ABSTRACT
Background: The novel virus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is emerging evidence of post-COVID-19 manifestations among patients who sustain acute COVID-19. Most studies report fatigue, dyspnea, and myalgia as the common symptoms; however, currently, there is limited knowledge of these post-COVID manifestations and their risk factors, especially in India. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who had attended the district post-COVID clinic, Wayanad district, Kerala, from October 2020 to June 2021. Data were collected by direct/telephonic patient interviews and from their existing case records, using a pretested semi-structured proforma. Results: The sample size was 667. The mean age of the study population was 45 years (standard deviation [SD]: 14.55). The majority of the population presented with dyspnea (48%), fatigue (32%), and cough (25.6%). Mental health problems were also reported in 6% of participants. The respiratory system was commonly involved (61.2%). Around one-third of the patients (36.4%) had dyspnea on exertion and 11.8% had dyspnea at rest. One-fifth of the population reported aggravation of pre-existing co-morbidity and half of the respondents had persistence of at least one symptom after 6 months. There exist statistically significant associations between identified risk factors, especially gender, increasing age, the severity of COVID-19 infection, history of tobacco/alcohol use, and co-morbidities with outcomes. Conclusion: As post-COVID syndrome is a multisystem disease, integrated rehabilitation is required with targeted intervention for survivors based on their symptoms and needs.
ABSTRACT
Background: Proper hand hygiene, face masks, social distancing, maintaining appropriate social distancing, and quarantine are the major strategies for the prevention of transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. The aim of the study was to determine and asses the knowledge, perceptions, health practices of quarantine and COVID-19 and to determine the psychosocial profile of people in quarantine. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in quarantined individuals in a rural and urban setting in Malappuram district of Kerala from February 2021 to June 2021 by telephonic interview. Mental health status was assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire 9. Results: Only half (49.6%) of the population has satisfactory knowledge about COVID-19 disease. Only 53.9% has satisfactory knowledge on preventive measures and this is significantly more in rural (62.9%) compared to urban (44.4%). Only 45.3% has satisfactory adherence on practice of preventive measures. Also nearly half (44.9%) of the participants were affected by factors such as fear of infection, frustration, inadequate supplies, inadequate communication and financial insecurity. Urban population (53.2%) were more affected compared to rural (37.1%). 31.6% of the participants were having any form of depression with PHQ 9. Pearson's correlation test revealed significant correlations between different factors and outcome variables. Predictors of 'Satisfactory Practice on preventive measures' and 'Any depression' were determined. Conclusion: Only half of the population has satisfactory knowledge and practice on preventive measures. Ensure health intervention programs to improve knowledge and adherence to practices. Strengthening of system to support their needs and psychosocial support should be provided.
ABSTRACT
The impact of COVID-19 has been massive and unprecedented, affecting almost every aspect of our daily lives. This paper attempts to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on the future size, composition and distribution of Australia's population by projecting a range of scenarios. Drawing on the academic literature, historical data and informed by expert judgement, four scenarios representing possible future courses of economic and demographic recovery are formulated. Results suggest that Australia's population could be 6 per cent lower by 2040 in a Longer scenario than in the No Pandemic scenario, primarily due to a huge reduction in international migration. Impacts on population ageing will be less severe, leading to a one percentage point increase in the proportion of the population aged 65 and over by 2040. Differential impacts will be felt across Australian States and Territories, with the biggest absolute and relative reductions in growth occurring in the most populous states, Victoria and New South Wales. Given the ongoing nature of the crisis at the time of writing, there remains significant uncertainty surrounding the plausibility of the proposed scenarios. Ongoing monitoring of the demographic impacts of COVID-19 are important to ensure appropriate planning and recovery in the years ahead.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused extensive disruption to economies and societies across the world. In terms of demographic processes, mortality has risen in many countries, international migration and mobility has been widely curtailed, and rising unemployment and job insecurity is expected to lower fertility rates in the near future. This paper attempts to examine the possible effects of COVID-19 on Australia's demography over the next two decades, focusing in particular on population ageing. Several population projections were prepared for the period 2019-41. We formulated three scenarios in which the pandemic has a short-lived impact of 2-3 years, a moderate impact lasting about 5 years, or a severe impact lasting up to a decade. We also created two hypothetical scenarios, one of which illustrates Australia's demographic future in the absence of a pandemic for comparative purposes, and another which demonstrates the demographic consequences if Australia had experienced excess mortality equivalent to that recorded in the first half of 2020 in England & Wales. Our projections show that the pandemic will probably have little impact on numerical population ageing but a moderate effect on structural ageing. Had Australia experienced the high mortality observed in England & Wales there would have been 19,400 excess deaths. We caution that considerable uncertainty surrounds the future trajectory of COVID-19 and therefore the demographic responses to it. The pandemic will need to be monitored closely and projection scenarios updated accordingly.