Fear of COVID and Physical Health Among People Living with HIV in China: Mediation Effects of HIV Stigma, Social Support, and Substance Use.

The COVID-19 pandemic has uniquely impacted people living with HIV (PLWH) worldwide. The negative impacts on PLWH's mental health from fear of COVID-19 are labeled as "a double stress." The association between fear of COVID-19 and HIV (internalized) stigma has been found among PLWH. Studies that explore the relationships between fear of COVID-19 and physical health outcomes are few, especially among PLWH. In this study, we explored the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and physical health among PLWH and the mediated effects of HIV stigma, social support, and substance use. A cross-sectional online survey of PLWH (n = 201) from November 2021 to May 2022 was carried out in Shanghai, China. The data on socio-demographics, fear of COVID-19, physical health, HIV-related perceived stigma, social support, and substance use were gathered and analyzed by structure equation modeling (SEM). In SEM analysis, fear of COVID-19 showed a significant and indirect effect on physical health (ß=-0.085) which was primarily mediated by HIV stigma. In SEM analysis, the final model had a good fit. Fear of COVID-19 showed a significant effect on HIV stigma (ß = 0.223) with the majority being direct effects (ß = 0.262) and a small indirect effect via substance use (ß=-0.039). Furthermore, HIV stigma showed a significant effect on physical health (ß=-0.382), the majority of which was direct (ß=-0.340), and a small indirect effect via social support (ß=-0.042). This is one of the first studies to explore how fear of contracting COVID-19 can affect PLWH's coping behaviors (e.g., using substances and obtaining social support) used to combat HIV stigma as well as to achieve better physical health in China.

Safety and Tolerability of COVID-19 Vaccine in Children With Epilepsy: A Prospective, Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: We designed this study to investigate the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine on epileptic seizures, as well as its adverse effects, in children with epilepsy (<18 years). METHODS: This anonymous questionnaire study involved a multicenter prospective survey of outpatients and inpatients with epilepsy (＜18 years) registered in epilepsy clinics in eight hospitals in six cities of Shandong Province. RESULTS: A total of 224 children with epilepsy were included in the study. Fifty of them experienced general adverse events after vaccination. The most common local adverse events were pain or tenderness at the injection site. The most common systemic adverse effects were muscle soreness and headache. No severe adverse events were reported. There were no significant differences in the number of antiseizure medications (P = 0.459), gender (P = 0.336), etiology (P = 0.449), age (P = 0.499), duration of disease (P = 0.546), or seizure type (P = 0.475) between the patients with and without general adverse events. We found that the risk of seizure after vaccination was decreased in children who were seizure free for more than six months before vaccination. There was no significant difference in the number of seizures during the first month before vaccination, the first month after the first dose, and the first month after the second dose (P = 0.091). CONCLUSION: The benefits of vaccination against COVID-19 outweighed the risks of seizures/relapses and severe adverse events after vaccination for children with epilepsy.

Effect of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines on seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy: A multicenter, prospective study.

Objectives: Several COVID-19 vaccines list "uncontrolled epilepsy" as a contraindication for vaccination. This consequently restricts vaccination against COVID-19 in patients with epilepsy (PWE). However, there is no strong evidence that COVID-19 vaccination can exacerbate conditions in PWE. This study aims to determine the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on PWE. Methods: PWE were prospectively recruited from 25 epilepsy centers. We recorded the seizure frequency at three time periods (one month before the first vaccination and one month after the first and second vaccinations). A generalized linear mixed-effects model (GLMM) was used for analysis, and the adjusted incidence rate ratio (AIRR) with 95% CI was presented and interpreted accordingly. Results: Overall, 859 PWE were included in the analysis. Thirty-one (3.6%) and 35 (4.1%) patients were found to have increased seizure frequency after the two doses, respectively. Age had an interaction with time. The seizure frequency in adults decreased by 81% after the first dose (AIRR=0.19, 95% CI:0.11-0.34) and 85% after the second dose (AIRR=0.16, 95% CI:0.08-0.30). In juveniles (<18), it was 25% (AIRR=0.75, 95% CI:0.42-1.34) and 51% (AIRR=0.49, 95% CI:0.25-0.95), respectively. Interval between the last seizure before vaccination and the first dose of vaccination (ILSFV) had a significant effect on seizure frequency after vaccination. Seizure frequency in PWE with hereditary epilepsy after vaccination was significantly higher than that in PWE with unknown etiology (AIRR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.17-3.24). Two hundred and seventeen (25.3%) patients experienced non-epileptic but not serious adverse reactions. Discussion: The inactivated COVID-19 vaccine does not significantly increase seizure frequency in PWE. The limitations of vaccination in PWE should focus on aspects other than control status. Juvenile PWE should be of greater concern after vaccination because they have lower safety. Finally, PWE should not reduce the dosage of anti-seizure medication during the peri-vaccination period.

Safety and tolerability of COVID-19 vaccine in children with epilepsy: a prospective, multicenter study

Introduction We designed this study to investigate the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine on epileptic seizures, as well as its adverse effects, in children with epilepsy (< 18 years). Methods This anonymous questionnaire study involved a multicenter prospective survey of outpatients and inpatients with epilepsy (＜18 years) registered in epilepsy clinics in 8 hospitals in six cities of Shandong Province. Results A total of 224 children with epilepsy were included in the study. Fifty of them experienced general adverse events after vaccination. The most common local adverse events were pain or tenderness at the injection site. The most common systemic adverse effects were muscle soreness and headache. No severe adverse events were reported. There were no significant differences in the number of anti-seizure medications (ASMs) (P =0.459), gender (P =0.336), etiology (P =0.449), age (P =0.499), duration of disease (P =0.546) or seizure type (P =0.475) between the patients with and without general adverse events. We found that the risk of seizure after vaccination was decreased in children who were seizure-free for more than 6 months before vaccination. There was no significant difference in the number of seizures during the first month before vaccination, the first month after the first dose and the first month after the second dose (P = 0.091). Conclusion The benefits of vaccination against COVID-19 outweighed the risks of seizures/relapses and severe adverse events after vaccination for children with epilepsy.

Depressive symptoms mediate COVID-associated stigma and quality of life: Stigma instrument validation and path analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to adapt and modify the HIV/AIDS Stigma Instrument-Patient to develop the COVID-19 Stigma Instrument-Patient (CSI-P) and validate its psychometric characteristics, as well as explore how affected individuals in China experienced COVID-related stigma and its associated variables, including depressive symptomology and quality of life (QOL). METHODS: From September to October 2020, 151 COVID-19 survivors recruited in Shanghai, China, completed a set of measures of demographic characteristics, depression, stigma, and QOL. RESULTS: The 15-item CSI-P-2 achieved a Cronbach's α of 0.67 to 0.91. The six-factor structure was obtained by exploratory factor analysis. The mean score for the CSI-P-2 in Chinese COVID survivors was 8.14 ± 9.98. Regression analysis showed that survivors' age, comorbid diseases, education levels, and loneliness level were the factors influencing their COVID-19 stigma, explaining 37.80% of the total variance (F = 19.25, p < 0.001). Also, stigma's effect on QOL was significant in direct and indirect paths mediated by depressive symptomology. LIMITATIONS: First, this sample might limit the generalization of the findings to other Chinese-speaking regions. Second, future longitudinal or experimental studies are warranted for checking and further refinement of the scale. Finally, future studies are needed on the changing dynamics of stigma in different stages of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The 29-item CSI-P-2 with six domains is an instrument with sound psychometric properties that can be used to measure COVID-19 stigma during the COVID-19 outbreak and, later, for COVID-19 survivors. Future studies should explore how to integrate the significant demographic and psychological characteristics influencing the experience of stigma work on this study into the development of stigma-reducing interventions.

Chinese infection-control strategies for COVID-19 prevention: A qualitative study with confirmed cases.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe how the prevention and controlling strategies have been experienced by COVID-19 patients in China, especially those who had passed through the suspected, diagnosed, hospitalized, and recovery stages of the disease. DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. SAMPLES: COVID-19 patients were recruited from a COVID-19-designated facility in Shanghai, China, from April to June 2020, by the purposive sampling method. METHODS: Semi-structured, in-depth interviews by cell phone were used and transcriptions were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis method. RESULTS: We recruited 26 COVID-19 patients. Three theme categories emerged from the data analysis. The first was "Consciously adhere to COVID-19-related controlling strategies." The second category was "Positive experiences of the COVID-19-related controlling strategies." These patients experienced a quick and adequate medical response, confident in the medical system, or received help from community workers. The third category was "Negative experiences of the COVID-19-related controlling strategies." These patients experienced psychological distress, stigma, privacy exposures, and inconveniences from the controlling strategies. CONCLUSIONS: It is urgent to develop a culturally sensitive intervention to eliminate the psychological distress and stigma of patients with COVID-19 and to protect their privacy during and after the pandemic.

Resilience of frontline nurses during the COVID pandemic in China: A qualitative study.

The aim of this study was to describe the resilience of nurses who cared for patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, as well as factors that potentially contributed to that resilience. A total of 23 frontline nurses who cared for patients with COVID-19 were recruited from a COVID-19-designated facility in Shanghai, China, using purposive sampling strategies. In-depth interviews were conducted from March to May 2020. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and content analysis was used. Nurses exhibited psychological resilience while caring for patients with COVID-19. They displayed an ability to bounce back from negative mental experiences and transform to a positive mindset to cope with the stress they faced. Factors that enhanced the nurses' resilience during the pandemic were their becoming familiar with infectious disease protocols, having a sense of professional achievement, receiving social support, having trust in the infection-control response team in the hospital, and using self-regulation strategies. This study could guide the design of future resilience-enhancing interventions that provide positive coping strategies for nurses caring for individuals with infectious diseases during a pandemic.

Post-Traumatic Growth Experiences among COVID-19 Confirmed Cases in China: A Qualitative Study.

COVID-19 infection can cause psychological distress and profoundly impact patients' lives, but it can also lead to positive changes and post-traumatic growth (PTG), or positive psychological change in response to challenging life circumstances. Current research on the influence of COVID-19 infection has mainly focused on its negative effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with COVID-19 in China experienced PTG and, if so, what changed for them during the process of PTG. We used a qualitative descriptive approach to conduct this study. Using the purposive sampling recruitment method, patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were recruited from a COVID-19 designated hospital in Shanghai, China, from April to July 2020. Data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted via cell phone or in person while social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Forty confirmed COVID-19 patients (19-68 years old) were recruited. Several prominent themes and subthemes were extracted from the interview responses regarding participants' experiences of PTG. The following are among the positive changesthat occurred for these participants after their diagnosis of COVID-19: (1) Reevaluation of their life priorities, which included a greater appreciation of being alive and re-evaluating their values and goals, (2) Improved relationships within their social circles, which included establishing or maintaining closer relationships with family and friends and a greater willingness to help others, and (3) Perceived changes regarding themselves, which included personal growth and increased awareness of the importance of their health. The study identified potential positive impacts of COVID-19 on patients, which could be helpful in the implementation of interventions to facilitate PTG among COVID-19 survivors.

Burnout in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: New challenges for public health.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline nurses have faced extraordinary personal and professional challenges. These challenges have had mental health consequences, and concerning reports of burnout have emerged globally. We conducted a cross-sectional survey at a designated COVID-19 hospital in Shanghai at the peak of the pandemic, i.e. about 2 months after the onset of the outbreak from February to April 2020. Findings revealed burnout in 6.85% of nurses. Of 336 respondents, 87 (25.89%) had a high level of emotional exhaustion, 61 (18.15%) had a high level of depersonalization, and 100 (29.76%) had a low level of personal accomplishment. Burnout can be prevented by offering more support from families and supervisors, paying attention to health monitoring and personal protection, and creating a rational human resource allocation and shift management system. Specific training on infection control and self-protection, mental health guidance, and stress coping techniques must be implemented. As the current health crisis ultimately abates, moving the focus from mental health issues to public health issues, more attention and support at the national and organizational levels are needed to reduce occupational discrimination, nurse autonomy and status need to be promoted, and public health emergency teams need to be created. A positive and fair working environment is essential to effective healthcare delivery.

Disclosure experience among COVID-19-confirmed patients in China: A qualitative study.

AIM: To understand COVID patients' experiences of and perspectives on disclosure of their illness and to explore and describe the factors affecting disclosure decisions among COVID patients in China. BACKGROUND: Disease disclosure is a critical component of prevention and control of a virus outbreak, and this is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding COVID patients' experiences and perspectives on disclosure could play a vital role in COVID management. DESIGN: A qualitative study. METHODS: A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct qualitative in-depth interviews from April to June 2020. All the interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and then, a thematic analysis was conducted. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) were applied to this study. RESULTS: A total of 26 COVID-confirmed patients were recruited for the in-depth interviews. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis on disclosure: persons disclosed to, reasons for disclosure, reasons for nondisclosure and impact of disclosure. The participants disclosed their COVID diagnosis to different groups, including family, close friends, community members and workplace contacts. The main reasons for disclosure included the following: government policy, social responsibility, gaining support and fear of being blamed for nondisclosure. However, some participants decided not to disclose to some groups for fear of facing stigma and discrimination or to protect family members from discrimination. Despite the potential benefits of obtaining support after disclosure, many participants did experience stigma and discrimination, privacy exposure, psychological distress and social isolation. CONCLUSIONS: An individual's decision as to whether to disclose their COVID-positive status is affected by many factors. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the potential risks of disclosure, such as discrimination and privacy exposure, a balanced intervention should be designed to protect COVID patients and to secure any contact tracing. Therefore, the chances of discrimination could be decreased and patients' confidentiality could be protected. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As the number of COVID patients increases, disclosure of an individual's infectious status is encouraged by health departments. Despite the potential benefits of disclosure, discrimination and privacy exposure should not be ignored. A disclosure protocol is necessary to ensure patients' privacy regarding their COVID status.