ABSTRACT
Background@#With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women may turn to online information searches regarding COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination. @*Objective@#We aimed to determine global online interest in COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. @*Materials and Methods@#We utilized Google Trends data to determine the global search volume index (SVI) for the search terms “COVID-19 in pregnancy” and “COVID vaccine pregnancy” from January 1, 2020, to February 12, 2022, and ranked the top 15 search queries via their individual SVIs to assess the worldwide distribution of interest. Using Pearson correlation, we correlated several economic and pandemic-related country-specific data with the SVIs for the two search terms, while we utilized a one-way analysis of variance to country income groups with the SVIs using ANOVA. Significant correlations were denoted with P < 0.05.@*Results@#SVI for “COVID-19” in pregnancy showed a minimal and nonsignificant downward trend in 2022. SVI for this search term was positively correlated with the SVI for “COVID vaccine pregnancy” (P < 0.05). On the other hand, SVI for “COVID vaccine in pregnancy” showed an exponential decline from November 2020 to 2022. SVI for this search term was also negatively correlated with deaths per 100,000 cases (P < 0.05). Although this was nonsignificant, high-income countries showed higher online interest with the two search terms than low- to low-middle-income countries. There were no significant correlations among specific economic and pandemic-related country-specific data and SVI for both search terms. @*Conclusion@#We observed a constant online interest in COVID-19 in pregnancy during the time period of the study, which may reflect the watchful engagement of people in the absence of face-to-face physician consultations. Peak online interest in COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy declined steadily, which may reflect either vaccine hesitancy or an increase in public knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines. High-income countries have apparently higher online interest in COVID-19 vaccines, which may be due to access to early mass administration to the general public. These data can be used as a reference regarding future policy-making in the setting of potentially massive public health emergency in the future.
Subject(s)
Infodemiology , PandemicsABSTRACT
La infodemiología e infovigilancia son métodos informáticos para el análisis y seguimiento de los datos de Internet, y permiten tomar conciencia de las situaciones y crear políticas sanitarias. Este estudio se propuso analizar las tendencias de búsqueda de dióxido de cloro y términos equivalentes en Internet (chlorine dioxide solution, CDS; miracle mineral solution, MMS), en relación con la morbilidad y mortalidad por COVID-19 en ocho países de Latinoamérica. Para ello se utilizó Google Trends; el período examinado fue del 1ro de marzo al 25 de noviembre de 2020. Se calculó la media móvil por 7 días para el volumen relativo de búsqueda (VRB), la tasa de morbilidad y mortalidad. Para la asociación de las variables cuantitativas, se utilizó el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman con un nivel de significancia p < 0,05. El país con mayor interés de búsqueda fue Bolivia; el de menor interés, Brasil. El análisis del VRB con la tasa de morbilidad y mortalidad fue diferente entre países. Los picos máximos de VRB de Colombia y Chile, en abril, y de México, Ecuador y Bolivia, en julio, coincidieron con la emisión de alertas sanitarias sobre dióxido de cloro. La mayoría mostró una correlación significativa moderada y baja entre el VRB y el número de casos confirmados y muertes diarias por COVID-19. El comportamiento de las búsquedas, diferenciado entre países, podría indicar mayor interés por el tema dióxido de cloro en pandemia; lo cual se explicaría por la difusión de alertas sanitarias de organismos de salud internacionales, regionales y locales(AU)
Infodemiology and infovigilance are computer methods for the analysis and monitoring of Internet data, and allow awareness of situations and creation of health policies. This study aimed to analyze the search trends for chlorine dioxide and equivalent terms on the Internet (chlorine dioxide solution, CDS; miracle mineral solution, MMS), in relation to COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in eight Latin American countries. Google Trends was used for this purpose; the period reviewed was from March 1st to November 25th 2020. The 7-day moving average for relative search volume (VRB), morbidity and mortality rate were calculated. For the association of quantitative variables, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used with a significance level p < 0.05. The country with the highest search interest was Bolivia; the one with the least interest, Brazil. The analysis of the VRB with the morbidity and mortality rate was different between countries. The maximum VRB peaks of Colombia and Chile, in April, and of Mexico, Ecuador and Bolivia, in July, coincided with the issuance of health alerts on chlorine dioxide. Most showed a moderate and low significant correlation between VRB and the number of confirmed cases and daily deaths from COVID-19. The behavior of the searches, differentiated between countries, could indicate greater interest in the topic of chlorine dioxide during the pandemic; this would be explained by the dissemination of health alerts from international, regional and local health agencies(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Chlorine Dioxide , Information Seeking Behavior , Internet Access , COVID-19/mortality , COVID-19/epidemiology , Infodemiology , Latin America/epidemiology , PeruABSTRACT
O fenômeno denominado infodemia refere-se ao aumento do volume informacional sobre um tema em específico, que se multiplica rapidamente em um curto período de tempo, e tem-se destacado frente ao contexto da crise sanitária desencadeada pela pandemia de COVID-19. O excesso de informações pode suscitar sentimentos de medo, ansiedade, estresse e outras condições de sofrimento mental. O estudo tem como objetivo descrever o perfil de exposição a informações sobre COVID-19 e suas repercussões na saúde mental de idosos brasileiros. Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com 1924 idosos brasileiros. Coletaram-se dados por meio de web-based survey enviada aos idosos por redes sociais e e-mail, no período de julho a outubro de 2020. Os resultados da análise descritiva dos dados demonstram que a maioria dos idosos apresentou idade entre 60 e 69 anos (69,02por cento), é do sexo feminino (71,26por cento), casados (53,79 por cento) e de cor branca (75,57por cento). Cerca de 21,67por cento (n = 417) concluíram a graduação, 19,75por cento (380) concluíram especialização e 16,63por cento (320) concluíram mestrado ou doutorado. Foram reportados como fontes frequentes de exposição às notícias ou informações sobre a COVID-19, a televisão 862 (44,80por cento) e as redes sociais 651 (33,84por cento). Os participantes assinalaram que a televisão (46,47por cento; n = 872), as redes sociais (30,81por cento; n = 575) e o rádio (14,48por cento; 251) os afetavam psicológica e/ou fisicamente. Receber notícias falsas sobre a COVID-19 pela televisão (n = 482; 19,8por cento) e pelas redes sociais (n = 415; 21,5por cento) repercutiu, principalmente, estresse e medo. As informações disseminadas contribuem para conscientização, mas, também, afetam física e/ou psicologicamente muitos idosos, principalmente gerando medo e estresse(AU)
El fenómeno denominado infodemia hace referencia al aumento del volumen de información sobre un tema específico, que se multiplica rápidamente en un corto período, y ha destacado en el contexto de la crisis sanitaria desencadenada por la pandemia de la COVID-19. Demasiada información puede desencadenar sentimientos de miedo, ansiedad, estrés y otras condiciones de angustia mental. El estudio tiene como objetivo describir el perfil de exposición a la información sobre la COVID-19 y sus repercusiones en la salud mental de los ancianos brasileños. Se trata de un estudio transversal realizado con 1924 ancianos brasileños. Los datos fueron recolectados a través de una encuesta web enviada a los ancianos a través de redes sociales y correo electrónico, de julio a octubre de 2020. Los resultados del análisis descriptivo de los datos muestran que la mayoría de los ancianos tenían entre 60 y 69 años (69,02 por ciento), mujer (71,26 por ciento), casada (53,79 por ciento) y blanca (75,57 por ciento). El 21,67 por ciento (n = 417) concluyó su graduación, el 19,75 por ciento (380) concluyó especialización y el 16,63 por ciento (320) concluyó maestría o doctorado. La televisión 862 (44,80 por ciento) y las redes sociales 651 (33,84 por ciento) se reportaron como fuentes frecuentes de exposición a noticias o información sobre el COVID-19. Los participantes indicaron que la televisión (46,47 por ciento; n = 872), las redes sociales (30,81 por ciento; n = 575) y la radio (14,48 por ciento; 251) les afectaban psicológica y/o físicamente. Recibir noticias falsas sobre el COVID-19 en la televisión (n = 482; 19,8 por ciento) y en las redes sociales (n = 415; 21,5 por ciento) resultó principalmente en estrés y miedo. La información difundida contribuye a la sensibilización, pero también afecta física y/o psicológicamente a muchas personas mayores, generando principalmente miedo y estrés(AU)
The phenomenon called infodemia refers to the increase in the volume of information on a specific topic, which multiplies rapidly in a short period of time, and has stood out in the context of the health crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Too much information can trigger feelings of fear, anxiety, stress, and other conditions of mental distress. The study aims to describe the profile of exposure to information about COVID-19 and its repercussions on the mental health of elderly Brazilians. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 1924 elderly Brazilians. Data were collected through a web-based survey sent to the elderly via social networks and email, from July to October 2020. The results of the descriptive analysis of the data show that most of the elderly were aged between 60 and 69 years (69.02percent), female (71.26percent), married (53.79percent) and white (75.57percent). About 21.67percent (n = 417) concluded their graduation, 19.75percent (380) concluded their specialization and 16.63percent (320) concluded their master's or doctoral degrees. Television 862 (44.80percent) and social networks 651 (33.84percent) were reported as frequent sources of exposure to news or information about COVID-19. Participants indicated that television (46.47percent; n = 872), social networks (30.81percent; n = 575) and radio (14.48percent; 251) affected them psychologically and/or physically. Receiving fake news about COVID-19 on television (n = 482; 19.8percent) and on social media (n = 415; 21.5percent) mainly resulted in stress and fear. The disseminated information contributes to awareness, but also affects physically and/or psychologically many elderly people, mainly generating fear and stress(AU)
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Information Dissemination/methods , Health Communication/methods , COVID-19/epidemiology , Infodemic , Infodemiology , Geriatric Nursing , Brazil , Cross-Sectional Studies , Multicenter Study , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Exploratory BehaviorABSTRACT
Background@#Catalyzed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that restricted non-essential travel, awareness of the value of telehealth increased among healthcare providers and consumers. Telerehabilitation, a subset of telehealth and telemedicine, refers explicitly to the remote provision of rehabilitation services. However, since the majority were new to the concept of telerehabilitation, which was commonly interchanged with other related terms (e.g., telehealth, telemedicine, teletherapy, telecare, telepractice, etc.), and relevant internationally recognized guidelines were not available pre-pandemic, many turned to online resources to learn more about it. However, such might create confusion with the terminologies. @*Objective@#This infodemiological study aimed to examine the trends of global online interest in telehealth, telemedicine, telerehabilitation, and related search terms. The authors hypothesized an abrupt rise in stakeholders' awareness regarding the virtual method of delivering or accessing healthcare, including rehabilitation services, during the pandemic. @*Method@#Using Google Trends™, we obtained and analyzed the trends of global online interest in telehealth, telemedicine, telerehabilitation, and other related search terms from 2004 to October 2020. @*Results@#The frequencies of searches for “telehealth,” “telemedicine,” and “telerehabilitation” peaked in March 2020, which coincided with the lockdown in many countries, including the Philippines. The term “telehealth” was more frequently searched in western countries, while “telemedicine” was relatively common in eastern countries. Among the terms synonymous with telerehabilitation, “teletherapy” was most commonly used worldwide, with “teletherapy speech” being the most searched related topic. The Philippines had the most significant number of times the term “telerehabilitation” was searched in the past decade. @*Conclusion@#During the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an overall global demand for the acquisition of knowledge related to telehealth, telemedicine, telerehabilitation, and related search terms. Of particular interest, tele rehabilitation, however, varied in terminologies across countries, with “teletherapy” mainly being used worldwide and “telerehabilitation” being primarily searched in the Philippines. Therefore, arriving at a consensus across professional societies and operationally defining different interrelated terms could help streamline our current or future guidelines and programs.