Study of the effects of in-person attendance at academic conferences on the health of the attendees under COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of in-person attendance at an academic conference held during the Covid-19 pandemic on the health of the attendees, as assessed based on symptoms such as fever and cough attributed to infection with the Covid-19 virus. METHODS: A questionnaire was used to survey the members of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) about their health during the period from August 7 to August 12, 2022, after the 74th Annual Congress of the JSOG, which was held August 5 to 7. RESULTS: Our survey yielded responses from 3054 members (1566 of whom had attended the congress in person and 1488 of whom had not attended in person); 102 (6.5%) of the in-person attendees and 93 (6.2%) of the people who did not attend in person reported problems with their health. No statistically significant difference was found between these two groups (p = 0.766). In a univariate analysis of factors affecting the presence of health problems, attendees with age ≥60 years had significantly fewer health problems than attendees who were in their 20s (odds ratio: 0.366 [0.167-0.802; p = 0.0120]). In a multivariate analysis, attendees who had received four vaccine shots had significantly fewer health problems than attendees who had received three shots (odds ratio: 0.397 [0.229-0.690, p = 0.0010]). CONCLUSION: Congress attendees who took precautions at the congress to avoid being infected and who had a high vaccination rate did not develop significantly more health problems associated with in-person attendance at the congress.

Impact of health literacy on anxiety and depressive symptoms in pregnant women in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To investigate the relationships between communicative and critical health literacy (CCHL) and anxiety and depressive symptoms (ADs) in pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted and 5466 pregnant women responded in Japan in September 2020. A Kessler 6 scale (K6) score ≥ 10, an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥ 13, and four CCHL groups were analyzed using a logistic regression model and trend test. The proportions of pregnant women with a K6 score ≥ 10 and EPDS score ≥ 13 were 13.5 and 15.4%, respectively. In comparisons with the low CCHL group, the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for anxiety symptoms was 0.770 (0.604-0.982) in the high CCHL group, while those for depressive symptoms were 0.777 (0.639-0.946), 0.665 (0.537-0.824), and 0.666 (0.529-0.838) in the lower, higher, and high CCHL groups (all p < 0.05), respectively, after adjustments for potential confounding factors, such as age, weeks of gestation, complications, history, number of children, marital status, education, employment, and income. Higher CCHL was associated with significantly lower adjusted odds ratios for anxiety (p for trend = 0.019) and depressive symptoms (p for trend < 0.001). These results suggest a relationship between CCHL and ADs in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The physical and mental burden on obstetricians and gynecologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: A September 2020 questionnaire study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify the physical and mental burden of the COIVD-19 pandemic on obstetricians and gynecologists in Japan and to identify factors that increase the burden of their psychological stress. METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was sent to obstetricians and gynecologists in Japan via email and social media to collect voluntary responses. This survey was conducted from September 1 to 30, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 852 valid responses were included in the analysis; 76% (644) of the physicians felt that the COVID-19 pandemic caused them physical and mental stress equal to or greater than the most severe disaster they had ever experienced. Physicians who reported high mental and physical stress were more likely to be in areas with high numbers of infected patients (odds ratio (OR) 1.571, p = 0.012). Physicians experienced great stress to the point of wearing heavy personal protective equipment during routine vaginal deliveries by mothers with no COVID-19 symptoms. This trend was markedly pronounced for physicians working in regions with fewer cases of COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Obstetricians and gynecologists who reported high mental and physical stress were more likely to be in areas with high numbers of infected patients. One potential reason for this may be that they were required to wear more personal protective equipment than necessary. Infection control methods that ensure the safety of obstetricians and gynecologists while not causing unnecessary physical or psychological stress are needed.

Psychological stress among pregnant and puerperal women in Japan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

AIM: To evaluate psychological stress among pregnant and puerperal women in Japan during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited pregnant women and puerperal women who delivered between January and September 2020 in Japan, using an online questionnaire. Participants were divided into low, middle, and high groups according to the degree of the epidemic in their region of residence. Related factors were analyzed using the chi-squared test. The relationship between COVID-19 epidemic regions and depression risks and anxiety using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Kessler 6 scale (K6) was evaluated using a univariate and multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 7775 cases, including 4798 pregnant and 2977 puerperal women, were analyzed. The prevalence of high EPDS and K6 scores was significantly increased in pregnant women in the high than those in the low epidemic regions (EPDS: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.453, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.205-1.753; K6: aOR 1.601, 95% CI 1.338-1.918). There was no difference in EPDS score, but the prevalence of high K6 scores was significantly increased in puerperal women in the high than those in the low epidemic regions (aOR 1.342, 95% CI 1.066-1.690). Further, restriction on going to their hometown for delivery increased the prevalence of high EPDS scores among pregnant (aOR 1.663, 95% CI 1.296-2.133) and puerperal women (aOR 1.604, 95% CI 1.006-2.557). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased support due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the psychological status of pregnant and puerperal women; hence, investing medical resources in their healthcare essential.

Initiatives and achievements of the Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology MIRAI Committee 2020.

BACKGROUNDS: In 2013, the total number of obstetrician-gynecologists decreased. The Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology established the Obstetrics and Gynecology MIRAI Committee in 2015. Within the MIRAI Committee, Japanese Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynecology (JTOG) was established; it was comprised of 20 promising young obstetrician-gynecologists recommended from regions across Japan. The office term is 2 years. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to learn and inform about the results of MIRAI's activities. METHODS: We surveyed the trends in new obstetrician-gynecologists and also matched each seminar participant with them. RESULT: The number of new memberships has been increasing since the nadir in 2016. In particular, there are over 100 more new physicians specializing in the field in 2020 than there were at the nadir in 2016. It was revealed that approximately 50% of the participants in the summer school specialized in obstetrics and gynecology. Furthermore, approximately 70% of POP2 participants specialized in obstetrics and gynecology, which shows that these two recruitment seminars are extraordinarily effective events that result in an increase in the number of new obstetricians and gynecologists. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the activities of this MIRAI Committee and JTOG have been effective. With the spread of COVID-19 and the inability of obstetrician-gynecologists and students/clinical trainees to perform social distancing, it is currently difficult to hold hands-on seminars. However, we hope that new JTOG members will be able to create a new seminar format.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination strategy for pregnant women in Japan.

The current COVID-19 pandemic is a global concern. The recent introduction of vaccines has provided a reason for hope, but new problems, such as vaccine hesitancy, have arisen. One of the most important of these issues is the safety of vaccines for pregnant women. In this article, we collected worldwide indications for vaccination, including women who are pregnant or who wish to become pregnant, and reports of adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccination. The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Japanese Society of Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology have published recommendations for the vaccination of pregnant women with a COVID-19 vaccine. The guidelines are as follows: (1) pregnant women should not be excluded from vaccination; (2) informed consent should be obtained before vaccination; (3) healthcare workers and pregnant women with complications such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity should be vaccinated preferentially; (4) vaccination should be avoided until 12 weeks of gestation during organogenesis; (5) spouse and family members should be vaccinated actively; and (6) nursing mothers are not particularly affected. This policy has been adopted in government guidelines. Additional efforts should be made to protect pregnant women from infection and severe illness with COVID-19 by eliminating vaccine hesitancy.

Contemplating HPV vaccination in Japan during the time of COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been growing, including in Japan where it has been estimated that as many as 3.1% of patients positive for new CoV strain SARS-CoV-2 might die of COVID-19-related respiratory failure. Meanwhile, human papillomavirus (HPV) is spreading in Japan. The fatality rate for HPV-associated cancers after infection with HPV is as much as that for COVID-19 in Japan, although the time to disease is much longer for HPV. Among advanced countries, the cervical cancer screening rate in Japanese females is very low. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) suspended its official recommendation for HPV vaccination in June 2013 due to alleged adverse post-vaccination events in several young girls, such as chronic pain and motor impairment, which were repeatedly reported in the media. Subsequently, the rate for vaccinating girls plummeted from approximately 70% to the current rate of 1% or less. Women should accept HPV vaccination for the eventual prevention of cervical cancer with the same passion they are for COVID-19 testing.

Prevention and practice during the COVID-19 emergency declaration period in Japanese obstetrical/gynecological facilities.

AIM: A nationwide questionnaire survey was performed to evaluate how Japanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) members dealt with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic during the declared nationwide emergency. METHODS: We sent questionnaires to members of JSOG via official email. Participants answered anonymously using Google forms. RESULTS: Two (0.08%) JSOG members had contracted COVID-19. There was a clear decrease in the number of patients scheduled for operation, not only for malignant but also for benign diseases. A decrease in the number of outpatients for infertility treatment was also observed. Polymerase chain reaction testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was available in 20.4% of the facilities. Inpatients and outpatients were requested to wear masks, limit the number of contacts and check body temperature when visiting hospitals/clinics. During parturition care, caregivers and physicians wore gloves, masks (other than N-95), face shields and gowns. About 66% and 80% of the facilities decided to transfer pregnant women if they had asymptomatic and symptomatic infection, respectively. Cesarean section was typically chosen as delivery mode in infected women. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic provoked significant changes in obstetrics and gynecology practices in Japan. Apparently, nosocomial infections were largely prevented due to these changes, although some of them might not have been necessary.