Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected healthcare systems and daily wellbeing. However, the reports of the indirect impacts of the pandemic on preterm birth remain conflicting. We performed a meta-analysis to examine whether the pandemic altered the risk of preterm birth. Study Design A systematic review and meta-analysis of the previous literature. Methods We searched MEDLINE and Embase databases until March 2022 using appropriate keywords and extracted 63 eligible studies that compared preterm between the COVID-19 pandemic period and the pre-pandemic period. A random-effects model was used to obtain the pooled odds of each outcome. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (No. CRD42022326717). Results The search identified 3827 studies, of which 63 reports were included. A total of 3,220,370 pregnancies during the COVID-19 pandemic period and 6,122,615 pregnancies during the pre-pandemic period were studied. Compared with the pre-pandemic period, we identified a significant decreased odds of preterm birth (PTB, < 37 weeks’ gestation) [pooled OR (95%CI) = 0.96 (0.94, 0.98);I2 = 78.7%;62 studies] and extremely preterm birth (EPTB, < 28 weeks’ gestation) [pooled OR (95%CI) = 0.92 (0.87, 0.97);I2 = 26.4%;25 studies] during the pandemic, while there was only a borderline significant reduction in the odds of very preterm birth (VPTB, < 32 weeks’ gestation) [pooled OR (95%CI) = 0.93 (0.86, 1.01);I2 = 90.1%;33 studies] between the two periods. There was significant publication bias for PTB. Conclusion Pooled results suggested the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with preterm birth, even though there was only a borderline significant reduction for VPTB during the pandemic compared with the pre-pandemic period. Large studies showed conflicting results, and further research on whether the change is related to pandemic mitigation measures was warranted.

Meta-analysis of the prevalence of anxiety and depression among frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective To systematically review the prevalence of anxiety and depression among frontline healthcare workers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods Computers were used to search CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, PubMed, and other Chinese and English databases. The search period was limited to December 2019 to April 2022. Cross-sectional studies collected data on the prevalence of anxiety and depression among frontline healthcare workers since the onset of COVID-19. The STATA 15.1 software was used for the meta-analysis of the included literature. Results A total of 30 studies were included, with a sample size of 18,382 people. The meta-analysis results showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the total prevalence of anxiety among frontline healthcare workers was 43.00%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.36–0.50, and the total prevalence of depression was 45.00%, with a 95% CI of 0.37–0.52. The results of the subgroup analysis showed that prevalence of anxiety and depression in women, married individuals, those with children, and nurses was relatively high. Frontline healthcare workers with a bachelor's degree or lower had a higher prevalence of anxiety. The prevalence of depression was higher among frontline healthcare workers with intermediate or higher professional titles. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety and depression among frontline healthcare workers was high. In the context of public health emergencies, the mental health status of frontline healthcare workers should be given full attention, screening should be actively carried out, and targeted measures should be taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection among frontline healthcare workers. Systematic review registration http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022344706.

Estimated effects of economic policies for COVID-19 on the leisure and recreation industry under public health interventions. (Special Issue: COVID-19 and tourism.)

The appropriate policy responses for COVID-19 are being vigorously debated, especially regarding whether there is a trade-off between containing the spread of the virus and reducing the economic recession. The aim of the paper is to examine the effect of various economic policies on the leisure and recreation industry under public health interventions during the pandemic. The researchers collect data for 131 countries/regions from February to October 2020 and employ fixed-effects models to examine the impact of economic policies after controlling for public health interventions and country- and time-fixed effects. Results show that, with an impact lag, economic policies significantly promote current-date leisure and recreation activities under public health intervention;this effect peaks after around one month, and the two policies mutually reinforce each other in the medium term. The positive effect of economic policies ranges from 5 to 11%, depending on the magnitude of public health interventions. With regard to the different categories of measures, monetary policies have an immediate positive announcement effect while fiscal policies significantly promote leisure and recreation activities, though with a response lag. In addition, this study discusses the implications for the recovery of the leisure and recreation industry under pandemic crisis from a policy perspective.

Depression and anxiety and assciated factors among college students returned to campus during the outbreak of COVID-19

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the state of depression and anxiety and associated factors of back-to-school college students during the outbreak of COVID-19, so as to provide theoretical basis for emotional counseling and psychological crisis intervention after long-term school closure due to epidemic outbreak.

Analysis of mental health and influencing factors of college students in the online learning period during the outbreak of COVID-19

Objective: To investigate the mental health and influencing factors of college students during online learning under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, and to provide a scientific basis for mental health education.

Analysis of network usage and influencing factors among college students returning to a vocational college during COVID-19 epidemic

Objective: To understand the current situation and influencing factors of Internet addiction among college students after returning to school during the COVID-19 epidemic, and to provide scientific basis for timely intervention measures to adjust the risk factors of Internet addiction.

School adaptation and behavior of the first batch of college students returning to school during the COVID-19 epidemic

Objective: To analyze the school adaptation and behavioral performance of the first batch of students who return to school during the COVID-19 epidemic, and to provide a theoretical basis for further development of corresponding intervention measures.

Sleep quality and influencing factors of college students returning to school during COVID-19 epidemic

Objective: To investigate the sleep quality and influencing factors of the first batch of college students returning to school during COVID-19 epidemic, so as to provide scientific basis for taking corresponding measures.

Serum nitrite and nitrate: A potential biomarker for post-covid-19 complications?

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in cardiovascular and immune systems. Quantification of blood nitrite and nitrate, two relatively stable metabolites of NO (generally as NOx), has been acknowledged, in part, representing NO bioactivity. Dysregulation of NOx had been reported in SARS-CoV-2 infected populations, but whether patients recovered from COVID-19 disease present with restored NOx is unknown. In this study, serum NO2- and NO3- were quantified and analyzed among 109 recovered adults in comparison to a control group of 166 uninfected adults. Nitrite or nitrate levels were not significantly different among mild-, common-, severe- and critical-type patients. However, these recovered patients had dramatically lower NO2- and NO2-/NO3- than the uninfected group (p < 0.0001), with significantly higher NO3- levels (p = 0.0023) than the uninfected group. Nitrate and nitrite/nitrate were positively and negatively correlated with patient age, respectively, with age 65 being a turning point among recovered patients. These results indicate that low NO2-, low NO2-/NO3- and high NO3- may be potential biomarkers of long-term poor or irreversible outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It suggests that NO metabolites might serve as a predictor to track the health status of recovered COVID-19 patients, highlighting the need to elucidate the role of NO after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Changes in weight and height among Chinese preschool children during COVID-19 school closures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: COVID-19-related school closures may increase the prevalence of childhood obesity, which has aroused public concerns. We aimed to analyze the weight and height changes in Chinese preschool children during the COVID-19-related school closures period. METHODS: A total of 124,603 children from multi-city kindergartens in China were included in this study. We evaluated the prevalence of overweight and obese in preschool children experienced school closures, and compared the changes in BMI, weight, and height of preschool children among COVID-19 school closures period, the same period last year and the same period the year before last. RESULTS: After the school closures, childhood obesity prevalence increased, whereas overweight prevalence decreased. During school closures, the average increase in height was about 1 cm less as compared with the same period last year and the year before last, but no noteworthy difference in the weight change was observed among the three periods. CONCLUSIONS: During COVID-19 school closures, children's height increase seemed to be more affected than weight change. Innovative, robust, and highly adaptable strategies should be taken to increase physical activity, reduce sedentary time and promote healthy diets, to minimize the adverse impact of school closures.

The Association of Suicidal Ideation With Family Characteristics and Social Support of the First Batch of Students Returning to a College During the COVID-19 Epidemic Period: A Cross Sectional Study in China.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation among the first batch of students returning to a college during the COVID-19 epidemic, and to explore the correlation of suicidal ideation with family characteristics and social support. Methods: A cluster sampling survey with a self-designed questionnaire was conducted among the first batch of students returning to a college in Wuhu, China. The Positive and Negative Suicidal ideation (PANSI) and Social Support Scale (SSRS) were used to define students' suicidal ideation and social support, respectively. The influence of family characteristics and social support on the students' suicidal ideation was investigated using multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis. Results: Two thousand seven hundred valid questionnaires were collected, including 673 males (24.9%) and 2,027 females (75.1%), in this study. A total of 146 students (5.4%) showed suicidal ideation. Male respondents reported higher rates (7.9%) than females (4.6%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a higher risk level of residence before returning to school and lower objective support were the risk factors for suicidal ideation in males. In contrast, a higher level of maternal education, a poorer relationship with the mother, and lower scores for subjective support and support availability had significant effects on females' suicidal ideation. Limitations: This is a cross-sectional study, and lacks comparison to the time point unaffected by COVID-19. Moreover, it was limited by COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control restrictions, and the differences in returning to school in different regions. Only one college was investigated in this study, and all of the respondents were sophomores, so there may be some limitations in the representativeness of the sample and extrapolation of the results. Conclusion: Family characteristics and social support have had an important influence on suicidal ideation among students returning to school during the COVID-19 epidemic. Some gender differences were identified. Targeted interventions are needed for early prevention and control.

The immediate and subsequent effects of public health interventions for COVID-19 on the leisure and recreation industry.

Public health interventions to combat COVID-19 can be viewed as an exogenous shock to the economy, especially for industries-such as leisure, recreation, and tourism-that rely heavily on human mobility. This study investigates whether and how exactly the economic impact of government public health policies varies over time. Focusing on the leisure and recreation industry, we use data for 131 countries/regions from February to May 2020 and employ generalized difference-in-differences models to investigate the short- and longer-term effects of public health policies. We find that stricter policies lead, on average, to an immediate 9.2-percentage-point drop in leisure and recreation participation. Even so, that industry recovers in about seven weeks after a COVID-19 outbreak in countries/regions that undertake active interventions. After thirteen weeks, leisure and recreation involvement recovers to 70% of pre-pandemic levels in a place that actively intervened but stagnates at about 40% in one that did not.