Differences in elderly stress levels before Covid-19 vaccination: History of exposure to Covid-19 reduces stress before vaccination

Background The Covid-19 pandemic requires the government to take various prevention and countermeasures, one of which is the Covid-19 Vaccination program, however, the program experiences a high dropout at various doses and causes immunization stress related response (ISRR), especially in the elderly. The research aims to determine differences in the stress levels of the elderly before the covid-19 vaccination. Methods Descriptive study with the elderly population who will take vaccinations at the Bojong Purbalingga Health Center. Sampling used random sampling, the inclusion criteria were 45–79 years old, with a total sample of 90 respondents. Research instruments developed by research, relating to vaccination containing cognitive responses (such as difficulty concentrating), physiological responses (such as shortness of breath, dry lips) feelings of fear, anxiety, trust in vaccination. Data were analyzed descriptively with percentages and proportions. Results The results showed that the most moderate stress levels were middle age (22.2%), women 33.3% had higher stress levels than men (10%), the highest vaccination coverage was 26.7% at a distance of 1–2 KM. The level of stress is in the moderate category 33.3% in the elderly who have never been exposed to Covid-19 and 10% in the elderly who have been exposed. Non-family health workers, 36.7% higher than families of health workers (6.7%). Conclusion Stress levels before vaccination are higher in the elderly who have never been exposed to Covid-19, compared to those who have been exposed to Covid-19. The need for family assistance to prepare for vaccination in the elderly. Resumen Antecedentes La pandemia de Covid-19 requiere que el gobierno tome varias medidas de prevención y contramedidas, una de las cuales es el programa de vacunación de Covid-19, sin embargo, el programa experimenta una alta deserción en varias dosis y provoca una respuesta relacionada con el estrés de la inmunización, especialmente en el anciano. Die Forschung zielt darauf ab, Unterschiede im Stresslevel älterer Menschen vor der Covid-19-Impfung festzustellen. Métodos Estudio descriptivo con la población adulta mayor que se vacunará en el Centro de Salud de Bojong Purbalingga. El muestreo utilizó un muestreo aleatorizado, los criterios de inclusión fueron de 45 a 79 años, con una muestra total de 90 encuestados. Instrumentos de investigación desarrollados por la investigación, relacionados con la vacunación que contienen respuestas cognitivas (como dificultad para concentrarse), respuestas fisiológicas (como dificultad para respirar, labios secos) sentimientos de miedo, ansiedad, confianza en la vacunación. Los datos fueron analizados descriptivamente con porcentajes y proporciones. Resultados Los resultados mostraron que los niveles de estrés más moderados fueron la mediana edad (22,2%), las mujeres 33,3% presentaron niveles de estrés más altos que los hombres (10%), la mayor cobertura de vacunación fue 26,7% a una distancia de 1–2 KM. El nivel de estrés está en la categoría moderado 33,3% en ancianos que nunca han estado expuestos al Covid-19 y 10% en ancianos que han estado expuestos. Trabajadores de la salud no familiares, 36,7% superior a los familiares de los trabajadores de la salud (6,7%). Conclusión Los niveles de estrés antes de la vacunación son mayores en los adultos mayores que nunca han estado expuestos a Covid-19, en comparación con aquellos que han estado expuestos a Covid-19. La necesidad de asistencia familiar para preparar la vacunación en los ancianos.

[Consumption of legal and illegal drugs and depressive symptoms in older adults during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Mexico]. / Consumo de drogas legales e ilegales y síntomas de depresión en adultos mayores usuarios de Facebook durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en México.

BACKGROUND: The health risks faced by older adults are diverse; however, little has been explored about the use and abuse of psychoactive substances in this population. The seclusion imposed by the situation that prevails due to SARS-CoV-2 has increased the feelings of loneliness, isolation and sadness associated with this age, which makes them a risk factor for drug use. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the consumption of legal and illegal drugs in people over 60 years of age who are Facebook users and its relationship with symptoms of depression during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study carried out on 380 elderly people, Facebook users, who answered a questionnaire published online, which inquired about: sociodemographic data, frequency and amount of legal and illegal drug use, and depressive symptomatology. RESULTS: 50.26% were women; the average age was 66.79 years (SD=5.81); 31.05% consumed alcohol in the last 30 days, 22.63% tobacco, tranquilizers without medical prescription 16.05% and marijuana 7.89%. The consumption of other illegal drugs did not exceed 2.6% of the population. When comparing between users and non-users, it turned out that consumption in the last 30 days was slightly higher in women, in single people and no differences were observed depending on the level of schooling. Mild and severe depressive symptoms were found to be associated with all drugs except tobacco and opiates. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained demonstrate the need to make drug use visible among older adults and to develop strategies that reduce the mood disorders they may be experiencing, such as fear, anguish and depression. When comparing between users and non-users, it turned out that consumption in the last 30 days was slightly higher in women, in single people and no differences were observed depending on the level of schooling.

[Immunosenescence, viral infections and nutrition: A narrative review of scientific available evidence]. / Inmunosenescencia, infecciones virales y nutrición: revisión narrativa de la evidencia científica disponible.

Aging of the immune system, or immunosenescence, alters the viral immune response in the elderly, especially when frailty exists. Research findings have demonstrated an imbalance in pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, reduced production and diversification of T lymphocytes, and an alteration in immunovigilance and antibody synthesis. In this context, nutrition has a role in combating sarcopenia and frailty. Some food components that contribute to immune-competence are protein, vitamin D, n-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins (vitamins C and E), zinc, selenium and iron. In times of a pandemic, nutritional recommendations for immune-competence in the elderly should be based on clinical studies. In this article, immunosenescence and its relationship to nutrition are addressed, including interventions studied in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.