A Retrospective Chart Review Evaluating Changes in 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels among Patients Attending the University Healthcare Centre during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

COVID-19-pandemic-related home confinement aids in limiting the spread of the virus but restricts exposure to sunlight, thereby possibly affecting 25(OH)D concentrations. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lockdown measures on 25(OH)D levels in outpatients visiting the healthcare centre over a period of two years. In this retrospective chart review, outpatients who visited a university healthcare centre for a health check-up over a period of two years were included. The patients' 25(OH)D serum levels and status were compared before, during, and after the lockdown periods. A total of 7234 patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 34.66 ± 16.78. The overall prevalence of 25(OH)D insufficiency, deficiency and sufficiency was 33.8%, 30.7% and 35.4%, respectively. The proportion of individuals with 25-(OH) D deficiency prior to lockdown was 29% and this proportion increased in the lockdown and post-lockdown periods to 31.1% and 32%, respectively. Although gender was less likely to have an impact on the 25 (OH) D level during the lockdown period (p = 0.630), we found an association between gender and 25 (OH) D status in the pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Another association between nationality and 25 (OH)D levels was found before, during and after the lockdown periods (p < 0.001). In addition, the youngest population, aged between 1 and 14, was strongly affected by the home confinement. Age had a positive and significant (p < 0.05) effect on 25 (OH) D status regardless of the different periods. Moreover, in the pre-lockdown period, male outpatients had 1.56 chance of having a sufficient level of 25 (OH)D. However, during the lockdown period, this chance decreased to 0.85 and then increased to 0.99 after the lockdown period. We found no statistically significant difference in the mean serum concentrations or in the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency when we compared values from before, during and immediately after the COVID-19 lockdown period. However, there was a generally increased prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in our study population. Another association between gender, nationality and age groups with 25(OH) D was found. Regular exposure to UVR is recommended for maintaining adequate vitamin D levels and to prevent vitamin D deficiency. Further research is needed to determine the best indications for vitamin D supplementation if confinement periods are extended and to consider the potential health consequences of prolonged confinement periods not only on vitamin D status but also on overall public health. The findings of this study may be considered by stakeholders for a targeted supplementation approach for risk groups.

Impacts of COVID-19 on Pakistan Society: Home Confinement, Social Survey Data and Maps Showing Diffusion

The purposes of this chapter are threefold: to discuss the impact of home confinement due to the pandemic, to analyze the results of a social survey about the impact of the pandemic on the general public, and to present maps showing the spread of virus in Pakistan. Not only in Pakistan, but throughout the world, the outcomes of the pandemic were mainly related to psychological and health issues. Emergency situations in global policy, such as pandemics, impact both physical and mental health. A country like Pakistan, which was already fragile and struggling from deflation, was badly affected by the lockdown imposed by the pandemic outbreak. Home confinement during the lockdown period severely impacted the health and economic conditions of communities at large. The effect is discussed in detail in this chapter. In a similar vein, a community-based survey was conducted of 1043 people residing in different areas in Pakistan. The purpose of the survey was to check the behavioral concerns of people towards the pandemic and their safety behavior. The variables used were adapted from existing studies and questions and modified to address the issues in this survey. The last section of this chapter discusses, with GIS maps, how the virus spread throughout the country. The survey instrument provided a general understanding of safety concerns of the people. GIS maps at provincial levels were generated to depict the spread of virus during the peak times of the pandemic. The chapter provides a clear picture of the country during the pandemic times and serves as a reference to understand the social side of pandemic in the country. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

The prevalence of myopia remains stable under tighter COVID-19 social restriction in preschoolers receiving a school-based eyecare program.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the impact of different levels of COVID-19 social restrictions (social distancing in 2020, large-scale home confinement in 2021) on myopia prevalence and behaviours in a preschool population with school-based eyecare programme. METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional surveys were conducted between August and December in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Children aged 5-6 years received ocular examinations, and questionnaires were answered by caregivers before the day of the examination. The main outcome measures were the changes in after-school time spent on homework, screen-based devices and outdoors. Secondary outcome was the change in myopia prevalence (spherical equivalent [SE] ≤ -0.5 D in either eye after cycloplegia). RESULTS: A total of 9997 preschoolers were included in the analysis. Under tighter restrictions, more preschoolers spent ≥1 h/day on screen-based devices (42.8% in 2019, 45.2% in 2020, 48.9% in 2021, p < 0.001), and fewer preschoolers spent ≥30 min/day on after-school outdoor activities (49.5% in 2019, 46.0% in 2020, 41.0% in 2021, p < 0.001) on weekdays. A similar trend was found on weekends. While more preschoolers spent ≥2 h/day on screen-based devices (35.3% in 2019, 38.5% in 2020, 43.0% in 2021, p < 0.001), fewer preschoolers spent ≥2 h/day on outdoor activities (41.7% in 2019, 41.7% in 2020, 34.0% in 2021, p < 0.001). The mean SE and myopia prevalence were stable (9.1% in 2019, 10.3% in 2020, 9.4% in 2021, p = 0.707). CONCLUSION: Our study showed dose-dependent effect of social restrictions on near-work and outdoor behaviours at home. The prevalence of myopia did not increase significantly with short-term cessation of school-based eyecare programmes.

Compliance with Home Confinement to M itigate the Spread of SARS-CoV-2: Analysisfor Latin American Countries

This research evaluated some factors that could affect compliance with home confinement during the covid-19 pandemic by citizens of Latin American countries. Data from 229 days was used counted from the first confirmed infection in the region related to mobility, the interest of people in learning about issues related to the new coronavirus, the rigor of the policies that restricted the movement of people, the trust of citizens towards their governments, unemployment and deaths from covid-19. He estimated a model with panel data for twelve Latin American countries from them. The main results suggest that a greater rigor of governments, a good level of trust towards them, and an increase in unemployment were associated with greater compliance with home confinement to mitigate the pandemic's effects.

Exploring the Psychological Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement in China: A Psycho-Linguistic Analysis on Weibo Data Pool.

BACKGROUNDS: With the rapid spread of COVID-19, strict home confinement has been implemented in most parts of Chinese regions. Millions of people were not allowed to leave their homes except for special reasons. Home confinement plays an essential role in curbing pandemic and promoting preventive behaviors, but it may affect individuals' mental health as well. OBJECTS: The objective of this study was to explore the psychological impacts of home confinement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected more than 150,360 Weibo messages from 5,370 Chinese active users, and then extracted psycho-linguistic features from these messages. Psycho-linguistic analysis was carried out using the 2 (confinement vs. non-confinement) × 2 (before vs. after confinement) repeated measure analysis of variance (RM ANOVA). RESULTS: The results showed that the frequency of positive emotion words was remarkably decreased during home confinement [F (1,5368) = 7.926, p = 0.005, η2 = 0.001]. In high-endemic subgroup, home confinement also reduced the frequency of exclusion words [F (1,3445) = 4.518, p = 0.034, η2 = 0.001] and inhibition words [F (1,3445) = 10.154, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.003]. CONCLUSION: Home confinement caused a decline in the use of positive emotion words. This indicates that home confinement can increase the frequency of negative emotions. The changes of exclusion words and inhibition words in high-endemic areas may be related to the high epidemic threat and the urgent need for social distancing in these areas.

The Effects of COVID-19 on the Emotional and Social Stability, Motivation and Attitudes of Gifted and Non-Gifted Children in Greece.

Gifted children exhibit advanced cognitive abilities, usually beyond their emotional development, which puts them at higher risk of the negative consequences of isolation. This study investigates the effects of distance learning and home confinement on the emotional and social stability, motivation, and attitudes of gifted and non-gifted children in Greece. Our study includes two subsets, from before (September 2017 to March 2020) and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020 to March 2022). The analysis indicated that home confinement and distance learning caused children to create a stronger attachment with their parents, and it increased the involvement of parents in their child's school experience. Non-gifted children displayed high levels of certain attitudes (perfectionism, desire for acceptance, and condescending behavior) and demonstrated elevated motivation. Gifted children in the pre-COVID-19 period had already displayed increased levels of condescending attitude, which is assumed to be the result of already existing expectations from their parents. The pandemic further increased this attitude, as a result of the higher expectations of their parents. Overall, the study highlighted the importance of children to have more than one support system and the need for them to strengthen their self-image.

Looking through mothers' lens on children's technology overuse, behavioral and psychosocial alterations during home confinement: future recommendations

Background: COVID-19 home confinement protracted extended cohabitation and drastic changes in the children's lifestyle behaviors. During this time, mothers faced the foremost challenge to preserve their children's physical and psychological well-being. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate children's technology overuse, behavioral and psychosocial alterations during COVID-19 home confinement. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Alexandria city, Egypt. A sample of 375 mothers who had school-age children completed the Children's Behavioral and Psychosocial Changes during Home Confinement Questionnaire. Findings: More than three-quarters of mothers reported alterations in children's behaviors related to technology overuse (76.8%). Similarly, 51.5% and 44.8% of mothers reported aggressive behaviors and alterations in children's feelings during COVID-19. Changes in eating patterns (50.7%), sleeping patterns (48.3%), physical activity (54.9%), and personal hygiene (54.4%) were also perceived as major challenges. Conclusion: Home confinement related to the COVID-19 pandemic was identified as a great source of alteration in children's behaviors and psychosocial status. Children overused technology as a solely recreational outlet during confinement time. Consequently, mothers faced major challenges regarding the alteration in their children's lifestyle, technology overuse, disobedience, aggressive behaviors, feelings, and social interaction. So, COVID-19-related behavioral changes could be combated by adopting parents' guidelines. Nurses play a critical role in educating parents to keep an open channel of communication with their children. They should also remain vigilant for the changes in the regular children's lifestyles and behaviors during home confinement. © 2023 The Author(s)

Benefit-finding buffers the effects of home confinement and centralized quarantine (HCCQ) on late midlife and older adults' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: Older adults' well-being may suffer due to prolonged social isolation leading to loneliness and increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aimed to address the role of benefit-finding, defined as the capacity to derive meaning and positive aspects from stressful situations, in late midlife and older adults' adaptation to the effects of home confinement and centralized quarantine (HCCQ).Methods: 421 participants aged 50 or above in mainland of China participated in an online survey to study the effects of HCCQ on loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression and life satisfaction, as well as the moderating role of benefit-finding.Results: Correlational analysis showed that a history of HCCQ was basically unrelated to any outcome. However, the effect actually varied by levels of benefit-finding. Among late midlife and older people with lower benefit-finding, those who had experienced HCCQ reported more loneliness, perceived stress, as well as more anxiety and depressive symptoms; no such relationships were found when benefit-finding was moderate or high.Conclusion: The findings extended our understanding of the role of benefit-finding in buffering the negative impact of adversity. By mitigating the effects of prolonged social isolation, benefit-finding served as a protective factor in late midlife and older people's adaptation to the sequelae of this pandemic.

"It's hard for everyone" systemic barriers to home confinement to prevent community spread of COVID-19.

Rapid identification and isolation/quarantine of COVID-19 cases or close contacts, respectively, is a vital tool to support safe, in-person learning. However, safe isolation or quarantine for a young child also necessitates home confinement for at least one adult caregiver, as well as rapid learning material development by the teacher to minimize learning loss. The purpose of this study is to better understand barriers and supports to student home confinement. We conducted a mixed-methods study using focus group discussions and a self-administered online survey with parents and staff members from 12 elementary schools and childcare sites across San Diego County serving low-income and socially vulnerable families. Focus group participants reported that mental distress and loneliness, learning loss, childcare, food, income loss, and overcrowded housing were major barriers related to home confinement. The experiences described by FGD participants were prevalent in a concurrent community survey: 25% of participants reported that isolation would be extremely difficult for a household member who tested positive or was exposed to COVID-19, and 20% were extremely concerned about learning loss while in isolation or quarantine. Our findings suggest that there are serious structural impediments to safely completing the entire recommended course of isolation or quarantine, and that the potential for isolation or quarantine may also lead to increased hesitancy to access diagnostic testing.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, home confinement (isolation and quarantine) are important public health tools to keep children learning in-person at schools. However, isolation or quarantine for young children also means that often their caregivers must also go into home confinement, as well as forcing teachers to adapt their lessons to online teaching. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to better understand what makes home confinement comfortable or difficult for students and their families. METHODS: We did focus group discussions and shared an online survey with parents and staff members from 12 elementary schools and childcare centers across San Diego County vulnerable families. RESULTS: Focus group participants said that mental distress and loneliness, learning loss, childcare, food, income loss, and overcrowded housing made home confinement hard to do. Also 25% of survey participants said that isolation would be difficult for a household member who tested positive or was exposed to COVID-19, and 20% were really concerned about their child's learning loss if the family had to isolate or do quarantine. CONCLUSIONS: Our study's results suggest that there are serious structural issues for school families to safely go into isolation or quarantine, and because of this may make families more hesitant to get tested for COVID-19.

The Challenges and Strategies towards Healthy Eating during COVID-19 Home Confinement Period among Working Adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 Enrolled in a Weight Loss Program: Qualitative Findings.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting our lifestyles, such as work, living, and health. In Malaysia, the Restriction of Movement Order (RMO) was first announced in March 2020 to curb the spread of the virus. Since then, many Malaysians have been confined to their own home. This new lifestyle can cause a change of eating habits where healthy eating may be a challenge. Hence, our qualitative study explored the challenges and strategies for healthy eating during the first wave of the COVID-19 home confinement period among working adults overweight and obese in Malaysia. Eleven participants were individually interviewed through phone calls. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then coded with NVIVO 12 based on thematic analysis. We found that social pressure, changes in the social setting, more free time to access food, and extra stock of unhealthy foods at home were among the challenges to healthy eating. Some participants countered these perceived challenges by reducing unhealthy food stock, limiting kitchen visits, and utilizing self-monitoring apps to monitor their calorie intake. Social media was not consistently perceived to influence their eating behavior during this period. We conclude that COVID-19 home confinement has created challenges to healthy eating habits among overweight and obese adults with overweight and obesity. Our study provides evidence that vulnerable groups such as overweight and obese individuals require specific nutritional support during pandemic-related confinement to enhance eating self-efficacy.

Associations between sedentary behavior and negative emotions in adolescents during home confinement: Mediating role of social support and sleep quality

Background: Prolonged periods of sedentary behaviour, for instance, engendered by home confinement in Shenzhen city, has led to negative mental health consequences, especially in adolescents. Previous research suggests, in general, that sedentary behavior can increase negative emotions. However, the specific mechanism driving the relationship between sedentary behavior and negative emotions is still relatively unclear. Social support and sleep quality might partly explain the effect of sedentary behavior on negative emotions. Thus, the current study aimed to examine the associations between sedentary behavior and negative emotions, and to investigate if social support and sleep quality mediate such a relationship. Method: During home confinement due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant outbreak, 1179 middle and high school students in Shenzhen were invited to voluntarily complete an e-questionnaire, including the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data from 1065 participants were included in the analysis. Results: We observed significant sex-related and demografic-related differences in emotional (e.g., anxiety, stress and social support) and other outcome variables (e.g., sitting duration and PSQI score). Furthermore, sedentary behavior, social support, and sleep quality were associated with negative emotions (p < .01), even after controlling for sex, age, only-child case, body mass index, and metabolic equivalent level. In addition, social support and sleep quality partially mediated the association between sedentary behavior and negative emotions. Conclusion: The findings of the current study suggest that social support and sleep quality partially mediate the relationship between sedentary behavior and negative emotions in middle and high school students during home confinement in Shenzhen city. © 2022 The Author(s)

The impact of COVID-19 home confinement on axial length in myopic children undergoing orthokeratology.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding the impact of home confinement on axial length in myopic children undergoing orthokeratology (OK) treatment facilitates the management of myopia control during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. BACKGROUND: The outbreak of COVID-19 and the corresponding home confinement measures have brought a considerable challenge to myopia control. The study aimed to investigate the influence of home quarantine on axial length in myopic children with OK treatment. METHODS: Axial length measurements during and before COVID-19 home confinement were retrospectively collected from the myopic children treated with OK, and the children were prospectively followed up after finishing the quarantine. The monthly axial length growth before, during and after confinement was calculated and compared in the full dataset and subgroups stratified by age. Influencing factors for monthly axial length growth during confinement were analysed. RESULTS: Ninety-two myopic children with OK treatment were enrolled in this study. In the full dataset, covariates adjusted (gender, time interval, baseline axial length and age) monthly axial length growth during confinement was not significantly different from that before (P = 0.213) or after the home confinement (P = 1.000). Multiple linear regression showed that the monthly axial length growth during confinement was negatively correlated with age (P = 0.002). Subgroup analysis based on age demonstrated that the adjusted monthly axial length growth was not significantly different among three periods (P > 0.05) for younger children. For children older than 12-year-old, the adjusted monthly axial length growth during home confinement was significantly slower than before the confinement (P = 0.011), but not the monthly axial length growth after the confinement (P = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 home confinement does not increase the myopic axial length elongation in children with OK treatment.

Adjustment to preschool after COVID-19 in Turkey: teachers' perspectives

This study aimed to uncover teachers' experiences and practices in addressing preschool adjustment following the lockdowns and home confinement. Twenty-seven preschool teachers participated in this qualitative descriptive study. Eighteen teachers were interviewed individually, and a focus group interview was held with nine teachers. The thematic analysis showed that lockdowns and home confinement had both challenging and facilitating influences on children's preschool adjustment. Teachers mentioned the increase in separation protests and the decline in social and fine motor skills as challenges. Teachers cited improved self-care skills, increased engagement, and better parent-preschool communication as facilitating factors. Furthermore, the teachers altered their preschool adjustment practices, allowing more time for outdoor activities, individual activities, and free play. Although the participation of parents in the adjustment process was reduced due to pandemic regulations, they communicated with the parents on a more regular and frequent basis. This process affected children's preschool adjustment, but teachers were able to support children and parents by changing their practices. © 2023 TACTYC.

Cumulative Risk Exposure and Social Isolation as Correlates of Carer and Child Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Study with Families from Various Europeans Countries.

This study adopted a cumulative risk approach to examine the relations between various domains of risk factors (i.e., social isolation and home confinement, other pandemic-related risk factors, and pre-existing psychosocial risk factors) and carers' and children's mental health during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. The sample consisted of 1475 carers of 6- to 16-year-old children and adolescents residing in five European countries (Portugal, United Kingdom, Romania, Spain, and The Netherlands) who completed an online survey. The results showed that each of the three domains of adversity accounted for unique variation in carers' and children's mental health outcomes. Also, the results indicated that pre-existing psychosocial risk factors moderated the relationship between pandemic-related risk factors and children and carers' anxiety and between social isolation and confinement and carers' well-being. Simple slopes analysis suggested a stronger relationship between these domains of adversities and mental health outcomes in already more vulnerable families. It is important to consider the implications of social isolation measures and confinement for families' mental health, paying special attention to families with pre-existing psychosocial vulnerabilities.

The Effects of the First Phase of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents With preexisting Psychiatric Conditions.

Few studies have examined the impact of the initial school closures and stay-at-home orders on those vulnerable children and adolescents with preexisting psychiatric conditions. In our study, we explore the impact on this population and identify risk and resilience factors by looking both at those children who were impacted negatively as well as those who were impacted positively by this period. Questionnaires were administered by child and adolescent psychiatrists to 101 parents of child and adolescent outpatients in a mental health clinic as well as 75 of the adolescents, themselves, during the initial stay-at-home orders in Israel. Parents and their children were asked how the situation changed the symptoms for which the children are being treated at our clinic. Information regarding demographic, family, and individual factors was also gathered. The largest group of parents (44%) reported improvement in their child's symptoms during this period, whereas 33% reported no change and 25% reported worsening. Risk factors included parental stress and level of child preoccupation with Covid-19. The major protective factor was parental presence. Although home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic can lead to worsening mental health status among children, it can also provide an opportunity for those with previous mental health conditions to improve and strive. For these children to improve during such a period, decreased social and academic demands and increased parental presence seem to be key factors. For those who deteriorate, identifying and targeting parental stress can be as important as targeting the child's stress during such times.

Adjustment to preschool after COVID-19 in Turkey: teachers' perspectives

This study aimed to uncover teachers' experiences and practices in addressing preschool adjustment following the lockdowns and home confinement. Twenty-seven preschool teachers participated in this qualitative descriptive study. Eighteen teachers were interviewed individually, and a focus group interview was held with nine teachers. The thematic analysis showed that lockdowns and home confinement had both challenging and facilitating influences on children's preschool adjustment. Teachers mentioned the increase in separation protests and the decline in social and fine motor skills as challenges. Teachers cited improved self-care skills, increased engagement, and better parent-preschool communication as facilitating factors. Furthermore, the teachers altered their preschool adjustment practices, allowing more time for outdoor activities, individual activities, and free play. Although the participation of parents in the adjustment process was reduced due to pandemic regulations, they communicated with the parents on a more regular and frequent basis. This process affected children's preschool adjustment, but teachers were able to support children and parents by changing their practices. [ FROM AUTHOR]

Expanding Home Detention at Sentencing: FSR

Expanding Home Detention at Sentencing is an article that addresses some of the current issues facing our nation with the reality of overly utilizing incarceration as a punitive measure. This issue raises the question: Could expanded community custody finally be considered as a desperately needed pressure relief valve? When passing the CARES Act, Congress acted early to grant authority to the Attorney General and the BOP Director to expand home confinement options. This discretion includes the AG taking the unprecedented step to directly publish a ruling in the Federal Register on behalf of the BOP. The discretion granted to BOP staff to lower the prison population inadvertently brings their own job security into question and this creates a conflict of interest. Allowing for those who've been convicted of non-violent offenses to be placed in home confinement as opposed to in custody will reduce costs, encourage reduced recidivism, and reduce health risks in facilities. In light of the fact that the BOP and the U.S. Probation Office has established new technology with the capacity to monitor large community custody populations, this article suggests that the sentencing guidelines be updated to encourage judges to utilize home detention measures, in part or in entirety, when sentencing.

Coping Methods and Satisfaction with Working from Home in Academic Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In this paper, we examined how university staff and students coped with challenges related to working or studying from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the level of satisfaction with working from home. An online survey was conducted among faculty, staff, and students at universities in 24 countries (n = 674). The results show that over 80% of the respondents used multiple coping methods. Three clusters of coping methods were generated through factor analysis: (1) social and health factor, with focus on personal health and the social surrounding, (2) activity factor, i.e., being busy with work or studies, finding up-to-date information about COVID-19, while thinking about what one could do rather than what one could not do, and (3) public health factor, which meant trusting health authorities while avoiding misinformation from sources such as social media. Furthermore, 56% of the respondents were very or somewhat satisfied with working from home. Differences in the methods of coping and satisfaction with working from home highlight the need for employers to prepare for working from home beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Association between Sleep Quality and Physical Activity in Physical Education Students in Chile in the Pandemic Context: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Due to the health restrictions put in place to face the pandemic, a decrease in the levels of physical activity and an alteration in the quality of sleep have been observed. One group susceptible to these changes is represented by students of physical education pedagogy, who, under normal conditions, present high levels of physical activity. However, the correlation between these variables has not been studied in the context of a pandemic lockdown. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the quality of sleep and physical activity level as a function of gender and evaluate the association between quality of sleep and physical activity level in physical education pedagogy students during the COVID-19 pandemic considering sociodemographic and health characteristics. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. An online questionnaire was applied to 280 Chilean university students of physical education pedagogy. The survey considered sociodemographic information, healthy habits, and self-reported health and included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for physical activity levels and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality. Results: The prevalence of good sleep quality was 20.4%. Furthermore, 52.9% of students had a high level of physical activity. Regression analysis between PSQI global score and age-adjusted physical activity levels indicated that being male and presenting a high level of physical activity favored a better PSQI global score. Conclusions: The prevalence of good sleep quality was low in general and significantly lower in women. Being male and having a high level of physical activity during quarantine benefits good sleep quality, regardless of age.

Steep increase in myopia among public school-going children in South India after COVID-19 home confinement.

Purpose: Novel coronavirus has brought huge changes in lifestyle, especially among children. Reports indicate that the prevalence of refractive errors among children has increased due to home confinement. Hence, this study was done to understand the current status of refractive errors among children from public schools in southern India. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted as part of school eye screening conducted between September and October 2021. Children between 14 and 17 years of age from public schools underwent a three-phased comprehensive eye examination. Children identified with refractive errors and an equal proportion of children without any refractive errors underwent a survey on outdoor activities. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence interval were calculated. Chi-square tests and regression analysis were used to understand the association between refractive error and other variables. Results: From the data of 3,850 (90.69%) children, the prevalence of vision impairment, refractive errors, and myopia in at least one eye was found to be 12.83% (n = 494), 21.51% (n = 828), and 19.53% (n = 752), respectively. The average myopic spherical equivalent error was found to be -2.17 ± 1.11D (range:-0.50 D to -14.00 D). Almost 96.82% of girls had less than 3 h of outdoor activities. Refractive errors were 7.42 and 2.77 times more (95% CI: 3.51-15.70), P < 0.001) among children who had outdoor activities less than 3 h per day and sleep less than 7 h per day. Conclusion: Comparing to previous studies from North Indian and South Indian public schools, this study reports a three- to six-fold rise in myopia post-home confinement among public school children from India.