COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: A Systematic review of cognitive determinants.

Background: Although mass vaccination is considered one of the most effective public health strategies during the pandemic, in the COVID-19 era, many people considered vaccines unnecessary and, or doubted the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. This review aimed to tabulate cognitive causes of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy, which may help public health policymakers overcome the barriers to mass vaccinations in future pandemics. Methods: For this systematic review, studies pertaining to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy published up to June 2022 were retrieved from six online databases (Cochrane Library, Google Scholar Medline through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). Inclusion criteria were the studies conducted on people who had a delay in accepting or refusing COVID-19 vaccines, reported the impact of cognitive determinants on vaccine hesitancy, and were written in English in the timeframe of 2020-2022. Results: This systematic review initially reviewed 1171 records. From these 91 articles met the inclusion criteria. The vaccination hesitation rate was 29.72% on average. This systematic review identified several cognitive determinants influencing vaccination hesitancy. Lack of confidence and complacency were the most frequent factors that predicted vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion: The identified prevailing cognitive determinants for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy indicated that using initiative and effective communication strategies would be a determinant factor in building people's trust in vaccines during the pandemic and mass vaccinations.

Hand Foot Mouth Disease During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Multicentric Study.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective observational study aimed to identify the current trend of the circulating viral strains responsible for HFMD outbreak in four tertiary care centers in Rajasthan, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic (April-October 2022). METHODS: Cases with suspected HFMD, presenting to our skin outpatient department were assessed clinically and serologically (IgM antibodies against coxsackie virus (CV) A6, A16 and enterovirus 71) for evidence of the disease. RESULTS: We identified 718 new HFMD patients (161 adults) with peaks in May and August, 2022. Male:female ratio decreased with increasing age. Most children were asymptomatic. A total of 385/409 patients assessed serologically, were found positive, most commonly against CV-A6. CONCLUSION: Though HFMD typically affects young children, an unusually higher proportion of adults were affected during the current pandemic. There were some subtle differences between pediatric and adult presentation of HFMD.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Behavior among Hispanics/Latinxs in Nevada: A Theory-Based Analysis

Hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccine has hindered its rapid uptake among the Hispanic and Latinx populations. The study aimed to use the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) for health behavior change to explain the intention of initiating and sustaining the behavior of COVID-19 vaccination among the Hispanic and Latinx populations that expressed and did not express hesitancy towards the vaccine in Nevada. Using a quantitative cross-sectional and survey-based research study design, data were collected using a 50-item questionnaire and analyzed using multiple linear regression modeling. Of 231 respondents, participatory dialogue (b = 0.113, p < 0.001;b = 0.072, p < 0.001) and behavioral confidence (b = 0.358, p < 0.001;b = 0.206, p < 0.001) displayed significant associations with the initiation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among vaccine-hesitant and non-vaccine-hesitant individuals. Emotional transformation (b = 0.087, p < 0.001;b = 0.177, p < 0.001) displayed a significant association with the sustenance of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among vaccine-hesitant and non-vaccine-hesitant individuals. Results from this study provide evidence that the MTM is a useful tool in predicting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance behavior among Hispanics and Latinxs in Nevada, and it should be used in intervention designs and messaging to promote vaccine uptake.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Behavior among Hispanics/Latinxs in Nevada: A Theory-Based Analysis.

Hesitancy toward the COVID-19 vaccine has hindered its rapid uptake among the Hispanic and Latinx populations. The study aimed to use the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) for health behavior change to explain the intention of initiating and sustaining the behavior of COVID-19 vaccination among the Hispanic and Latinx populations that expressed and did not express hesitancy towards the vaccine in Nevada. Using a quantitative cross-sectional and survey-based research study design, data were collected using a 50-item questionnaire and analyzed using multiple linear regression modeling. Of 231 respondents, participatory dialogue (b = 0.113, p < 0.001; b = 0.072, p < 0.001) and behavioral confidence (b = 0.358, p < 0.001; b = 0.206, p < 0.001) displayed significant associations with the initiation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among vaccine-hesitant and non-vaccine-hesitant individuals. Emotional transformation (b = 0.087, p < 0.001; b = 0.177, p < 0.001) displayed a significant association with the sustenance of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among vaccine-hesitant and non-vaccine-hesitant individuals. Results from this study provide evidence that the MTM is a useful tool in predicting COVID-19 vaccine acceptance behavior among Hispanics and Latinxs in Nevada, and it should be used in intervention designs and messaging to promote vaccine uptake.

Hand Foot Mouth Disease During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Multicentric Study.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective observational study aimed to identify the current trend of the circulating viral strains responsible for HFMD outbreak in four tertiary care centers in Rajasthan, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic (April-October 2022). METHODS: Cases with suspected HFMD, presenting to our skin outpatient department were assessed clinically and serologically (IgM antibodies against coxsackie virus (CV) A6, A16 and enterovirus 71) for evidence of the disease. RESULTS: We identified 718 new HFMD patients (161 adults) with peaks in May and August, 2022. Male:female ratio decreased with increasing age. Most children were asymptomatic. A total of 385/409 patients assessed serologically, were found positive, most commonly against CV-A6. CONCLUSION: Though HFMD typically affects young children, an unusually higher proportion of adults were affected during the current pandemic. There were some subtle differences between pediatric and adult presentation of HFMD.

COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy for children: A pilot assessment of parents in the United States.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy has remained a significant concern among adults worldwide. However, not much is known about parental vaccine hesitancy for getting children vaccinated for COVID-19 in the U.S. Thus, the purpose of this study was to conduct a national assessment of parents' preferences for COVID-19 vaccination of children using the evidence-based Multi-Theory Model (MTM) and explore the predictors of vaccine hesitancy. Methods: To participate in this study, a national random sample of parents (n=263) took a valid and reliable online questionnaire based on the MTM. Independent samples t test, chi-square test, multiple logistic regression was utilized to analyze data. Results: More than two-fifths (42%) of the participating parents were not willing to get their children vaccinated for COVID-19. Parental vaccination status, booster dose acceptance, education, and political affiliation were significant predictors of willingness to get children vaccinated for COVID-19. In the multiple logistic regression analyses, behavioral confidence and participatory dialogue (i.e., perceived advantages versus disadvantages) were statistically significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy for children among the participating parents. Conclusion: Given the multiple factors that were found influential in parental hesitancy for COVID-19 vaccination among children, multimodal and evidence-based interventions are needed to increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among children by influencing the parents' perceptions, increasing their confidence, dispelling misinformation, and reducing constraints for vaccination. Such interventions should emphasize communication and messaging that is truthful, interactive, scientifically correct, and to be delivered in a variety of community-based settings.

Ubuntu for Alcohol and Substance Use

[...]it also assumes importance in public health and within public health regarding organization and policy efforts pertaining to the prevention and treatment of alcohol and substance use. [...]it becomes imperative to reify this heuristic in definitive terms by future researchers in social work, public health, and substance use. [...]Ubuntu, from a social work perspective, talks about structural societal changes that are difficult to come by and take a long lead time. [...]it has some of the tenets that it shares with community-based participatory research (CBPR) and therefore it also shares some of the limitations of that approach.

COVID-19 Pandemic, Social Isolation, and Online Gaming Addiction: Evidence From Two Case Reports

In the background of COVID-19 restrictions, online games have positioned themselves as activities which promote adherence to precautionary measures, while allowing users to socially interact and entertain themselves. Emerging evidence suggest increase in viewership as well as gaming activity throughout the world. However, such rapid increase in initiation of gaming activities also puts vulnerable population at risk of developing problematic use and addiction. We provide 2 real world examples of how pandemic-related changes can contribute toward gaming disorder in those with previously recreational or minimal Internet gaming. Public health policymakers need to be mindful of potential fallout of gaming addiction secondary to increased changes brought by the pandemic.

COVID-19 Infection among Family and Friends: The Psychological Impact on Non-Infected Persons.

Little is known about the mental health impact of having a family member or friend infected with COVID-19. Thus, the purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive national assessment of the psychological impact of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, or death among family members and friends. A multi-item valid and reliable questionnaire was deployed online to recruit adults in the U.S. A total of 2797 adult Americans without a history of COVID-19 infection participated in the study and reported that they had a family member or friend infected with (54%), hospitalized due to (48%), or die (36%) of COVID-19 infection. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both (i.e., psychological distress) were statistically significantly higher among those who had family members/friends infected, hospitalized, or die due to COVID-19. Also, this study found that the greater the number of family members/friends affected by COVID-19, or the more severe the COVID-19 infection outcome (i.e., hospitalization vs. death), the higher the odds of symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both. There is an urgent need to develop educational interventions and implement policy measures that address the growing mental health needs of this subgroup of the population that was not infected but indirectly affected by COVID-19 infections among social networks.

Assessing COVID-19 Booster Hesitancy and Its Correlates: An Early Evidence from India.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutants, waning immunity, and breakthrough infections prompted the use of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to fight against the pandemic. India started booster doses in January 2022 and it is critical to determine the intention of booster dose uptake and its correlates. Therefore, the current cross-sectional study aimed to investigate booster dose acceptability and associated predictors among the Indian population. A convenience sampling technique was utilized to recruit a sample of 687 Indian residents. A 55-item psychometric validated survey tool was used to assess booster dose acceptability, vaccine literacy and vaccine confidence. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the data. Over 50% of participants reported their willingness to take the booster dose. Among the group not willing to take the booster dose (n = 303, 44.1%), a significantly larger proportion of respondents were unvaccinated with the primary series (12.2% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.001), had an annual income below 2.96 lacs/annum (52.8% vs. 33.1, p < 0.001), were residents of rural areas (38.0% vs. 23.2%, p < 0.001), were not living with vulnerable individuals (78.5% vs. 65.2%, p < 0.001) and did not have family/friends who had tested positive for COVID-19 (54.6% vs. 35.1%, p = 0.001). Demographic, vaccine variables and multi-theory model subscales to predict the initiation of booster dose among hesitant participants were statistically significant, R2 = 0.561, F (26, 244) = 11.978, p < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.514. Findings of this study highlight the need to develop evidence-based interventions to promote vaccine uptake, particularly among hard-to-reach communities living in developing countries.

Collateral Impact on Patients of Liver Diseases in the Second COVID-19 Wave: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India started in April 2021. This necessitated a change in focus from chronic ailments. This wave lasted till May 2021. Its impact on liver disease patients without COVID-19 infection has not been analyzed. Methods Records of liver disease patients from the Institute database admitted from April to May 2021 were compared with that from April to May 2019 i.e., prior to the pandemic. The primary outcome was a comparison of in-hospital mortality rates. Secondary outcomes were a comparison of 30 and 90-day readmission rates and liver transplantation rates. Results Seven hundred and seventy-one patients in April-May 2019 (group 1) and 545 patients in April-May 2021 (group 2) were analyzed. Patients in group 2 were sicker with higher PT (INR), urea, creatinine, CTP, and MELD score and low serum sodium, albumin, and platelet count with a higher prevalence of variceal bleed, hepatic encephalopathy, and acute kidney injury. There was higher mortality in group 2 (128/545; 23.5%) than group 1 (124/ 771;16.1%), OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 - 2.1, p<0.01. 30 day readmission rate was numerically higher in group1; 18.3% vs 16.9%, p=0.5. The 31-90 day readmission rate was higher in group 1; 29.4% vs 16.9%, p<0.01. There was no significant difference in the number of patients undergoing liver transplantation in two groups, 19 in group 1 and 14 in group 2 (p=0.90). Conclusion The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant collateral impact on liver disease patients even without causing infection in them. Patients were sicker at the time of admission with higher mortality.

COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Hesitancy in the United States: A Multi-Theory-Model (MTM)-Based National Assessment.

Background: Despite the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and the proven benefits of vaccinations outweighing the potential risks, hesitancy to accept vaccines and additional doses remains a persistent problem. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to investigate hesitancy, confidence, literacy, and the role of the multi-theory model (MTM) constructs in COVID-19 booster uptake. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a 52-item psychometric valid web-based survey conducted during the month of October 2021 to recruit a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical tests were used to analyze the data. Results: Among the booster hesitant group (n = 209, 41.7%), a significantly larger proportion of respondents were unvaccinated with the primary series (43.5% vs. 11%, p < 0.001), were among 18-44 years age group (51.2% vs. 31.8%, p < 0.001), single or never married (33.0% vs. 24.3%, p = 0.04), had lower education with some high school (6.2% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.03), and identified themselves as Republicans (31.6% vs. 20.5%, p = 0.01). The hesitant group had lower mean scores of vaccine literacy, and vaccine confidence, and had 19% lower odds of behavioral confidence than their non-hesitant counterparts (adjusted odds ratio = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.71-0.92). Conclusions: The findings of this study underscore the need of raising public awareness through effective multi-theory-model-based communication campaigns.

COVID-19 Pandemic, Risk, and Blame Attributions: A Scoping Review.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated psychological distress led people to engage in attributing several health-related behaviors and consequences at the community and international levels. A scoping review was conducted to explore the existing literature on the use of attribution theory in understanding the psychological phenomena underlying health-related behavior and consequences during the pandemic. Methods: We conducted the literature review using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework for scoping review. Studies were identified through a comprehensive search of the following six databases: MEDLINE through PubMed, ProQuest, JSTOR, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. All databases were searched for entries in English from September 2019 to September 2021 to correspond to the advent of the pandemic. Results: Several elements influence attributions and the influences of the attributions on people's responses to information and the consequences of attributions in influencing people's responses to information and behavior changes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The importance of attribution errors leading to stigmatization and responsibility framing, both crucial for implementing pandemic control measures and enhancing psychological well-being, were also highlighted. Conclusion: More research is needed in this field to inform people-centered policies and pandemic preparedness plans to mitigate the potentially devastating psychosocial consequence of the pandemic or other public health emergencies.

Fixating on the future: An overview of increased astrology use.

BACKGROUND: Interest in astrology has surged recently, possibly due to the uncertain conditions in the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic. While belief in astrology is common and socially legitimized in many cultures, a few instances of excessive engagement with astrological services or "fortune-telling addiction" are indicating a risk of adverse mental health consequences. AIM: To understand the existing research base on correlates of belief in astrology and fortune-telling. Method: We have carried out a scoping review to synthesize the available literature base on belief in astrology and to review the evidence for "fortune-telling addiction" using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. Databases of PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, and SCOPUS were searched for relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals. RESULTS: The search findings revealed the association of belief in astrology with cognitive, personality, and psychological factors such as thinking style, self-concept verification, and stress. Case studies on "fortune-telling addiction" have conceptualized it as a possible behavioral addiction and have reported symptoms such as distress, cravings, and salience. CONCLUSIONS: However, further research on the condition along with its psychosocial determinants is necessary for the development of preventative and curative intervention efforts.

Nutrition Literacy of Middle School Students and Its Influencing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chongqing, China.

Nutrition literacy plays an important role in children's dietary habits and nutrition. This study aimed to analyse the status of nutrition literacy and its influencing factors amongst middle school students in Chongqing, China. "Nutrition literacy scale for middle school students in Chongqing" was used in 29 districts of Chongqing in September 2020. The scores of nutrition literacy and its' three sub-domains (functional, interactive and critical nutrition literacy) were divided into low and high groups based on their median scores. Binary logistic regression was used to measure the influencing factors of nutrition literacy. A total of 18,660 middle school students were included in this study. The median of nutrition literacy of middle school students was 61.68 (IQR = 14.37). Interactive nutrition literacy had the highest score (median = 70.00, IQR = 20.00), followed by functional nutrition literacy (median = 68.69, IQR = 14.14) and critical nutrition literacy (median = 45.83, IQR = 25.00). Students who were the minority (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.637-0.785), in senior high school (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.477-0.548), in rural areas (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.790-0.911), receiving school meal support from the government (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.591-0.664), with other caregivers' parenting (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.805-0.914), with parents having a low level of education and with an abnormal BMI [thin (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.837-0.990), overweight (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.785-0.968), and obese (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.767-0.902)] presented less probability of being a high level of nutrition literacy. Our results could assist public health authorities in developing strategies of nutrition literacy promotion for references and theoretical foundations.

Social media fatigue: Causes and concerns.

BACKGROUND: Social Media Fatigue (SMF) has seen a significant increase through the COVID-19 pandemic. It refers to high levels of information overload experienced due to extensive usage of social media. AIM: To understand the causes and consequences for mitigating social media fatigue. METHODS: PRISMA model was followed, and 20 papers were consolidated from the years 2014 to 2021. Seven papers were screened out due to duplication and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The studies found implicated the existence of four umbrella factors, like Cognitive Factors, Self and Personality Factors, Environmental Factors and Social Factors. Self and Personality Factors include personal and intrinsic factors that make one susceptible to developing SMF more easily, whereas aspects like increased boredom and information overload include cognitive factors that increase susceptibility to SMF. Environmental and Social Factors include aspects like parenting and social media role conflict respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings have implications to promote research to assess the levels of social media fatigue among the individuals and to evolve psychotherapeutic interventions and digital literacy programs to manage social media fatigue among the community.

Correlates of COVID-19 Pandemic on Anxiety among Adults in Appalachia, USA.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety problems have increased in the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. However, very little is known about the anxiety rates in the new normal phase of the disease when adults have been assumed to be adjusted. The study aimed to find out the difference in anxiety in a convenience sample of Appalachian adults during the new normal phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, examine its association with sociodemographic factors, and compare it with the anxiety levels before the pandemic as recalled by the participants. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale was used in the present study. The Chi-square test was used to examine the difference between the severity of anxiety before and during the new normal phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of sociodemographic and behavioral correlates. Pearson correlation was used to see the strength of the association between anxiety and age. RESULTS: Although the anxiety rate was stabilized by the time people approached the new normal phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, its severity increased significantly among those with preexisting anxiety (P=0.001). Anxiety was found highly associated with female and minority gender, student status, lower education and income level, marital status, cohabitation with parents, and cigarette consumption (P=0.001). A slight inverse association was observed between age and anxiety before and during the new normal phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The young and females seem to be suffering from a higher burden of anxiety. Research is suggested to identify ways to develop social support-based community programs to address this issue.