ABSTRACT
Introduction: Imposing quarantine as a measure to manage the coronavirus pandemic is a stressful event that is often associatedwith negative psychological effects. Eating habits seemed to be significantly affected during the quarantine, while strong negative emotions were triggered as the feeling of loneliness increased at the same time. Objective(s): This study aims to investigate the eating habits of individuals during quarantine and the role of positive and negative emotions and loneliness in shaping these habits. Method(s): An online cross-sectional study was performed using 3 validated scales, EAT-26 (3 subscales: Dieting, Bulimia and Food Preoccupation, Oral Control), Modified Differential Emotions Scale and UCLA Loneliness Scale. Data was collected between April and May 2021 mainly from social media platforms. Statistical analyses included linear regression and mediation analyses. Result(s): Abnormal eating habits were detected in 25% of the participants (N= 450, ages 18-74) while the majority reported medium rates of negative/positive emotions and loneliness. Female sex is associated with abnormal eating habits (p=0.010) and mainly dietary behaviors (p=0.029). Negative emotions (p=0.032) and loneliness (p=0.001) seemto be predictive factors of eating habits in general and bulimic behaviors.Negative emotions correlate directly with eating habits. However, we found a significant mediation of loneliness (p=0.032). Furthermore, the observed association between negative emotions and bulimia is partly mediated by loneliness (p=0.018). Conclusion(s): Negative emotions and loneliness seemed to play an important role in shaping eating habits during quarantine. Multilevel public health interventions are needed to address the negative effects of quarantine and pandemic in general.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The pandemic that broke out by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the imposition of restrictive measures to reduce the dispersion, affects both the physical and mental health of all population groups. Objective(s): The main objective of the study was to investigate how these measures have impacted the students during the first quarantine period (Spring 2020). Also we wanted to know what they lacked most after the six-weeks-lockdown. Method(s): More than 2,000 students from all Schools of the University of Patras participated in the research, completing an online questionnaire. Emphasis was placed on the question "What is the FIRST thing you will do immediately after lifting the measures". The open last option 'Other' was qualitative investigated with thematic analysis by gender. Result(s): The answer options of the evaluated question were to 'Go out for coffee/food/drink/fun with friends' (58%) or 'with family' (5%), to 'Visit beauty and hair salons' (16%), to 'Travel' (6%), or to 'Go shopping' (2%). The option 'Other' was answered by 246 (13%) students. The thematic analysis revealed 13 categories, with first place 'Restoring immediately social life without restrictions', followed by 'Seeing and being together with boyfriend/girlfriend', but at the same time 'Continue to be careful and take self-restraining measures after the end of the quarantine'. Conclusion(s): Students of both genders lacked mainly social life and companionship. The need to return to a new daily routine with protection measures that limit both exposure to the new virus and the spontaneity, is obvious.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was immediately realized to pose a considerable threat both to the physical, and the mental health of people. For healthcare professionals, it marks frantic work rhythms, anxiety for their patients and exposure to an invisible enemy. Those who hold administrative positions are called upon to make unprecedented decisions, facing a high degree of uncertainty. Hence, hospital staff is expected to experience severe psychological distress. Objective(s): The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological distress and possible associations with demographic characteristics, professional duties, hierarchy and predisposing factors to severe COVID-19 disease. Method(s): Online questionnaires were distributed to all employees of two hospitals in Thessaloniki, Greece, from March until May 2021. The questionnaires comprised two sections, one concerning the aforementioned purported risk factors, and another involving three psychometric scales, i.e. Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, Coronavirus Reassurance- Seeking Behaviors Scale and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale. Result(s): The psychological pressure experienced by healthcare professionals was low, compared to the literature. A history of COVID-19 disease, existence of predisposing factors to severe COVID-19 illness and frequent contact with infected patients were shown to significantly increase the likelihood of psychological distress. Furthermore, an age of 30-34 years, a higher level of education, existence of infected family members and nonvaccination were identified as possible risk factors. Conclusion(s): Contrary to previous research results, our sample did not experience severe COVID-19-related psychological distress. Nevertheless, emphasis should be placed on initiatives to support the mental health of this professional group, as many of them do struggle with psychological difficulties.
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Introduction: The COVID-19 has affected both physical and mental health of the elderly. Objective(s): The purpose of the present study was to estimate the impact of the second lockdown in Greece, on both quality of life and mental health in older people. Method(s): A cross sectional study was conducted among older adults who visited a primary care physician, from 1st of March to April 30th. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to collect basic sociodemographic data and implementation of hygiene precaution measures. The 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) to measure well-being, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) instrument was used to assess the anxiety levels and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) depressive symptoms of the responders, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v.24.0 Results: 222 elderly took part in the study. 62.6% were female. According to the WHO-5, 37.4% present poor quality of life. GDS-15 reveals that 70.7% of the participants screened positive for moderate depression and 1.8% with severe symptoms. GAD-7 results estimated 32.9% of the participants to suffer from serious anxiety disorder and 37.4% from moderate. GAD-7 and GDS-15 were strongly associated (p <0.05) with female gender, low educational level and with comorbidities (coronary disease, diabetes mellitus and skeletomuscular diseases). Health precaution measures were negative correlated with mental health of the elderly. However, in participants with frequent contact with family and friends, lower anxiety levels were detected. Conclusion(s): Our results highlight that older adult has experienced negative impact on both quality of life and mental health during 2nd Covid-19 lockdown in Greece.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has brought a serious impact on physical and mental health. Objective(s): The purpose of the present study was to estimate the impact of the first lockdown in Greece, on both quality of life and anxiety levels in different occupational groups. Method(s): A cross-sectional on- line survey was conducted from 20th of April to 4th of May 2020. A 24-item anonymous questionnaire was administered to collect basic demographic and socioeconomic data. The 5-item WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5, 0-100%, cut-off 52%) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) tools were used to assess well-being and anxiety, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS for Windows v.24.0 Statistical Package. Result(s): A total of 575 participated in the study, 62.8% females, 48.5% aged between 40 to 59 years. 32.5% were employed in education sector, 32.5% in health sector and 20.3% as season workers in tourism sector. Males showed slightly higher levels of wellbeing (52.1 vs. 47.3, p=0.023) and lower levels of anxiety (7.1 vs. 8.2, p=0.023) compared to females. Factors associated with higher wellbeing and lower anxiety were higher education and income level, optimism, taking less protection measures, and being seasonal worker. Furthermore, participants with comorbidities and symptoms like headache, musculoskeletal pain, as well as feeling depressed or stressed revealed lower wellbeing and higher anxiety scores. Conclusion(s): Our study revealed an overall poor wellbeing and mild to moderate levels of anxiety during the lockdown. Actions should be taken to address and to prevent its serious impact on mental health.
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Background Patient satisfaction is an important process for investigating patients' needs, views, and suggestions about the health services provided by a health care facility. The aim of this study was to investigate women's postnatal satisfaction with healthcare services during COVID-19 pandemic, provided at two regional public hospitals in Ioannina, Greece. Methods Using a purposive and snowball sampling technique, a cross-sectional study was performed among women who gave birth in two regional Greek hospitals, during October 2020. An online self-administered 32-item questionnaire was distributed personally, as well as, in social media groups related to young mothers and baby feeding. Results A total of 106 women answered the questionnaire, mean age 34 years old, 58.5% had higher education and for 40.6% it was the first birth. 63.2% declared having visited the same hospital already in the past for gynecological services and 69.6% being satisfied with doctors' and nurses' communication, their interaction, behavior giving guidance, and the time they dedicated to the mothers. 60% were satisfied with hospital cleanliness, organization, adequacy, easy access, orientation and 63.6% from the administrative services. 23.8% were not satisfied with waiting times between appointment schedule and medical examination;however, 61.6% indicated that they would either use or suggest the services again. Higher satisfaction was associated with being married and employed, having no previous experience, and being in good health status. Conclusions In general, a moderate satisfaction with various dimensions of provided health services was observed. The study highlights the importance of the postnatal care provided by healthcare professionals and health services. Improving the parameters which affect women's satisfaction would increase the quality of postnatal care. Key messages Assessing patient satisfaction is an important indicator of measuring the quality of health services.
ABSTRACT
IntroductionThe coronavirus pandemic has challenged the world with an unprecedented situation. Social distancing, self or quarantine isolation, personal hand hygiene, self-protection, and the fear of becoming infected with the virus, come with a psychological fallout. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected students around the world, in terms of their education and lifestyle.ObjectivesTo investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the students’ mental health and well-being at the University of Patras, in Western Greece.MethodsAn online questionnaire was prepared to collect responses from students during April 2020. Socio-demographic data, academic status, opinions about distance learning, changes in daily routine during the lockdown and anxiety and depression scores, according to the Greek version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), were gathered.ResultsThe total number of responders was 2009, of which 67.3% women. During lockdown, the 68% of the students returned to their family home. Anxiety and depression scores were higher in students with a low income, poor self-rated health, not informed about COVID-19, not satisfied with distance learning and being annoyed at staying home. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was found to be 35.8% and 51.2%, ranging from 26.7% to 48.2% for anxiety and from 36.3% to 60.5% for depression in Health Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences, respectively.ConclusionsDepression rates among university students in Greece were alarmingly high, denoting the impact of lockdown and changes in students’ life, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
After the outbreak of COVID-19, societies were called to face its spread with several measures. However, the health of every human being is a good that is necessary for the prosperity of a society. Public health is everyone's individual responsibility. Health education is the process that will lead to the proper and prepared behavior of societies in any virus outbreak, and this should be cultivated from a very young age starting from school.