Period Of Social Distancing Research Articles

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Layoffs, Income and Social Protection of Workers in Indonesia

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effects of the pandemic on worker layoffs and income in Indonesia. Method: An accidental sampling method was employed, using an online survey as the research tool. Results and conclusion: The results revealed that COVID-19 has led to a considerable increase in worker layoffs and a significant decrease in income, particularly during periods of social distancing. The findings indicate that the rate of worker layoffs in Indonesia reached 15.6 percent. Regarding income, approximately 31.0 percent of workers reported a decrease of less than 50 percent, while 8.6 percent experienced a decrease of over 50 percent. Research implications: The implications of this research highlight the importance of strict government supervision over companies in each region. It also emphasizes the need for community involvement to address these challenges by exploring new strategies that incorporate technology and seek alternative job opportunities, while still adhering to health protocols. Originality/value: The findings of the study contribute to the existing body of knowledge by quantifying the extent of worker layoffs and income reduction in Indonesia. This information can be valuable for policymakers, government agencies, and organizations in formulating targeted interventions and policies to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic on workers' livelihoods.

Expectativas empresariais frente ao início da pandemia da COVID-19: Evidências empíricas no Brasil

Objective: To investigate entrepreneurial expectations towards the COVID-19 pandemic through empirical evidence of business practices in Brazil during the beginning of the social distancing period. Also, we sought to test cognitive adaptability and human values as predictors of the decision-making process and to test whether infection with COVID-19 or proximity to the disease related to these constructs. Method: A cross-sectional study was developed with a non-probabilistic sample of 313 Brazilian entrepreneurs, in which four instruments were applied. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were carried out (e. g., exploratory factor analysis and multiple linear regressions). Originality/Relevance: The study contributes to understanding the business decision-making processes through constructs associated with human values and cognitive adaptability. Results: Human and social conditions of survival and the commitment to personal and business financial obligations guide entrepreneurial behaviour. In cases where there was contagion or proximity to the disease, entrepreneurs started to show thoughtful decisions, affective support for employees, flexibility in organizational control, and more empathic values. Theoretical/methodological contributions: This study points out the possible impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to entrepreneurs and how psychological variables explain their behaviour. Social/managerial contributions: Additionally, it sheds light on entrepreneurship from the needs and desires experienced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the broader dimension directed to the serious problems experienced today.

COVID-19 INFECTION RATE IN THE PERIOPERATIVE PERIOD FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING ELECTIVE ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. The initial response to the pandemic included the cessation of routine services including elective orthopaedic surgery. There was apprehension among both surgeons and patients about restarting elective surgical services. The high mortality rate in perioperative patients who contract COVID-19 was of particular concern. The aim of this study was to identify the perioperative viral transmission rate in orthopaedic patients at our institution following the restart of elective surgery between August 2020 and November 2020 after the first wave of Covid in the UK.All patients who had their elective Orthopaedic surgeries at our institution from 1st August 2020 to 30th November 2020 were checked whether they were Covid positive or experienced COVID symptoms within 2 weeks after the operation. All patients were advised a 14-day period of comprehensive social distancing, 3 days of self-isolation and had a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of surgery and underwent surgery at a COVID free site. The patients were contacted and the hospital database was searched to identify those patients who were Covid positive or had Covid symptoms after the surgery. Baseline patient characteristics were recorded including age, gender, procedure, the subspeciality and admission type. Patients who underwent emergency procedures and trauma operations were excluded.Out of the 499 patients, 315 were contacted over telephone and hospital database was searched for the rest of the patients. We found that none of the patients were positive for COVID or had symptoms of COVID within two weeks of surgery. 5 patients were COVID positive with symptoms few months after the procedure and all of them recovered. There were 144 inpatient admissions and 353 day cases.The development of a COVID-free pathway for elective orthopaedic patients results in very low viral transmission rates. Findings of our study confirms that COVID-free elective pathway is an efficient process, and this could be implemented in future elective Orthopaedic surgeries during COVID times. Elective surgery can be safely resumed using dedicated pathways and procedures -Surgeons, hospital staff and patients should remain vigilant.

To Identify the Consequence of Social Distancing on the Social Affinity Needs in the Lives of the Elderly

The present study aimed to examine the interrelatedness of three key variables: The social affinity needs of the elderly, the social needs of elderly individuals, and Social distance. To do this, a path analysis was conducted on a sample of elderly individuals. In conclusion, this study provides evidence of a complex relationship between social distance, social affinity needs and the social needs of the elderly. Social space has a positive relationship with both social affinity needs, and the social needs of the elderly, and social affinity needs have a positive relationship with the social needs of the elderly. This study provides valuable insights into the impact of social distancing on the social needs and social affinity needs of the elderly population. It highlights the need for interventions to support older adults during periods of social distancing. The previous two years were unpredictable. The epidemic has had a remarkable effect on all population subgroups. In response to the global spreading of the corona infection, the government devised social distance restrictions aimed at high-risk age groups. The indicated age group was those less than 65 years old. They are more susceptible to such a sickness due to age-related symptoms, lower antibodies, physical and psychological dependency upon one another, and especially lack of mobility. More than the danger of infection, the stigma connected to this circumstance significantly impacts the elderly. This generation faces increased mortality-related problems because of the comorbid condition. Keywords: Elderly People, Pandemic, Social distancing, Vulnerable.

Air pollution assessment in Seoul, South Korea, using an updated daily air quality index

The variability of daily air quality index DAQx* was analyzed for types of air quality monitoring stations (AQMSs) in Seoul, South Korea, from 2018 to 2021. Daily maximum 1-h means of O3 and NO2 and daily 24-h means of PM10 and PM2.5 from 42 AQMSs were used to calculate the DAQx*. The frequencies of DAQx* values in DAQx* classes 3 (satisfactory) and 4 (sufficient) dominated for all station types, followed by DAQx* class 5 (poor). The variability of DAQx* values within station types mostly corresponded approximately to one DAQx* class, with mean frequencies of 82% for roadside, 81% for urban, and 72% for background stations. Lower air pollution levels on weekends than weekdays were shown for roadside stations by frequencies of DAQx* values in classes 3 (11% higher) and 4 (12% lower) during summer. NO2 was the air pollutant that annually most frequently formed DAQx* at roadside (48%) and urban (32%) stations, while O3 was the dominant pollutant (38%) at background stations. In winter, PM10 was the most common contributor to the DAQx* (at least 47%) at all station types. The dominant air pollutants in summer were NO2 at roadside stations (72%) and O3 at urban (63%) and background (68%) stations. Air quality improvement during a stronger social distancing period in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic was evidenced by higher frequencies in DAQx* class 3 (up to 26%) but lower frequencies in DAQx* class 4 (up to 24%) than that during the reference period, especially for the roadside stations.

What effect has Covid-19 had on changing household food consumption? A case study of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Four waves of the Covid-19 epidemic have drastically affected consumer behaviors in Vietnam, particularly during the period of social distancing in the second half of 2021. This study was done to investigate changes in household food acquisition and consumption patterns in Ho Chi Minh City. During the most severe wave of Covid-19 in Vietnam, an online poll was used to collect data from 130 customers in Ho Chi Minh City. Before Covid-19 (before January 2021), food was primarily purchased from traditional markets and other direct methods. After Covid-19 occurred (since January 2021), changes in food acquisition methods were found as 52% of respondents went to the grocery stores, traditional markets, and supermarkets less often. Moreover, consumers have changed their online shopping behaviors as 48% bought more food online compared to pre-Covid-19 periods. Since Covid-19, surveyed households consumed less food, specifically fresh produce (44.6%), fast food (60.8%), canned food (37.7%), prepped meals (60.8%), grains (43.1%), and snacks (43.8%). In opposition, more frozen foods (46%) and more meat (47%) were consumed since the pandemic. From the estimated ordinal probit regression, the study found that the determinants that most explain changes in food consumption are age, household size, education, income, affected income, workplace status, and the afraid of food shortage.

2nd Workshop in Microbial Molecular Biology

2nd Workshop in Microbial Molecular Biology

The use of representative community samples to assess SARS-CoV-2 lineage competition: Alpha outcompetes Beta and wild-type in England from January to March 2021.

Genomic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 lineages informs our understanding of possible future changes in transmissibility and vaccine efficacy and will be a high priority for public health for the foreseeable future. However, small changes in the frequency of one lineage over another are often difficult to interpret because surveillance samples are obtained using a variety of methods all of which are known to contain biases. As a case study, using an approach which is largely free of biases, we here describe lineage dynamics and phylogenetic relationships of the Alpha and Beta variant in England during the first 3 months of 2021 using sequences obtained from a random community sample who provided a throat and nose swab for rt-PCR as part of the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission-1 (REACT-1) study. Overall, diversity decreased during the first quarter of 2021, with the Alpha variant (first identified in Kent) becoming predominant, driven by a reproduction number 0.3 higher than for the prior wild-type. During January, positive samples were more likely to be Alpha in those aged 18 to 54 years old. Although individuals infected with the Alpha variant were no more likely to report one or more classic COVID-19 symptoms compared to those infected with wild-type, they were more likely to be antibody-positive 6 weeks after infection. Further, viral load was higher in those infected with the Alpha variant as measured by cycle threshold (Ct) values. The presence of infections with non-imported Beta variant (first identified in South Africa) during January, but not during February or March, suggests initial establishment in the community followed by fade-out. However, this occurred during a period of stringent social distancing. These results highlight how sequence data from representative community surveys such as REACT-1 can augment routine genomic surveillance during periods of lineage diversity.

Fracture incidence and fracture-related mortality decreased with decreases in population mobility during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic: an epidemiological study.

We investigated the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) social distancing measures on fracture incidence and fracture-related mortality, as well as associations with population mobility. In total, 47 186 fractures were analysed across 43 public hospitals from 22 November 2016 to 26 March 2020. Considering the smartphone penetration of 91.5% in the study population, population mobility was quantified using Apple Inc's Mobility Trends Report, an index of internet location services usage volume. Fracture incidences were compared between the first 62 days of social distancing measures and corresponding preceding epochs. Primary outcomes were associations between fracture incidence and population mobility, quantified by incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Secondary outcomes included fracture-related mortality rate (death within 30 days of fracture) and associations between emergency orthopaedic healthcare demand and population mobility. Overall, 1748 fewer fractures than projected were observed during the first 62 days of COVID-19 social distancing (fracture incidence: 321.9 vs 459.1 per 100 000 person-years, P<0.001); the relative risk was 0.690, compared with mean incidences during the same period in the previous 3 years. Population mobility exhibited significant associations with fracture incidence (IRR=1.0055, P<0.001), fracture-related emergency department attendances (IRR=1.0076, P<0.001), hospital admissions (IRR=1.0054, P<0.001), and subsequent surgery (IRR=1.0041, P<0.001). Fracture-related mortality decreased from 4.70 (in prior years) to 3.22 deaths per 100 000 person-years during the COVID-19 social distancing period (P<0.001). Fracture incidence and fracture-related mortality decreased during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic; they demonstrated significant temporal associations with daily population mobility, presumably as a collateral effect of social distancing measures.

Work and Childcare Role Conflicts of Working Mothers Under the Condition of Social Distancing Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic in Vietnam

This study investigates the work and childcare role conflicts among working Vietnamese female laborers during the period of social distancing caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 in Vietnam by employing the theory of work and family conflict as a theoretical framework to figure out the dimensions of strife. By analyzing qualitative data collected from 15 working Vietnamese mothers selected by applying the snowball sampling method, this study shows that the work and childcare role conflicts among Vietnamese women are manifested in three aspects: (1) the lack of time to fulfill expected roles, leading to (2) the state of role strain that is, in turn, considered as the cause of (3) the emergence of inappropriate behaviors with corresponding roles. The findings also reveal that accepting role conflicts as temporary difficulties is one of the solutions for women to overcome hardships during the period of social distancing. In addition, working mothers resolve disputes through their efforts without the demand for reassigning responsibilities in the family to distribute house chores equally to their husbands.

Development of social skill training design for preschool in social distancing pandemic COVID-19

Introduction: The low level of social skills during the social distancing period triggers high levels of aggression in children. Teachers and parents find teaching difficult because of their limited knowledge and the pandemic situation. Therefore, teachers and parents must be trained to develop children's social skills proportionally. Training children's social skills should be done face-to-face because it is related to the ability to modify behaviour. Of course, this cannot be done, so it is necessary to design training designs in such a way as to deliver digital-based learning, namely virtual learning. This research aims to develop a social skills training design for preschools during the social distancing pandemic of COVID-19. Methods: The research method using Research and Development (R&amp;D) refers to the ADDIE research development model: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation, which aims to produce an effective training design to develop early childhood social skills for teachers and parents through digital-based learning, namely virtual learning. Results: The design has been tested and validated by 3 experts; experts in the field of character education, linguists, and experts in educational technology both quantitatively and qualitatively and has met the acceptability criteria. Therefore, design training has proved effective in improving the competence of teachers and parents in developing the social skills of children ages early during social distancing. These results can be seen from the activities of the trainers and trainees on the implementation of the training in the very good category, said to be practically based on the positive responses of the trainees (teachers and parents) in the very good category, can increase the knowledge and competence of participants based on the results of the learning evaluation. Conclusion: The design training has proved effective in improving the competence of teachers and parents in developing the social skills of children ages early during social distancing.

Impact of social distancing on traumatic injury incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study using nationwide data from South Korea from 2018 to 2020

BackgroundCOVID-19 spread rapidly in 2020. To decrease its transmission rate, governments worldwide implemented social distancing. It has transformed people's physical and social activities. Such changes, differently influenced by age, might affect the incidence of traumatic injury. HypothesisThe impact of social distancing on traumatic injuries can influence differently by age. Patients and methodsNationwide randomized stratified sampling data (2018 to 2020, 1 million people per year) from Korean National Health Insurance Sharing Service were used. In this period, 364,690 patients with traumatic injuries were analyzed. People were grouped by age into 0–4, 5–19, 20–64, and≥65years. The incidence of traumatic injuries was compared between periods of social distancing and no social distancing. Social distancing levels, injured body parts, injury types, hospitalization rate, total medical cost per patient, weather, temperature, and holidays were also included for detailed analysis. ResultsOnly the 5–19 age group showed the significant interaction of social distancing and traumatic injury. In this group, as the social distancing level increased, the injury incidence decreased especially during the spring and autumn semesters. However, the proportion of injuries requiring hospitalization and total medical cost per patient increased. DiscussionSocial distancing significantly affects the incidence of traumatic injuries for schooler (5–19years). Considering that the incidence changed during these semesters, the restriction of school attendance, due to social distancing, may have caused the decrease. Reduced trauma in this group seems to be related to decrease of mild trauma, considering the hospitalization rate and total medical costs. Level of evidenceIII, retrospective cohort study.

Psychiatric emergencies among urban youth during COVID-19: Volume and acuity in a multi-channel program for the publicly insured

This study sought to characterize changes in the utilization of psychiatric emergency services among children and adolescents during distinct phases of 2020, as compared with prior years. We conducted a retrospective review of electronic health records from January 2018 through December 2020 that included all encounters made by patients under age 21. We then analyzed data for the 15,045 youth psychiatric encounters during the study period. Encounter volume in 2020 was significantly lower than prior years in March through May (IRR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.40–0.49), May through July (IRR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.56–0.71), and October through December (IRR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.70–0.83). Encounters for youth with primary psychotic disorders remained at typical levels throughout 2020. Among older adolescents and youth with anxiety disorders, pervasive developmental disorders, and substance use disorders, encounter volume was significantly lower than prior years only during the initial lockdown period. There were significantly more encounters than normal conducted by mobile crisis units, including via telehealth, in July through October (IRR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.06–1.62) and October through December (IRR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.05–1.55) of 2020. Differences in patterns of encounter volume based on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics highlight subgroups of youth who may have been particularly vulnerable to acute mental health problems during periods of social distancing and isolation. Proactive efforts to engage vulnerable youth in outpatient treatment during periods of increased infectivity may help prevent increasing symptoms from reaching the point of crisis.

WITHDRAWN: Impact de la distanciation sociale sur l’incidence lésions traumatiques pendant la pandémie de COVID-19: étude utilisant des données nationales de la Corée du Sud de 2018 à 2020

BackgroundCOVID-19 spread rapidly in 2020. To decrease its transmission rate, governments worldwide implemented social distancing. It has transformed people's physical and social activities. Such changes, differently influenced by age, might affect the incidence of traumatic injury. HypothesisThe impact of social distancing on traumatic injuries can influence differently by age. Patients and methodsNationwide randomized stratified sampling data (2018 to 2020, 1 million people per year) from Korean National Health Insurance Sharing Service were used. In this period, 364,690 patients with traumatic injuries were analyzed. People were grouped by age into 0–4, 5–19, 20–64, and ≥ 65 years. The incidence of traumatic injuries was compared between periods of social distancing and no social distancing. Social distancing levels, injured body parts, injury types, hospitalization rate, total medical cost per patient, weather, temperature, and holidays were also included for detailed analysis. ResultsOnly the 5–19 age group showed the significant interaction of social distancing and traumatic injury. In this group, as the social distancing level increased, the injury incidence decreased especially during the spring and autumn semesters. However, the proportion of injuries requiring hospitalization and total medical cost per patient increased. DiscussionSocial distancing significantly affects the incidence of traumatic injuries for schooler (5–19 years). Considering that the incidence changed during these semesters, the restriction of school attendance, due to social distancing, may have caused the decrease. Reduced trauma in this group seems to be related to decrease of mild trauma, considering the hospitalization rate and total medical costs. Level of EvidenceIII, retrospective cohort study.

Alcohol consumption among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, ConVid Adolescents - Behavior Research.

To describe the prevalence of alcohol consumption before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze the factors associated with this behavior during the period of social distancing among Brazilian adolescents. Cross-sectional study using data from the ConVid Adolescents survey, carried out via the Internet between June and September 2020. The prevalence of alcohol consumption before and during the pandemic, as well as association with sociodemographic variables, mental health, and lifestyle were estimated. A logistic regression model was used to assess associated factors. 9,470 adolescents were evaluated. Alcohol consumption decreased from 17.70% (95%CI 16.64-18.85) before the pandemic to 12.80% (95%CI 11.85-13.76) during the pandemic. Alcohol consumption was associated with the age group of 16 and 17 years (OR=2.9; 95%CI 1.08-1.53), place of residence in the South (OR=1.82; 95%CI 1.46-2.27) and Southeast regions (OR=1.33; 95%CI 1.05-1.69), having three or more close friends (OR=1.78; 95%CI 1.25-2.53), reporting worsening sleep problems during the pandemic (OR=1.59; 95%CI 1.20-2.11), feeling sad sometimes (OR=1,83; 95%CI 1,40-2,38) and always (OR=2.27; 95%CI 1.70-3.05), feeling always irritated (OR=1,60; 95%CI 1,14-2,25), being a smoker (OR=13,74; 95%CI 8.63-21.87) and a passive smoker (OR=1.76; 95%CI 1.42-2.19). Strict adherence to social distancing was associated with lower alcohol consumption (OR=0.40; 95%CI 0.32-0.49). The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in consumption of alcoholic beverages by Brazilian adolescents, which was influenced by sociodemographic and mental health factors, adherence to social restriction measures and lifestyle in this period. Managers, educators, family and the society must be involved in the articulation of Public Policies to prevent alcohol consumption.

Intolerance of aloneness as a prospective predictor of suicidal ideation during COVID-19

Social distancing has been essential in mitigating the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Evidence regarding the impact of reduced social contact on mental health during the pandemic has been mixed, however, with studies suggesting that enduring personality traits and affect regulation impairments may together increase risk for suicidal distress during periods of lockdown. The present study utilized experience sampling and longitudinal follow-up methods to evaluate intolerance of aloneness (IA) as a predictor of suicidal ideation (SI) during the pandemic. A general adult sample (n=184) recruited online completed an 8-week experience sampling protocol via smartphone between April and September 2020. A subset of n=69 participants completed a follow-up assessment of SI six months after the initial study period. IA was associated with suicidal ideation both at baseline and prospectively during the experience sampling period. Individuals with greater IA were more likely to report SI in the short-term context of reduced daily in-person social contact. Higher IA at baseline furthermore prospectively predicted the occurrence of SI during the 6-month follow-up period. The sample was relatively homogenous in terms of demographic characteristics and excluded individuals with limited access to communication technology. While statistical models accounted for current mental health treatment status, other factors that were not assessed (such as adverse events or psychiatric symptoms in non-treatment-seeking subjects) may have contributed to the development of SI. Findings enhance understanding of how personality-based factors may contribute to suicide risk during periods of social distancing, informing both clinical treatment, risk assessment, and public health intervention approaches.

Medo da COVID-19 e Aumento do Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas por Alunos do Ensino Médio Durante a Pandemia

More than 25% of Brazilian teenagers are currently experimenting with alcohol and this early consumption is associated with violence, unprotected sex, use of other drugs, depression, anxiety, car accidents, family confl icts and chronic diseases. This scenario may have been aggravated by the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was undertaken with the aim of analyzing the association between fear of COVID-19 and alcohol consumption among students in a municipality in southern Brazil. For that, 170 students answered a controlled one composed of expressive instruments through the Redcap platform. Stata 15.1 was used for statistical analysis. The results indicate that fear of the pandemic may have been responsible for the 5-fold increase in alcohol consumption and that 20% of students had suicidal thoughts during the period of social distancing. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is related to more than 200 harms to cognitive, behavioral and physical health. A signifi cant increase among schoolchildren suggests the urgency of public policies aimed at identifying, monitoring and strengthening social support for the harm resulting from alcohol consumption in this age group.Keyword:Fear, coronaphobia, alcohol drinking, students, suicide

Domestic violence and mental health during COVID‐19

The United Nations described violence against women and girls during the global outbreak of COVID‐19 as a ‘shadow pandemic’; perpetrators were said to have ‘weaponised’ national measures and restrictions, exacerbating domestic abuse. However, evidence for the prevalence of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) during COVID‐19 and its impact on the mental health of victim‐survivors is limited by the extent to which it was measured by research studies and the quality of methods that could be feasibly implemented. This review reports what is currently known about global DVA prevalence during the pandemic and its impact on mental health. It summarises key guidance for clinicians assessing patients during periods of social distancing and proposes recommendations for the ‘new normal’ and future pandemics.

Mothers’ perception of child occupations during the social distancing period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumo A pandemia da COVID-19, com as medidas de distanciamento físico e seus desdobramentos nas ocupações de adultos e crianças, motivou esta investigação, que teve como objetivo analisar, sob a perspectiva de familiares, a influência do distanciamento social na participação de crianças de 4 a 6 anos em suas ocupações, bem como identificar os recursos disponíveis e utilizados pelas famílias para promover a participação nesse contexto. Este é um estudo quantitativo, descritivo e exploratório. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário online, via GoogleForms, divulgado em redes sociais e sites de notícias. Obteve-se um total de 330 respostas, sendo a maioria das respondentes mães, da região Sudeste, pós-graduadas e com renda familiar predominantemente acima de seis salários mínimos. Sobre as crianças, a maioria era branca e sem deficiência. Dentre as mudanças percebidas nas ocupações, destacou-se conquistas na comunicação, maior independência e participação em tarefas domésticas e familiares, uso excessivo de eletrônicos, tédio e brincar mais elaborado, dificuldade dos adultos em acompanhar as crianças e fortalecimento de vínculos familiares. A família foi citada como a principal fonte de apoio e o professor como fonte de informação para as famílias. Sugere-se estudos com maior diversidade amostral.

Smoking among Brazilian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

The social distancing measures during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in mental suffering among adolescents, leading to risky consumption of psychoactive substances such as tobacco. To analyze the factors associated with tobacco use among adolescents during the COVID-19 social distancing period in Brazil. Cross-sectional study used data from ConVid Adolescentes survey in Brazil. Tobacco use was assessed before and during social distancing. The explanatory variables investigated were sex, age, race/skin color, type of school, maternal education, region of residence, adherence to social restriction measures, number of close friends, sleep quality during the pandemic, mood, passive smoking, use of alcoholic beverages during the pandemic, sedentary behavior, and physical activity. A logistic regression model was used for the data analysis. Tobacco use by adolescents did not change during the pandemic (from 2.58% to 2.41%). There was a higher chance of tobacco use among adolescents aged between 16 and 17 years, self-reported black ones, residing in the South and Southeast regions, reported feeling sad and loneliness, had sleeping problems that worsened, were using alcoholic beverages during the pandemic, and were passive smokers at home. Adolescents whose mothers had completed high school or higher, had strict social restrictions, and increased their physical activity during the pandemic had a lower chance of tobacco use. Tobacco uses during the COVID-19 pandemic was higher in vulnerable groups, such as black adolescents and those with mental suffering.