Examining college students' food security coping strategies and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

College students' food situations may have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which could have affected their health and well-being. However, little is known about how the pandemic impacted students' food experiences and how students coped with food-related disruptions, particularly from the student's own perspective. This study reviews data from 571 undergraduates who attended public colleges during Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 and wrote a narrative about the pandemic's impact on their food experiences. Most students indicated they experienced a wide range of food difficulties and adapted new food practices. Despite these challenges, students emphasized proactive coping strategies and positive pandemic outcomes rather than difficulties and negative outcomes. These findings have implications for students' long-term health and well-being. © 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Engaged learning: lessons learned by subject-matter experts from COVID-19 in the U.S. swine industry

When industries fail to address warnings adequately, risk situations may manifest into crises. Although the U.S. swine industry planned thoroughly for potential infectious disease outbreaks among the animal population, COVID-19 highlighted a planning gap: What happens if the humans working to keep the industry operational can no longer work? This oversight ultimately resulted in a crisis event impacting all aspects of the U.S. swine industry. This study examines the process of engaged learning from failure that took place via retrospective accounts provided in interviews with 18 industry subject-matter experts. Lessons learned, practical applications, and areas for future research suggest that engaged learning values diverse perspectives and, ultimately, promotes meaningful systemic change. Conversely, organizations opting to disengage during or after crises are likely to repeat mistakes and experience similar crises in the future. © 2023 National Communication Association.

Meeting afterhours: on the work that night commissions do

Despite the sizeable impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns on nightlife, the night-time economy (NTE) is still high on the cards in cities. Whilst much attention has focused on leadership figures of the NTE like "night mayors", there is a vast landscape of institutionalized forms of night-time governance requiring greater recognition. Consultative night-time governance systems offer particular opportunities for advancing research and practice. We develop a typology of these systems discussing comparatively the role that night "councils”, "commissions”, "boards” and "panels” play in eighteen case studies. We deploy our typology to unpack the form and function of these systems, and the urban governance challenges the NTE encountered during COVID-19. We call for more empirical work on urban governance afterhours to better attend to the ways NTE conversations are convened in cities, and highlight the role these systems play in giving voice to those who take part in the NTE. © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Did the UK's public health shielding policy protect the clinically extremely vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales? Results of EVITE Immunity, a linked data retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The UK shielding policy intended to protect people at the highest risk of harm from COVID-19 infection. We aimed to describe intervention effects in Wales at 1 year. METHODS: Retrospective comparison of linked demographic and clinical data for cohorts comprising people identified for shielding from 23 March to 21 May 2020; and the rest of the population. Health records were extracted with event dates between 23 March 2020 and 22 March 2021 for the comparator cohort and from the date of inclusion until 1 year later for the shielded cohort. RESULTS: The shielded cohort included 117,415 people, with 3,086,385 in the comparator cohort. The largest clinical categories in the shielded cohort were severe respiratory condition (35.5%), immunosuppressive therapy (25.9%) and cancer (18.6%). People in the shielded cohort were more likely to be female, aged ≥50 years, living in relatively deprived areas, care home residents and frail. The proportion of people tested for COVID-19 was higher in the shielded cohort (odds ratio [OR] 1.616; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.597-1.637), with lower positivity rate incident rate ratios 0.716 (95% CI 0.697-0.736). The known infection rate was higher in the shielded cohort (5.9% vs 5.7%). People in the shielded cohort were more likely to die (OR 3.683; 95% CI: 3.583-3.786), have a critical care admission (OR 3.339; 95% CI: 3.111-3.583), hospital emergency admission (OR 2.883; 95% CI: 2.837-2.930), emergency department attendance (OR 1.893; 95% CI: 1.867-1.919) and common mental disorder (OR 1.762; 95% CI: 1.735-1.789). CONCLUSION: Deaths and healthcare utilisation were higher amongst shielded people than the general population, as would be expected in the sicker population. Differences in testing rates, deprivation and pre-existing health are potential confounders; however, lack of clear impact on infection rates raises questions about the success of shielding and indicates that further research is required to fully evaluate this national policy intervention.

Instructions for COVID-19 self-tests What parts of the test are the most difficult to get right and how can information design help?

This paper summarises a cross-disciplinary project that explored ways of making instructions, funded as part of the UK COVID-19 rapid-response initiative. The project explored ways of making instructions for COVID-19 Lateral Flow Tests easy for lay people to use. Our method comprised rapid design decision making, where we used existing research, good practice in information design and consultation with diagnostic experts as part of the design process. Iterative review by a panel of users informed the development of prototype instructions: small studies investigated user preference for diagrams, and gathered feedback on the graphic articulation of the procedural steps involved in carrying out the test. © John Benjamins Publishing Company.

A series of diabetic ketoacidosis associated with the use of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors in secondary care

Background and aims: Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), though limited real-world case series are published. The aim of this study is to examine the number and characteristics of patients admitted with SGLT2i-associated DKA to our hospital over a 4-month period. Method(s): Patients were identified retrospectively following referral to the diabetes team with SGLT2i-associated DKA between September-December 2021. Medical notes were reviewed and data related to the patients' characteristics, diabetes control, usual medications and previous medical comorbidities were collected. Result(s): Twenty-two patients with SGLT2i-associated DKA were iden tified;21 (95.5%) were hyperglycaemic and 1 (4.5%) was euglycaemic. Patients had a mean age (+/-standard deviation) 60.8+/-12.3 years and HbA1c 89.2+/-29.2 mmol/mol (10.3%). Of these patients 45.5% were diagnosed with DKA alone, though some had concurrent bacterial (27.3%) or COVID-19 (18.2%) infection. There was significant treatment heterogeneity;nine (40.9%) patients were treated with insulin and 13 (59.1%) patients with other agents. Thirteen (59.1%) patients had no significant medical co-morbidity, though nine (40.9%) patients had underlying cardiovascular, respiratory and/or malignant co-morbidity. Of the 22 patients admitted with DKA, 19 (86.4%) were discharged alive, and three patients (13.6%) died during the admission. Conclusion(s): We observed no specific characteristics which predisposed to SGLT2i-associated DKA or more severe ketoacidosis in this cohort, consistent with previous studies. Most cases were in hyperglycaemic DKA, and people with SGLT2i-associated euglycaemic DKA may have been missed. Given the number of cases observed in our hospital and the associated mortality, greater awareness of the condition is essential.

Collaborating In Times Of COVID: The Launch Of The National Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the health and social care landscape, both in terms of service provision and citizen need. Responsive, evidence-based research is essential to develop and implement appropriate policies and practices that manage both the pandemic itself, and the impact COVID-19 has on other health and social care issues. To address this, the Wales COVID-19 Evidence Centre (WCEC) was launched in 2021 with the aim of providing the best available, up-to-date, and relevant evidence to inform health and care decision making across Wales. Methods. Funded by the Welsh Government, the WCEC comprises of a core team and several collaborating partner organizations, including Health Technology Wales, Wales Centre for Evidence- Based Care, Specialist Unit for Review Evidence Centre, SAIL Databank, Public Health Wales, Bangor Institute for Health & Medical Research in conjunction with Health and Care Economics Cymru, and the Public Health Wales Observatory. Over the last year, WCEC has developed its rapid review processes and methodology informed by best international practice and aims to provide around 50 reviews each year. WCEC works alongside various stakeholder groups from health and social care across Wales, and they form an integral part of the review process, from scoping to knowledge mobilization. Results. To date, the WCEC has produced reviews on a diverse range of COVID-19 topics, including transmission, vaccination uptake (barriers, facilitators and interventions), mental health and wellbeing, as well as face coverings and other preventative interventions. The topics have also covered a wide range of populations, from general public, to healthcare workers, to children. These reviews have been used to inform policy and decision-making, including the Welsh Government's Chief Medical Officer 21-day COVID-19 reviews. Conclusions. The WCEC has brought together multiple specialist centers with a diverse range of skills to produce timely reviews of the most up-to-date research to support decision makers across health and social care. These reviews have informed policy and decisionmaking across Wales.

Comparing Twitter Sentiment and United States COVID-19 Vaccination Rates

As more people use social media as a source of news and information, it is important to understand its impact on individual health decisions. This article compares the sentiment expressed in COVID-19 related tweets with national rates for first dose vaccinations as recorded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To conduct the study, the text from over 570,000 COVID-related tweets from January 2021 to December 2021 was captured. The tweets were segregated by month and Google Cloud's Natural Language API was used determine the sentiment in each tweet, with each post labeled as having positive, negative, or neutral sentiment. Overall, there was greater prevalence of negative sentiment as compared with positive sentiment during the period of review, with 45% of tweets negative, 33% positive and 22% neutral. The number of positive and negative tweets was more balanced in the early months of 2021 (when the vaccine was first available) and became decidedly more negative in the later part of the year, as misinformation about the vaccines spread prolifically on social media. This comparison of the tweet sentiment to first-time vaccine doses in the US shows that misinformation about vaccines on social media appears to have had an impact on behavior. Vaccine adoption declined significantly in the latter half of 2021, even as vaccines and information from public health officials regarding their efficacy became more available to the general public. These findings are validated by subsequent analysis of word usage by month, with positive comments about vaccines and vaccination in January through May coinciding with high vaccination rates, and a negative conversational shift to variants, increased deaths and suspicion about vaccine safety and effectiveness later in the year during a stagnation period in vaccinations. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

The impact of COVID-19 on speech–language and hearing professions in low-and middle-income countries: Challenges and opportunities explored

Background: Since the advent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the speech– language and hearing (SLH) professions globally have been confronted with novel and unexpected challenges. Objective: The aim of this article was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on SLH professions in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) as presented in the Special Issue of the South African Journal of Communication Disorders in the year 2022. Method: Divergent from the standard editorial writing style, this editorial adopted a research approach where a qualitative, descriptive scoping review design was conducted to meet the objectives of the study. Three specific objectives were targeted: (1) exploring the challenges to SLH research, teaching and practice;(2) establishing evidence-based solutions available for these challenges that can be used to improve the professions’ response in the post-pandemic era;and (3) determining the areas that require further investigation, alternative solutions and innovation for improved readiness for future pandemics. A total of 21 manuscripts were reviewed that covered three predetermined themes – research, teaching and practice – that were constructed through a deductive approach as part of the call for papers for the special issue. These manuscripts were from academics, researchers and clinicians from various institutions in LMICs. The review is presented using thematic analysis. Results: The review raised important challenges, presented under various subthemes, to the three key themes. These challenges reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on the SLH professions in terms of research, teaching, service provision and ethical challenges, as well as its impact on speech language, hearing, swallowing and balance functions. The review also advanced solutions and future directions during and beyond COVID-19. Conclusion: These findings raise global implications for research, teaching and practice that are not only relevant to the SLH professions. © 2022. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS.

A rapid review of innovations for attraction, recruitment and retention of social care workers, and exploration of factors influencing turnover within the UK context

Context: The UK social care sector has come under increased pressure to combat workforce shortages. With international recruitment of professionals impacted by Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, social care is in need of innovations to attract, recruit and retain staff. Objectives: This review aimed to identify (1) innovations to attract, recruit, and retain social workers (professionals working with children and adults to protect them from harm, often as case managers) and the wider social care workforce (workers providing direct practical support to children and adults with their daily activities) and (2) factors influencing staff turnover in the UK context. Method: Pre-defined inclusion criteria were developed using the SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type) framework. Searches were conducted across three databases and 32 key United Kingdom third sector and government organisations from 2001. In total, 1,835 citations were retrieved and 40 met the eligibility criteria (13 for social workers and 28 for social care workforce). Thematic analysis was used to explore the data and presented across two evidence maps. Findings: Evaluation evidence was only available for a small portion of innovations identified. Practice learning, fast-track graduate programmes, and apprenticeships may support the retention of social workers, while pre-employment training, national recruitment campaigns, care work ambassadors, and values-based recruitment could help attraction, recruitment, and retention of the wider social care workforce. Limitations: Most of the included studies were conducted pre-pandemic and mainly relied on descriptive and explorative methodologies. Implications: Future policy initiatives should include an evaluation strategy from the outset to develop a more extensive evidence base. Funding bodies should offer schemes supporting research in this area. © 2022 The Author(s).

ARE PHONE CLINICS THE FUTURE? EVALUATING PATIENT EXPERIENCES OF TELEMEDICINE IN A REGIONAL INTEGRATED SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICE

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated widespread implementation of telemedicine. Initial evaluation of our telemedicine service found high satisfaction rates [1]. Anticipating continuing demand for remote services we undertook a further patient survey, gauging shifting attitudes towards telemedicine. Methods We sent an anonymised, on-line survey to all patients who received telephone consultations in a six-week period (08/02/22- 22/3/22). We collected demographic data, reasons for consultation and patient satisfaction, using the standardised telemedicine satisfaction questionnaire [2]. Results 275 responses were received (∼10% response rate). 80.4% of respondents were female. 50.5% of consultations were for contraception. 60.3% of GUM consultation respondents were female. The modal age group was 30-44 years in both categories. 65.5% of patients chose an initial telephone consultation as their preferred modality, compared to 22.9% preferring walk-in-clinics. 44% of all patients surveyed would prefer not to share genital images for remote assessment in theory, however only 16.7% of the subgroup actually asked to send an image (n=18) expressed the same. Only 22% preferred video consultations. 80% reported that they were 'overall happy' with their telemedicine consultation (agree/strongly agree). Discussion Telemedicine is more convenient for many patients, cost effective, clinically efficient and aligned to the NHS global impact agenda. It is fast becoming an integral part of modern healthcare. Survey data may disproportionately represent more engaged and technologically literate patients. However, it also has the potential to engage previously unreached patient groups. This survey supports a permanent role for telemedicine. We will continue to integrate patient feedback to build a high quality, sustainable service.(Table Presented).

Australia and New Zealand Interstitial Lung Disease Registry (ANZ ILD) 2021 Update -Progress During the Pandemic

Introduction: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) comprises a heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the lung interstitium often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The Australasian Interstitial Lung Disease Registry (AILDR) launched in 2016 with the concurrent aims to: a) provide a valuable resource for high quality ILD research to further understanding of ILD and b) improve care for ILD patients across Australia and NZ. Consisting initially of four pilot sites, over time the registry has expanded to 21 sites across Australasia. Methods: Consecutive ILD patients attending any of the registered ILD centres across Australia and NZ are eligible to enrol in the AILDR following provision of informed consent. Comprehensive data including demographics, ILD diagnosis, objective functional markers (baseline and subsequent tests) and treatment parameters are collected and stored on a secure online platform. We report data from the AILDR since initiation in May 2016 to 30th September 2021 inclusive. Results: In total 2140 participants were enrolled from 16 sites at a mean rate of 43/month (mean age 65.8±13.3years;1185 (55.4%) male;982 (45.9%) ever-smokers;mean BMI 29.4±5.9kg/m2). Baseline functional parameters demonstrated mean FVC 85.6±21.7% predicted, mean DLCO 60.5±19.4%predicted, and mean six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance 434.3±126.5metres. ILD diagnoses included: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) n=545 (30.3%), connective tissue disease associated ILD (CTD-ILD) n=326 (18.1%), chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (CHP) n=155 (8.6%), sarcoidosis n=120 (6.7%) and unclassifiable ILD n=190 (10.6%). Patients with IPF were more likely to be male (n=403, 73.9%, p<0.001) and older (72.6±8.3years, p<0.001) compared to all other ILD subtypes. A female predominance was observed for CHP (n=92, 59%, p=0.001) and CTD-ILD (n=206, 63%, p<0.001). Baseline functional parameters were lowest for those with CHP (FVC 76.8±22.4% predicted, DLCO 54.1±16.9% predicted), significantly lower comparable to the IPF group (FVC 84.8±19.6%predicted, DLCO 58.7±17.8%predicted, p<0.001). The highest baseline functional parameters were observed in those with sarcoidosis. Conclusion: We demonstrate the feasibility of a bi-national ILD registry evidenced by steady recruitment despite the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, lower functional baseline parameters were detected in the CHP group suggesting priority research should be afforded to this group. Through a routine approach across Australasia, the AILDR aims to improve standardisation of diagnosis and management of ILD patients.

Uniting Global Efforts on Pediatric Long-COVID: Results of the International Post- COVID Condition in Children Collaboration (IP4C)

RATIONALE4,4-44,4% of children suffer from post-COVID syndrome, commonly known as long- COVID, after an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, an uniform clinical definition, and guidelines to diagnose or treat children suspected of long-COVID are lacking. Multiple careprograms have been initiated worldwide. In this study, we aimed to assess the currently available pediatric international long-COVID care programs and explore the characteristics of their patient cohorts.METHODSWe established an international network (IP4C) and performed a crosssectional analysis from aggregated data collected by its members using a survey. Topics included: the used definition for long-covid in children, the organization of pediatric long-COVID clinics and long-COVID patients characteristics. Descriptive analysis of the aggregated data was used to summarize and compare each of these categories across countries. RESULTSWe included data concerning organization of care from 17 cohorts based in 13 different countries. A wide range of definitions for long COVID was used, which differed mostly in duration of symptoms and the necessity of microbiologically proven SARS-COV-2 infection. 66,6-100% of patients in the long- COVID cohorts suffered from complaints for more than twelve weeks, and 49,5-97,3% of patients had a positive RT-PCR or serology for SARS-CoV-2. Most long-COVID care programs consisted of real-life visits with multidisciplinary teams, consisting of general pediatricians, pediatric lung specialists, cardiologists and infectiologist, a physiotherapist and psychologist. The type of investigations performed at the long-COVID clinics ranged from assessment of medical history (100%) and standardized questionnaires (91%) to in depth evaluation of organ functioning (e.g. spirometry performed in 0-100% of patients). Aggregated data of 431 long-COVID patients from 11 dedicated long-COVID care programs were analyzed. Mean age of patients ranged from 6,5-16,4 years old. Girls were overrepresented in most cohorts (20-65%). 28-81,8% of patient had a positive medical history, most commonly atopic syndrome, asthma and prematurity. Most patients (90- 100%) suffered from asymptomatic or mild acute COVID-19. Frequent long-COVID symptoms were fatigue, headaches, concentration difficulties, dyspnea and sleep disturbances. 5-37% of patients had severe limitations in daily life. CONCLUSIONSThis is the first study to describe the organization of pediatric long-COVID care. It demonstrates that pediatric long-COVID is recognized worldwide as a multisystemic disease, but its definition and care programs for pediatric long- COVID patients differ between cohorts. A clear definition of pediatric long-COVID is needed to improve international scientific collaboration and patient care. Our international network will facilitate further collaboration in investigation pathophysiology and therapeutic interventions in order to provide evidence based medical care for these patients.

Crisis communication and learning: The US higher education's response to a global pandemic

Purpose This study investigates the processes that the US universities and colleges used to learn during the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors that facilitated and impeded their learning processes. Design/methodology/approach To address this study's research questions, this study used a crisis communication and learning lens to interview crisis response team members from 30 US higher education institutions in May 2020 (the first pandemic semester). In October 2020 (the second pandemic semester), this study conducted follow-up interviews with 25 of the original interviewees. Overall, this study conducted 55 interviews. Findings Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic is facilitated by a recognition of a serious deficiency in the current system and impeded by the need to act quickly. The findings demonstrate the process by which decisions, actions and strategies emerged during crises. Originality/value This investigation illustrates how crises can prompt organizational learning while demonstrating the critical role of internal and external resources in the learning process.

Hyperglycaemic emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic in East London, one of the worst affected areas in the UK

Introduction: Diabetes is an established risk factor for poor outcome in COVID-19. Additionally, the pandemic has resulted in patients delaying hospital attendance with emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS). We examined adult admissions for hyperglycaemic emergencies to Newham University Hospital during the first and second COVID-19 waves. Results: 38 adults presented in wave ( March to 3 May 2020): DKA, 4 HHS, 3 mixed DKA/HHS. Median age was 62 years and 58% were male. 63% were Afro-Caribbean,13% Caucasian,11% Asian. 68% had known T2DM, 6% known TDM and 6% newly diagnosed diabetes. Mean BMI was 27.3 kg/m2, mean HbA1c (within one year) was 90.6 mmol/mol. 6 patients (42%) had PCR-confirmed COVID-19 on admission. In wave 2 ( November 2020 to 28 February 202) 59 adults presented: 34 DKA, 2 HHS, 3 mixed DKA/HHS. Median age was 55 years and 6 % were male. 39% were Afro-Caribbean, 27% Caucasian, 7 % Asian. 6 % had known T2DM, 29% known TDM and 0% newly diagnosed diabetes. Mean BMI was 27.9 kg/m2, mean HbA1c was 96 mmol/mol. 8 patients (3%) had PCR-confirmed COVID-19 on admission. In both waves most patients were male, had T2DM with poor pre-admission glycaemic control and most were overweight/obese. Mixed DKA/HHS was unusually prevalent. During wave 2, patients were younger, COVID-19 was less frequent, more patients with TDM were admitted, when DKA predominated and only two patients with TDM had COVID-19. Hyperglycaemic emergency admissions differed between the two waves, with wave 2 seeing increased TDM admissions and more presentations independent of COVID-19 . Discussion: Better understanding of factors underlying these presentations could help to improve patient support during this time.