Assessment of positive airway pressure treatment adherence and sleep quality in sleep apnea patients during COVID-19 pandemic: multi-center cross-sectional study results

Background: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), related to their disease consequences and treatment modalities, are physically and mentally vulnerable during the outbreak. Objectives: To investigate the association between pandemic-related changes and positive airway pressure (PAP) adherence and sleep quality in OSA patients. Methods: This was a multi-center cross-sectional study, and the necessary data were collected prospectively. A total of 221 patients were included in the study, who were invited from four different centers from June 1 - December 1, 2020. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was administered to evaluate sleep quality. Information on demographics positive airway pressure (PAP) device use, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a questionnaire collected related changes. Patients >18 years with a diagnosis of OSA and prescribed PAP treatment before the pandemic period were included in the study. Lack of cooperation with the questionnaires and incompliant with PAP treatment for longer than one year were the exclusion criteria. Results: Of the 221 participants, 79.2% were men. The mean apnea-hypopnea index was obtained at 40.8+or-24.3. A positive COVID-19 test was reported in nine cases, and three patients had hospitalization. During the pandemic, 102 (46.2%) subjects were retired, 26 (11.8%) lost their jobs, and 34 (15.3%) reported home office work or on-call or on leave. Poor sleep quality was found in 54 (24.4%) individuals. It was also reported that poor sleep quality was more common in those who reported mask use difficulty (38.7% vs. 18.9%;P=0.004) and increased or decreased PAP use (increased, decreased, no change in PAP use: 45.5%, 36.0%, 19.4%, respectively;P=0.01). The good sleep quality group had higher PAP use than the poor sleep quality group (6.2+or-1.5 vs. 5.3+or-2.4 night/week;P=0.002;6.2+or-1.5 vs. 5.5+or-2.2 hour/night;P=0.01). Conclusions: Pandemic period had several negative effects on sleep apnea patients regarding sleep quality and social lives which also influenced PAP adherence in OSA patients. Most patients did not change their regular PAP use attitudes during this period. Similar to the pre-COVID-19 disease period, PAP adherence and compliance positively influenced sleep quality;people who were "good sleepers" were the ones who were the "good PAP device users".

Household Coping Strategies under Covid 19 Economic Shocks: The Nigerian Experience

The COVID-19 pandemic threw up drastic economic shocks that dislocated many households from their means of survival. This study assesses the type of economic shocks experienced by working-class household heads in Nigeria and the measures adopted to cope with the challenges. Two thousand household heads who experienced different economic shocks occasioned by the pandemic were selected for the study. Data were generated through a questionnaire that elicited information on the nature of the shocks experienced, the coping strategies adopted and whether these strategies were able to lift households from financial decimation. Data generated were analyzed using a chi-square statistical test to determine the association between the coping strategies and household financial improvement. The result shows that the adopted coping strategies improved household finances and were able to shore up the shocks of the pandemic. The study recommends among others frequent financial education workshops and seminars put in place by the government at various regions for the orientation of citizens in managing finances in times of financial emergencies such as COVID-19. The government should make low-interest credit facility regularly for household heads who wants it to assist them to diversify into other areas of economic production for family sustainability. © 2023 SCMS Group of Educational Institutions. All rights reserved.

Workload Measurement Model in Industry: Fish Processing Post Covid-19

Reducing the number of employees during the pandemic is the reaction manufacturers mostly take to survive in doing business due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This study aims to analyze the effect of layoffs on the workload of the affected manufacturers. The data is taken from one of the fish processing companies in the Makassar Industrial Estate, which has reduced its workforce due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the results of the study showed that from the three divisions in the company, namely the admission, retouching, and packing divisions, the admission division in the fillet section obtained a different score. This study concludes whether the decision to lay off during the pandemic is right or not so that it can be a reference for companies experiencing economic impacts in terms of production efficiency and effectiveness. © 2023 Seventh Sense Research Group®

Displaced workers and the pandemic recession

Workers displaced during the pandemic recession experienced better earnings and employment outcomes than workers displaced during previous recessions. A sharp recovery in aggregate labor market conditions after the pandemic recession accounts for these better outcomes. The industry and occupation composition of displaced workers, the prevalence of recalls, and increased take-up of unemployment insurance benefits are unlikely explanations. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

The unemployed with jobs and without jobs *

Potential workers are classified as unemployed if they seek work but are not working. The unemployed population contains two groups -those with jobs and those without jobs. Those with jobs are on furlough or temporary layoff. This group expanded tremendously in April 2020, at the trough of the pandemic recession. They wait out periods of non-work with the understanding that their jobs still exist and that they will be recalled. We show that the resulting temporary-layoff unemployment mostly dissipated by the end of 2020. Potential workers without jobs constitute what we call jobless unemployment. Shocks that elevate jobless unemployment have much more persistent effects. Historical major adverse shocks, such as the financial crisis in 2008, created mostly jobless unemployment and consequently caused extended periods of elevated unemployment. Jobless unemployment reached its pandemic peak in November 2020, at 4.9%, modest by historical standards, and has declined at a faster-than-historical pace since.

The problems and perspectives of the international tourism development in the post-COVID world

The purpose of this article is to identify the features, problems and perspectives in the development of international tourism in the post-covid world. Analyzing the statistical and forecast data of relevant international organizations, as well as expert opinions of market practitioners, a significant dependence of the tourism system on exogenous factors of negative impact is revealed, and COVID-19 is viewed as the largest crisis in terms of consequences, because the highly globalized world itself contributes to the large-scale and rapid spread of the pandemic. For the purpose of comparative analysis of the periods of development of tourist activity in the world, the following indicators were analyzed: the dynamics of the growth rate of the world economy and world tourism;dynamics of development of sectors of the world economy with the separation of the place of tourism;regional dynamics of international tourist arrivals and revenues from international tourism;loss of jobs in the tourism industry by region of the world as result of the spread of COVID-19, reduced business activity and tourist mobility. All indicators show a significant reduction and there is a relationship with the overall economic and social environment of countries. As result of the study, the main vectors of public policy on countering the consequences of COVID-19 in the tourism sector are defined and attention is focused on the need for consolidated precise and timely actions at all management levels: local, national, and international. An algorithm for overcoming the crisis phenomena in the tourism business caused by the pandemic has been developed, which provides for a set of consistent measures aimed at managing and controlling the crisis, stabilizing the market situation and accelerating the revitalization of the industry, as well as developing a new paradigm for the functioning of world tourism in post- covid realities. Trend tendencies in the further development of international tourism activities are proposed, taking into account changes in consumer preferences, namely: digitalization, virtualization, shifting the vector to domestic tourism, staycation and workation, wellness tourism, deeper awareness of the need for further implementation of the principles of sustainable development, etc.

Revalidation of an ultra-short scale for the measurement of perceived job security in Latin America. / Revalidación de escala ultracorta para la medición de la seguridad percibida para conservar el trabajo en Latinoamérica.

Introduction: Due to the measures imposed by governments to reduce the spread of this new virus, the economic sector was one of the most affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several labor sectors had to undergo a virtual adaptation process resulting in job instability and job loss. The objective of this study was to revalidate an ultra-short scale for measuring perceived job security in Latin America. Methods: A revalidation study was done on a short scale that measures worker's perceived security about losing or keeping their job in the near future. Results: The four items remained on the revalidated scale, where all four explained a single factor. The goodness-of-fit measures confirmed the single-factor model (χ: 7.06; df: 2; p = 0.29; mean square error: 0.015; goodness-of-fit index: 0.998; adjusted goodness-of-fit index: 0.991; comparative fit index: 0.999; Tucker-Lewis index: 0.997; normalized fit index: 0.998; incremental fit index: 0.999; and root mean square error of approximation: 0.036). The scale's reliability was calculated using McDonald's omega coefficient, obtaining an overall result of ω = 0.72. Conclusions: The scale was correctly revalidated in Latin America, and the four items were kept in a single reliable factor.

Introducción: El sector económico fue uno de los más afectados durante la pandemia de COVID-19, debido a las medidas impuestas por los gobiernos para reducir la propagación de este nuevo virus. En consecuencia, varios sectores laborales tuvieron que pasar por un proceso de adaptación virtual, resultando en la inestabilidad o pérdida de empleos. El objetivo fue revalidar una escala ultra corta para la medición de la seguridad percibida para conservar el trabajo en Latinoamérica. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de validación de una escala corta que mide la seguridad percibida por el trabajador acerca de poder perder o mantener su trabajo en un corto tiempo. Resultados: Los cuatro ítems se mantuvieron en la escala revalidada, también estuvieron en un único factor. Los índices de bondad de ajuste confirmaron dicho factor único: χ2: 7,06; df: 2; p = 0,29; junto a los índices de error de cuadrático medio: 0,015; de bondad de ajuste: 0,998; ajustado de bondad de ajuste: 0,991; de ajuste comparativo: 0,999; de Tucker-Lewis: 0,997; de ajuste normalizado: 0,998; de ajuste incremental: 0,999 y el error cuadrático medio de aproximación: 0,036. En todo momento se mostró un ajuste adecuado. Posterior a eso se midió la confiabilidad, la cual se calculó con el coeficiente de Ω de McDonald, obteniendo un resultado de 0,72.

The effect of layoffs on the performance of survivors at healthcare organizations

For years, workers of an organization have strived to strengthen it and expand it with fresh concepts and strategies to accomplish new objectives. The layoff is, by definition, a spontaneous release from an institution, i.e. a compulsory resignation for certain purposes of employee categories, of permanent or temporary personnel (economic reasons, downsizing personal management). Outsourcing is a way of reducing costs and changing fixed costs to varying expenses for companies. It transfers work or researches to outside households, which lead to job losses. Finishing is a major business challenge, forced disconnected jobs and survivors. This sudden dismantling was triggered by the economic depression, which increased with corruption by governments. The COVID-19 spread around the world is further overcome day by day. When the layoff is mass, companies may notify the workers of the reasons for the reduction. Some hospitals issued departed personnel a warning for clarifying things and preparing the workers even though they could do serious harm. This form of warning illustrates a pandemic COVID-19 by delivering unemployment until layoffs explain the financial downturn for workers. Certain hospitals and organizations offer warning without consideration about the discharged workers on the same day. Moreover, this existed in tiny clinics, where there were not very significant layoffs. Substantial government institutions, including A.U.B.M.C., B.M.G. and other hospitals, prefer cuts as a remedy. This research aims to determine the effect of forced termination health care institutions on survivors' effectiveness, performance, quality of service, and relational results.

Problematic issues arising from the regulation of temporary lay-off schemes during the COVID-19 health emergency

The regulation of temporary lay-off plans (ERTE) during the health emergency has been subjected to constant normative modifications. The succession of different regulatory norms, periods of validity and ranges of scope has originated a large proportion of the issues affecting the implementation of ERTE linked to COVID-19. In addition, the rules accompanying these ERTE as employment retention clauses —a commitment to safeguard employment, interruption of the duration of fixed-term contracts, prohibition against overtime and new recruitment, limitations in the sharing of dividends or a ban on dismissals on the grounds of COVID— have not ceased to give rise to interpretation and implementation problems. These are the issues, whose effects reach far beyond the currency of the ERTE, subjected to analysis in this study. © 2020 Wolters Kluwer (UK) Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Framing Effects, Procedural Fairness, and the Nonprofit Managers' Reactions to Job Layoffs in Response to the Economic Shock of the COVID-19 Crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the viability and effectiveness of nonprofit organizations compelling them to make tough choices. Evidence suggests that different wordings or message settings may affect people's decisions when presenting equivalent outcome information with positive or negative framing. Nevertheless, there have been few attempts to assess how procedural fairness and framing effects shape nonprofit managers' reactions to job layoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a survey experiment, we explore whether framing effects-by affecting perceived outcome favorability-and procedural fairness interact to influence nonprofit managers' trust and support for their organizations. The findings of this 2 × 2 between-participants experimental design indicated that only when procedural fairness was relatively low did nonprofit managers react more favorably in the positive frame (keep) than in the negative frame (layoff) condition. This study adds to our understanding of how the pandemic impacts nonprofit managers, including their commitment to continue working in the sector, and has practical implications for nonprofit organizations that manage resilience in a crisis.

Psychology students' perceptions on their quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many lives and has a considerable social and economic impact. In response to this crisis, governments have implemented a series of protection measures: lockdown, social distancing, wearing a mask etc. Studies and statistics on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic indicate low levels of mental and physical well-being, depression, fear of uncertainty, increasing inequality due to job loss, increased stress due to financial matters, social isolation etc. The current study has two main objectives: to explore Psychology students' perceptions on changes in their quality of life, by comparing two periods of time: before and during COVID-19 pandemic and to identify differences in students' perceptions on changes in their quality of life, according to their COVID-19 disease status. We designed a questionnaire including different aspects of quality of life, based on WHO Quality of Life -Bref (WHOQOL-BREF) (2004). Results have indicated that the main changes are related to opportunities for leisure activities, ability to concentrate, ability to perform daily living activities, mobility, capacity for work, feeling safe, and having enough money.

Validity of a Rehab and Reconditioning Program Following an Adductor Longus Injury in Professional Soccer.

CONTEXT: The high rates of adductor injuries and reinjuries in soccer have suggested that the current rehabilitation programs may be insufficient; therefore, there is a need to create prevention and reconditioning programs to prepare athletes for the specific demands of the sport. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to validate a rehab and reconditioning program (RRP) for adductor injuries through a panel of experts and determine the effectiveness of this program through its application in professional soccer. DESIGN: A 20-item RRP was developed, which was validated by a panel of experts anonymously and then applied to 12 injured male professional soccer players. SETTING: Soccer pitch and indoor gym. PARTICIPANTS: Eight rehabilitation fitness coaches (age = 33.25 [2.49] y) and 8 academic researchers (age = 38.50 [3.74] y) with PhDs in sports science and/or physiotherapy. The RRP was applied to 12 male professional players (age = 23.75 [4.97] y; height = 180.56 [8.41] cm; mass = 76.89 [3.43] kg) of the Spanish First and Second Division (La Liga). INTERVENTIONS: The experts validated an indoor and on-field reconditioning program, which was based on strengthening the injured muscle and retraining conditional capacities with the aim of reducing the risk of reinjury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Aiken V for each item of the program and number of days taken by the players to return to full team training. RESULTS: The experts evaluated all items of the program very highly as seen from Aiken V values between 0.77 and 0.94 (range: 0.61-0.98) for all drills, and the return to training was in 13.08 (±1.42) days. CONCLUSION: This RRP following an injury to the adductor longus was validated by injury experts, and initial results suggested that it could permit a faster return to team training.

COVID-19-induced layoff, survivors' COVID-19-related stress and performance in hospitality industry: The moderating role of social support.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the hospitality industry hard globally, resulting in millions of employees being laid off. Drawing upon the conservation of resources theory, this study aims to empirically examine how and when COVID-19-induced layoff influences employees' in-role and extra-role performance in the hospitality industry. We tested this model by using field data collected from 302 employees and their supervisors in China across two waves. Results revealed that COVID-19-induced layoff increases survivors' COVID-19-related stress, which in turn leads to decreased in-role and extra-role performance. The strength of these indirect effects is mitigated by perceived family support against COVID-19. Unexpectedly, perceived organizational support against COVID-19 intensifies these indirect effects. The theoretical and practical implications of this study are further discussed.