As Time goes by: A Longitudinal Study on the Mental Health of Argentinians during the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 mitigation measures such as lockdown and social distancing could have a negative impact on mental health. Understanding their impact is essential to minimize adverse effects on individuals, families, and communities. This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation in the Argentinian population over time. An online survey evaluating anxiety and depression symptoms, positive affect, and negative affect, was completed by 3,833 people at three different time points: immediately after the lockdown began, 12–15 days after the first assessment, and after 47–51 days. Various socio-demographic factors were considered. A series of mixed repeated-measures ANOVAs were performed, with results showing significant increases over time (with small effect sizes) in anxiety, depression, negative affect, and a decrease in positive affect. Some socio-demographic factors such as age, gender, number of children, and educational level differentially affected these changes. These results suggest that mental health and quality of life were negatively affected, making it essential to monitor emotional distress and other mental health problems in the population and encourage the implementation of support and containment devices to cope with these adverse effects. © 2023, Associação Brasileira de Psicologia.

Design thinking as a methodological strategy for the economic reactivation of start-ups in Mexico under Covid-19

This chapter presents a methodological and strategic proposal for the application of the design thinking methodology to support the implementation of the work and action plan for the economic reactivation of start-ups in Mexico. The objective is to create a quick reference guide to accelerate start-up resilience. Documentary research is considered on the guidelines and implementation requirements, as well as the measures established by the Mexican Ministry of Health, to mitigate the epidemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease and to carry out an orderly, gradual, and cautious reopening in order to continue caring for people's health in the working environment and at the same time reactivate the start-ups' economy. This chapter provides an alternative guide to direct and propose a structured option for the labour and economic reactivation of start-ups that were considered non-core and that require the completion of regulatory procedures and processes required to obtain the necessary Quick Response code, granted by the entities that regulate the guidelines for the safe reopening of companies. Based on the size of these economic entities, it is considered that they can have between 1 and 10 employees, or no hired personnel at all, which is not considered a priority in the current economic reactivation programmes. A methodological strategy is proposed and implemented to support companies of this size in their immediate process of labour and economic reactivation for a case study of a service company that applied the proposed methodology. © 2022 Emerald Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 in Lifespan: Psychological Impact between Young and Older Adults in Argentina

The coronavirus pandemic has had a serious and worldwide impact. The increase in psychopathological symptomatology has affected people regardless of their age but has been observed mainly in the elderly population due to the characteristics of the virus. This study aimed to analyze and compare the psychological impact, as measured by the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, in a group of young and older adults at three-time points during the pandemic. Virtual surveys were used to measure participants' symptomatology and collect socio-demographic information. The results showed a significant increase in anxiety and depression in the general population. However, when comparing the two groups, statistical differences were observed. Younger adults showed higher mean anxiety and depression than older adults, which was sustained across the three times for both groups. Nevertheless, the increase in depressive symptomatology slows in young people between the second and third waves, while it continues to increase in older adults. Those results are a contribution to the study of individual differences in the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on the student’s academic performance at the School of Engineering-Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá Campus

This paper analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the student’s academic performance in the School of Engineering at Universidad Nacional de Colombia – Bogota Campus. The impact is assessed from a quantitative approach based on (i) student’s grades, (ii) student’s progress in their curriculum and (iii) dropped courses. In addition, results from a faculty survey (qualitative approach) are presented to expand some explanatory perspectives on the main academic changes during the pandemic. Results show a significant increase in the average numerical grade as well as in the probability of a course being dropped during the pandemic conditions. Furthermore, the student’s average curriculum progress per semester grew approximately 18%. A differentiated academic impact, depending on sex and family income was observed which may be included in future post-pandemic programs. The survey reflects a new faculty’s perspective on evaluation tools and methodologies. © The author;licensee Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

Co-infections and superinfections complicating COVID-19 in cancer patients: A multicentre, international study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to describe the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of co-infections and superinfections in onco-hematological patients with COVID-19. METHODS: International, multicentre cohort study of cancer patients with COVID-19. All patients were included in the analysis of co-infections at diagnosis, while only patients admitted at least 48 h were included in the analysis of superinfections. RESULTS: 684 patients were included (384 with solid tumors and 300 with hematological malignancies). Co-infections and superinfections were documented in 7.8% (54/684) and 19.1% (113/590) of patients, respectively. Lower respiratory tract infections were the most frequent infectious complications, most often caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Only seven patients developed opportunistic infections. Compared to patients without infectious complications, those with infections had worse outcomes, with high rates of acute respiratory distress syndrome, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and case-fatality rates. Neutropenia, ICU admission and high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were independent risk factors for infections. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious complications in cancer patients with COVID-19 were lower than expected, affecting mainly neutropenic patients with high levels of CRP and/or ICU admission. The rate of opportunistic infections was unexpectedly low. The use of empiric antimicrobials in cancer patients with COVID-19 needs to be optimized.

Are our children engaged with school in the era of covid-19?

During 2020 the health situation linked to the COVID-19 has led to the suspension of face-to-face classes in almost all of the Argentine territory. Different distance-learning resources were developed to replace traditional classes. The aim of this study was to assess the school engagement (SE) of Argentinian children and adolescents aged 3 to 18 in the distance schooling context due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to analyze its variability based on socioeconomic status, gender, educational level and movement restriction measures. Caregivers of 1205 children and adolescents (47,5% females, 51,8% males, 0,7% trans/non-binary) answered an online survey between June 5 and June 28, 2020. The survey included an SE questionnaire which was adapted to the virtual schooling context and showed adequate psychometric properties. The results showed higher values of behavioral SE in comparison to emotional SE, and differences according to the variables measured. Less general SE in students attending second cycle of primary school (9 to 12 years), higher behavioral SE in secondary school students, and higher emotional SE in preschool children was found. Girls and students of the upper-middle and upper classes who attend private schools reported higher levels of SE in both dimensions. Also, lower SE was found in students under isolation measures, comparing to those under distancing measures. The contribution of the results for the analysis of the current situation is discussed, and the importance of school engagement as a central variable to assess the effectiveness of the educational practices in a pandemic context is highlighted. © 2021, Universitatea din Oradea. All rights reserved.

Mobile applications: Incorporation into teaching processes in times of COVID-19

Since the pandemic declared by the World Health Organization in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 virus, applications that allows remote communication, such as WhatsApp, have risen their use around the world. Around ninety percent of the world’s classrooms closed their doors, forcing the use of distance learning strategies to carry out the educational process. The objective of this work is to reflect on the use of instant messaging applications for the development of the educational process in the midst of the pandemic. The research corresponds to a theoretical documentary and/ or bibliographic review. The results showed that these platforms allow the mobility of teaching, the separation of the educational process from an entrenched space, as well as the use of new forms of language linked to the technological culture of mobile devices. It is concluded that the use of technological applications such as WhatsApp in the learning process offers several advantages, but at the same time, they show deep technological gaps, both in access to technology and in the knowledge for its use. © 2021, Universidad del Zulia. All rights reserved.

Increasing lung cancer screening rates in HIV clinics

Background: Data at our institution shows lung cancer is more prevalent and aggressive in HIV patients. A study of lung cancer patients revealed a mean age of 55.8 years in those with HIV vs. 68.0 in those without. Additionally, 67% of HIV patients had metastasis at time of diagnosis, compared to 49% in the overall population. One study found an 18.9% reduction in lung cancer mortality among HIV patients who receive NLST-recommended screening. Despite this, data from 2018 estimated only 13% of eligible HIV patients had completed screening at our institution. We pursued a quality improvement initiative to increase lung cancer screening in our HIV clinics. Methods: Our multi-disciplinary team studied charts of the 628 HIV clinic patients seen in a four-month span to identify those who had not received lung cancer screening and potential reasons why referrals were not made. We also spoke our dedicated screening coordinator, who contacts patients to arrange for CT scans. We plotted trends in appointment referrals on a run chart. Results: Areas for improvement included EMR documentation to assess screening eligibility and an occasional lack of awareness regarding criteria. Providers also cited time constraints may limit referrals. Our team identified patients that met screening criteria and generated EMR reminders for providers to refer patients to radiology. We also held sessions with providers and nursing staff to increase awareness of our screening program. Of 628 patients, 128 (20.4%) had sufficient documented smoking history to assess for screening eligibility. 81 patients (63.3%) met our criteria. Of these patients, 58 (71.6%) had not been screened or referred for screening. Through our most recent interventions, 16 (31.3%) patients have been referred to our screening coordinator, and 7 (12.1%) have received screening CT scans. Our interventions ultimately led to an increase from 23 of 81 (28.4%) patients with completed screening to a projected 46 of 81 (56.8%). Conclusions: Providing education and EMR alerts to raise awareness regarding eligibility, we substantially increased the screening rate in our clinics. Our interventions will be broadened as we return from COVID stoppages. Future interventions include increasing smoking history documentation in the EMR to allow for automated identification of screening eligibility. PDSA and interventions are ongoing with continued follow-up of efficacy.

Intolerance of uncertainty over covid-19 pandemic and its effect on anxiety and depressive symptoms

The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented uncertain situation. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of intolerance of uncertainty over COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety and depressive symptoms during quarantine. The study was conducted with 3805 Argentinean participants, who filled the Beck Depression Inventory, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a modified version of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Regression analyses indicated a significant effect of intolerance of uncertainty on anxiety and on depressive symptoms. A minor effect of age and gender was also found. Young women with greater intolerance of uncertainty showed the highest levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Even though uncertainty distress is an understandable reaction to the current situation, these psychological effects should be monitored. © 2020, Sociedad Interamericana de Psicologia. All rights reserved.