The Mental Health of Health Care Workers in the UK During COVID-19: The Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mental health of health care workers (HCWs). Aim: This study investigated the mental health of HCWs working in Leicester, UK during COVID-19. Settings: Two hospital trusts in Leicester, UK. Methods: An online survey was sent to HCWs in two trusts in July 2020. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale (PHQ-9) were used to measure the prevalence rates of anxiety and depression. The Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) was used to measure levels of perceived stress. Other questions were used to identify the prevalence of increased alcohol intake and possible risk factors. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression. Results: A total of 1009 HCWs completed the survey. Using a cutoff score of 5 (mild symptoms), for both GAD-7 and PHQ-9, 80.2% of participants had at least one condition and 71.5% had both. Using the cutoff score of 10 (moderate/severe symptoms), 27.2% had at least one condition and 27.25% had both conditions. In addition, 37.5% of those who did not report pre-existing mental health conditions now have at least one condition. About 33.6% of participants reported an increase in alcohol consumption. A number of risk factors were identified: having less social support, not feeling supported at work, and poor pre-existing mental health. Conclusions: The pandemic had a significant impact on mental health of HCWs. Health organizations need to monitor and address these emerging effects.

A study on the dietary behavior of Korean adults: focus on dietary supplement intake, household size, and COVID-19

Objectives: This study investigates dietary supplement intakes by examining the characteristics of dietary and health-related behaviors. Data were obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Dietary and health-related behaviors were also examined before and after the occurrence of COVID-19 and household types (multi-members vs. single person). Methods: Data used in this study were collected from the 2019-2020 KNHANES by including adults aged 19 to 64 years. Pregnant, lactating, and subjects consuming calories less than 500 and more than 5,000 were excluded. Differences in dietary and health-related behaviors before and after COVID-19, and between the two types of households were analyzed by Chi-square analyses using Rao-Scott. Logistic regression analyses were applied to determine which dietary and health-related behaviors affected the dietary supplement intakes. In addition, descriptive analysis was run for demographic characteristics. Results: The dietary supplement intake rate differed significantly with respect to the gender, age, education, marital status, and household income. Dietary supplement intakes, frequency of eating out, obesity, and body weight changes were significantly different before and after COVID-19. In addition, meal evaluation, frequency of eating out, drinking, smoking, activity, subjective health evaluation, and body weight changes showed significant differences by household type. Attitude towards nutrition, activity, meal evaluation, obesity, and smoking were factors that affected the intake of dietary supplements. Conclusions: While increased intake of dietary supplements is a prevalent phenomenon, this intake needs to be monitored and studied closely, considering the sociodemographic characteristics and dietary and health-related behaviors. Furthermore, the dietary supplement intake trend after COVID-19 needs to be studied along with food intake.

Special Section on COVID-19. (Special Section on COVID-19.)

This special section on COVID-19 includes 7 articles covering various topics related to the pandemic. The first article discusses COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among young adults in Canada. The second article examines the pathways of association between disordered eating in adolescence and mental health outcomes in young adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic. The third article explores the increased alcohol use, heavy episodic drinking, and suicide ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. The fourth article focuses on British Columbia's COVID-19 surveys on population experiences, action, and knowledge, presenting methods and key findings from two large cross-sectional online surveys. The fifth article is a systematic review of the health impact of COVID-19 among Black communities in Canada. The sixth article is about the early identification of a COVID-19 outbreak detected by wastewater surveillance at a large homeless shelter in Toronto, Ontario. Finally, the seventh article discusses COVID-19 vaccine inequity and Big Pharma, arguing for a rethink of our relationship with pharmaceutical companies.

Recovery rates and parosmia in olfactory loss during the COVID-19 era

INTRODUCTION. Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a common symptom of COVID-19. In some patients, OD persists for many months, fluctuates during recovery or parosmia may occur. Knowledge about the prognosis of these patients is insufficient. METHODS. Data on chemosensory function and possible prognostic factors were collected through a baseline questionnaire and six follow-up questionnaires answered at 2-3-month intervals. RESULTS. One year after onset of OD, 42.0% of the respondents reported sustained complete recovery, 41.7% reported partial recovery and 2.4% reported no improvement of olfaction. Follow-up was unavailable for 13.9%. Parosmia, high severity of OD and female sex were associated with lower rates of recovery. Subjects who reported that OD had a high impact on their quality of life were less likely to recover within one month. Smoking, alcohol habits, BMI and physical activity were not associated with persistence of OD. CONCLUSIONS. High recovery rates were reported within the first months. Recovery of sensory function after more than six months with no prior improvement was reported. After one year, 97.1% of participants with at least one year of follow-up had reported at least some recovery. Recurring OD after initial complete recovery was reported by 24.5% of participants. Parosmia and severity of OD were associated with prolonged recovery rates. FUNDING. AF received research funding from Velux Fonden. The sponsors had no say nor any responsibilities in relation to the study.

The brewing industry in Friuli Venezia Giulia

This article discusses the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on beer production and consumption in Europe, with a focus on Friuli Venezia Giulia region in Italy. The pandemic restrictions have resulted in a contraction in the production and consumption of beer in Europe in 2020 and 2021. However, Italy has seen a recovery in the beer sector due to a surge in demand in the HoReCa channel. In terms of off-trade outlets, such as supermarkets and retail sales, there has been a continued growth trend seen in previous years, with an increasing preference for low-alcohol or alcohol-free beers. Friuli Venezia Giulia has experienced a rise in the number of beer consumers by 3.1% in 2021, with every 100 people witnessing a rise of 1.5% compared to the previous year, making it the region with the highest percentage of beer consumers in Italy. The region has seen continuous growth in craft brewing companies, with 55 as of 31 March 2022. Microbreweries are the predominant business type, and e-commerce is a service offered by 36% of the craft companies. The environmental impact resulting from the activities of the companies studied varies, and there is significant room for improvement in the future. Overall, the craft brewing industry in Friuli Venezia Giulia shows continued growth and development, contributing to the economic development of rural areas.

Post-COVID era: predictive aspect of psychological condition due to sudden pandemic

Covid-19 has impacted the lives of people in various aspects positive as well as negative. It has animpact on different areas of life, including the economy, industries, global markets, agriculture, human health, etc. The virus caused disruptions to daily life and restrictions on activities in many communities during its multiple outbreaks. Hope for a potential end to the pandemic emerged with the stepping up of vaccination campaigns. However, the continual appearance of mutant strains and vaccine hesitancy has been problems both nationally and internationally. People's normal activities, routines, and livelihoods have been disrupted by self-isolation and quarantine, potentially leading to an increase in loneliness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, excessive alcohol and drug use, and self-harm or suicidal activity. The psychological aspects of the post-covid-19 era are the effect of covid-19 on CNS, and physiological and psychological diseases caused due to covid-19. The article explains Post Trauma Stress Disorder as a psychological scar, Social evils arising due to covid-19, and predictive reasons for the increase in mental illness.

Analysis of correlation between occupational stress and influencing factors of employees of a power supply company in Guangdong: based on effort-reward imbalance model

[Background] With the rapid development of China's economy, the working pressure of occupational population has increased rapidly, and the impacts of occupational stress on the physical and mental health of occupational population are becoming an important public health issue. Power supply companies are high risk industries of occupational stress covering many stressors. At present, no systematic research on occupational stress among workers in power supply companies has been reported, especially the impacts of occupational hazardous factors on occupational stress of workers. [Objective] The study aims to obtain the current status of occupational stress, explore the correlation between occupational stress and influencing factors, and provide a basis for formulating occupational stress intervention measures through a questionnaire survey of employees of a power supply company in Guangdong. [Methods] A cross-sectional study design was adopted and 1 091 employees of a power supply company in Guangdong were selected in May 2019. A general information questionnaire tailored to power supply companies was designed and distributed to collect basic information of the subjects. Occupational stress was assessed by effort-reward imbalance (ERI) index[ERI=effort score/(reward scorex0.545 4)] of ERI scale, and ERI index > 1 was defined as having high occupational stress. Chi-square test was used to compare the differences of occupational stress rate among groups with different individual characteristics, occupational characteristics, lifestyles, and exposures to occupational hazardous factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of high occupational stress. [Results] A total of 1 091 questionnaires were distributed in this survey, and 972 (89.1%) valid questionnaires were returned. The respondents included 859 men (88.4%) and 113 women (11.6%). There were 514 (52.9%) subjects with high occupational stress. The prevalence rate of high occupational stress were higher in men than in women, higher among married employees than among single employees, higher in employees at and over 30 years of age than in those below 30 years, higher in dispatching and maintenance workers than in other types of workers, higher in high-income-level employees than in low-income-level employees, higher in employees with < 6h sleeping time than in those with >7 h, higher in employees with alcohol consumption than in those without, and higher in those exposed to noise, electromagnetic radiation, high temperature and high altitude, and visual display terminal than in those not;these differences were all statistically significant (P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis results showed that compared with the workers at the age of < 30 years, those at the age of 30-years and 40-years had a higher risk for high occupational stress (OR=2.438, 95% CI:1.507-3.943;OR=2.407, 95% CI:1.472-3.934, respectively);compared with customer service and other types of workers, the maintenance and dispatching workers had a higher risk for high occupational stress (OR=1.841, 95% CI:1.140-2.973;OR=2.417, 95% CI:1.149-5.083, respectively);compared with the employees who slept >7h every day, those who slept < 6h and 6-7h every day had a higher risk for high occupational stress (OR=1.735, 95% CI:1.182-2.547;OR=1.518, 95% CI:1.069-2.115, respectively);compared with those without visual display terminal exposure, the employees with such exposure had a higher risk for high occupational stress (OR=1.419, 95% CI:1.043-1.932). [Conclusion] The employees of the selected power supply company generally have a high rate of high occupational stress. Aged above 30 years, at maintenance and dispatch positions, with short sleeping duration, and with exposure to visual display terminal are risk factors of high occupational stress.

Association of alcohol use and dietary lifestyle of commercial drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

Background: Alcohol intake, particularly to cope up with stress and depression experienced by commercial drivers during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, is alarming as a rise in sales has been reported in certain countries during the quarantine. Alcoholism leads to malnutrition, either because those involved consume an insufficient amount of essential nutrients or because alcohol and its metabolism prevent the body from properly absorbing, digesting, and using those nutrients. This study was carried out to assess the association of alcohol use and dietary lifestyle of commercial motor drivers during the pandemic. Results: The anthropometric studies revealed that 69.5% of the respondents fall within the range of 18.5-24.49 indicating that they have normal weights. 63.5% reported daily consumption of alcohol, and 51% claimed that it does not affect their appetite, while 64.5% of the respondent stated that alcohol does not present them with any health problems. There was no significant association between the consumption of alcohol and nutritional status (p > 0.05), but a significant association between dietary lifestyle patterns and the nutritional status of participants was recorded (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It is, therefore, essential that commercial drivers are given adequate information and guidance on improving their dietary lifestyle.

Special Issue: Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Canadians. (Special Issue: Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Canadians.)

This special issue contains 8 articles that discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health symptoms and wellness among Canadians, focusing on alcohol and cannabis use, suicide, child maltreatment, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The correlates of substance use among older adults in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Evidence suggests that substance use remains one of the negative consequences of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic among older adults. However, not much is known about the prevalence and associated factors of substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.

Protecting persons at-risk of viral hepatitis and alcohol-related liver disease during the pandemic and beyond: mitigating the impact of Coronavirus disease 2019 on liver health

Background: Treatment seeking for people with alcohol use disorders (AUD), injecting drug use and viral hepatitis is low, and has worsened during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Deferring clinical care and increasing drug and alcohol use exacerbate the risks of progression for individuals with chronic liver disease from viral hepatitis and/or alcohol-related liver disease (ALD). We explored the impact COVID-19 epidemic may have on patients with chronic liver disease and suggested mechanisms to protect this at-risk population during and after the pandemic.

Awareness about the effects and types of dietary modification in COVID 19 among dental students - a questionnaire based study

Background : The virus SARS COV-2 caused coronavirus disease (covid-19) across the world. So we have some other nutritional therapy. It can prevent and treat Covid 19. This deteriorated nutritional status seems to be involved within the virulence of the virus, and doubtless within the clinical outcome. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the awareness about diet modification in COVID19 among dental students.

Self-care strategies for COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has likely brought many changes to how you live your life, and with it uncertainty, altered daily routines, financial pressures and social isolation. You may worry about getting sick, how long the pandemic will last, whether you'll lose your job, and what the future will bring. Information overload, rumors and misinformation can make your life feel out of control and make it unclear what to do. During the COVID-19 pandemic, you may experience stress, anxiety, fear, sadness and loneliness. And mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, can worsen. Surveys show a major increase in the number of U.S. adults who report symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression during the pandemic, compared with surveys before the pandemic. Some people have increased their use of alcohol or drugs, thinking that can help them cope with their fears about the pandemic. In reality, using these substances can worsen anxiety and depression. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession have negatively affected many people's mental health and created new barriers for people already suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders. During the pandemic, about 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, a share that has been largely consistent, up from one in ten adults who reported these symptoms from January to June 2019 (Figure 1). A KFF Health Tracking Poll from July 2020 also found that many adults are reporting specific negative impacts on their mental health and well-being, such as difficulty sleeping (36%) or eating (32%), increases in alcohol consumption or substance use (12%), and worsening chronic conditions (12%), due to worry and stress over the corona virus. As the pandemic wears on, ongoing and necessary public health measures expose many people to experiencing situations linked to poor mental health outcomes, such as isolation and job loss. People with substance use disorders, notably those addicted to tobacco or opioids, are likely to have worse outcomes if they get COVID-19. That's because these addictions can harm lung function and weaken the immune system, causing chronic conditions such as heart disease and lung disease, which increase the risk of serious complications from COVID-19. For all of these reasons, it's important to learn self-care strategies and get the care you need to help you cope.

Assessment of the teaching on alcohol use and management in current health professional curricula in India. (Special Issue: Health systems strengthening.)

Alcohol consumption is globally a serious public health challenge, and it is rampant across all parts of India. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the overall burden of alcoholism due to long working hours, increased mental stress, depression, and so on. Primary care physicians have an important role in assessing risk and providing counselling, intervention and treatment of alcohol misuse. Studies have demonstrated primary health care facilities to be ideally suited for alcohol prevention and cessation interventions as most patients with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) seek treatment from facilities in the primary care setting in India. Thus, the training of healthcare professionals is vital in addressing AUDs in India. The Indian government is setting up Health and Wellness Centres across the country intended to address long-term care and holistic health promotion. At the same time, healthcare providers have expressed their limited competence in cessation and counselling practices related to AUDs. One of the attributing factors for these limitations is the paucity of exposure during the formative years. With this background, a review was undertaken of the current prescribed undergraduate professional curricula (medical, nursing, dentistry and physiotherapy) in India to assess its current status and preparedness in addressing alcohol misuse. The study findings emphasise the need to bolster the continuing education of health professionals aimed at health promotion and preventive strategies by hands-on training, brief workshops, supervised clinical experience by extramural faculty such as addiction psychiatrists, use of standardised patients, role play, and other similar methods.

Covid-19 lockdown and wine consumption frequency in Portugal and Spain

Aim of study: This study aims to analyse how psychological factors related to the Covid-19 lockdown affected the frequency of wine consumption among Iberian consumers. Area of study: To achieve this goal, we used data collected from an online survey in Europe comprising 4489 observations from Portuguese and Spanish samples. Material and methods: Using an ordered probit model, we analysed the wine consumption frequency as a function of a set of explanatory variables related to psychological factors, sociodemographic variables, consumption characterisation and channels of trade variables. Main results: The identification of the hedonic nature of wine consumption explains the increase in frequency, while the negative feelings associated with the lockdown and health concerns are not relevant, which implies a different effect on consumption than in the case of other disasters. Consumer loyalty before the lockdown and the role that technology has played in explaining the frequency of consumption in the form of apps, online purchasing and digital drinks opens up a new horizon in the study of consumer behaviour. Research highlights: Although econometrically different, the impact of the Covid-19 crisis tend to be felt similarly among the Iberian countries. The effects of psychological impacts related to feelings of Covid-19 of the lockdown does not show impact in wine consumption behaviour. The consumer background and behavioural attitude towards wine explain most changes in consumption patterns.

Deaths of despair and the incidence of excess mortality in 2020

Weekly mortality through October 3 is partitioned into normal deaths, COVID, and nonCOVID excess deaths (NCEDs). Before March, the excess is negative for the elderly, likely due to the mild flu season. From March onward, excess deaths are approximately 250,000 of which about 17,000 appear to be a COVID undercount and 30,000 non-COVID. Deaths of despair (drug overdose, suicide, alcohol) in 2017 and 2018 are good predictors of the demographic groups with NCEDs in 2020. The NCEDs are disproportionately experienced by men aged 15-55, including men aged 15-25. Local data on opioid overdoses further support the hypothesis that the pandemic and recession were associated with a 10 to 60 percent increase in deaths of despair above already high pre-pandemic levels.

COVID-19 has strengthened the relationship between alcohol consumption and domestic violence

A large body of evidence documents a link between alcohol consumption and violence involving intimate partners and close family members. Recent scholarship suggests that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home orders, there has been a marked increase in domestic violence. This research considers an important mechanism behind the increase in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic: an increase in the riskiness of alcohol consumption. We combine 911 call data with newly-available high-resolution microdata on visits to bars and liquor stores in Detroit, MI and find that the strength of the relationship between visits to alcohol outlets and domestic violence more than doubles starting in March 2020. We find more limited evidence with respect to non-domestic assaults, supporting our conclusion that it is not alcohol consumption per se but alcohol consumption at home that is a principal driver of domestic violence.

Croatia: health system review 2021

This analysis of the Croatian health system reviews developments in its organization and governance, financing, provision of services, health reforms and health system performance. Croatia has a mandatory social health insurance system with nearly universal population coverage and a generous benefits package. Although per capita spending is low when compared to other EU countries, the share of public spending as a proportion of current health expenditure is high and out-of-pocket payments are low. There are sufficient physical and human resources overall, but some more remote areas, such as the islands off the Adriatic coast and rural areas in central and eastern Croatia, face shortages. While the Croatian health system provides a high degree of financial protection, more can be achieved in terms of improving health outcomes. Several mortality rates are among the highest in the EU, including mortality from cancer, preventable causes (including lung cancer, alcohol-related causes and road traffic deaths) and air pollution. Quality monitoring systems are underdeveloped, but available indicators on quality of care suggest much scope for improvement. Another challenge is waiting times, which were already long in the years before 2020 and are bound to have increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Food Habit Associated Mycobiota Composition and Their Impact on Human Health.

Mycobiota is not only associated with healthy homeostasis in the human gut but also helps to adapt to the environment. Food habits, alcohol consumption, intake of probiotics, and contaminated food with a mycotoxin, often lead to the alteration in the mycobiota composition. Impaired immunity of the host may affect fungal symbiosis leading to mycosis. The human gut adapts to the commensalism fungi belonging to the phylum Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Diet habits such as plant-or animal-based, phytoestrogens enriched plant products, fat-rich diets also influence the colonization of certain fungal species in the mammalian gut. Food habits or mycotoxin-contaminated food or fungal peptides have an impact on bacterial-fungal interaction and human health. The mycobiota population such as Fusarium, Humicola, Aspergillus, and Candida are altered due to alcohol intake in alcoholic liver disease. The role of associated gut mycobiota due to irregular bowel habits or lifestyle change has been observed in inflammatory bowel disease. In this review, it has been observed that Saccharomyces, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Cladosporium, Candida, and Malassezia were the common genus in the human mycobiota. Therefore, this study focused on how diet habits and alcohol intake, among others., influence mycobiota composition that may affect the human immune system or overall health.