Evaluation of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep disorders and nutrition in children.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible changes in sleep behavior and nutrition in children during the pandemic period. METHODS: One hundred fourteen parents who accepted to participate in the study aged 18 and over and who had children between the ages of 6 and 16 were included in the study. A questionnaire was carried out after written consents were obtained. In the first part of the questionnaire, there were a total of 9 questions including socio-demographic information and nutritional characteristics, and the second part included the "Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children" (SDSC). The data were analyzed with the SPSS 20 statistical program. RESULTS: The total number of participants was 114 parents; 64 (56%) of the children were girls and 50 (43.9%) were boys. Among the participants, the number of children who had COVID-19 was 38 (33.3%). There was no statistically significant relationship between going through COVID-19 status and the variables examined in general. The proportion of participants who stated that if the pandemic period was prolonged, COVID-19 would not change their diet was found to be statistically significant (P = .038). The SDSC score was found to be significantly high in girls (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Sleep and nutritional disorders affect the quality of life for all ages for both genders, and their importance increases even more in extraordinary periods such as pandemic. Sleep problems increasing especially with an accompanying anxiety state may lead to developmental problems as well as deepening psychological disorders.

Evaluation of the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on smoking addiction levels.

AIMS: This study aims to evaluate the changes in smoking addiction levels during the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS: This study included 104 participants, ≥18 years old who were previous patients of family health clinics for a variety of reasons in the months preceding the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence was administered to these patients as part of their initial intakes. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire related to socio-demographic information and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence after obtaining agreement to participate during the pandemic period. In addition, written informed consent was obtained. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 20, was used to analyse the acquired data. RESULTS: The participants were 48.1% and 51.9% women and men, respectively. The pre-pandemic and Covid-19 pandemic mean smoking addiction scores were 5.03 and 5.6, respectively. The smoking addiction levels before and during the Covid-19 pandemic significantly differed (P < .001). Of the individuals with low smoking addiction levels before the pandemic, 17.6% and 29.4% became moderately and highly addicted, respectively. Of the individuals with moderate smoking addiction level, 6.3% and 43.9% became lowly and highly addicted, respectively. CONCLUSION: The smoking addiction level may change based on various factors including behavioural changes. While increases in smoking addiction during the pandemic can be observed caused by behavioural changes and anxieties that may arise because of the pandemic, a decrease in addiction levels and even smoking cessation can also be observed during these times because of the more progressive course of Covid-19 in smokers. Health institutions should therefore take advantage of this period and focus more efforts on the cessation of smoking and other substance abuse issues.

Family medicine research assistants' experiences during COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to learn about the experiences of family medicine research assistants during COVID-19 pandemic and to obtain information about improvement activities that can be done in similar situations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with the research assistants of X University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, who worked in the COVID-19 outpatient clinic during the pandemic period. The research was a qualitative research. Data were analysed using a thematic framework method. RESULTS: In all, 15 research assistants (11 females and 4 males) were included in the study. No remarkable difference was detected in the opinions with respect to their gender and their working period as a physician. The analysis revealed four main themes: emotions experienced during pandemic, working environment, gains and reasons to choose "family medicine." CONCLUSION: Family medicine research assistants have important roles during pandemic. However, in this period, it is very important to know their views to provide the most accurate management and to meet their training needs.

While studies on COVID-19 vaccine is ongoing, the public's thoughts and attitudes to the future COVID-19 vaccine.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to investigate the thoughts and attitudes of individuals towards the future COVID-19 vaccine. METHODS: This descriptive study was carried out on the web between 10/06/2020 and 10/07/2020. The sample constitutes all individuals above 18 years of age using social media and smartphone. The e-survey form was shared by the researchers via the web for a month, and those who completed the survey were included in the study and formed the sample of the research. RESULTS: Seven-hundred and fifty-nine people participated. 49.7% of the participants stated to be vaccinated; 38.4% of them stated to be vaccinated their children against COVID-19; if the vaccine for COVID-19 is developed. The request for the COVID-19 vaccine had relationship with gender, occupation, health insurance, anxiety level, having children and willing to get vaccinated for their children. "Afraid of the side effects of vaccine", "don't think it can be reliable as it will be a new vaccine" and "COVID-19 infection is a biological weapon and the vaccine will serve those who produce this virus" were the most common reasons for rejection of vaccine. CONCLUSION: In our study, afraid of the side effects of vaccine and not thinking it can be reliable as it will be a new vaccine are the most reasons of indecision and rejection about COVID 19 vaccine. In order for the future COVID 19 vaccination campaign to not fail, media, politicians and healthcare professionals should closely follow the vaccination development processes, inform the public transparently and consider public's concerns.

Assessment of individuals' attitude, knowledge and anxiety towards COVID-19 at the first period of the outbreak in Turkey: A web-based cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the attitude, knowledge and anxiety status of individuals about COVID-19 at the first period of the outbreak. METHODS: This was an observational study carried out in Turkey. An online semi-structured questionnaire was developed by using google forms and the link of the questionnaire was sent through emails, WhatsApp and other social media to the contacts of the investigators between 20th March 2020 and 25th March 2020. The questionnaire contained 21 questions and Beck anxiety scale. RESULTS: About 1070 people were included in the study. Approximately one-fifth of the participants had no idea about treatment and immunisation against COVID-19. According to the categorisation of Beck Anxiety Inventory scores 8.6% showed severe anxiety symptoms. Anxiety levels of women, healthcare workers and those with psychiatric illness were higher (P < .05). It was observed that women, healthcare professionals, those with chronic diseases and those with moderate to severe anxiety used the medical facemask more frequently (P < .05). About 73% of the participants thought that they fully implemented the proposed measures; 25.2% of them stated that population did not take any measures for the COVID-19. CONCLUSION: According to the results of the study individuals usually had better awareness and positive attitudes towards COVID-19 pandemic, but there were also things that needed improvement. The most important measure to be taken in order to prevent anxiety from increasing is to ensure the correct access of information and to establish psychological support lines.