ABSTRACT
Background Italy was the first western country severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic attesting more than 16 million cases since the outbreak began. Po Valley regions have been most afflicted, with Piedmont ranking sixth at 25,899 cases/100,000 inhabitants. Within this area, air dispersion is hampered making Po Valley a recognised air pollution hotspot. We aimed to explore the potential association between the environment and Covid-19 incidence. Methods Daily key air pollutants (NO2, NO, CO, O3, PM10, and PM2.5), meteorological parameters (temperature, %humidity, wind speed and solar radiation), pollens and Covid-19 cases were collected from 01/01 to 31/12/2021 in Turin, Italy. This ecological study preliminarily tested correlations (Spearman) between air pollutants and Covid-19 cases. Results The Covid-19 pandemic followed a seasonal trend with the highest number of cases (/100,000 inhabitants) in winter and spring (3.1) followed by autumn (1.3) and summer (0.5) (KW test p < 0.0001). Likewise, all air pollutants showed peaks in winter and autumn and sensibly decreased during spring and summer apart from pollens and O3. O3 follows the photochemical processes reaching its peak in the sunniest periods, while pollens undergo their natural vegetative process. Daily Covid-19 cases were positively correlated with daily-averaged NO2 (0.50, p < 0.0001), NO (0.48, p < 0.0001), CO (0.81, p < 0.0001), PM10 (0.36, p < 0.0001), PM2.5 (0.39, p < 0.0001), pollens (0.15, p = 0.073) and inversely with O3 (-0.44, p < 0.0001). We plan future analyses to test the hypothesized association by enhanced models with lagged air pollution variables, with demographic characteristics and meteorological data as potential confounders. Conclusions Results from ecological studies may support researchers’ preliminary understanding of the interplay between environment and Public Health issues, including pandemics. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to deepen the complexity of this topic across European regions Key messages • The Covid-19 pandemic may be associated with environmental conditions and air pollution but further research is needed. • Atmospheric particulate matter, including aeroallergens, can favour many airborne-related diseases by acting as immune suppressor and/or carrier, but these hypotheses deserve future research.
ABSTRACT
Background The pandemic may increase mental issues among children. This study aimed to explore parental perceptions on the pandemic impact on the health status of their children, with a focus on mental health. Methods An online nationwide cross-sectional study has been conducted amongst Italian parents (from April 2022-ongoing). The survey included: Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Kessler-6 (K6) for parent's psychological distress, and pandemic-related items. The outcomes were: child's SDQ above the clinical cut-off and perceived child's worsening of sleep, appetite, physical and mental health during the pandemic. Multivariable regressions were run (p < 0.05 as significant). Results Up to date, participants were 333 (88% female). Mean age was 40.7 years (SD = 6.7). Considering their children, 52.9% were female and mean age was 6.62 (SD = 4.3). A total of 12.6% of children passed the SDQ cut-off. Having parents who are healthcare workers (adjOR=4.1), having parents positive for K6 (adjOR=4.0) and having a poor economic situation (adjOR=3.9) were significantly associated with a higher probability of passing the cut-off. Considering the pandemic, 15.4% declared their child had worse sleep, 12.2% lower appetite, 6.6% more physical issues, and 22.9% more mental issues. Using electronic devices more than before the pandemic was significantly associated with worsening of sleep (adjOR=2.9) and appetite (adjOR=6.9). Having parents who are healthcare workers was significantly associated with worsening of sleep (adjOR=2.3) and mental health (adjOR=2.4). Having parents positive for K6 was significantly associated with worsening of mental health (adjOR=5.3). Conclusions This study suggested a perceived substantial worsening of children's health, especially considering mental health. Exploring how parents recognize their children's health and how the COVID-19 has changed daily habits should be considered as a public health priority in Europe. Key messages Children having parents who are healthcare workers, having parents positive for K6 and having a poor economic situation had a higher risk to pass the clinical cut-off of SDQ. According to parents’ perceptions, the impact of the pandemic was relevant on children's health, especially on mental health.
ABSTRACT
Background Since the beginning of the CoViD-19 pandemic, scientific community raised concerns about mass gatherings: religious ones in particular could become the perfect soil for the Sars-CoV-2 transmission due to the environmental conditions (e.g. not-ventilated worship hall, no distance between attendees, physical contact). Thus, this systematic review aimed to explore CoViD-19 outbreaks in places of worship worldwide. Methods A systematic search of three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus and Embase) was performed, including years 2020 and 2021 until March, 29th. Criteria of inclusion were articles published in English, French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese, dealing with CoViD-19 outbreaks reported in churches, mosques, synagogues and other places of worship, regardless of region or religion. Pilgrimages were excluded. Preliminary Results Out of 7655 articles found, 36 were included, for more than 50 outbreaks reported. The number of persons involved in each cluster varied from units to several thousands, while the geographic distribution displayed reports mainly concerned about East and Southeast Asia (65%), Europe (15%) and North America (15%), referring to gatherings carried out in the first semester of 2020, in particular in February and March. The most involved religions were the main monotheistic ones (i.e. Christianity, Islam and Judaism), although the eastern religions played an important role too. Conclusions In reason of religious gatherings, places of worship had had an important role in the virus transmission, becoming the first cause of contagion in several countries especially during the first wave of the pandemic, because of the absence of social distancing, masks use, danger awareness and, in some cases, poor hygiene conditions or CoViD-19 denial. Although there was a different risk associated with different religions, this systematic review highlighted how important is to evaluate worship-related outbreaks as a major public health concern. Key messages 50+ worship-relate clusters with a variable range of persons involved were reported principally from Asia, Europe and North America. The main monotheistic religions were more implicated. Places of worship became the first cause of contagion in several countries especially during the first wave of the pandemic: these outbreaks should be considered as public health concerns.
ABSTRACT
Background The pandemic has been accompanied by an infodemic, which includes false information that can lead to harmful consequences. Additionally, conspiracy theories have been linked to lower preventive behaviors. This work mainly aims to explore the skill in identifying COVID-19 fake news and the conspiracies beliefs. Methods A cross-sectional study has been conducted amongst a convenience sample throughout Italy, using a Computer-Assisted Web Interview method (from 12 April 2021-ongoing). The survey included the Single-Item Literacy Screener (SILS), the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), a Fake News Score (FNS: percentage of misclassified news), a Conspiracy Score (CS: score from 1 to 5). Multivariable linear regressions were run (p < 0.05 as significant). Results Up to date, participants were 1252. The median FNS and CS were: 25% (IQR=19-44) and 2.8 (IQR=2.2-3.4). For instance, 54% thought ibuprofen worsens COVID-19 symptoms and 50% agreed with “politicians usually do not tell us the motives for their decisions”. The 17% had low health literacy (SILS) and 41% low eHealth literacy (eHEALS). COVID-19 vaccine hesitant people were 13%. The multivariable models identified many significant relationships. Low economic status and vaccine hesitancy were positively associated with FNS and CS. Higher education had a negative association with FNS and CS. Age was positively associated with FNS. Low health and eHealth literacy were positively associated with FNS. Low eHealth literacy had a negative association with CS. FNS was positively associated with CS. Conclusions Associations between news misclassification, conspiracy beliefs and vaccine hesitancy might suggest shared determinants. EHealth literacy had a conflicting role. Attention should be paid to the mass media COVID-19 coverage as key information source for the general population. Public health campaigns should be planned to fight beliefs that hinder the reduction of transmission and might cause additional damages. Key messages The median percentage of misclassified news was 25% (IQR=19-44) and the median Conspiracy Score was 2.8 (IQR=2.2-3.4). COVID-19 vaccine hesitant people were 13% and 41% had a low eHealth literacy. News misclassification, conspiracy beliefs and vaccine hesitancy were associated. EHealth literacy had conflicting associations with fake news and conspiracy beliefs.