Sensational Media Reports Research Articles

The Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on an Adult Indian Population.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was a pandemic with many physical, psychological, and socioeconomic effects. COVID-19 caused a global increase in anxiety and depression because of its novelty, high infectivity, varied presentation, and unpredictable mortality. In the face of collapsing healthcare facilities, monetary setbacks, and loneliness because of lockdowns, people were anxious, and this was compounded by media sensationalism. We aimed to study the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on the adult Indian population. An online survey using SurveyMonkey was floated through WhatsApp messages in April 2020, using the 'chain-referral sampling' method. Responses from individuals >18 years were included, and questions included age, sex, occupation, demographics, and socioeconomic conditions. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scales. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS software, and predictors of anxiety and depression were assessed. A total of 2640 responses from individuals between 18 years and81 years were analyzed, of which 39% were from females and 85% from those <50 years of age. There were students (15.6%), teachers (10.7%), healthcare workers (16.8%), homemakers (9%), and daily wage laborers (4.1%), among others. Nearly 80% lived in cities, 55% had salaried jobs, 37% were working from home, 22% were temporarily unemployed, 10% were feeling work stress, 11% had increased alcohol intake, and 7.5% saw an increase in domestic violence. The income of 50% was adversely affected. Nearly 50% of our respondents had some symptoms of anxiety, and 23% had significant anxiety (GAD ≥5). The presence of anxiety was significantly higher in females, younger adults, city dwellers, healthcare workers, unemployed people, individuals living away from home, those without fixed salaries,those with work stress, and in people whose incomes had been adversely affected by the pandemic. On logistic regression analysis, female sex, younger age, unemployment, lack of salaried jobs, work stress, being a healthcare worker, and media reports were independent predictors of anxiety. About 60% of our respondents had some symptoms of depression, with 26% having significant depression (PHQ-9 ≥5). The presence of depression was significantly higher in females, younger adults, city dwellers, unemployed people, individuals living away from home without fixed salaries, andpeople with work stress. On logistic regression analysis, younger age, female sex, unemployment, lack of salaried jobs, work stress, and media reports were independent predictors of depression. Among our respondents, 70% used the time during the lockdown to study, 77% caught up with their families, and 56% reconnected with hobbies. Nearly 88% of our respondents had adjusted to their changing circumstances, helped by their religious beliefs and faith, the support of family and friends, good government measures, and the assurance of healthcare. Significant anxiety and depression were seen in 23% and 26% of respondents, respectively. Being a healthcare worker was an independent predictor of anxiety. Female sex, younger age, unemployment, work stress, and sensational media reports were independent predictors of both anxiety and depression.

Community voices around COVID-19 vaccine in Chennai, India: A qualitative exploration during early phase of vaccine rollout.

Globally, vaccination is considered as an important public health strategy to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the current study was to conduct an in-depth inquiry to explore perceptions of community members around COVID-19 vaccines in the southern city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This was conducted during the early phase of the vaccine rollout programme in India. A qualitative investigation was conducted between January-February 2021 through in-depth interviews. Healthcare workers, religious leaders, community influencers, local administrators and representatives of marginalized communities were included. The key informant interview guides and probes explored five domains; (i) vaccine availability, (ii) trust in COVID-19 vaccines, (iii) vaccine-related concerns, (iv) health/risk balance and (v) vaccine prioritization. Transcripted interviews were coded using a thematic approach and analyzed manually as well as with the help of ATLAS.ti 9 software. Eagerness to receive COVID-19 vaccines amongst some of the respondents was linked with freedom from fear, possible restoration of normalcy, protection of family and ability to travel and work abroad. Concerns around threat of emergence of new variants, damage caused by such viral mutants and trust in policymakers were other facilitatory influencers for vaccine uptake. On the other hand, doubts surrounding safety and fear of side effects of COVID-19 vaccine were the feeders to vaccine hesitancy. Lack of accurate information, sensational media reports and rumours exacerbated this fear and provoked anxiety among people. Apprehensions around COVID-19 vaccine in the wake of its rapid development and approval for use and reluctance to take it during the declining phase of the epidemic were identified as other inhibitory factors. Participants underlined the importance of having responsive communication strategies in place focussing on vaccine safety. Making vaccines available to people free of cost and ensuring wider access were other programmatic suggestions. In conclusion, our study findings suggest that it is essential to remain engaged with communities and execute evidence-based information dissemination strategy about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. We identified that it is also imperative to sensitize and train media professionals on how to report side effects related to vaccines. Responsive communication strategies will thus have the potential to serve as a key public health approach pertaining to future pandemic preparedness as well as to manage the demands of clinical and public health issues in an ongoing pandemic situation.

Reflections on the Acquisition of Land by Non-citizens in Botswana

There are rising public concerns about the acquisition of prime land by non-citizens/foreigners in Botswana, especially in the sprawling urban and peri-urban areas. Indians, Nigerians and Chinese, among others, are allegedly involved in such land transactions. There is a salient local resentment towards them and/or such transactions. Sensational media reports, emotive public statements by politicians, chiefs and government officials, and anger from ordinary citizens dominate the discourse. These emotive public debates about this issue warrant some academic comment. This article argues that the acquisition of land by foreigners in Botswana, in each land category—tribal, state and freehold—is legally allowed by the relevant laws. But this does not mean that citizens have no right to raise concerns and/or show their disapproval of some of these legal provisions. Aware of the public outcry, the government has since passed the Land Policy in 2015, revised in 2019, and amended the Tribal Land Act in 2018, not yet operational, to try and strictly regulate the acquisition of land by non-citizens. There is no readily available statistical data, indicating the ownership of land by foreigners in each land category. This issue is multifaceted and needs to be cautiously handled, lest it breeds xenophobia or the anti-foreigner sentiments.

Contents of Japanese pro- and anti-HPV vaccination websites: A text mining analysis

ObjectiveIn Japan, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rate has sharply fallen to nearly 0% due to sensational media reports of adverse events. Online anti-HPV-vaccination activists often warn readers of the vaccine’s dangers. Here, we aimed to examine frequently appearing contents on pro- and anti-HPV vaccination websites. MethodsWe conducted online searches via two major search engines (Google Japan and Yahoo! Japan). Targeted websites were classified as “pro,” “anti,” or “neutral” according to their claims, with the author(s) classified as “health professionals,” “mass media,” or “laypersons.” We then conducted a text mining analysis. ResultsOf the 270 sites analyzed, 16 contents were identified. The most frequently appearing contents on pro websites were vaccine side effects, preventable effect of vaccination, and cause of cervical cancer. The most frequently appearing contents on anti websites were vaccine side effects, vaccine toxicity, and girls who suffer from vaccine side effects. Main disseminators of each content according to the author’s expertise were also revealed. ConclusionPro-HPV vaccination websites should supplement deficient contents and respond to frequent contents on anti-HPV websites. Practice implicationsEffective tactics are needed to better communicate susceptibility to cervical cancer, frequency of side effects, and responses to vaccine toxicity and conspiracy theories.

Readability comparison of pro- and anti-HPV-vaccination online messages in Japan

ObjectiveIn Japan, the HPV vaccination rate has sharply fallen to nearly 0% due to a series of sensational media reports of adverse events. Online anti-HPV-vaccination activists often warn readers of the vaccine’s dangers. We aimed to examine distribution and readability of pro-and anti-vaccination online messages with relation to these authors’ professional expertise. MethodsWe conducted online searches via two major search engines. Identified sites were classified as “anti,” “pro,” or “neutral” depending on their claims, and “health professional” or “non-health professional” depending on their authors’ expertise. Readability was determined using a validated measure of Japanese readability. Statistical analysis was conducted using two-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. ResultsOf the total 270 sites analyzed, up to 137 (50.7%) were deemed anti- and 101 (37.4%) pro-HPV-vaccination. Of the pro-vaccination sites 71% were written by health professionals. Anti-vaccination messages were found to be considerably easier to read than pro-vaccination ones; both among those by health professionals and non-health professionals. ConclusionOur findings substantiate concern that the anti messages may serve to prolong the HPV vaccination crisis. Practice implicationsWe recommend that health professionals use readability assessment tools and improve the text for easier reading if necessary.

Resort Fees and Service Fees in the U.S. Hotel Industry: Context and Concepts Related to Partitioned Pricing

Though hotel resort fees and other service charges are a source of considerable revenue at certain U.S. hotels, most hotels do not charge such fees, and among those that do, they do so for specific and unique market-based reasons such as the behavior of competition. This report reviews the concept of resort fees in an effort to provide a balanced perspective regarding service fees in the light of sensational media reports about the topic. This report finds that only approximately seven percent of U.S. hotels charge such fees, and such fees are mainly limited to resort hotels in certain markets. This report introduces the topic of partitioned pricing whereby prices quoted to consumers by businesses are broken into their component parts, a practice appearing to be common, appropriate, and preferred by consumers as well as businesses in particular types of transactions which may include certain hotel-consumer sales.

Let's face it--complex traits are just not that simple.

Let's face it--complex traits are just not that simple.

Time to Re-think the Zurich Guidelines?

Time to Re-think the Zurich Guidelines?

Defining and Interpreting Absence from School in Contemporary Japan: How the Ministry of Education Has Framed School Non-attendance

The issue of absence from school has gained much attention in contemporary Japan. The government continues to redefine the phenomenon and to publish their opinions, frequently inducing sensational media reports. This paper studies how the Ministry of Education has framed school non-attendance over the period from 1950 to the 2000s. To investigate the ideological aspects of the Ministry's framing, I carried out a content analysis of the reports and statistics it has issued over the decades. I found that throughout the period, the Ministry's terminology in discussing school non-attendance has closely reflected popular discourse. I conclude that the Ministry appears to cast around for ways to describe, quantify, analyse and respond to non-attendance, yet is easily swayed by popular and media discourses and is likely to change its approaches without any sound conceptual reasons.

Coercive treatment and stigma: is there a link?

Coercive treatment comprises compulsory admission of patients as well as coercive treatment measures. Both are sometimes inevitable elements of psychiatric care, with the aim to prevent danger from patients and other persons. The stigma of mental illness is still one of the most challenging treatment obstacles. It is not limited to patients and their families, but is also attached to treatment methods and institutions. The link between coercive treatment and stigma of mental illness is complex. The fact that compulsory treatment is administered within the treatment of mentally ill persons, but not of patients with somatic illness, shapes the public's impression that mentally ill persons are different from others and potentially unpredictable and dangerous – with fear and social distance as consequences. These negative attitudes are also strengthened in sensational media reports on patients being involuntarily admitted to psychiatric institutions, which thereby also become associated with a negative image. It is not yet clear, whether and how mental health professionals' attitudes influence their practice of coercive treatment. In Germany, coercive treatment underlies strict legal regulations. Nevertheless, occasions and justifications for coercive treatment in clinical practice may vary due to individual tolerance limits and competence in de-escalation techniques which in turn are influenced by beliefs, attitudes and professional experiences of the ward staff. In case of an interaction between stigma and coercive treatment, the question arises, whether the frequency of compulsory admissions and coercive treatment measures can be reduced by educational and stigma-oriented interventions. Empirical evidence will be discussed examining the link between coercive treatment and stigma, focused on public and professionals' attitudes and behavior as well as patients' perspectives.

Commentary on “Seven Institutionalized Children and Their Adaptation in Late Adulthood: The Children of Duplessis.

It is likely that many “civilized” nations have hidden somewhere in their social and institutional histories horrendous scandals similar to the French Canadian “Children of Named after the arch–conservative Premier of Quebec, Maurice Duplessis, who ruled with an iron fist during the late 1940s and into the 1950s, thousands of children were housed in institutions run by the Catholic Church. Labeled as “orphans,” many were, in fact, born out of wedlock at a time and into a society that sought to keep such transgressions secret. As a result of activism by a few who have gone public with their personal stories, there are growing demands for recognition and compensation from a society that ignored, exploited, or stigmatized them for most of their lives. Investigative news reports further allege that hundreds to thousands were subjected to lobotomies, mind-controlling drugs, and other psychiatric experimentation by the CIA, that they routinely suffered harsh discipline and cruel punishments, and were victims of unchecked physical, sexual, and emotional abuse by their religious caretakers. Accounts of a mass grave of Duplessis children, locally known as the “pigsty,” near Montreal and other horrors continue to surface in the Canadian press, although the truth of these claims has yet to be officially established. Against this background of hidden history and sensational media reports, Perry and colleagues systematically investigated the lives and late adulthood outcomes of the children of Duplessis. This descriptive account of 7 individuals is drawn from a larger statistical study of 81 Duplessis children now in late adulthood. Not surprisingly, that study found considerable negative consequences attributable to their institutionalized childhoods. Their purpose is to briefly tell representative life stories framed by empirical indices of trauma, childhood attachments, childhood strengths and protective factors, social supports, personality defenses, and psychiatric symptoms. It is noteworthy that they state that their attempts at constructing a random sample “was blocked by the respective religious, social and government agencies, on advice of their counsels, necessitating the use of a self–help organization for case finding.” Official interference is also commonly reported in investigative media accounts and lends credence to allegations of a conspiracy by the Quebec government and Catholic Church to hide their past involvement and potential culpability for this tragic chapter. Although accounts of the effects of chronic institutionalization on children can be traced to post–World War II reports of “hospitalism” by Spitz, “affect deprivation” by Lowrey, and “environmental retardation” by Gesell and Amatruda, few have addressed the long–term consequences in adulthood. Psychiatry 69(4) Winter 2006 333

Do sensational media reports about severe acute respiratory syndrome affect the mindset of healthcare workers?

Acta PaediatricaVolume 92, Issue 11 p. 1349-1350 Do sensational media reports about severe acute respiratory syndrome affect the mindset of healthcare workers? J Karlberg, Corresponding Author J Karlberg Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.J Karlberg, Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China (Tel. +852 2855 4664, fax. +852 2974 1248, e-mail. jpekarl@hkucc.hku.hk)Search for more papers by this authorWYY Lai, WYY Lai Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.Search for more papers by this author J Karlberg, Corresponding Author J Karlberg Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.J Karlberg, Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China (Tel. +852 2855 4664, fax. +852 2974 1248, e-mail. jpekarl@hkucc.hku.hk)Search for more papers by this authorWYY Lai, WYY Lai Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.Search for more papers by this author First published: 02 January 2007 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2003.tb00508.xCitations: 1AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume92, Issue11November 2003Pages 1349-1350 RelatedInformation

Do sensational media reports about severe acute respiratory syndrome affect the mindset of healthcare workers?

Do sensational media reports about severe acute respiratory syndrome affect the mindset of healthcare workers?

Mortality of anesthesiologists, pediatricians, and other specialists in Norway

Following sensational media reports, particularly from Sweden, there has been discussion in Scandinavia during the last couple of years about whether anesthesiologists have shorter life spans than other medical specialists. Survival analysis (Cox regression) from the master file of the Norwegian Medical Association was used to compare anesthesiologists with pediatricians and other specialists. Data was taken from 10367 specialists, 533 anesthesiologists, 488 pediatricians, and 9325 other specialists, with Norwegian citizenship. These comprised 574065 man-years, of which 171190 were lived after achieving specialty. No differences in mortality were found between the three groups.