The relationship between sexual behavior and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: an online survey study

Purpose: In addition to its psychologically and socially negative effects on society, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the sexual behavior of individuals. This study investigated the relationship between changes in sexual drive and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Materials and methods: The data of this cross-sectional study were collected using a web-based survey between May 12 and August 12, 2021, with the voluntary participation of 231 individuals. The survey form included questions on sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, employment status, sex life before and during the COVID-19 pandemic period and status of having a partner, and COVID-19 diagnostic status, in addition to the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Results: A reduction in sexual drive in the pandemic period was reported by 71 (30.7%) participants. The group whose sexual drive decreased had significant differences in terms of age, marital status, the status of having children, and Warwick-Edinburgh scale scores compared to the groups whose sexual drive increased or remained unchanged (respectively, p=0.009, p=0.039, p=0.041, and p<0.001). According to the logistic regression model, for every one-year increase in age corresponded to 8% (95% CI: 3-12%) increase in the risk of reduced sexual drive (p=0.001), and a 1-unit increase in Warwick-Edinburgh scale scores corresponded to a 16% (95% CI: 10-22%) decrease (p<0.001). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic affected the sexual drives and behavior of the participants. Increased age and lower mental well-being levels were associated with lower sexual drive. Programs aimed at improving mental well-being will have a beneficial effect on sexual behavior. © 2023, Pamukkale University. All rights reserved.

Assessment of Features of MIS-C and Non-MIS-C Patients: Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Pediatric COVID-19 cases are typically known to be mildly symptomatic and show a good prognosis. However, more severe condition termed Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) is encountered in children. This research aimed to evaluate the differences between MIS-C and non-MIS-C (children who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 but did not develop MIS-C) patients according to demographics, comorbidities, and symptoms conditions, as well as clinical, laboratory, radiological findings, treatment, and prognosis. Materials and Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines using electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, Science-Direct, and LitCovid including articles on observational studies comparing the MIS-C and non-MIS-C cases published between 01 January 2020-15 January 2021. Results: Seventeen articles meeting the criteria were included. No difference was found in terms of gender and age from the demographic characteristics of the MIS-C and non-MIS-C groups. Black race and clinical findings such as fever, rash, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, and laboratory findings CRP and ferritin were found to be higher in the MISC group compared to the nonMISC group (p<0.05). Cardiac complications, use of some medical treatments (steroids, IVIG, inotropic therapy), and need for intensive care were also higher (p< 0.05). Conversely, the presence of comorbidity, presence of rhinoirhea, hemoglobin, lymphocyte, and platelet values were higher in the non-MIS-C group (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Evaluation of MIS-C and non-MIS-C patients for various characteristics revealed differences that will guide the diagnosis of and approach to MIS-C cases.

Change in air pollution and human mobility trends during covid-19 lockdown measures in turkey

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the change in the air quality parameters of 31 cities that were affected by the strict measures taken in Turkey during the months of March, April, and May and their relationship with the activity parameters. Methods: Thirty-one cities included in this study were assessed in terms of their average particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) values in the months of March, April, and May between 2017 and 2020 and their activity data in the same months of 2020, which had six different subdimensions. Results: When the compared the 3-month average air parameters of the cities and the 3-month average parameters of the previous 3 years, the PM10 and NO2 levels decreased from 47.6 μg/m3 to 38.1 μg/m3 and from 54.8 μg/m3 to 25.7 μg/m3, respectively (p=0.001 and p=0.001). When the change in the air quality parameter and the activity change correlation were evaluated, a statistically significant correlation regarding "retail and recreation," "workplaces," and "residential," which were the three subdimensions of the SO2 change activity was determined (p=0.034, p=0.002, and p=0.003, respectively). In the linear regression models established, it was determined that "workplaces" had a statistically significant relationship regarding SO2 change (r=0.339, p=0.038). Conclusion: The decrease in air pollution that is an indirect positive effect of the pandemic on the environment is temporary, but governments should learn from this lockdown on how to reduce pollution on a longterm basis. © 2021 by Anatolian Journal of Family Medicine.