Physical activity habits, well-being, and quality of life during COVID-19 preventive isolation in Bogota, Colombia

The Covid-19 pandemic forced the world population to incorporate prevention activities into their daily lives to preserve people's physical health. In Colombia, the national government, through resolutions and decrees, regulated quarantine and preventive isolation in order not to saturate health services and intensive care units, which were not prepared to respond to the disease. In this sense, this article analyzed the habits of physical activity, well-being, and quality of life in preventive isolation - Covid-19 in Bogota, Colombia. A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study was conducted on a sample of 1,775 people with an average age of 43.5+or-25.5 years, of which 50.9% (n=903) corresponded to women and 49.1% (n=872) to men. It was found that due to the confinement the consumption of coffee and alcoholic beverages increased, as well as a decrease in physical activity. In addition, manifestations of anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness were identified, which directly affected people's well-being and quality of life. It is expected that this type of research will contribute to the understanding of the impact of the contingency measures taken by the different nations to curb Covid-19 infections on people's health.

Micro plastic: an imperceptible threat on Agua Dulce Beach, Chorrillos District

The use of plastics in the world is increasing, but their proper final arrangement is limited. Peru made regulatory efforts to reduce its use;however, they are isolated activities that have not represented a significant change in their management. This study allows to identify the presence of microplastic on one of the busiest beaches of the city of Lima Metropolitana, during the emergency period caused by the SARS-COV-2 pandemic. To achieve the objectives of the research, it has been sampled in high tide and supra-coastal areas, applying the methodology proposed in the Ministry of the Environment's Soil Sampling Guide. This study shows the presence of microplastics, with an abundance of 43 pieces per m2, and found that the predominance of the type of microplastic found is of secondary origin (polystyrene and polypropylene);however, 20.9% correspond to primary microplastics (pellets) whose source could not be determined. Finally, it is indicated that despite restrictions on the state of emergency the number of microplastics per m2 in Agua Dulce Beach between 2019 (40 pieces) and 2020 (43 pieces) increased by 7.5%.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education: adaptability and remote learning experience of the Peruvian American Medical Society

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on medical care and medical education in Peru. In response, the Peruvian American Medical Society (PAMS), a charitable medical organization based in the USA, pursued its medical and educational missions in Peru by adopting virtual learning technology. We developed closer collaborative relationships with several medical schools and the Peruvian Association of Medical Schools (ASPEFAM) while offering a faculty panel of twenty-four members to provide lectures and multidisciplinary webinars in Spanish. We conducted 19 webinars including COVID -19 and non-COVID-19 related topics that over the last two years attracted 14,489 participants from 23 countries. They were the foundation for twenty publications in Peruvian medical journals. Our clinical investigations competition was positively received as was our pilot project on research mentorship. The COVID -19 pandemic had a positive effect on the educational mission of PAMS in Peru.

Proximity tourism: an observational analysis of the use of Instagram to promote the northeast of Brazil. (Special Issue: Tourism in the northeast.)

With the changes in consumer profile, especially in tourism activity, facing the issues brought by globalization, greater access to and use of Technologies, and more recently, the restrictions imposed by the protocols to prevent contamination by the Covid-19 virus and its consequences, it has been necessary to change the way of experiencing tourism, leading the market to adapt to the new reality. Thus, the incentive to implement so-called Proximity Tourism has gathered strength, prompting the following research question: how has this type of tourism been addressed and how have the cities of the Brazilian Northeast have been working with this theme to promote their potential on the social network platform Instagram? The main objective of this study was to perform an observational analysis of what is being posted on this social network concerning proximity tourism, by investigating the use of the hashtag #turismodeproximity, and whether the cities of the Northeast of Brazil are using this Instagram tool. As the result of this research, it was found that of the total posts indexed with this hashtag, only a small number are directly related to this region, indicating a lack of dissemination, and consequently, failure to generate greater visibility for this tourism modality.

Effectiveness of ivermectin and atazanavir on time to resolution from COVID-19 symptoms: a prospective cohort

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of Ivermectin and Atazanavir compared to placebo in the time to resolution of symptoms and duration of illness due to COVID-19. Method: observational, prospective, longitudinal, descriptive and analytical cohort study with symptomatic outpatients, followed for 06 months in two Basic Health Units for COVID-19 care in Teresina-Piaui, Brazil, from November to April 2021 identified by 1:1:1 random sampling. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests were performed for laboratory confirmation of suspected infection with the new coronavirus and sociodemographic and clinical evaluation. Results: of the 87 randomized patients, 62.1% (n=54) were male, with a mean age of 35.1 years, had a partner (53.9%), low income (50.6%), eutrophic (40.7%) and without health comorbidities (78.2%). There was no difference between the median time to resolution of symptoms, which was 21 days (IQR, 8-30) in the atazanavir group, 30 days (IQR, 5-90) in the ivermectin group compared with 14 days (IQR, 9-21) in the control group. At day 180, there was resolution of symptoms in 100% in the placebo group, 93.9% in the atazanavir group, and 95% in the ivermectin group. The median duration of illness was 8 days in all study arms. Conclusion: Treatment with atazanavir (6 days) and ivermectin (3 days) did not reduce the time to symptom resolution or the duration of illness among outpatients with mild COVID-19 compared to the placebo group. The results do not support the use of ivermectin and atazanavir for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19.

Post-COVID-19 energy transition strategies: even reaching 100% renewable in Ecuador by 2055 is not enough to face climate change issue

The pandemic scenario caused by Covid-19 generated negative impacts. Covid-19 has made it clear that our daily lives depend to a high degree on access to energy. Therefore, now more than ever, it is necessary to promote new activities such as local food production, but also local energy capture. This article is an attempt to expose and quantify the benefits of a renewable energy transition in Ecuador post Covid-19 and post-oil. The generation, consumption, and reserves of oil in Ecuador were characterized, and the concept of energy transition was applied to evaluate the possibilities of integration of renewables, the progressive exit of thermal power plants, and future energy strategies. The year 2015 was taken as a basis and it was determined that energy use was 154.0 TWh / year, which corresponds to an end-user of approximately 147 TWh / year. The objective was to reduce this end-use demand to 80.0 TWh/year by 2055 through the integration of renewables and energy efficiency, for which 5 transition phases were planned until a 100% renewable system was obtained. It is concluded that the energy transition in Ecuador is technically possible and economically viable, without giving up the energy well-being that we currently enjoy. However, results show that even 100% renewable is not enough to face climate change.

Creation and implementation of the SIENMECRO chronic patient drug delivery system: qualitative study

Introduction: Faced with the pandemic produced by SARS-CoV-2, the Peruvian government implemented several measures such as the temporary closure of primary care facilities and the health system implemented various policies and strategies;one of them was to create and implement the Drug Delivery System for Chronic Patients (SIENMECRO) project. Background: To describe the creation and implementation process of SIENMECRO project. Methods: Qualitative case study that involved reviewing existing documentation such as texts and videos and conducting in-depth interviews with officials and collaborators involved since the preparation of SIENMECRO proposal. Results: SIENMECRO project emerges as a positive initiative with the aspiration of promoting an integrated health system that addresses the health reality from the social determinants of health, due to patients' difficulties to go to their controls and to receive their treatment. Although there was no comprehensive plan for the implementation and control of the project, it was essential to cover the need for health care for a vulnerable segment of the population, avoiding their transfer and preserving the health of the people most likely to suffer complications from COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: It is an initiative where the health system takes a more proactive role for the benefit of the population, implementing the use of technology of the information and communication in health care, articulating with the various providers and bringing services closer to the most vulnerable citizens.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of hotel housekeeping staff. (Special Issue: Tourism in the northeast.)

This research aimed to understand the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of workers of hotel housekeeping departments in the city of Joao Pessoa/PB. A quantitative analysis was carried out, to measure the information gathered from workers of three medium-sized hotels in the capital of the state of Paraiba, using a questionnaire to gather data, and descriptive analysis for the data analysis. It was found that the Covid-19 pandemic had caused impacts on the mental health of workers in this area, mainly in terms of financial worries;fear of losing their jobs;fear of contracting the disease while at work;and fear that if infected, they might pass it on to other members of the family. Added to this were physical fatigue, obsession with cleaning, and stress.

RED-EMAR - A Chilean pilot initiative of early detection and intervention in clinical high-risk subjects

The COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on the mental health of adolescents and young adults in South America. As a result, the appearance of a higher incidence of anxiety and depressive disorders in these countries have been documented and could lead to the appearance of severe mental health disorders. In this context, the prevention and early intervention in mental health is a current challenge in Central and South America. Since the last decade, the existence of initiatives in this field has been mapped in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina, mostly in first episode psychosis programs. However, Chile is the only country in South America with a multicentre prospective initiative for early detection and intervention in clinical high-risk subjects (called RED-EMAR). The aim of RED-EMAR is disseminate the value of the at-risk mental state concept (abbreviated to EMAR in Spanish), establish agreed therapeutic strategies in this field, and establish potential new evidence-based local interventions. The successful experiences of this network include the monitoring and discussion of clinical cases in telemedicine and the development of mental health psychoeducation guidelines. However, Insufficient resources, stigma, and the lack of mental health public policies are some of the weaknesses of this initiatives in South America. The development and access to early detection and intervention services in South America could be a window of opportunity to reduce the impact of severe mental health disorders such as psychosis and related disorders and move towards an approach aimed at prevention or delaying its onset.

Investigation and control actions of an outbreak COVID-19 onset in a hospital at Campos Gerais, Parana

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, several hospitals around the world reported the transmission of the disease in inpatient units not directed to the care of patients affected by the disease. The objective was to report the epidemiological investigation of two outbreaks of COVID-19 in an onset of a university hospital in the general fields. It took place between July and October/2021, the data were analyzed with the SIR model (susceptible-infected-recovered) to obtain the transmission rate (R). In the first outbreak (July-August), 49 people were investigated, 25/49 (51.0%) cases, 10/25 (40.0%) staff, 15/25 (60.0%) patients, 8/25 (33.3%) medical clinic, 16/25 (66.7%) surgical clinic and 21/25 (84.0%) symptomatic. Among the cases in patients, 11/15 (73.3%) had onset of symptoms after 7 days of hospitalization. The 5W2H matrix was used as an action plan. After the execution of the actions, there were active cases for 7-10 days. The duration was 35 days, the most critical moment occurred 17 days after the first patient presented symptoms, there were 15 patients active at the same time and the R was 2.92. In the second outbreak (SeptemberOctober), 127 people were investigated and there were 6/127, of these 2/6 (33.3%) staff, 4/6 (66.6%) patients, 4/6 (66.6%) medical clinic, 2/6 (33.3%) surgical clinic, 4/6 (66.6%) symptomatic. After the execution of the actions, there were active cases for 7-10 days and there were no new cases. The duration was 18 days, the most critical moment occurred after 7 days of the first patient presenting symptoms, there were 6 people active at the same time and the R was 1.35. The first experience was effective, however late in controlling the cases. The second experiment, using data from the first, was timely, the investigation was more robust and contained the outbreak quickly and efficiently.

Declaration of Cuernavaca

The National Public Health Institutes (NPHI), members of the Latin American Regional Network of the International Association of National Institutes of Public Health, met face to face at the headquarters of the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico, in the City of Cuernavaca, from October 5 to 7, 2022, with the participation of the directors or their representatives of the NPHIs of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and Suriname and representatives of the South American Sub regional Program (SAM), and the Central American Sub regional Program (CAM) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Organization of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (OTCA), the Andean Health Agency/Hipolito Unanue Agreement (ORAS/CONHU) and the Central American Integration System (SICA/COMISCA), analyzing the role of the NPHI in combating health inequities;in confronting the global climate and environmental crisis;combating hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition;successes and challenges in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic;strengthening and continuous improvement of integrated disease surveillance and preparedness for health emergencies;as well as the various existing regional and sub-regional health cooperation programs, noticing that: 1. In the current scenario, the dominating development model is a generator of growing social inequalities, which determine serious inequities in the health conditions of our peoples. 2. Likewise, the current model of production and consumption, adopted at the global level, has increased hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition that possibly constitute nowadays the main health problem in our region. 3. The environmental crisis, which is also a product of the current global development model, has a significant impact on human and animal health and the interaction between both. 4. The NPHIs have played a role of major relevance in confronting the Covid-19 pandemic, not fully applying, however, their full potential for research and for proposing national plans for the disease control. 5. Health surveillance systems, in most of our countries, suffer from significant fragmentation between various sectors and within the health sector itself, implying, in any case, reactive actions that do not allow for anticipating the emergence of new pathologies or health emergencies. 6. The various regional and sub regional cooperation agencies and programs offer an enormous capacity for synergies and mutual cooperation.

How do international olympic sport federations innovate? The use of crowdfunding and the impact of COVID-19

The purpose of this study was to contribute to the understanding of innovation and crowdfunding of International Olympic Sport Federations (IFs), which are the world governing bodies of their respective sports. Three research questions were addressed: the perceptions of the IFs on the implementation of their innovation programmes during the last four years (2016-2020), the impact of COVID-19 on the IFs capability to innovate, and the crowdfunding strategies of the IFs. A mixed method combining qualitative and quantitative approaches was used. An online semi-structured questionnaire which included an open answer section was completed by IFs executives (n = 22) and an analysis of the information provided by IFs through various content sources was conducted. Results showed that IFs with less funding had a significantly more innovative approach that their counterparts, that the perception of the impact of COVID-19 on the innovative capability was not unanimous, that they identified sport-specific programmes as the most innovative of all initiatives delivered during the pandemic, and that crowdfunding projects were implemented in their sport but mostly at individual and local levels. From a research perspective, since this is the first study that investigates the innovation and crowdfunding strategies of IFs, future directions include the need for further research with national and regional federations on these topics. Practical implications are suggested for IFs to deliver innovative programmes to satisfy their stakeholder needs and to consider new funding methods such as crowdfunding as part of their strategies.

Negative impacts of COVID-19 on tourism in conservation projects with emphasis on Instituto Arara Azul

The COVID-19 pandemic required changes in habits. Tourism was one of the most affected sectors. The objective of the article was to analyze the negative impacts resulting from the pandemic on conservation projects, with emphasis on the Hyacinth Macaw Institute (Instituto Arara Azul - ITA). The research was developed through a literature review and documents from the ITA. In the years 2018 and 2019 the Hyacinth Macaw Institute received an average of 299 tourists per year, in 2020 this average dropped by 60%. With the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, people stopped traveling and visiting the projects, with this, the collection structure was affected. However, ecotourism was one of the first activities to be resumed, after a prolonged period of isolation, people look for activities that provide physical and mental well-being.

Space-time risk clusters of COVID-19 in a tourism area in the northeastern Brazil: an epidemiological overview after two years of pandemic

The world is facing a serious viral infection caused by the new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. We aimed to evaluate and map the high-risk clusters of COVID-19 in the State of Alagoas, a touristic area in northeastern Brazil, after two years of pandemic by a population-based ecological study, using COVID-19 cases reported in the State of Alagoas, between March, 2020 and April, 2022. We performed a descriptive and statistical analysis of epidemiological data. We then map high-risk areas for COVID-19, using spatial analysis, considering the incidence rate by municipality. 297,972 positive cases were registered;56.9% were female and 42.7% aged between 20 and 39 years old. Men (OR = 1.59) and older than 60 years old (OR = 29.64) had a higher risk of death, while the highest incidence rates of the disease occurred in the metropolitan region. Our data demonstrate the impact of COVID-19 in the State of Alagoas, through the two years of pandemic. Although the number of cases were greater among women and young adults, the chance of death was greater among men and older adults. High-risk clusters of the disease initially occur in metropolitan cities and tourist areas.

Reflections on ecotourism in the municipality of Rancharia (SP, Brazil): possibilities and challenges

Tourists' preference for ecological attractions was boosted in the post-Covid-19 period and reinforced the importance of ecotourism around the world, with the appreciation of domestic trips to destinations marketed as sustainable. Therefore, the general objective of this article is to reflect on potentialities and challenges for ecotourism in the municipality of Rancharia (SP, Brazil). It should be noted that Rancharia is part of the "Sol do Oeste" and "Oeste Rios" Circuits, so there is a regional articulation focused on a tourism policy. The research methodology consisted of a theoretical review on the topic of ecotourism, tourism planning and tourism sustainability, highlighting study concepts and perspectives. Documents provided by the municipal government were consulted, such as the Master Plan, the Master Plan for Tourism Development and the Urbanistic and Environmental Master Plan. To complement the analyses, an interview was conducted with the Director of the Municipal Department of Tourism, the main activity management sector on a local scale. The results show that Rancharia has the potential to perpetuate ecotourism practices, especially when it is verified the presence of expressive natural resources in its territory and the title of Municipality of Tourist Interest (MIT) conquered in 2007, when it started to receive funds for investments in infrastructure tourism, as well as resources from the Improvement Fund for Tourist Municipalities to benefit the activity. On the other hand, the challenges are related to the opening of private properties to public visitation, as they have natural attractions that already motivate flows of people, however, they also lack investments in infrastructure for access and permanence of visitors. Likewise, it is necessary to sensitize the community to the value of ecotourism as an alternative to socioeconomic development. From this, it would be possible to structure an ecotourism itinerary with an emphasis on practices and leisure activities in contact with nature, attracting more tourist flows to the municipality.

Special Issue: Tourism in the northeast. (Special Issue: Tourism in the northeast.)

This special issue on tourism in northeast Brazil includes five articles which deal with: the use of Instagram to promote proximity tourism in northeast Brazil;the visual language (images and colours) of tourism advertisements for the northeast region;the influence of time pressure on the intention to visit the destinations of Aracaju, Sergipe and Salvador, Bahia;community-based tourism in Prainha do Canto Verde, Beberibe, Ceara;and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of hotel housekeeping staff in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba.

Pathogenicity of GI-23 Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus Strain Isolated in Brazil.

IBV variants belonging to the GI-23 lineage have circulated since 1998 in the Middle East and have spread to several countries over time. In Brazil, the first report of GI-23 occurred in 2022. The study aimed to evaluate the in vivo pathogenicity of exotic variant GI-23 isolates. Biological samples were screening by real-time RT-PCR and classified in to GI-1 or G1-11 lineages. Interestingly, 47.77% were not classified in these lineages. Nine of the unclassified strains were sequenced and showed a high similarity to the GI-23 strain. All nine were isolated and three, were studied for pathogenicity. At necropsy, the main observations were the presence of mucus in the trachea and congestion in the tracheal mucosa. In addition, lesions on the tracheas showed marked ciliostasis, and the ciliary activity confirmed the high pathogenicity of isolates. This variant is highly pathogenic to the upper respiratory tract and can cause severe kidney lesions. This study confirm a circulation of GI-23 strain in the country and report, to first time, the isolation of an exotic variant of IBV in Brazil.

Bottom-up advocacy strategies to abortion access during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned towards reproductive justice in Brazil.

In Brazil, abortion is only allowed in cases of rape, serious risk to a woman's life or fetal anecephaly. Legal abortion services cover less than 4% of the Brazilian territory and only 1,800 procedures are performed, in average, per year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, almost half of the already few Brazilian abortion clinics shut down and women had to travel even longer distances, reaching abortion services at later gestational ages. In this paper, we describe three bottom-up advocacy strategies that emerged from difficulties deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic at a single abortion service in Brazil, amidst anti-gender policies from the federal government. Telemedicine abortion, outpatient surgical abortion and the provision of abortion after 20 weeks' gestation are important strategies that may reduce inequalities that impact the most vulnerable populations, such as black and indigenous women, children, adolescents and women experiencing domestic violence.

Long-lasting brain fog is related with severity clusters of symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Background: COVID-19 patients may experience lon-lasting symptoms from weeks to even months. Aim: to evaluate long-term cognitive impairment based on the severity

Background: COVID-19 patients may experience lon-lasting symptoms from weeks to even months. Aim: To evaluate long-term cognitive impairment based on the severity of symptoms of COVID-19 infection in a primary health system setting. Material and methods: From a database of 363 patients, 83 cases aged 47 +or- 15 years, (58% females) were selected from June to August 2020. In patients who survived the virus, 24 infection-related symptoms were collected to create three severity clusters (mild, moderate, and severe). The follow-up time was at least seven months. Comparing the first two clusters with the severe cluster, the existence of brain fog and risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and hypothyroidism) were analyzed. Results: Thirty-one patients (37%) had persistent symptoms lasting up to 240 days. Fifty-one patients (61%) experienced brain fog. Concentration was affected by symptom severity (odds ratio [OR] 3.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-10.46, p = 0.02). Short- or long-term memory loss was not affected. Moreover, symptom severity was related to brain fog (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.05-9.51, p = 0.04). Patients with persistent symptoms had a concentration impairment associated with severity patterns (OR 24.3, 95% CI 1.73-340.11, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Brain fog is associated with symptom severity in COVID-19 survivors and lasts for more than eight months.

The experience of countries in implementing the principles of "one health". Comparative review

Relevance: The global consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic emphasize today the importance of the concept of "One Health" for the health system, which provides for the use of a coordinated, joint, interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach to eliminate potential or existing risks arising at the interface of the "environment-animal-human-ecosystem". The aim of the work is to study the experience of countries in implementing the concept of "One Health". Search strategy: comparative analysis of publications on the research topic, sources indexed in the databases of the electronic library e-Library, Google Academy, Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus. 26 countries from the European Union, South America and Africa were subject to analysis. The criteria defined are: institutional framework;mechanisms of intersectoral interaction and programs/tools for the implementation of the concept of "One Health". Results: The literature review provides a comparative analysis of the experience of implementing the concept of "One Health" in 26 countries. Realizing the importance of "One Health" in the general concept of public safety, countries have launched an active policy to promote it in the last decade. Characteristic features of country policies are the intersectoral approach with appropriate support from the government of the country, the activity of all participants in promoting the initiative and their investment.