada, pre-pandemic circumstances returned. During the pandemic, we relied on ICT-based tools to carry out our daily tasks, and now we have reached a tipping point. Should we keep our new routines to benefit us in the future? Or should we return to our routines before the pandemic? This study utilized a travel survey to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work activity-travel behavior and the persistence of new traditions in the post-pandemic era. The data for this study comes from a sample of 1,000 Greater Toronto Area residents who participated in a web-based survey in July, 2021, when Ontario began the third phase of reopening. This paper investigates work activity and workplace selection in more depth. Using factor analysis, a collection of latent attitudinal variables was identified. An integrated choice and latent variable model estimated the influential systematic and latent variables on the perceived workplace selection in the post-pandemic condition. The results showed that 71% of responders want to continue working from home at least once weekly after the pandemic. The preferred frequency of telecommuting in the post-pandemic period was positively correlated with education level, positive feelings about telecommuting experience, and certain occupation types, while negatively associated with age.

The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on road traffic and noise pollution of the urban street, a case study from Krakow, Poland.

The study determined the impact of restrictions introduced by the Ministry of Health in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic on traffic and sound pressure levels in the university building and its immediate vicinity. Mickiewicza Street was selected for the study. It is one of the city's busiest streets, located relatively close to the old historic center, and is the main artery connecting the north and south of the city. There are residential buildings on this street, but primarily offices and institutions, as well as schools and universities. Noise near the street and in buildings located relatively close to the road can be a serious problem in places where peace is required (e.g., libraries, reading rooms, university halls). Therefore, the acoustic comfort needed in these places may be disturbed, and the perception of knowledge acquisition may be limited. The aim of the work was achieved through measurements and analysis of street traffic intensity and sound pressure levels, taking into account pandemic restrictions. Then, statistical analyses were performed, which showed significant variability in traffic intensity and sound pressure values in individual periods of the pandemic. The pandemic's beginning was mainly characterized by a significant decrease in the above data, deviating from the norm. In the pre-pandemic period, an average of 47,733 vehicles passed through the street daily, and the median sound pressure was Leq.OUT = 62.0 dBA outside the building and Leq.INS = 44.0 dBA inside. During the greatest restrictions, a period called "lockdown," the number of cars driving decreased a little to an average of 44,153 per day, but there were days with 10,000-20,000 cars passing. In turn, noise decreased to 59.9 dBA for Leq.OUT and 43.2 dBA for Leq.INS. Between the first and second waves of infections, traffic was comparable to the post-pandemic period (an average of 69,027 cars per day), and noise also increased to Leq.OUT = 64-65 dBA and close to Leq.INS = 47.5 dBA. Studies have shown that noise on Mickiewicza Street is mainly caused by traffic (correlation coefficient: r = 0.92 for Leq.OUT and r = 0.86 for Leq.INS). The sound pressure level is high outside (Leq.OUT = 63.9 dBA) but relatively low inside the building (Leq.INS = 47.0 dBA) and should not negatively affect university staff and students (Leq.WH < LWH.acc). Based on the analyses, three stages show society's approach to the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) fear of the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) relaxation after restrictions; (3) getting used to the COVID-19 pandemic. These periods did not correlate with the development of the pandemic or the number of people infected and dead.

The Critical Success Factors Towards Homestay Development in Penang

Since its introduction in 1988, the Homestay Programme in Malaysia has become an iconic rural tourism product. Tourists pay a reasonable price to stay with a host family and experience daily life alongside the local community. The pandemic outbreak in February 2020 severely impacted the tourism industry, causing many homestays to cease operations. In the post-pandemic period, the tourism industry, including homestays, is striving to regain momentum. Studies have been conducted to identify critical success factors influencing homestays' success. This study focuses on identifying these factors for homestays in Penang, Malaysia, considering perspectives from tourists, government agencies, institutions, industry players, and the community. A semi-structured interview and thematic analysis were used to process data collected from eleven informants with varying levels of involvement in homestays, ranging from those directly engaged in their development to those with little or no experience in visiting them. The interviews were conducted mainly in Bahasa Melayu, with the input translated into English. The data was then classified into several themes for further discussion.

PANDEMIA DA COVID-19: O AUMENTO DOS CASOS DE ANSIEDADE E DEPRESSÃO NA COMUNIDADE UNIVERSITÁRIA

The COVID-19 pandemic has established itself as a health challenge at a global level, with the WHO defining that response measures should be implemented as quickly as possible so that there is no incidence of new cases of the disease. The governing authorities established mandatory restrictions on the operation of most places where there could be crowds of people, such as, for example, shopping malls, schools and universities. With regard to the university community, these restrictions had a significant impact on their lives, impacting them in several ways […]. Therefore, the objective of this research is to highlight, through studies, the increase in cases of anxiety and depression in university students during and after the pandemic. The present study is an integrative review of the literature, whose function is to delimit results from previous studies on the proposed subject. The research was carried out in the following databases: Virtual Health Library (VHL), Scielo Portal, Google Scholar and the PAHO/WHO website. With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, universities restricted their operations due to social distancing, completely changing the student scenario. Several studies carried out during the pandemic highlighted the repercussions on the mental health of the academic community, revealing prevalent feelings of impotence, anguish, fear of losing family and friends, irritability and sadness, increasing susceptibility to anxiety, depression and other disorders. Therefore, an emerging focus on mental health in the post-pandemic period is crucial as risk factors continue to significantly impact diverse areas of society.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on epidemiological features of viral respiratory tract infections in children: a single-centre study.

The epidemiology of respiratory infections may vary depending on factors such as climate changes, geographical features, and urbanization. Pandemics also change the epidemiological characteristics of not only the relevant infectious agent itself but also other infectious agents. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of viral respiratory infections in children. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children aged ≤18years with laboratory-confirmed viral respiratory infections other than COVID-19 from January 2018 to March 2023. Data on demographic characteristics, month and year of admission, and microbiological results were collected. During the study period, 1,829 respiratory samples were sent for polymerase chain reaction testing. Rhinovirus was identified in 24% of the patients, mixed infections in 21%, influenza virus in 20%, and respiratory syncytial virus in 12.5%. A 38.6% decrease in viral respiratory infections was observed in 2020, followed by a 188% increase in 2021. The respiratory syncytial virus was significantly more common in the post-pandemic period (13.8%) compared to the pre-pandemic period (8.1%), but no seasonal shift in respiratory syncytial virus infection was observed. There was also a yearly increase in influenza infections in the post-pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency of parainfluenza virus infections increased during the summer months, and this finding provides a new contribution to the existing literature.

“Give me some flexibility and I will perform better”: longitudinal lessons on the antecedents of job performance

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the longitudinal relationships between the intensity of remote work (IRW) and job performance (JP) with the mediation effect of work–life balance (WLB) and moderation by work overload (WO).Design/methodology/approachA three-wave longitudinal survey, covering pre-pandemic period, the pandemic itself and the post-pandemic period, was conducted among 291 employees. The authors applied linear regression analysis with a moderated mediation effect and the cross-lagged structural equation model with longitudinal mediation using Mplus 8.FindingsThe results show that relationships between IRW and WLB and WLB and JP are negative in the short term; yet over time, employees are able to adapt and benefit from the flexibility offered by remote work (RW). WLB can contribute to better JP in the long run. Furthermore, WLB plays a moderating role in the long-term relationship between RW and JP. There is the second-stage negative moderation effect on this relationship by WO.Practical implicationsThis study recommends a proactive approach toward flexible solutions for employees. It explains that the positive effects of IRW for WLB and JP appear in the longer perspective. Support from organizations to mitigate negative short-term effects is required. Organizations can leverage the mediating role of WLB between IRW and JP in the long term by providing resources and support to help employees achieve WLB in RW settings.Originality/valueThis study extends the research on the antecedents of JP of employees and enriches the extant literature that shows inconsistent findings in terms of the relationships among RW, WLB and JP. It also focuses on the rarely explored intensity of RW. It fills the gap in previous research using a longitudinal research approach. The longitudinal data provide unique and innovative insights into the antecedents of JP of employees and explain complex relationships between them in both the short and long term.

The ups and downs of managing study abroad: Insights from Spanish higher education

This study delves into the experiences with managing study abroad reported by two mobility programs stakeholders: the vice-dean of International Relations and an Erasmus coordinator at a Faculty of a Spanish University. By means of content analysis of semi-structured interviews, this article aims to shed light on the intricacies of study abroad management in Spain, focusing on: 1) the types of study abroad programs that they are in charge of and their peculiarities, 2) the evolution of study abroad management in their institution, taking into account the pre- and post-pandemic period, and 3) the constraints and improvements to study abroad programs management that they are cognizant of. By approaching two types of stakeholders, considered to represent top-down and bottom-up study abroad management, the present study aims to triangulate perceptions from different actors that participate in the governance and guidance of study abroad in Spanish higher education.

Marketing Strategy Proposal to Rebound the Declining Revenue of Burger King Indonesia in the Covid Aftermath Period

The primary objective of this study is to propose a marketing strategy to address the decrease in revenue experienced by Burger King Indonesia in the year 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic as practical guidance for Burger King Indonesia and other businessmen to navigate the complexities of the current market landscape. This study is still necessary to understand that shifting consumer behavior, changes in market conditions, and business operational disruptions are the causes of the problem. The research design uses a thematic analysis method involving the available company data, relevant marketing theories, and the results of questionnaires, community surveys, and interviews with managers and customers. By analyzing the effects of the pandemic faced by Burger King Indonesia, this research aims to pinpoint strategic areas for improvement. Diverse analyses are used, such as VRIO Framework, STP, Marketing Mix, PESTEL, PORTER's Five Forces, Competitor analysis, SWOT, TOWS analysis, and author’s interview and questionnaire surveys to determine the present circumstances of Burger King Indonesia. The proposed marketing strategy highlights the importance of five specific actions in their implementation: product innovation, digital transformation, sustainability campaign, promotion via mobile app, and partnership and collaborations with delivery services to adapt to evolving consumer preferences. To address this goal, Burger King Indonesia must make strategic adjustments parallel to the present circumstances by understanding consumer preferences, optimizing operations, promoting sustainability initiatives, and strengthening its brand position. Through the implementation of this comprehensive strategy, Burger King Indonesia aims to improve customer satisfaction, foster loyalty, and attain overall market success in the post pandemic period. This strategy not only addresses the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic but also positions Burger King Indonesia for long-term success.

Algorithm for Managing Patients Hospitalized in the Surgical Wards Due to COVID-19-Related Acute Abdominal Pathology

AIM OF THE STUDY. Was to improve the outcomes of treatment of patients with COVID-19-related acute abdominal pathology by developing and implementing an algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of those patients.MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study involved 200 patients who were randomized into two groups. This research was retrospective, based on the analysis of the medical histories of patients hospitalized with clinical manifestations of acute abdominal pathology that developed against the background of COVID-19. All medical histories in emergency departments and centers of the Republic of Uzbekistan were analyzed in the period from the beginning of the declaration of the pandemic (March 2020) to July 2022 inclusive.RESULTS. In the context of an infectious disease pandemic (COVID–19 as an example), it is very important to develop an algorithm for managing patients with acute surgical pathology. This algorithm should include a diagnostic component with the purpose of timely diagnosis of acute surgical pathology and hospitalization in the surgical department. The next step is to identify patients with a high risk of perioperative complications and adverse outcomes. The final component of the algorithm is the correction of possible risk factors for adverse outcomes.CONCLUSION. The duration of hospitalization of patients who underwent surgery for acute abdominal pathology was significantly longer during the pandemic compared to that of in the post-pandemic period (10.35±7.01 vs. 5.83±3.85 days, p&lt;0.001), which may be due to both changes in the structure of the pathology and a larger number of complicated forms. The application of the developed algorithm will optimize the management of patients with COVID-19-related acute surgical pathology, guarantee rapid decision-making while minimizing the risk of infection, reduce the risk of complications and adverse outcomes.

The Main Determinants of B2B Buyer Behavior Formation in High-Tech Markets During the Post-pandemic Period

The Main Determinants of B2B Buyer Behavior Formation in High-Tech Markets During the Post-pandemic Period

Antibiotic Resistance Pattern of Pathogens Isolated from Pediatric Patients during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background/Objectives: The present study aims to highlight the possible significant changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the resistance of pathogens involved in cases of pediatric infections. Methods: This study included children hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Surgery and Pediatrics from a tertiary teaching hospital, during and after the COVID-19 period (2020-2023). Results: The research included 845 samples collected during 2020-2023, from 685 pediatric patients. A total of 937 bacterial isolates were obtained, of which 509 isolates (54.32%) were Gram-negative bacteria. Around 30% of all the pathogens were multidrug-resistant (MDR), with a statistically significant increase post-pandemic, in the case of the MDR Escherichia coli strains (p < 0.05). A very high percentage of MDR Acinetobacter spp. isolates was found, with an important, but not statistically significant, increase in the post-pandemic period. The highest percentage of the MDR Gram-positive pathogens was registered in the case of S. aureus strains (31.80%). Over 20% of the Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) strains isolated between 2020 and 2023 were MDR, with an important increase in the post-COVID-19 period. The proportion of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens significantly decreased in the post-COVID-19 period compared with the COVID-19 period (p < 0.05), especially in the case of the Klebsiella spp. strains. Conclusions: Our findings revealed the increase in the post-COVID-19 period of the prevalence of MDR strains of Acinetobacter spp., CoNS, and Escherichia coli isolated in pediatric patient samples and a significant decline in the trend of the carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, which may be due to the testing rate and to the specific pathology of the pediatric patients hospitalized in the two periods.

Risk factors, timing and frequency of occurrence of post-COVID syndrome in workers with intensive computer workload

According to leading experts of the World Health Organization, the threat of a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus remains, which will lead to a sharp increase in morbidity and mortality. The severity of complications after COVID-19 depends not only on how severe the disease was, but also on other factors: genetic predisposition, age, concomitant diseases, and working conditions. This makes it urgent to conduct further scientific research on the ranking of the factors of the production environment that accelerate the spread of COVID-19. The study aims to determine the degree of occupational risk, taking into account the timing and frequency of manifestations of post-COVID syndrome (U09.9; U10.9 according to ICD–X) in specialists with intensive computer workload. In the period 2020–2024, the researchers conducted a survey at the workplaces of Kislovodsk enterprises and examined 556 people with an intensive computer load associated with servicing the flows of mass consumers during the pandemic and in the post-pandemic period. We have studied the timing and frequency of the occurrence of post-COVID syndrome, objectified by the degree of health risk factors in various categories of workers with intensive computer workload. The timing and frequency of seven post-COVID syndrome manifestations ranked (according to the degree of occupational health risk factors) (U09.9; U10.9 according to ICD-X) that occur in workers with intensive computer workload in the first two weeks after discharge from the hospital during hospitalization for COVID-19 (occupational health risk factors category A) or arising within three to four weeks after discharge from the hospital during hospitalization for COVID-19 (occupational health risk factors of category B). Based on statistical and clinical and hygienic data obtained in the period from 2020 to 2024, post-COVID manifestations in the gradations of "high" and "moderately high" occupational health risk for employees (n=556) with intensive computer load were ranked by the timing and frequency of occurrence of the named syndrome, as well as by the degree of risk of potential COVID-19 infections of the named groups of specialists associated with servicing mass consumer flows infected with constantly mutating representatives of enveloped RNA viruses. According to the degree of occupational risk to the health of persons with intensive computer workload, six groups of specialists associated with servicing mass consumer flows, potentially infected with COVID-19 and other representatives of enveloped RNA viruses, were ranked. Limitations. Post-COVID syndromes that occur within one to two and three to four weeks after discharge from the hospital have been studied. Ethics. Scientists have conducted research in accordance with the principles of biomedical ethics and approved by the local Ethics Committee of Izmerov Research Institute of Occupation Health, Moscow (Protocol No. 4 dated 04/14/2021). Each participant of the study submitted a voluntary written informed consent signed by him after explaining to him the potential risks and benefits.

Impact of the COVID-19 Prioritization Recommendations on Pathological Stages of Urologic Malignancies: A Real-World Analysis at a High-Volume Referral Institution

Background: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines defined priority groups to guide the prioritization of surgery for urological malignancies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 prioritization recommendations on tumor pathological characteristics in a real-world setting at our academic referral institution. Methods: We compared baseline and pathological tumor features of all patients with urological malignancies treated during the pandemic period (2020–2021) versus in the post-pandemic period (2022–2023). Our institution adhered to the international recommendations and prioritized those cases defined as “high-risk”. Results: Data from 9196 patients treated for urological malignancies were reviewed and grouped according to period of surgery (4401 in the pandemic period vs. 4785 in the post-pandemic period). The overall number of surgical procedures was comparable for all diseases except for the number of radical prostatectomies (1117 vs. 1405; p = 0.03) and partial nephrectomies (609 vs. 759; p = 0.02), which were significantly lower in the pandemic period. Regarding tumor pathological features, none of the recorded variables were found to differ according to period of surgery, including disease stage, tumor grading, presence of necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, and histological variants. Conclusions: A correct policy of prioritization of oncological pathologies during emergency periods and a centralization of oncological cases in reference centers reduce the possible risk of worsening cancer disease features related to the reorganization of healthcare resources.