Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare-associated infections at intensive care units in South Korea: data from the Korean National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance System (KONIS).

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced hospital infection control practices. AIM: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: A retrospective analysis using data from the Korean National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance System was conducted. Comparisons between incidence rates and micro-organism distributions of bloodstream infection (BSI), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were performed according to hospital size. FINDINGS: The incidence rate of BSI significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (1.38 vs 1.23 per 10,000 patient-days, relative change -11.5%; P < 0.001). The incidence rate of VAP (1.03 vs 0.81 per 1000 device-days, relative change -21.4%; P < 0.001) significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, whereas rates of CLABSI (2.30 vs 2.23 per 1000 device-days; P = 0.19) and CAUTI (1.26 vs 1.26 per 1000 device-days; P = 0.99) were similar between the two periods. The rates of BSI and CLABSI significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period in large-sized hospitals, whereas these rates significantly decreased in small-to-medium-sized hospitals. The rates of CAUTI and VAP significantly decreased in small-sized hospitals. There were no significant changing trends in the rates of multidrug-resistant pathogens isolated from patients with HAI between the two periods. CONCLUSION: The incidence rates of BSI and VAP in ICUs decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. This decrease was mainly seen in small-to-medium-sized hospitals.

Mediation Effect of Technology Readiness and Readiness for Change in the Relationship Between Edutech Competence and Depression

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic, teachers quickly adapted to an Edutech-based. Many teachers began experiencing a high level of depression and doubted their own teaching competence. Therefore, this study examines the dual mediation of technology readiness (hereinafter referred to as TR) and readiness for change (hereinafter referred to as RC) in the relationship between Edutech competence and depression in South Korean teachers. Questionnaires regarding Edutech competence, TR, RC, and depression were distributed to 382 teachers (136 males and 246 females). A survey was administered to middle and high school teachers in South Korea using a mobile URL of Google from July 2022 to August 2022, and 382 complete responses were analysed. It analysed survey data through frequency, correlation analysis and structural equation modelling using SPSS 26.0 and Amos 25.0. The results indicate that, first, depression has a negative and significant correlation with Edutech competence, TR, and RC. Second, the results of structural equation modeling verify the mediating effect of TR and RC in the relationship between teachers' Edutech competence and depression. Finally, Edutech competence has a statistically significant impact on TR and RC but does not affect depression. Therefore, improving TR and RC, rather than merely acquiring Edutech competence, is necessary to address depression in South Korean teachers in the post-COVID-19 scenario. © 2023, Auricle Global Society of Education and Research. All rights reserved.

Incidence and sero-surveillance of feline viruses in Korean cats residing in Gyeonggi-do

Incidences of major feline viral diseases provide basic information for preventing viral disease in cats. Despite the growing interest in feline viral diseases, sero-surveillances have been lacking. In this study, we analyzed the diagnoses of feline viral diseases and conducted a sero surveillance of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) in Korean cats. Of the 204 confirmed cases since 2015, the numbers of diagnoses for FPV, FIPV, FCV, feline influenza virus, and FHV-1 were 156, 32, 12, 3, and 1 case, respectively. In total, 200 sera, collected between 2019 and 2021, were screened for the presence of antibodies against FPV, 2 FCVs, FHV-1, and FIPV using a hemagglutination inhibition test and a virus-neutralizing assay (VNA). The overall seropositive rates in cats tested for FPV, the 2 FCVs, FHV-1, and FIPV were 92.5%. 42.0%, 37.0%, 52.0%, and 14.0%, respectively. A low correlation (r = 0.466) was detected between the VNA titers of 2 FCV strains. The highest incidence and seropositive rate of FPV reveal that FPV is circulating in Korean cats. The low r-value between 2 FCVs suggests that a new feline vaccine containing the 2 kinds of FCVs is required.

Patterns and Impact of Burnout among Women in the Urology Workforce

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Contemporary rates of burnout amongst urologists are reported to be 60-80%. These rates have significant implications on physician well-being and retention. We investigated predictors of burnout in female surgeons. METHOD(S): An electronic census survey was distributed to residents, fellows and practicing urologists by the Society of Women in Urology in the United States and territories via email and social media between February and May 2022. We assessed participant demographics, personal and professional characteristics, practice environment, compensation, and burnout with chi-square and t-test analyses. RESULT(S): There were 379 survey participants with an average age of 42 years (SD 10). A majority identified as cis-gendered heterosexual females (96%) and were practicing urologists (74%), while 10% were fellows and 15% residents/interns. Average reported time in practice was 9 years (SD 9 years). Most respondents reported burnout (273, 72%), with 87% agreeing COVID worsened burnout in the community. Those reporting burnout worked an average of 58 (SD 15) hours per week versus 49 (SD 18) hours (p<0.00001). Table 1 demonstrates significant personal and professional characteristics for participants who reported burnout. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, increased hours worked per week (OR 1.03, p=0.002), Relative Value Unit based pay versus salary (OR 4.4, p=0.007), correlated to burnout and feeling income is comparable to peers (OR 0.4, p=0.03) was inversely related. Common shared experiences included lack of staffing, reduced operating room time, lack of administrative support, predominance of non-operative referrals, gender and racial inequity or microaggressions, electronic health records with increased documentation demands, increased non-clinical administrative duties, and insufficient compensation or lack of financial advancement. CONCLUSION(S): A majority of women in urology report burnout with work-hours and compensation inequity as leading contributing factors. Concerns raised in this study such as lack of support staff, racial and gender inequity, and poor referral patterns should be further evaluated to determine a comprehensive plan to reduce burnout. (Figure Presented).

Collaboration-competition dilemma in flattening the COVID-19 curve.

Testing for COVID-19 is a key intervention that supports tracking and isolation to prevent further infections. However, diagnostic tests are a scarce and finite resource, so abundance in one country can quickly lead to shortages in others, creating a competitive landscape. Countries experience peaks in infections at different times, meaning that the need for diagnostic tests also peaks at different moments. This phase lag implies opportunities for a more collaborative approach, although countries might also worry about the risks of future shortages if they help others by reallocating their excess inventory of diagnostic tests. This article features a simulation model that connects three subsystems: COVID-19 transmission, the diagnostic test supply chain, and public policy interventions aimed at flattening the infection curve. This integrated system approach clarifies that, for public policies, there is a time to be risk-averse and a time for risk-taking, reflecting the different phases of the pandemic (contagion vs. recovery) and the dominant dynamic behavior that occurs in these phases (reinforcing vs. balancing). In the contagion phase, policymakers cannot afford to reject extra diagnostic tests and should take what they can get, in line with a competitive mindset. In the recovery phase, policymakers can afford to give away excess inventory to other countries in need (one-sided collaboration). When a country switches between taking and giving, in a form of two-sided collaboration, it can flatten the curve, not only for itself but also for others.

Evaluating Photopheresis Regimens for Advanced CTCL: The Role of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic-A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an established, safe, and effective treatment for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). There is no published literature reviewing the clinical efficacy of ECP at varying frequencies or the ideal duration of therapy. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic necessitated a reduced frequency of ECP for patients with CTCL at our center. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with CTCL receiving ECP at the Penn Dermatology Photopheresis Service (PDPS) on March 1, 2020, and followed up their course until January 31, 2021. Our retrospective cohort study suggests that one day of ECP with extending duration between treatments can be considered an alternative maintenance regimen in appropriate patients with stable disease on concomitant multimodality immunomodulatory therapy.

A feasibility study on a digital device, SAT-008, as an influenza vaccine adjuvant

Background: Viral infections such as influenza and COVID-19 pose a serious threat to human health, which increases the demand for a new approach to enhance the host immunity. Previous studies showed that exercise activities could enhance the anti-viral neutralizing antibody titers after vaccination. We developed a novel digital device, SAT-008, as a mobile application based on an algorithm to regulate physical activity which are related to boosting innate and adaptive immune systems against virus. SAT-008 aimed to improve the activity of immune cells and the immune response in the body, which can be induced by software -designed -intensity levels of daily physical activities. Method(s): A randomized, open-label, and controlled study was conducted for 13 weeks (Oct 20 to Jan 21). A total of 42 healthy adults aged 24 to 46 years were recruited for this study and 32 among them served for analysis. Subjects were administered a single-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine. The control group maintained daily life without using SAT-008, while the experimental group used SAT-008 during the study. Result(s): Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed a significant increase in neutralizing antibody titers of antigen subtype B Yamagata lineage after 4 weeks of vaccination and antigen subtype B Victoria lineage after 12 weeks of vaccination (P < 0.05), whereas the controls did not reach a significant level in any antibody titer. In the case of type 'A' influenza, there was no significant difference in neutralizing antibody titers between control and experimental groups. Stimulated NK cells of subjects in the control group decreased significantly between 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the vaccination (P < 0.05) while the subjects in the experimental group slightly increase the NK activity between 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the vaccination, however, there was no significance. The interaction effect was observed between control and experimental groups at weeks 4 and 12 by subsequent analysis (P < 0.05). Conclusion(s): We conclude that a novel approach using the digital device may play an important role to enhance the host immune system to act as a vaccine adjuvant against viral diseases such as influenza.

DESIGN OF A NET ZERO HOUSE AT 100-YEAR FLOOD ZONE IN A HISTORIC DISTRICT: A CASE OF SOLAR DECATHLON DESIGN CHALLENGE ENTRY

This paper discusses the design of a net-zero single-family house in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which was proposed for the 2022 Solar Decathlon Design Challenge entry. The site was in a 100-year flood zone and registered as a national and local historic district. The interdisciplinary team consisted of University of Tennessee Chattanooga (UTC) students from the interior architecture and engineering departments who embraced the challenges of the local climate and the restrictions of the historic district guidelines. This entry, Moc House, focused on the integration of passive design and active HVAC systems including photovoltaic systems in the process. In responding to recent housing market changes in Chattanooga due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a young professional couple in their 30s who have two children was identified as the target market which guided the space planning. Market analysis, including ROI, was conducted in addition to construction cost calculations. Building materials were selected to enhance the durability and resilience of the house structure. Finally, energy analysis was conducted to check the project's Home Energy Rating using Ekotrope and found it less than zero. © 2023, College Publishing. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Adverse Events of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination between Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Healthcare Workers

Background: This study aimed to investigate the adverse events (AEs) after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to compare them with healthcare workers (HCWs). Method(s): We conducted a web-based survey on the local and systemic AEs experienced within 7 days of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, or ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) in IBD patients and HCWs between October 2021 and February 2022. The frequency of all AEs was compared between IBD patients and HCWs, and propensity score matching method was used to control confounding factors. Result(s): A total of 336 IBD patients (139 Crohn's disease [CD] and 197 ulcerative colitis [UC]) and 288 HCWs who completed the questionnaire had received the same type of vaccine for their first and second doses. Common local AEs in patients with IBD were injection site pain (78.9% and 70.8% after receiving first and second vaccine doses, respectively), swelling (35.4% and 31.5%), and induration (35.1% and 26.5%), and systemic AEs were fatigue (44.6% and 42.0%), myalgia (42.6% and 37.2%), and fever or febrile sense (29.5% and 32.1%). All severe AEs were rarely observed (0-3.9%). Hospital visits or hospitalizations associated with AEs were observed in 16 (4.8%) and 18 (5.4%) patients, respectively. A small number of patients reported deterioration of bowel frequency (CD: 10.1% and 12.2%, UC: 8.1% and 11.7%), abdominal pain (CD: 5.0% and 7.9%), and rectal bleeding (UC: 5.1% and 7.6%). About 30% of IBD patients reported a worsening of their sense of well-being. After propensity score matching, there was no significant increase in the frequency of AEs in IBD patients except for diarrhea (14.5% vs 4.8%, P = 0.005) and dyspepsia (15.2% vs 5.5%, P= 0.007) after first vaccination. Conclusion(s): SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with IBD was generally well-tolerated and severe AEs occurred rarely. Compared with HCWs, the frequency of AEs does not seem to increase except for diarrhea and dyspepsia.

The Birth of Digital Epidemiology in South Korea

The COVID-19 Epidemiological Investigation Support System (EISS) is a digital epidemiological tool, which utilizes location data from cellular base stations, credit card transactions records, and QR codes. It is a mass surveillance system that uses big data to track the entire infected population, featuring an extensive, automated, and speedy processing of data on personal location and the linkage of multiple databases from various governmental agencies. Based on interviews with people who have developed Korean digital epidemiology systems, this paper explores the technical, infrastructural, social, and institutional factors that have shaped Korean digital epidemiology since the 2014 avian flu crisis and examines the essential conditions of big data for digital epidemiology. The main findings are as follows: The feasibility of EISS goes beyond the matter of privacy;it is closely connected to technological infrastructures such as a high density of cellular base stations and private cloud systems;people's behavior such as a high rate of smartphone and credit card usage;and new forms of governance and institutions for speedy data processing. Multiple database linkage would develop EISS into a big data surveillance system that enables the prediction of risk-prone groups in a more preemptive manner. © 2023 National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan.

The Current Status of Nursing Management Practicum during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: This study was to identify how a nursing management practicum was operated during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea. Methods: This study surveyed instructors teaching the nursing management practicum with a questionnaire covering five domains and 42 items. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results: The practicum was performed mainly by mixed methods (40.8% and 38.5%), in hospitals only (30.8% and 60.4%), online only (19.8% and 1.1%) in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The mixed methods were most frequently used for instructor teaching and conferences (43.9% and 58.3%). and the average teaching time per week was 9.40 and 8.69 hours per week, respectively. Taking charge in one to three core nursing skill items, 87.8% and 90.1% of the respondents each year performed face to face evaluation for the skills. Four to six out of 12 POs were covered by 58.2% and 54.9% of the participants, respectively, in 2020 and 2021. The greatest difficulty under the pandemic was securing students' hospital assignments. Conclusion: The nursing management practicum needs to adopt various digital technologies, and create new education models including hybrid ones combining both contact and untact methods to improve the educational effect for the post COVID-19 era. © 2022 Korean Academy of Nursing Administration.

A Persistent Nightmare: A Case of Recurrent Brachial Artery Thrombosis

Background Brachial artery thrombosis can be seen with thromboembolism, hypercoagulability, and arterial thoracic outlet syndrome. Case A 33-year-old healthy female construction worker presented with right hand discoloration and pain. She suffered a COVID-19 infection 8 weeks prior with hand symptoms developing shortly thereafter. She could no longer work due to the pain. Duplex ultrasound and CTA of the right upper extremity (Figure) demonstrated localized thrombosis of the right brachial artery. The workup yielded no aortic or intracardiac thrombus, and cardiac event monitor showed no atrial arrhythmia. She underwent thrombectomy with brachial artery stenting and was found, during surgery, to have distal ulnar artery occlusion. Two days post-op, she had recurrent pain and was found to have brachial artery recurrent thrombosis. She underwent urgent brachial-brachial bypass. Arm pain continued despite graft patency, so ulnarpalmar bypass was performed. Decision-making Hypercoagulability workup, including antiphospholipid antibody, protein C, protein S, homocysteine, and Lp(a), was negative. Neither central thrombus on TEE nor evidence of thoracic outlet syndrome was found. As a diagnosis of exclusion, brachial artery thrombosis was ascribed to COVID infection. Despite rivaroxaban, the patient developed gangrene (Panel C) requiring partial digit amputation. Conclusion We present a case of COVID-19-induced recurrent brachial artery thrombosis despite surgical intervention. [Formula presented]Copyright © 2023 American College of Cardiology Foundation

Optimizing Precision Medicine Cancer Clinical Trials

With the advent of precision medicine, getting the right treatment for the right patient at the right time has illuminated a variety of challenges and opportunities for innovation in trial design and conduct. Although there is no onesize- fits-all approach to precision medicine, a number of approaches, particularly basket and umbrella trial platforms that permit simultaneous evaluation of multiple treatments in multiple patient cohorts, have evolved to improve trial efficiency. The novel coronavirus pandemic has illuminated the need for, and feasibility of, conducting trials with fewer requirements, greater flexibility, and more decentralization. Through the lens of precision medicine cancer clinical trials, successes and challenges will be discussed to share practical solutions of how to improve evidence generation in the era of precision medicine. Through discussion of precision medicine cancer clinical trials within the United States, this session will provide an overview of how best to optimize these clinical trials. This session comprises the following three main topic areas: matching treatments to patients, including the use of novel patient identification strategies, genomic matching rules, molecular tumor boards (MTBs), decision-support tools, incorporating precision medicine trials into a research portfolio, and how to overcome challenges;accelerating evidence development, including the use of adaptive trial designs, cohort management strategies and data sharing plans;and improving diversity of trial participants and increasing generalizability of study results through expanded eligibility criteria and site selection strategies. This topic will be explored through 90 min of invited talks and a panel discussion with Q&A. Moderator and session chair, Richard L Schilsky, MD, FACP, FSCT, FASCO, will introduce the session and speakers and provide an introduction on the basics of precision oncology. Timothy Cannon, MD, a medical oncologist and clinical trial researcher, will present a case study of two patients with the same alteration and discuss how the care for each differed based on access to a precision medicine cancer clinical trial. Dr. Cannon will also discuss how to implement precision medicine trials within a research portfolio and how to identify patients at a site. Christine Walko, PharmD, BCOP, FCCP, a pharmacist and researcher, will then discuss the basics of matching therapies to genomics, how to use decision support tools, the role of an MTB, and identifying therapeutic options for patients. Edward S Kim, MD, MBA, FACP, FASCO, a medical oncologist, will talk about MTBs from a clinician perspective and precision medicine cancer clinical trials from a community practice perspective. Dr. Kim will also speak about how to extend the research team to create an adequate community research portfolio and about using broader eligibility criteria that might facilitate enrollment of diverse populations. Jane Perlmutter, PhD, MBA, FASCO, a cancer survivor and patient advocate, will discuss what pragmatic trials are, how they increase the opportunity for diversity and generalizability, and patient perspectives regarding pragmatic and precision cancer clinical trials. Susan Halabi, PhD, FASCO, FSCT, a researcher and professor of biostatistics and bioinformatics, will talk about the best ways to design an adaptive trial, especially its role in real-world settings, how these types of designs can be used for efficient signal finding in rare populations, and how these trials can create opportunities for data sharing and collaboration. Pam K Mangat, MS, a research scientist and the Director of Clinical Research for American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) Study, will discuss the operations behind a precision medicine study, advantages and disadvantages of a pragmatic trial, cohort closing and collapsing rules to help with management of large numbers of small cohorts, and contributing knowledge to other trials. The session will conclude with a panel di cussion moderated by session chair, Richard L Schilsky, MD, FACP, FSCT, FASCO, for approximately 10 min, with 5 min for a Q&A session.

Role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in postacute COVID syndrome.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the infection of hundreds of millions of individuals over the past 3 years, coupled with millions of deaths. Along with these more acute impacts of infection, a large subset of patients has developed symptoms that collectively comprise "postacute sequelae of COVID-19" (PASC, also known as long COVID), which can persist for months and maybe even years. In this review, we outline the current knowledge on the role of impaired microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis signaling in the development of PASC and the potential mechanisms involved, which may lead to a better understanding of disease progression and treatment options in the future.

Alcohol Drinking in Adolescents Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused changes in individuals' daily lives, including drinking habits. This study attempted to identify factors of Korean adolescents' current alcohol drinking due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study used secondary data from the 17th Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey that included 54 848 individuals. In this study, current alcohol drinking was defined as consuming at least 1 alcoholic drink per day for the past month. Changes in physical activity, mealtimes, smoking, and depressive symptoms were recorded. Results: The multiple logistic regression results show that the risk for current alcohol drinking due to the COVID-19 pandemic was 1.14 times higher in increased physical activity (95% CI: 1.04-1.25, P =.007);1.18 times higher in increased skipping breakfast (95% CI: 1.07-1.30, P =.001);1.22 times higher in decrease skipping breakfast (95% CI: 1.10-1.36, P <.001);and 15.69 times higher in increase smoking (95% CI: 12.53-19.64, P <.001). Conclusion: It is necessary to improve social support systems and related policies for adolescents who experienced a change in daily habits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results may contribute to preparing strategies and support measures to reduce drinking by developing personalized healthcare in the future.

Colorectal cancer screen-up-to-date: 10-year prevalence in a regional safety-net health system

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is an effective secondary prevention method with an increased probability of diagnosing CRC at an earlier stage, and a consequent improvement in survival post-treatment. This is especially true for individuals who undergo guideline recommended screening at appropriate intervals. Studies have reported a consistent rise in long-term trends of guideline-adherent screen-up-to-date (SUTD) rates among predominantly White and insured individuals. Here we use longitudinal data from 2011-2020 and report 10-year prevalence and correlates of CRC SUTD among patients in a safety-net health system. Method(s): All patients aged 50-74 years who had a primary care encounter in any of the 12 community clinics in a large county safety-net health system were included. An individual was considered to be SUTD if he/she had a stool test during the calendar year, flexible sigmoidoscopy in the past 5 years, or colonoscopy in the past 10 years. To obtain a population health estimate (and not only examine frequencies), we included in the denominator patients with a primary care visit in the past 3 years. Multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was used to examine the association of SUTD status with time-varying demographic and clinical characteristics over the 10-year period. Result(s): Our analytical cohort had 50,647 patients in 2011, of which 40.9% (20,708) patients were SUTD. Annual rates of SUTD were largely unchanged until 2019, when the prevalence increased to 46.8% after initiation of a population health outreach mailed FIT program. The SUTD rate fell to the baseline level of 40.8% in 2020 after the pandemic-induced suspension of the mailed FIT program. Multivariable GEE model demonstrated that older patients, females, and Hispanics had higher odds of being SUTD compared to younger patients, males, and non-Hispanics, respectively. Additionally, patients who had prior interaction with the healthcare system (had prior stool tests or prior primary care encounters) had higher odds of being SUTD than those with no prior experience with the healthcare system (no prior stool tests or no prior primary care encounters). Conclusion(s): This study establishes contemporary evidence about the 10-year prevalence and correlates of CRC SUTD status among patients in a safety-net health system. Prevalence remained constant for most of the decade, except in 2019, when a population-based mailed FIT outreach program was implemented to complement usual visit-based screening. Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, screening rates in 2020 did not drop below pre-2019 levels (~40%), though the prior increases due to the mailed FIT program were lost. We believe that effective implementation of broad population-based, screening outreach efforts are instrumental in improving and sustaining CRC SUTD rates in safety-net health systems, and can consequently help to decrease CRC incidence and related mortality.

Alcohol Drinking in Adolescents Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused changes in individuals' daily lives, including drinking habits. This study attempted to identify factors of Korean adolescents' current alcohol drinking due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): The study used secondary data from the 17th Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey that included 54 848 individuals. In this study, current alcohol drinking was defined as consuming at least 1 alcoholic drink per day for the past month. Changes in physical activity, mealtimes, smoking, and depressive symptoms were recorded. Result(s): The multiple logistic regression results show that the risk for current alcohol drinking due to the COVID-19 pandemic was 1.14 times higher in increased physical activity (95% CI: 1.04-1.25, P =.007);1.18 times higher in increased skipping breakfast (95% CI: 1.07-1.30, P =.001);1.22 times higher in decrease skipping breakfast (95% CI: 1.10-1.36, P <.001);and 15.69 times higher in increase smoking (95% CI: 12.53-19.64, P <.001). Conclusion(s): It is necessary to improve social support systems and related policies for adolescents who experienced a change in daily habits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results may contribute to preparing strategies and support measures to reduce drinking by developing personalized healthcare in the future. Copyright © 2022, AVES. All rights reserved.

Preliminary results from a technology-integrated health and wellness intervention for seniors in an urban low-income community in Korea

Purpose Health inequities based on regional disparities can be addressed by regionally tailored services. However, health management strategies for the socioeconomically vulnerable elderly in the city are insufficient high levels of health inequalities based on socioeconomic status. On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for older adults to stay connected via technology-based interventions amidst periods of social distancing and closure of public centers. The purpose of this study is to describe the preliminary results of a pilot trial of the ‘Health and Wellness Program for Seniors(HWePS)' project, a local community-based, technology-enhanced, multilevel health equity intervention conducted in an urban low-income community in South Korea. Method The study area was selected based on vulnerability in various health and socioeconomic indicators. The sample includes 28 seniors who participated in the first cluster of the project, which operated as a pilot trial. Participants of the pilot trial were purposively sampled for those with relatively higher levels of education and smartphone usage rates to assess feasibility of the technology-based components. The HWePS is an evidence-based, integrated health visit service model comprised of: 1) multichannel health information delivery(instant messaging services or postal mail);2) technology enhanced care-management with tailored nutrition, exercise, emotional, and social intervention programs, 3) region-level intervention including capacity building and creating healthy living environments. Participants utilized a smartphone application linked with a web-based management system, developed by the research team, to participate in the intervention. The application was used to collect initial data on seniors' functional status and needs, to design and deliver case management through task assignment and direct seniors to appropriate local resources. Community health leaders were assigned to seniors to encourage seniors to engage in health behaviors both in person and remotely using the application. To verify the contents of the intervention program and to understand its preliminary effects, health indicators and satisfaction levels were collected through questionnaires before and after the 6-week intervention period. Results and Discussion Pre-post analysis was performed on 23 seniors who had completed the surveys. All 23 participants had utilized the smartphone application during the intervention while levels of usage varied. Nineteen (83%) received weekly health information via IMS, while remaining 17% received it through postal mail. The average age of the sample was 73 with 55% women. 63% had elementary or middle school education and 41% reported a monthly household income of less than 1 million won (≈1,000 USD). After participating in the 6-week intervention, participants showed improvements in self-rated health, health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, and walking practice rate. Overall satisfaction with the project was an average of 7.8 out of 10. The most satisfactory components were reported to be walking encouragement, smartphone education (as part of the region-level capacity building), social relationship activities, and nurse visits. Preliminary findings from project results showed satisfactory results as health indicators generally improved in a positive direction with high amongst participants. In particular, the pilot trial provided evidence for effectiveness of using technology-enhanced health interventions amongst urban-poor older adults. © 2022, Gerontechnology. All Rights Reserved.