Pub Date : 2024-05-15DOI: 10.20944/preprints202403.1157.v1
Angela Falola, Hanna Squire, Sabine Bou-Antoun, Alessandra Løchen, Colin S. Brown, Alicia Demirjian
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has disproportionately affected certain demographics in England, exacerbating existing health disparities. Effective therapeutics are a critical line of defence against COVID-19, particularly for patients at elevated risk for severe disease. Surveillance systems were established to monitor the usage of COVID-19 therapeutics in hospital and community settings and to inform stewardship. Three antiviral therapies—nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid®), remdesivir (Veklury®), and molnupiravir (Lagevrio®)—and two neutralising monoclonal antibody therapies (nMAbs)—sotrovimab (Xevudy®) and casirivimab with imdevimab (Ronapreve®)—were in use in England between July 2020 and April 2023. This paper aims to illuminate trends in the utilisation of COVID-19 therapeutics treatment in both hospital and community settings, stratified by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) in England. Chapter 3 of the English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) Report 2022 to 2023 also discusses the epidemiological surveillance of these five directly acting antiviral COVID-19 therapeutics’ use in England between 2022 and 2023.
{"title":"COVID-19 Therapeutics Use by Social Deprivation Index in England, July 2020–April 2023","authors":"Angela Falola, Hanna Squire, Sabine Bou-Antoun, Alessandra Løchen, Colin S. Brown, Alicia Demirjian","doi":"10.20944/preprints202403.1157.v1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202403.1157.v1","url":null,"abstract":"Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has disproportionately affected certain demographics in England, exacerbating existing health disparities. Effective therapeutics are a critical line of defence against COVID-19, particularly for patients at elevated risk for severe disease. Surveillance systems were established to monitor the usage of COVID-19 therapeutics in hospital and community settings and to inform stewardship. Three antiviral therapies—nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (Paxlovid®), remdesivir (Veklury®), and molnupiravir (Lagevrio®)—and two neutralising monoclonal antibody therapies (nMAbs)—sotrovimab (Xevudy®) and casirivimab with imdevimab (Ronapreve®)—were in use in England between July 2020 and April 2023. This paper aims to illuminate trends in the utilisation of COVID-19 therapeutics treatment in both hospital and community settings, stratified by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) in England. Chapter 3 of the English Surveillance Programme for Antimicrobial Utilisation and Resistance (ESPAUR) Report 2022 to 2023 also discusses the epidemiological surveillance of these five directly acting antiviral COVID-19 therapeutics’ use in England between 2022 and 2023.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"63 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140973616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ignacio Alejandro Mendoza-Martínez, Edmundo Marroquín-Tovar, Jorge Pablo Rivas-Díaz, Araceli Durand, Gustavo Enrique Sauri-Alpuche, B. García-Rivera
Amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the living conditions of the population were dramatically altered, with social distancing measures and the looming threat to public health leaving a profound impact on people’s lives. This study aims to assess the influence of COVID-19 on subjective well-being and overall quality of life in Mexico. A structural model with latent variables was used. Data were extracted from the National Self-Reported Well-being Survey (SWLS) from October 2020 and January 2021, featuring a robust sample size of 3615 residents from urban areas in Mexico, all aged 18 and above. Findings revealed that around 38% of the variance in overall life satisfaction in October 2020 and January 2021 could be attributed to Personal well-being (0.231), Personal satisfaction (0.320), Satisfaction with the environment (0.076), and Negative emotional states (−0.116). In comparison, October 2019 to January 2020 saw a lower 20% explained variance, primarily associated with Personal well-being (0.184), Personal satisfaction (0.270), and Satisfaction with the environment (0.052). Reliability assessments, including Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients, Rho_a, and Composite Reliability, all surpassed 0.70 for each subscale. In addition, our study confirmed convergent validity, as the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) consistently exceeded 0.50 across all subscales, while the discriminant coefficient exceeded 0.70.
{"title":"Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Subjective Well-Being and Quality of Life in Mexico: Insights from Structural Equation Modeling","authors":"Ignacio Alejandro Mendoza-Martínez, Edmundo Marroquín-Tovar, Jorge Pablo Rivas-Díaz, Araceli Durand, Gustavo Enrique Sauri-Alpuche, B. García-Rivera","doi":"10.3390/covid4050041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4050041","url":null,"abstract":"Amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the living conditions of the population were dramatically altered, with social distancing measures and the looming threat to public health leaving a profound impact on people’s lives. This study aims to assess the influence of COVID-19 on subjective well-being and overall quality of life in Mexico. A structural model with latent variables was used. Data were extracted from the National Self-Reported Well-being Survey (SWLS) from October 2020 and January 2021, featuring a robust sample size of 3615 residents from urban areas in Mexico, all aged 18 and above. Findings revealed that around 38% of the variance in overall life satisfaction in October 2020 and January 2021 could be attributed to Personal well-being (0.231), Personal satisfaction (0.320), Satisfaction with the environment (0.076), and Negative emotional states (−0.116). In comparison, October 2019 to January 2020 saw a lower 20% explained variance, primarily associated with Personal well-being (0.184), Personal satisfaction (0.270), and Satisfaction with the environment (0.052). Reliability assessments, including Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients, Rho_a, and Composite Reliability, all surpassed 0.70 for each subscale. In addition, our study confirmed convergent validity, as the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) consistently exceeded 0.50 across all subscales, while the discriminant coefficient exceeded 0.70.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"103 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140985961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Antoinette D. Reichert, Júlia M. da Silva Voorham, Karin H. Groenewegen, Huub La van den Oever
Background: Pulmonary superinfections with Herpesviridae and Aspergillus spp. are common in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia but their epidemiology and impact remain poorly understood. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 61 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients at Deventer Hospital’s ICU (2020–2021) who underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BL) due to clinical deterioration. We analyzed blood and respiratory samples, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Results: Among 61 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients who underwent BL, 34 (55.7%) had superinfections, with 18 having COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), 7 having herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, and 9 having both. Patients with HSV had later diagnoses (median 14 vs. 8 days, p = 0.014), longer mechanical ventilation (median 47 vs. 18.5 days, p = 0.015), and longer ICU stays (median 74 vs. 24 days, p = 0.021) compared to CAPA patients. At baseline, laboratory parameters and treatment (dexamethasone or tocilizumab) showed no significant association with superinfections. Mortality did not differ significantly among groups. Conclusion: In mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage, HSV reactivation occurred later in the course of illness and was associated with longer mechanical ventilation and ICU stays compared to CAPA. Baseline parameters did not predict superinfections.
背景：疱疹病毒科和曲霉菌属的肺部超级感染在 2019 年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）重症肺炎中很常见，但对其流行病学和影响仍知之甚少。研究方法我们对德文特医院重症监护室（2020-2021年）的61名因临床病情恶化而接受支气管肺泡灌洗（BL）的COVID-19机械通气患者进行了回顾性观察研究。我们对血液和呼吸道样本、治疗和临床结果进行了分析。结果在61名接受支气管肺泡灌洗的COVID-19机械通气患者中，34人（55.7%）患有超级感染，其中18人患有COVID-19相关肺曲霉菌病（CAPA），7人患有单纯疱疹病毒（HSV）感染，9人同时患有这两种感染。与 CAPA 患者相比，HSV 患者确诊时间更晚（中位数为 14 天 vs. 8 天，p = 0.014），机械通气时间更长（中位数为 47 天 vs. 18.5 天，p = 0.015），在重症监护室的时间更长（中位数为 74 天 vs. 24 天，p = 0.021）。基线时，实验室参数和治疗（地塞米松或托珠单抗）与超级感染无明显关联。各组死亡率无明显差异。结论在接受支气管肺泡灌洗的COVID-19机械通气患者中，HSV再激活发生在病程的后期，与CAPA相比，与机械通气和重症监护室停留时间延长有关。基线参数并不能预测超级感染。
{"title":"Impact and Occurrence of Herpesvirus and Aspergillosis Superinfection in Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia","authors":"Antoinette D. Reichert, Júlia M. da Silva Voorham, Karin H. Groenewegen, Huub La van den Oever","doi":"10.3390/covid4050042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4050042","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Pulmonary superinfections with Herpesviridae and Aspergillus spp. are common in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia but their epidemiology and impact remain poorly understood. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 61 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients at Deventer Hospital’s ICU (2020–2021) who underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BL) due to clinical deterioration. We analyzed blood and respiratory samples, treatment, and clinical outcomes. Results: Among 61 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients who underwent BL, 34 (55.7%) had superinfections, with 18 having COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA), 7 having herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, and 9 having both. Patients with HSV had later diagnoses (median 14 vs. 8 days, p = 0.014), longer mechanical ventilation (median 47 vs. 18.5 days, p = 0.015), and longer ICU stays (median 74 vs. 24 days, p = 0.021) compared to CAPA patients. At baseline, laboratory parameters and treatment (dexamethasone or tocilizumab) showed no significant association with superinfections. Mortality did not differ significantly among groups. Conclusion: In mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage, HSV reactivation occurred later in the course of illness and was associated with longer mechanical ventilation and ICU stays compared to CAPA. Baseline parameters did not predict superinfections.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"90 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140984681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alessandro Geraci, Laura Di Domenico, Antonella D'Amico
Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented and unexpected change all around the globe. The long-term effects are still ongoing, especially those related to the confinement measures. The study took place during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy, where everyone was forced to stay home in order to reduce the spread of the virus. The aim was to investigate the role of perceived emotional intelligence abilities (PEI) in coping with COVID-19-related anxiety. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, and this study used an online survey launched through social networks, inviting adults to participate. The participants anonymously completed a three-scale online measurement of self-reported emotional abilities, coping strategies (approach and avoidance), and state anxiety towards COVID-19. Results: perceived emotional intelligence and approach coping significantly predicted state anxiety. In addition, perceived emotional intelligence mediated the relationship between approach coping and state anxiety. Conclusions: the study highlights the positive role of perceived emotional abilities in dealing with the unprecedented event represented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in particular, in coping with anxiety related to lockdown and confinement. Their results highlight the importance of fostering emotional intelligence for navigating critical life events.
{"title":"The Relationship between Coping Strategies and State Anxiety during COVID-19 Lockdown: The Role of Perceived Emotional Intelligence","authors":"Alessandro Geraci, Laura Di Domenico, Antonella D'Amico","doi":"10.3390/covid4050040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4050040","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented and unexpected change all around the globe. The long-term effects are still ongoing, especially those related to the confinement measures. The study took place during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy, where everyone was forced to stay home in order to reduce the spread of the virus. The aim was to investigate the role of perceived emotional intelligence abilities (PEI) in coping with COVID-19-related anxiety. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, and this study used an online survey launched through social networks, inviting adults to participate. The participants anonymously completed a three-scale online measurement of self-reported emotional abilities, coping strategies (approach and avoidance), and state anxiety towards COVID-19. Results: perceived emotional intelligence and approach coping significantly predicted state anxiety. In addition, perceived emotional intelligence mediated the relationship between approach coping and state anxiety. Conclusions: the study highlights the positive role of perceived emotional abilities in dealing with the unprecedented event represented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in particular, in coping with anxiety related to lockdown and confinement. Their results highlight the importance of fostering emotional intelligence for navigating critical life events.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"118 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140986319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Since 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a global pandemic, resulting in widespread infections and ongoing mutations. Analyzing these mutations is essential for predicting future impacts. Unlike influenza mutations, SARS-CoV-2 mutations displayed distinct selective patterns that were concentrated in the spike protein and small ORFs. In contrast to the gradual accumulation seen in influenza mutations, SARS-CoV-2 mutations lead to the abrupt emergence of new variants and subsequent outbreaks. This phenomenon may be attributed to their targeted cellular substances; unlike the influenza virus, which has mutated to evade acquired immunity, SARS-CoV-2 appeared to mutate to target individuals who have not been previously infected. The Omicron variant, which emerged in late 2021, demonstrates significant mutations that set it apart from previous variants. The rapid mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2 has now reached a level comparable to 30 years of influenza variation. The most recent variant, JN.1, exhibits a discernible trajectory of change distinct from previous Omicron variants.
{"title":"Mutation Trajectory of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Virus, Measured by Principal Component Analysis","authors":"T. Konishi, Toa Takahashi","doi":"10.3390/covid4040038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040038","url":null,"abstract":"Since 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a global pandemic, resulting in widespread infections and ongoing mutations. Analyzing these mutations is essential for predicting future impacts. Unlike influenza mutations, SARS-CoV-2 mutations displayed distinct selective patterns that were concentrated in the spike protein and small ORFs. In contrast to the gradual accumulation seen in influenza mutations, SARS-CoV-2 mutations lead to the abrupt emergence of new variants and subsequent outbreaks. This phenomenon may be attributed to their targeted cellular substances; unlike the influenza virus, which has mutated to evade acquired immunity, SARS-CoV-2 appeared to mutate to target individuals who have not been previously infected. The Omicron variant, which emerged in late 2021, demonstrates significant mutations that set it apart from previous variants. The rapid mutation rate of SARS-CoV-2 has now reached a level comparable to 30 years of influenza variation. The most recent variant, JN.1, exhibits a discernible trajectory of change distinct from previous Omicron variants.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"9 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140674027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Sarfo, Mustapha Amoadu, E. Ansah, John Elvis Hagan Jnr.
Students’ and teachers’ acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination may help boost the uptake of the vaccines in the general population because teachers and students serve as a source of information and campaign mechanisation for vaccination. This review aimed to map evidence on the prevalence and predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among teachers and students. After removing duplicates, a search in several databases (Dimensions, PubMed Central, JSTOR, Google Scholar, Google, the WHO Library, and HINARI) produced 2060 records. Through screening based on the inclusion criteria, 27 records were used for this review. A relatively high prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was found among teachers and students. Teachers and students in countries such as China, Egypt, the USA, and India however, reported relatively low levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Vaccine hesitancy depends on perceived adverse effects, safety, efficacy, and benefits among teachers and students, with male teachers and male students being more likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine than their female counterparts. Moreover, we found that vaccine acceptance could result from trust in the healthcare system and pharmaceutical companies, sources of COVID-19 information, and trust in healthcare providers. Public health experts, academics, other scientists, and health practitioners are required to take a more distinctive, multidisciplinary, and structured approach that focused on communicating effective evidence-based information to combat misinformation concerning COVID-19 vaccines.
{"title":"COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy among Teachers and Students: A Scoping Review of Prevalence and Risk Factors","authors":"J. Sarfo, Mustapha Amoadu, E. Ansah, John Elvis Hagan Jnr.","doi":"10.3390/covid4040037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040037","url":null,"abstract":"Students’ and teachers’ acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination may help boost the uptake of the vaccines in the general population because teachers and students serve as a source of information and campaign mechanisation for vaccination. This review aimed to map evidence on the prevalence and predictors of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among teachers and students. After removing duplicates, a search in several databases (Dimensions, PubMed Central, JSTOR, Google Scholar, Google, the WHO Library, and HINARI) produced 2060 records. Through screening based on the inclusion criteria, 27 records were used for this review. A relatively high prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was found among teachers and students. Teachers and students in countries such as China, Egypt, the USA, and India however, reported relatively low levels of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Vaccine hesitancy depends on perceived adverse effects, safety, efficacy, and benefits among teachers and students, with male teachers and male students being more likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine than their female counterparts. Moreover, we found that vaccine acceptance could result from trust in the healthcare system and pharmaceutical companies, sources of COVID-19 information, and trust in healthcare providers. Public health experts, academics, other scientists, and health practitioners are required to take a more distinctive, multidisciplinary, and structured approach that focused on communicating effective evidence-based information to combat misinformation concerning COVID-19 vaccines.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":" 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140685001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Price, T. Bonsaksen, Janni Leung, Mary R. Ruffolo, G. Lamph, Karis Hawkins, Amy Østertun Geirdal
This study compared the psychosocial health between Black/African Americans and other ethnic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using self-report questionnaires, data were collected at three time points from April 2020 to January 2022, controlling for education and employment status. Surprisingly, Black/African American participants consistently reported lower psychological distress compared to their counterparts. However, they initially reported lower quality of life, which improved over time, eventually surpassing that of the other groups by January 2022. These findings suggest resilience among Black/African Americans despite historical marginalization. Socioeconomic factors and historical context may have influenced these disparities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to support marginalized communities during crises.
{"title":"The Psychosocial Health of Black/African Americans Compared with People of Other Races/Ethnic Origins during the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"D. Price, T. Bonsaksen, Janni Leung, Mary R. Ruffolo, G. Lamph, Karis Hawkins, Amy Østertun Geirdal","doi":"10.3390/covid4040034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040034","url":null,"abstract":"This study compared the psychosocial health between Black/African Americans and other ethnic groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using self-report questionnaires, data were collected at three time points from April 2020 to January 2022, controlling for education and employment status. Surprisingly, Black/African American participants consistently reported lower psychological distress compared to their counterparts. However, they initially reported lower quality of life, which improved over time, eventually surpassing that of the other groups by January 2022. These findings suggest resilience among Black/African Americans despite historical marginalization. Socioeconomic factors and historical context may have influenced these disparities, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to support marginalized communities during crises.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":" 41","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140691712","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The sudden lockdown and social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic substantially affected the physical and psychological aspects of our lives. This study used a sequential explanatory research design to explore how human–animal interactions (HAI) can reduce stress and improve quality of life (QOL) for employees working from home during the period. A total of 770 respondents took part in the quantitative portion of this study, comprised of 385 pet owners and 385 non-pet owners, with ten individuals randomly selected for the qualitative phase. The pet owners group was predominantly female, with 28.57% of the total sample with a mean age of 33.67 and a standard deviation (SD) of 9.46. In contrast, the majority of non-pet owners were male, making up 32.46% of the group with an average age of 29.57 and SD of 6.42. The HAI scale, work stress questionnaire, and the WHOQOL-BREF tests were utilized to evaluate the variables of this research. The results indicated significant differences in stress levels between the two independent groups. However, there were no significant differences in the overall QOL within the groups, except in the social domain. More importantly, our research showed that HAI had a buffering effect on stress and QOL among pet owners. Our research has important implications for understanding the importance of owning pets in enhancing personal welfare. These results are helpful for public health policies and endeavors to aid individuals and communities during periods of crises such as a pandemic.
COVID-19大流行病造成的突然封锁和社会隔离严重影响了我们的身心健康。本研究采用顺序解释性研究设计，探讨人与动物的互动（HAI）如何减轻在家工作的员工的压力并提高他们的生活质量（QOL）。共有 770 名受访者参与了本研究的定量研究，其中包括 385 名宠物饲养者和 385 名非宠物饲养者，另有 10 名受访者被随机选入定性研究阶段。宠物饲养者群体以女性为主，占样本总数的 28.57%，平均年龄为 33.67 岁，标准差（SD）为 9.46。相比之下，非宠物主人大多为男性，占总样本的 32.46%，平均年龄为 29.57 岁，标准差为 6.42。本研究采用 HAI 量表、工作压力问卷和 WHOQOL-BREF 测试来评估变量。结果表明，两个独立组之间的压力水平存在明显差异。然而，除社交领域外，两组间的总体 QOL 并无明显差异。更重要的是，我们的研究表明，HAI 对宠物主人的压力和 QOL 有缓冲作用。我们的研究对于了解饲养宠物对提高个人福利的重要性具有重要意义。这些结果对公共卫生政策以及在大流行病等危机时期帮助个人和社区的努力很有帮助。
{"title":"A Sequential Explanatory Study Examining the Buffering Effects of Human–Animal Interaction on Stress and Quality of Life among Work-from-Home Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines","authors":"K. Quing, Jomar Saif P. Baudin, R. R. Maaliw","doi":"10.3390/covid4040036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040036","url":null,"abstract":"The sudden lockdown and social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic substantially affected the physical and psychological aspects of our lives. This study used a sequential explanatory research design to explore how human–animal interactions (HAI) can reduce stress and improve quality of life (QOL) for employees working from home during the period. A total of 770 respondents took part in the quantitative portion of this study, comprised of 385 pet owners and 385 non-pet owners, with ten individuals randomly selected for the qualitative phase. The pet owners group was predominantly female, with 28.57% of the total sample with a mean age of 33.67 and a standard deviation (SD) of 9.46. In contrast, the majority of non-pet owners were male, making up 32.46% of the group with an average age of 29.57 and SD of 6.42. The HAI scale, work stress questionnaire, and the WHOQOL-BREF tests were utilized to evaluate the variables of this research. The results indicated significant differences in stress levels between the two independent groups. However, there were no significant differences in the overall QOL within the groups, except in the social domain. More importantly, our research showed that HAI had a buffering effect on stress and QOL among pet owners. Our research has important implications for understanding the importance of owning pets in enhancing personal welfare. These results are helpful for public health policies and endeavors to aid individuals and communities during periods of crises such as a pandemic.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":" 70","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140692143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emerson Lucas Silva Camargo, C. Ribeiro, Guilherme Reis de Santana Santos, Valdemar Silva Almeida, H. E. F. Carvalho, Guilherme Schneider, Letícia Genova Vieira, André Luiz Silva Alvim, Fabiana Guerra Pimenta, Liliane Moretti Carneiro, Odinéa Maria Amorim Batista, Anderson Reis de Sousa, Álvaro Francisco Lopes de Sousa, Carla Aparecida Arena Ventura
Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a complex challenge that demands a comprehensive approach, one that not only acknowledges legitimate concerns within communities but also actively confronts misinformation. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of belief in conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines among Brazilians, seeking to understand the factors associated with this behavior. Method: Utilizing a national online survey conducted between May and August 2020, with a sample of 4247 participants, we conducted multivariate analysis to identify the independent determinants of this adherence, calculating adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: It was revealed that 27.7% of participants believed in at least one conspiracy theory. Factors associated with a higher level of adherence included agreement with at least one piece of COVID-19 misinformation on social media (APR: 3.65; 95% CI: 3.07–4.34), lack of difficulty accessing leisure activities during the pandemic (APR: 3.11; 95% CI: 1.85–5.24), age 50 years or older (APR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.49–1.94), absence of difficulty accessing protective measures (APR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.26–1.72), use of face masks (APR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.33–1.97), non-use of at least one traditional media source for information (APR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.26–1.72), female gender (APR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.25–1.60), and age between 30 and 49 years (APR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.19–1.52). Conclusions: Our findings highlight that it is crucial to recognize that vaccine hesitancy is not merely an isolated phenomenon but often rooted in a complex interplay of social, cultural, psychological, and political factors. There is a need for multifaceted strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy, effectively address conspiracy theories, and consider the various factors associated with their prevalence.
{"title":"Belief in Conspiracy Theories about COVID-19 Vaccines among Brazilians: A National Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"Emerson Lucas Silva Camargo, C. Ribeiro, Guilherme Reis de Santana Santos, Valdemar Silva Almeida, H. E. F. Carvalho, Guilherme Schneider, Letícia Genova Vieira, André Luiz Silva Alvim, Fabiana Guerra Pimenta, Liliane Moretti Carneiro, Odinéa Maria Amorim Batista, Anderson Reis de Sousa, Álvaro Francisco Lopes de Sousa, Carla Aparecida Arena Ventura","doi":"10.3390/covid4040035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040035","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a complex challenge that demands a comprehensive approach, one that not only acknowledges legitimate concerns within communities but also actively confronts misinformation. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of belief in conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines among Brazilians, seeking to understand the factors associated with this behavior. Method: Utilizing a national online survey conducted between May and August 2020, with a sample of 4247 participants, we conducted multivariate analysis to identify the independent determinants of this adherence, calculating adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: It was revealed that 27.7% of participants believed in at least one conspiracy theory. Factors associated with a higher level of adherence included agreement with at least one piece of COVID-19 misinformation on social media (APR: 3.65; 95% CI: 3.07–4.34), lack of difficulty accessing leisure activities during the pandemic (APR: 3.11; 95% CI: 1.85–5.24), age 50 years or older (APR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.49–1.94), absence of difficulty accessing protective measures (APR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.26–1.72), use of face masks (APR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.33–1.97), non-use of at least one traditional media source for information (APR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.26–1.72), female gender (APR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.25–1.60), and age between 30 and 49 years (APR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.19–1.52). Conclusions: Our findings highlight that it is crucial to recognize that vaccine hesitancy is not merely an isolated phenomenon but often rooted in a complex interplay of social, cultural, psychological, and political factors. There is a need for multifaceted strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy, effectively address conspiracy theories, and consider the various factors associated with their prevalence.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":" 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140692562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Colleen Phan, Brandon Mercado, J. Travis, Ginny Webb
Identifying determinants of vaccination uptake is critical for public and community health. The population became divided in regard to preventative measures and vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there are varying opinions on decisions to vaccinate children against childhood diseases and COVID-19. Recent findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing vaccine hesitancy. Here, we assess vaccine hesitancy in parents by identifying predictors of vaccine acceptance by parents during the COVID-19 pandemic using a survey given to parents in South Carolina. Knowledge about COVID-19 and vaccinations affects vaccination intentions. Age, education, gender, and politics were also found to predict parents’ decisions about vaccinating their kids. Understanding potential barriers to vaccine acceptance will aid healthcare providers and public health entities to better reach the community.
{"title":"Identifying the Predictors of Pediatric Vaccine Uptake during the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Colleen Phan, Brandon Mercado, J. Travis, Ginny Webb","doi":"10.3390/covid4040033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4040033","url":null,"abstract":"Identifying determinants of vaccination uptake is critical for public and community health. The population became divided in regard to preventative measures and vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there are varying opinions on decisions to vaccinate children against childhood diseases and COVID-19. Recent findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing vaccine hesitancy. Here, we assess vaccine hesitancy in parents by identifying predictors of vaccine acceptance by parents during the COVID-19 pandemic using a survey given to parents in South Carolina. Knowledge about COVID-19 and vaccinations affects vaccination intentions. Age, education, gender, and politics were also found to predict parents’ decisions about vaccinating their kids. Understanding potential barriers to vaccine acceptance will aid healthcare providers and public health entities to better reach the community.","PeriodicalId":72714,"journal":{"name":"COVID","volume":"55 S268","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140694716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：