COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantine Research Articles

Report on the online course "Basic Concepts in Neurophysiology": a course promoted during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine.

"Basic Concepts in Neurophysiology" was a 3-wk online course developed during six synchronous meetings combined with asynchronous activities. We proposed an active learning course that used free online platforms to teach physiology during a period in which undergraduates were not in classrooms or taking online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Herein, we report the course organization and the students' involvement in, acceptance of, and evaluation of the course. To address the students' perceptions about these points, we sent a questionnaire to 49 participants who finished the course. We found that although most students (52.5%) had never taken a course with similar methods before, almost all of them (95%) liked the flipped class model. Additionally, a majority of the students (92.5%) said that the method increased their study frequency during the social distancing period, which is an important aspect to consider during this challenging time for both students and professors.

Changes in movement behaviors and back pain during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

BackgroundQuarantine periods change routines and behaviors with potential impact on different health outcomes. ObjectiveTo determine the association between changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviors with changes in back pain during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine among Brazilian adults. MethodsThis was a nationwide survey through online questionnaires using data from 43,062 adults (≥ 18 years of age). Information on back pain was assessed using questions about episodes of back pain and worsening symptoms during the quarantine. The pattern of movement behaviors adopted before and during the pandemic were considered for physical inactivity (< 150 min/week of activity), high TV-viewing (≥ 4 h/d), and high computer/tablet use (≥ 4 h/d). Covariates included sex, age group, academic achievement, skin color, working status during the quarantine, and adherence to the quarantine. Logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses (weighted for national representativity). ResultsBecoming inactive (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.37), with high TV-viewing (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.61) and high computer/tablet use (OR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.73) during the pandemic were associated with a higher incidence of back pain. The incidence of physical inactivity was also associated with increased back pain (OR=2.71, 95%CI: 1.64, 4.48). ConclusionsWe conclude that increased physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors due to the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine are associated with the incidence and worsening symptoms of back pain among Brazilian adults.

Reinventing Our Publications Department: How the COVID-19 Quarantine Pushed Us Into the 21st Century

Half a century ago, paperless work environments were a speck on the horizon. Theoretically, the introduction of computers with visual displays would eliminate the need for printing because information could be shared digitally. The idea of paperless publishing—rapid delivery of content to an expanded audience—followed. But what about publishers themselves becoming paperless? Would the workflow process, and final product, suffer? This case study details how the Publications Department at the American Urological Association navigated the transition to a paperless office during the COVID-19 pandemic, propelled by the sudden switch to a virtual work environment. When our organization’s headquarters shut down in March 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, our publications department was still heavily paper-based. We’d made steps into the 21st century in our use of the cloud-based platforms Editorial Manager (EM) for manuscript submission/tracking and Citrix Files (ShareFile) for copyediting, but much of our work still involved printing out reams of article correspondence and proofs to mark by hand, scan, and email to our publisher. Our department produces 2 peer-reviewed journals, a monthly organizational news magazine, and a yearlong continuing medical education (CME) series—all handled by a relatively small group of 8 people (3 managing the peer-review/acceptance process and 4 handling all duties related to production, including copyediting and proof management, overseen by an executive editor). Though our peer-review team had been whizzing through the ins and outs of EM for years, our production team had barely started using the companion ProduXion Manager for content management and postacceptance tracking. As we watched […]

Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Investigation of Turkish People’s Attitudes Towards the COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantine Process

Aim: The aim of study is to determine the attitude of the Turkish people (in cognitive, affective and behavioral dimensions) and the factors affecting this attitude during the coronavirus epidemic that has affected the whole world since December 2019. Materials and Methods: The data collected by a scale were modeled with explanatory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), and the effects of the dimensions and the importance of the effective items in each dimension were determined.

Positive and negative affect during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine in Portugal

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly around the world and Portugal is no exception. Positive and negative effects are extremely important in individual's life experiences and in particular in the context of the quarantine, in which it is important to maintain the balance between favorable and unfavorable situations. The purpose of this paper is to study in depth the intensity of the affect during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal and to validate a scale of positive and negative affect in the context of quarantine and confinement.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used is of a quantitative nature, based on a questionnaire survey to measure the intensity of the affects and to analyze some sociodemographic variables. The sample consists of 726 individuals of age 18 years or older, who were in Portugal during the quarantine of the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsThe results show that respondents were concerned, anxious, well-disposed and impatient. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis applied to affects produced a latent structure with two factors: negative affect and positive affect. The affect scale has adequate convergent and discriminant validity and good internal consistency, with negative affect being experienced by individuals with greater intensity compared to positive affect.Originality/valueIt is hoped that this study contributes to an increase in the scientific knowledge in the field of the affects in the context of delicate situations such as the pandemic COVID-19 so that health professionals can intervene to improve individual’s well-being. This is an important way to provide better health policy that considers in more depth individual wellbeing and emotions during times of crisis. Limitations and suggestions for future research are also stated that highlight the importance of understanding emotional states of individuals during crisis events.

Psychological Impact and their Associated Factors of COVID-19 Pandemic among Nurses of a Metropolitan City of Central Nepal

Introduction: COVID-19 poses a great challenge to the global health system. The nurses worked in COVID ward and fever clinic act as gatekeepers to the health care system in the public health response to COVID-19 epidemic. The consequences of lockdown, quarantine of COVID-19 pandemic has not only caused physical sufferings but also affected the mental health of the nurses around the globe. This study aimed to assess psychological impact and associated factors of COVID 19 pandemic among nurses working in different level of hospital at Bharatpur Municipality Chitwan, Nepal.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 150 nurses working in different hospitals of Bharatpur Municipality. Non-probability Purposive Sampling Technique was used and Data was collected via online survey using Google Form questionnaire. COVID-19 peritraumatic distress index (CPDI) questionnaire was used to find out psychological impact. Statistical analysis of data was done using SPSS version 20.&#x0D; Results: Total of 150 nurses were involved in the study where 99.3% were female, 45.3% in the age group of 26-35 years, mean age 27.22±6.612 years, 87.2% bachelor in nursing. Mild to moderate peritraumatic distress was found in 47.33% and 16% of respondents found to have severe distress level. Chi-square test showed that respondents level of knowledge (p=0.003) and presence of chronic disease (p=0.007) was statistically significant with level of distress.&#x0D; Conclusions: Majority of the nurses had some form of psychological distress. Study highlights the need for counseling for distress and mental health during COVID-19 pandemic. A focus on improving mental wellbeing of nurses should be immediately initiated.

P648 Physical and mental health during COVID-19 quarantine in adolescents with chronic immunocompromised conditions and inflammatory bowel disease

BackgroundSocial connection is a fundamental part of the psychosocial development in adolescence; therefore quarantine has a potentially negative impact in the physical and mental health.Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate physical and mental health indicators in adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) compare to healthy adolescents during COVID-19 quarantine.MethodsA cross-sectional study included 355 adolescents with chronic conditions(IBD, n=44) and 111 healthy adolescents. An online self-rated survey was used to investigate socio-demographic features, healthcare routine and the quarantine impact on physical and mental health. Validated self-reported version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire(SDQ) evaluated psychosocial functioning.ResultsNo differences were observed between adolescents with preexisting chronic immunocompromised conditions versus healthy adolescents during quarantine of COVID-19 pandemic for age, sex and ethnicity, as well as for household conditions and schooling(p>0.05). The frequencies of psychosocial functioning abnormalities according to total difficulties SDQ score were high and similar in patients and controls(30% vs. 31%, p=0.775). Logistic regression analysis showed that being female(OR=1.965, 95%CI=1.091–3.541,p=0.024), fear of underlying disease activity/complication(OR=1.009, 95%CI=1.001–1.018, p=0.030) were associated with severe psychosocial dysfunction in adolescents with chronic conditions, whereas school homework(OR=0.449, 95%CI=0.206–0.981,p=0.045), physical activity (OR=0.990, 95%CI=0.981–0.999,p=0.030) and sleep quality(OR=0.986, 95%CI=0.975–0.998,p=0.017) were protective factors. Further analysis showed similar median age, fear (disease activity/complication, immunosuppressive use, and COVID-19), physical activity, sleep difficulties, and total difficulties SDQ score in IBD adolescents versus with chronic conditions (p>0.05). The frequencies of psychosocial functioning abnormalities according to total difficulties score of SDQ were high and similar in IBD adolescents vs. chronic condition(37% vs. 29%, p=0.329), as well sleep difficulties(34% vs. 32%, p=0.797).ConclusionBeing female, fear of underlying disease activity/complication and household members working outside of home were relevant issues for adolescents with preexisting chronic conditions. We also demonstrated that adolescents with IBD during COVID-19 quarantine had high risk of adverse health indicators, particularly psychosocial functioning and sleep difficulties. This study reinforces the need to establish mental health strategies for teens with chronic conditions, particularly during pandemic periods.

Eating habits, lifestyle behaviors and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine among Peruvian adults.

Background and aimsThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak has led to an unprecedented public health crisis. In Peru, although the quarantine is no longer mandatory, it was during the first months of 2020. To date, no studies have assessed the impact of the COVID-19 on the eating patterns and lifestyle context in the country. We aimed to describe the eating habits, lifestyle behaviors and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine among Peruvian adults.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study. We used an online survey to collect information regarding eating habits, self-perceived stress and sedentary lifestyle among adults over 18 years of age residing in Lima-Peru and who complied with strict home quarantine. We presented our data according to the weight variation of the participants.ResultsA total of 686 were finally included in the study. The 82.9% were female, the median BMI was 25.97 kg/m2 (IQR: 23.37–29.41) and 68.2% reported a significant variation in their weight (38.9% increased and 29.3% lost weight). All bad habits were significantly associated with weight gain, except for prolonged fasting. Additionally, a sitting time longer than usual (p = 0.001), being in front of a screen for more than five hours in the last week (p = 0.002), and most of the stressful scenarios were significantly associated with weight gain.ConclusionAlmost four out of ten participants gained weight during the quarantine. This was associated with unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity, and stressful scenarios.

660 Chronotype Associations with Insomnia, Depressive Symptoms, and Changes in Sleep and Health Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

IntroductionEvening chronotype (i.e., night owl preference) is associated with worse insomnia and depressive symptoms, and poorer health behaviors. The aim of this study was to examine the association between chronotype and these symptoms and health behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic quarantine.MethodsAn online survey, distributed internationally via social media from 5/21/2020–7/1/2020, asked adults to report sociodemographic/economic information, changes in sleep (midpoint, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, time-in-bed), and health behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sedentary screen time, and outdoor light exposure patterns) from prior to during the pandemic, chronotype preference (definitely morning [DM], rather more morning [RM], rather more evening [RE], or definitely evening [DE]), and complete the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D-10). Multinomial logistic regression and ANCOVA models, adjusting for age and sex, examined associations of chronotype with COVID-19 pandemic related impacts on sleep, depressive symptoms, and health behaviors.ResultsA subsample of 579 participants (M age: 39y, range: 18–80; 73.6% female), currently under quarantine and neither pregnant nor performing shift work, represented each chronotype evenly (~25%). Participants delayed their sleep midpoint by 72.0min (SD=111.5) during the pandemic. DE chronotypes had a greater delay than morning types (M±SD DE: 91.0±9.0 vs. RM: 55.9±9.2 & DM: 66.1±9.3; p=0.046) with no significant change in other sleep patterns relative to other chronotypes. However, DE and RE chronotypes had greater odds of reporting that their new sleep/wake schedule was still not consistent with their “body clock” preference relative to morning types (Χ2[15]=54.8, p<0.001), reported greater ISI (F[3,503]=5.3, p=.001) and CES-D-10 scores (F[3,492]=7.9, p<.001), and had greater odds for increased or consistently moderate-to-high sedentary screen time (Χ2[12]=22.7, p=0.03) and decreased physical activity (Χ2[12]=22.5, p=0.03) than DM chronotype. There was no significant difference in change in outdoor light exposure by chronotype (Χ2[12]=12.1, p=0.43).ConclusionIn an international online sample of adults under COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, evening chronotypes, despite taking the opportunity to delay sleep to match biological clock preference, reported their sleep/wake schedules were still inconsistent with personal preference, and reported greater insomnia and depressive symptoms, and odds of engaging in poorer health behaviors than morning chronotypes.Support (if any):

Students\u2019 attitude and sleep pattern during school closure following COVID-19 pandemic quarantine: a web-based survey in south of Iran

BackgroundSchool closure is one of the main policies of global health care strategies performed worldwide. Despite all benefits, there might be some threats for younger groups spending their time in quarantine. This study aims to determine the impacts of lockdown and school closure on children’s major lifestyle aspects, especially their leisure and sleep pattern during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsFor the purpose of this study, an online questionnaire was distributed from 14th to 31st of March 2020 among the schools and students from the first grade to the 12th grade (before university) in Fars province, southern Iran. The questionnaire consisted of five sections which included data regarding the students’ general information, activity priorities, adherence to quarantine, attitude toward school closure, and sleep patterns.ResultsIn our study, 20,697 filled questionnaires were received from the participants with an average age of 13.76 years; 29.7% of them were male, 80.6% were from urban areas, and 83.3% were from public schools. The overall first preference of students during school closure was mobile and computer games (30.1%), followed by studying (26.6%) and watching television (13.8%). Our results demonstrated that the majority of students adhered to social distancing and there was also a significant correlation among education levels and desire for schools to be closed till the end of the semester (P = 0.015). Also, regarding sleep patterns, the majority (53.5%) had above 12 h of sleep throughout the day.ConclusionIt seems that lockdown following COVID-19 pandemic has changed various aspects of the students’ lifestyle remarkably, especially by increasing screen time and even sleep duration and pattern. We believe that certain strategies should be implemented by the Health and Educational Ministry to control not only the visible side effects of the quarantine period, but also the collateral consequences on their psychological and mental health.

Postpartum Depressed Women in COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantine

Postpartum Depressed Women in COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantine

Intimate Partner Violence Against Pregnant Jordanian Women at the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic's Quarantine.

In Jordan, women experience considerable levels of different types of violence. The emerging data from different countries indicate that intimate partner violence (IPV) has intensified since the COVID-19 outbreak. The main purpose of the current study is to find out whether there is any difference in the incidence of IPV during and before the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine and whether any sociodemographical factors are related to the incidence of IPV against pregnant women during quarantine. A cross-sectional, correlational design was in this study. The snowball sampling technique was adopted to select the participants, which produced a nonrepresentative sample of 215 pregnant women. The participants completed the Arabic version of the World Health Organization's Domestic Violence Questionnaire Screening Tool (DVQST). We found that women were exposed to different types of IPV before and during the quarantine. The most prevalent form of IPV was control and humiliation (n 172, 80%) and the least prevalent was sexual violence ((n 33, 15.3%), (n 24, 11.2%), respectively). However, there were statistically significant lower DVQST scores during the COVID-19 quarantine than before the quarantine. All types of IPV are significantly correlated with each other and with relationship problems (marital conflict, verbal fighting, understanding each other). While the findings are not generalizable to the general population of pregnant women in Jordan because the sample consisted only of women of high socioeconomic status due to the use of a nonprobability sampling technique, national campaigns should be developed and implemented in order to reduce IPV and change community behaviors and attitudes toward violence against women. It is also recommended that policymakers develop plans to help pregnant women during quarantine by, for example, training care providers on how to access vulnerable women.

ФУНКЦИОНИРОВАНИЕ ТУРИСТСКОГО СЕКТОРА В УСЛОВИЯХ КАРАНТИНА ПРИ ПАНДЕМИИ: ПРОБЛЕМЫ И РЕШЕНИЯ

The present investigation provides one of the first complex attempts of theorizing on changes in tourism sector activity within COVID-19 quarantine. Drawing from system and criterion approach weusedthe analysis of official documents and news publication to identify 8 international models of tourism sector support within the pandemic quarantine. Each model was considered with the instrument of strengths and weaknesses analysis. By reviewing Russian national model we conducted deeper analyses juxtaposing and describing experience of Russian regions. Drawing from aтopinion poll realized in Perm krai we described some special features of each tourism sector segment activity within COVID-19 pandemic quarantine. The opinion polls mentioned also showed some limitations of Russian tourism sector support model. With regard to the data mentioned, we proposed the concept of the national electronic exchange service of tourism and resort. This system will potentially support the Russian model in the condition of epidemic crisis, helping the national tourism sector to save and then to restore its activity following laissez-faire principle.

Care and prevention during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine: sedentary lifestyle and increased risk of kidney stones.

Currently, the issue of lifestyle combined with lack of physical activity in quarantine conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major health problem in many countries around the world. Increased inactivity is associated with increased obesity as well as decreased physical activity and general health. Kidney stones are the third most common urinary tract disease. Prevention of non-communicable diseases depends on controlling risk factors such as low levels of physical activity. Kidney stones are also among the noncommunicable diseases that can be prevented by changing behavioral habits. Physical activity is a behavior that has many proven health benefits and is one of the most effective ways to prevent chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate sedentary lifestyle and its relationship with oxidative stress and kidney stone formation, and finally to provide medical solutions and recommendations.

Exercise participation and subjective well-being of collegiate athletes during COVID-19 Pandemic

While the NCAA grapples with how to return to sport during the COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge of the current exercise habits and well-being of collegiate athletes can better inform strength and conditioning professionals how to adjust periodization plans for the coming year. As collegiate athletes attempt to train independently, there is an opportunity to survey the athletes who normally participate in organized strength and conditioning programs. This study aims to understand current independent exercise regimes and explore current well-being measures such as fatigue, sleep, mood, soreness, and stress. Coaches may be facing massive levels of detraining or potentially the rest and recovery desperately needed for a rejuvenated return to sport. In this study, 237 collegiate athletes (mean age = 19.75, SD = 1.18) completed an online survey measuring exercise participation and well-being. Exercise habits indicate a statistically ( p < .05) and clinically significant increase in frequency ( t (234) = 4.36, p = .000, ES = .32), intensity ( t (235) = 5.31, p = .000, ES = .47), and duration ( t (234) = 6.54, p = .000, ES = .47) of exercise sessions overtime during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine. Perceived psychological well-being also increased as time went on during quarantine with an improvement in fatigue ( Z = 3.42, p = .001, ES = .22), sleep quality ( Z = 4.59, p = .000, ES = .30 ), stress ( Z = 6.53, p = .000, ES = .42), and mood ( Z = 5.86, p = .000, ES = .38). It appears there was a potential adaptation to quarantine that improved athletes’ exercise participation and perceived well-being but concerns for periodization strategies, motivation, and possibility of detraining remain for strength and conditioning professionals in the transition to the return to sport.

The Obstacles That Encounter Postgraduate Students in The Colleges of Physical Education Using Digital Learning Platforms During The COVID-19 Pandemic Quarantine

The study aims at investigating the obstacles that encounter the postgraduate students and their preference to take the exam via digital learning platforms at the colleges of Physical Education at Mustansiriyah University- Iraq; University of Anbar - Iraq; and University of Duhok- Kurdistan Rejoin- Iraq. The participants of the study were 30 male and female postgraduate students, the participants were chosen randomly, each university 10 students. The researchers set open questions to collect the data of the study. The research tries to answer the following questions: 1- Do you prefer to learn and interact via Digital Platforms? Why? 2- Do you prefer to take the exam via Digital Platforms? Why? Descriptive analysis was used to answer the questions of the study. The findings reveal that all participants do not like to learn via digital platform, but all participants prefer to take exam via digital platform. The results show that there are different obstacles, the most common are the weakness of the internet services, instructor is the center of the learning process, absence of interaction, students acquire quantitative information more than qualitative information, the feeling of nervous due to the slow broadcast of the lecture, and the lecture is Reading task oriented. The results also revealed that students prefer to take exam via digital learning platforms due to the facilities that such platforms provide.

TURISMO, PATRIMÔNIO E SAÚDE: UMA ANÁLISE DA RE-EXISTÊNCIA DA TERRITORIALIDADE DO CARIMBÓ BELENENSE NA “QUARENTENA” AMAZÔNICA

The present work seeks to analyze the implications and general tensions linked by the Covid-19 pandemic quarantine in the Brazilian Amazon to the territoriality of the Carimbo as a tourist attraction in urban Belenense. The procedures for the analysis involved bibliographic and documentary surveys, monitoring of secondary data in virtual institutional networks and carimbo groups, fieldwork with a guided observation script and the semi-structured interview conducted with members of carimbo groups. The results demonstrate that the restrictions to tourist spaces and the low impact “quarantine” in terms of social isolation in Belem imply constraints to the mediators of the territoriality of the carimbo, making evident the fragility of the tourist attraction and the persistence of the intangible heritage in the city maintained by do and re-existence of groups.

Physical inactivity and elevated TV-viewing reported changes during the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with mental health: A survey with 43,995 Brazilian adults

ObjectiveTo analyze the associations of physical activity and TV-viewing reported changes during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine with mental health among Brazilian adults with and without depression. MethodsData of 43,995 Brazilian adults from a cross-sectional, nationwide behavior research were used. Participants reported the frequency on loneliness, sadness (feel sad, crestfallen or depressed) and anxiety (feel worried, anxious or nervous) feelings during the pandemic period. Frequency and duration of physical activity as well as duration of TV-viewing before and during the pandemic period were also reported. We created four categories of reported changes in physical activity (1-consistently active, 2-become active, 3-become inactive or 4-consistently inactive) and TV-viewing (1-consistently high, 2-become low, 3-become high or 4-consistently high). Participants also reported previous diagnoses of depression [yes (PD) or no (nPD). Logistic regression models separating people with and without depression were created. ResultsCompared to consistently active participants, to become inactive during the pandemic was associated with a higher odds for loneliness [nPD:OR:1.32 (95%CI,1.02–1.70); PD:2.22 (1.21–4.06)], sadness [nPD:1.34 (1.01–1.77); PD:2.88 (1.54–5.36)], and anxiety [nPD:1.71 (1.30–2.25); PD:2.55 (1.20–5.42)]. Also, people with depression and consistently physically inactive presented higher odds for loneliness and sadness. Compared to consistently low TV-viewing, participants that become with high TV-viewing showed higher odds for loneliness [nPD:1.59 (1.37–1.86)], sadness [nPD:1.68 (1.44–1.96); PD:1.61 (1.21 to 2.15)] and anxiety [nPD:1.73 (1.48–2.02); PD:1.58 (1.12–2.23)]. ConclusionsReported increases in physical inactivity and TV-viewing during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with poorer mental health indicators. People with depression and consistently physically inactivity were more likely to present loneliness and sadness.

Self-Perceived Stress During the Quarantine of COVID-19 Pandemic in Paraguay: An Exploratory Survey.

Introduction: Any viral pandemic is a global health and mental health issue. The World Health Organization and mental health associations have warned that the current COVID-19 pandemic will lead to a drastic increase of stress-related conditions and mental health issues globally.Materials and Methods: An online web-based survey has been launched from 10 to 15 April 2020 in Paraguay in order to collect information regarding the stress related to the quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been spread through social media (“WhatsApp,” “Twitter,” and “Facebook”). Two thousand two hundred and six Paraguayan citizens, over 18 years of age, completed the survey voluntarily. Socio-demographics as well as ratings at Self-perceived Stress Scale have been collected and analyzed.Results: Two thousand two hundred and six subjects (74.12% men) aged between 18 and 75 with an average of 34 ± 11 years old completed the survey. 12.42% (276 subjects) of sample reported a preexisting diagnosis of mental disorder, and 175 participants (7.93%) reported an increase of preexisting symptoms with the onset of COVID-19 quarantine. 41.97% of them had anxiety and 54.38% did not receive any specific treatment. The general population rated 18.10 ± 5.99 at Self-perceived Stress Scale, which indicates a moderate level of self-perceived stress. Significant association was found between higher levels of stress and female sex, being single, or reporting preexisting mental disorder, above all anxiety and depression (p < 0.01). In fact, in 63.87% of mentally ill subjects (n = 175), the quarantine has worsened symptoms of preexisting mental disorders.Conclusion: This study suggests a stressful impact of COVID-19 pandemic, with the majority of participants reporting a moderate level of self-perceived stress. We suggest mental health services to provide a phone-based or web-based support to the general population in order to contrast the psychological impact of the pandemic. This approach may improve the accessibility to mental healthcare services in Paraguay, especially in times of social distancing.

Associations of sedentary behaviours and incidence of unhealthy diet during the COVID-19 quarantine in Brazil.

Our aim was to analyse the association of change patterns on TV-viewing and computer/tablet use and incidence of elevated consumption of ultra-processed food consumption and lower consumption of fruits and vegetables during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data of 39 208 Brazilian adults from a Behaviour Web Survey were used. Unhealthy nutrition habits were eating fruits or vegetables for <5 d/week and ultra-processed food (sugary foods, snacks, ready-to-eat frozen foods and embedded foods) for ≥5 d/week. For incidence indicators, we only considered participants without unhealthy behaviour before the quarantine. We created four categories of change in TV-viewing and computer/tablet use, considering a cut-off point of 4 h/d for each behaviour (1 - consistently low, 2 - become low during the quarantine, 3 - become high during the quarantine or 4 - consistently high). Analyses were adjusted for sex, age group, highest academic achievement, per capita income, working status during the quarantine, skin colour and adherence to the quarantine. Brazil. Brazilian adults (nationally representative). Logistic regression models revealed that high TV-viewing and computer/tablet use incidence were associated with higher odds for elevated frequency of ultra-processed food consumption (TV-viewing: OR 1·70; 95 % CI 1·37, 2·12; computer/tablet: OR 1·73; 95 % CI 1·31, 2·27) and low consumption of fruit and vegetables (TV-viewing: OR 1·70; 95 % CI 1·29, 2·23; computer/tablet: OR 1·53; 95 % CI 1·08, 2·17) incidence. Consistent high computer/tablet use also presented higher odds for incidence of elevated frequency of ultra-processed food consumption. Participants with incidence of sedentary behaviours were also more likely to present incidence of unhealthy diet during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine.