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The aim of the study to examine the level of psychological distress among nursing students volunteering in Covid-19 frontline prevention in Vietnam and related factors. Nursing students volunteering in frontline prevention presented emotional effects, including positive and negative effects on their psychological well-being. A cross-sectional study design was used and four hundred seventy-one students who volunteered for frontline prevention were randomly selected in the study using inclusion criteria. Data were collected from October to December 2021. A demographic questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory Questionnaire, and the Quality of life EQ-5D-5L were used to measure the variables. The data analysis was conducted by using descriptive statistics and linear regression. The research found that students presented a high risk of psychological distress. There was a significant correlation between problem-and emotional-coping strategies, quality of life, and psychological distress. Moreover, family support and psychological distress among nursing students had a strong relationship. Lecturers and high education institutions responsible for nursing students should pay more attention to developing psychological interventions in enhancing coping strategies and quality of life and various supports to reduce distress among nursing students fighting the epidemic.
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Background Health authorities in Pakistan in collaboration with local and foreign non-government organizations are working hard to achieve the targets set by World Health Organization in 2012, that is, to reduce anemia prevalence and its related factors. However, due to the prevailing COVID-19 crisis, all resources and attention were diverted toward it, which led to ignorance of existing basic health issues. Objective This study assesses anemia prevalence and its related factors among women of childbearing age in the period of global pandemic. Methods A time-lagged, cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire among 1,702 volunteer women aged between 15 and 49 years across five major cities of Pakistan from January 2021 to December 2021 using the non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Blood sample results were analyzed to determine prevalence and anemia severity. The chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression were performed to examine the relationship and effect of related factors with hemoglobin levels using SPSS version 26. Results Among the 1,702 respondents, 788 (46.3%) were non-anemic and 914 (53.7%) were anemic. Anemia prevalence in Karachi was slightly greater (n=294, 55.48%) compared to other cities, and the mean hemoglobin level was 11.98 ± 0.92 g/dL. The chi-square test and multiple logistic regression indicated that the respondents' employment status, mother's profession, family income, living conditions, chronic health conditions, use of iron and folic acid supplements, junk food, source of drinking water, and knowledge about anemia and its preventive measures were associated significantly with anemia during the pandemic. Conclusion Results confirmed that anemia is a multi-factor health problem and that it was totally ignored during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the prevalence increased during the pandemic. Therefore, more attention should be paid to anemia surveillance, anemia awareness programs, and mobilization of community health workers and volunteers to reach a wide range of the population, including women of childbearing age even during the pandemic.
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This study aims to examine the clinical characteristics and mortality-related factors of obstetric patients, who were taken to the intensive care unit due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study included 31 patients in the peripartum period with COVID-19 pneumonia, followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) from March 2020 to December 2020. Symptoms, laboratory values, intensive care unit duration of stay, complications, the requirement of non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation, and mortality were recorded. The mean age was 30.7 ± 6.2 years and the mean gestational age was 31.1 ± 6.4 weeks. Among the patients, 25.8% had a fever, 87.1% had a cough, 96.8% had dyspnoea and 77.4% had tachypnoea. Seventeen patients (54.8%) had mild, 6 (19.4%) had moderate and 8 (25.8%) had severe pulmonary involvement on computed tomography. Sixteen (51.6%) patients required high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, 6 (19.3%) patients required continuous positive airway pressure, and 5 (16.1%) patients required invasive mechanical ventilation. Sepsis complicated by septic shock and multiorgan failure occurred in 4 patients and all of them died. The ICU duration of stay was 4.9 ± 4.3 days. We have found that older maternal age, obesity, high LDH, AST, ALT, ferritin, leukocyte, CRP, and procalcitonin values, and severe lung involvement were mortality-related factors.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Pregnant women are in the high-risk group for Covid-19 disease and its complications. Although most pregnant women are asymptomatic, severe infection-related hypoxia can cause serious foetal and maternal problems.What do the results of this study add? When we examined the literature, we found that the number of studies on pregnant women with severe Covid-19 infection was limited. For this reason, with our study results, we aim to contribute to the literature by determining the biochemical parameters and patient-related factors associated with severe infection and mortality in pregnant patients with severe Covid-19 infection.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? With our study results, predisposing factors for the development of severe Covid-19 infection in the pregnant patient population and biochemical parameters that are early indicators of severe infection were determined. In this way, pregnant women in the high-risk group can be followed closely and the necessary treatments can be started quickly so disease-related complications and mortality can be reduced.
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COVID-19 , Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Young Adult , Adult , Infant , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/therapy , SARS-CoV-2 , Intensive Care Units , Hospitalization , FeverABSTRACT
The cryptocurrency market has been growing rapidly in recent years. The volume of transactions and the number of participants in the cryptocurrency market makes it huge enough that we cannot ignore it. At the same time, the global stock market has also reached a new height in the past two years. However, due to the COVID epidemic and other political and economic-related factors in the last two years, the uncertainty in the capital market remains high, and short-term large fluctuations occur frequently;thus, many investors have suffered substantial losses. Pairs trading, an advanced statistical arbitrage method, is believed to hedge the risk and profit off the market regardless of market condition. Amongst the vast literature on pairs trading, there have been investors trading a pair of cryptocurrencies or a pair of stocks using machine learning or empirical methods. This research probes the boundary of utilizing machine learning methods to do pairs trading with one stock asset and another cryptocurrency. Briefly, we built an assets pool with both stocks and cryptocurrencies to find the best trading pair. In addition, we applied mainstream machine learning models to the trading strategy. We finally evaluated the accuracy of the proposed method in prediction and compared their returns based on the actual U.S. Stock and Cryptocurrency Market data. The test results show that our method outperforms other state-of-the-art methods. © 2022 IEEE.
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Autoimmune diseases are a group of different inflammatory disorders characterized by systemic or localized inflammation, affecting approximately 0.1–1% of the general population. Several studies suggest that genetic risk loci are shared between different autoimmune diseases and pathogenic mechanisms may also be shared. The strategy of performing differential gene expression profiles in autoimmune disorders has unveiled new transcripts that may be shared among these disorders. Microarray technology and bioinformatics offer the most comprehensive molecular evaluations and it is widely used to understand the changes in gene expression in specific organs or in peripheral blood cells. The major goal of transcriptome studies is the identification of specific biomarkers for different diseases. It is believed that such knowledge will contribute to the development of new drugs, new strategies for early diagnosis, avoiding tissue autoimmune destruction, or even preventing the development of autoimmune disease. In this review, we primarily focused on the transcription profiles of three typical autoimmune disorders, including type 1 diabetes mellitus (destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells), systemic lupus erythematosus (immune complex systemic disorder affecting several organs and tissues), and multiple sclerosis (inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the nervous system). © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2014, 2022.
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Human related vulnerability challenges continue to increase as organisations intensify their use of interconnected technologies for operations particularly due to the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding the challenge of a human problem on cybersecurity, existing cybersecurity measures predominately focused on technological solutions which on their own have proven to be insufficient. To ensure all-inclusive cybersecurity solution, efforts are shifting to accommodate human angle which complements technological efforts towards eradicating cybersecurity challenges hence the move to cybersecurity culture (CSC). The importance of the human-related factor on the security of information and IT system has been emphasised by various research leading to the development of Human Factor Diamond (HFD) framework. This paper at the conceptual level mapped the articulated list of identified CSC factors to the HFD framework to determine the CSC factors that are associated with the different domains of human factor framework. The mapping depicts that each domain of human factor framework has CSC factors associated to it. Management appeared as the domain with the predominate number of factors, followed by responsibility, environment and preparedness respectively. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
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The aim of the study to examine the level of psychological distress among nursing students volunteering in Covid-19 frontline prevention in Vietnam and related factors. Nursing students volunteering in frontline prevention presented emotional effects, including positive and negative effects on their psychological well-being. A cross-sectional study design was used and four hundred seventy-one students who volunteered for frontline prevention were randomly selected in the study using inclusion criteria. Data were collected from October to December 2021. A demographic questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory Questionnaire, and the Quality of life EQ-5D-5L were used to measure the variables. The data analysis was conducted by using descriptive statistics and linear regression. The research found that students presented a high risk of psychological distress. There was a significant correlation between problem-and emotional-coping strategies, quality of life, and psychological distress. Moreover, family support and psychological distress among nursing students had a strong relationship. Lecturers and high education institutions responsible for nursing students should pay more attention to developing psychological interventions in enhancing coping strategies and quality of life and various supports to reduce distress among nursing students fighting the epidemic.Copyright © 2022 Mohan R, et al.
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The article focuses on estimating reserves of growth in life expectancy at birth (LEB) for the RF population in regions with different sanitary-epidemiological wellbeing and people's lifestyles. The existing trends in the country development within the regional context corroborate relevance of the present study. The methodical approach includes use of factor and cluster analysis, artificial neuron networks, and scenario forecasting. Activities performed by Rospotrebnadzor within its authority produce positive modifying effects on LEB as an integral health indicator. Differentiated contribution made by these activities to achieving regional target LEB levels by 2024 (COVID-related processes excluded) amounts to 8–62 % as per the group of indicators that describes a sanitary-epidemiological situation on a given territory and 5–45 % as per the group of lifestyle-related indicators. We identified priority factors for each of four types of regions;these factors provide the maximum positive effect on LEB. Working conditions for working population, quality of drinking water, ambient air and nonfoods are priority manageable factors in regions where the sanitary-epidemiological situation is the most unfavorable. Levels of alcohol and food consumption, balanced diets and people's physical activity are the priority manageable factors in regions with the most unfavorable lifestyle-related indicators. The study revealed that additional LEB growth would be secured if the targets set within national projects were achieved. By 2024, this additional LEB growth would equal 6–420 days and 107–659 days accordingly given the existing trends and regional differentiation as regards improved sanitary-epidemiological situation in regions and people's lifestyles. Improved working conditions, better quality of drinking water and ambient air are reserves of LEB growth for all types of the RF regions in short and middle-term. A potential reserve of LEB growth and priority determinants were identified for each type of regions. These identified national and regional determinants should be considered when building an optimization model of LEB management allowing for reserves of its growth. The study results develop the authors' methodical approach to estimating potential LEB growth based on scenario modeling;they are consistent with the results obtained by other relevant studies. We have identified limitations of the present study as well as prospects and trends for future research. © Kleyn S.V., Onishchenko G.G., Zaitseva N.V., Glukhikh М.V., 2022
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Given the fact that experiencing pandemic-related hardship and racial discrimination worsen Asian Americans' mental health, this study aimed to identify unique characteristics of behavioral health needs among Asian Americans (N = 544) compared to White Americans (N = 78,704) and Black Americans (N = 11,252) who received publicly funded behavioral health services in Indiana before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used 2019-2020 Adults Needs and Strengths Assessment (ANSA) data for adults eligible for Medicaid or funding from the state behavioral health agency. Chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) was used to detect race-specific differences among demographic variables, the pandemic status, and ANSA items. Results indicated that, regardless of age, gender, or pandemic status, Asian Americans who received behavioral health services, struggled more with cultural-related factors compared to White and Black individuals. Within this context, intersections among behavioral/emotional needs (psychosis), life functioning needs (involvement in recovery, residential stability, decision making, medical/physical health), and strengths (job history, interpersonal, and spiritual) further differentiated the mental health functioning of Asian from White and Black Americans. Classification tree algorithms offer a promising approach to detecting complex behavioral health challenges and strengths of populations based on race, ethnicity, or other characteristics.
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COVID-19 , Mental Health , Adult , United States , Humans , Asian , Pandemics , EthnicityABSTRACT
Due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, healthcare workers worldwide faced major challenges in the form of psychological stress. The aim of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis is to identify mental health consequences and associated work-related factors in healthcare workers during a pandemic and to quantify the influence of associated work-related factors on mental health consequences. A systematic literature search according to PRISMA was conducted on 5 August 2021 using the databases PubMed Central and APA PsychInfo. The included studies investigated the mental health consequences and associated work-related factors in healthcare workers in a pandemic. In addition, we performed a risk of bias analysis to assess the study quality of the included studies using the JBI checklists. Random-effect models and pooled effect estimators were used for the meta-analysis. The Chi2 and I2 statistics were used to identify the statistical heterogeneity. Additional sensitivity analysis was performed. From a total of 3,910 publications, 43 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies provided 15 stress consequences and 20 stress factors. The most frequently reported stress factors were 'contact with COVID-19 patients', 'no education or training in handling infectious diseases' and 'insufficient protective equipment'. Anxiety, stress, and depression were the most common outcomes identified. Analyses showed an increase in anxiety scores among HCWs who cared for COVID-19 patients, as well as a rise in depressive symptoms due to inadequate or no personal protective equipment. In this review, various pandemic-associated stress factors and stress consequences of healthcare workers were observed. With the results, criteria for effective measures and interventions can be developed to minimize the risk of stress consequences.
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OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed to investigate the mental health status of COVID-19 survivors 1 year after discharge from hospital and reveal the related risk factors. METHODS: From April 11 to May 11, 2021, 566 COVID-19 survivors in Huanggang city were recruited through their primary doctors. A total of 535 participants (94.5%) admitted to participate in the survey and completed the questionnaires. Five scales were applied including 7-Items Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Fatigue Scale-14. The chi-square and the Fisher's exact test were used to evaluate the classification data, multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the related factors of sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). RESULTS: One year after being discharged, of the 535 COVID-19 survivors, 252 (47.1%) had poor sleep quality; 157 (29.3%) had the symptoms of fatigue; 84 (15.7%),112 (20.9%), and 130 (24.3%) suffered from symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, respectively. The logistic regression analysis showed that history of chronic disease was risk factor for poor sleep quality (OR 2.501; 95% CI, 1.618-3.866), fatigue (OR 3.284; 95% CI 2.143-5.033), PTSD (OR 2.323; 95% CI 1.431-3.773) and depression (OR 1.950; 95% CI 1.106-3.436) in COVID-19 survivors. Smoking contributed to the poor sleep quality (OR 2.005; 95% CI 1.044-3.850), anxiety (OR 4.491; 95% CI 2.276-8.861) and depression (OR 5.459; 95% CI 2.651-11.239) in survivors. Drinking influenced fatigue (OR 2.783; 95% CI 1.331-5.819) and PTSD (OR 4.419; 95% CI 1.990-9.814) in survivors. Compared with college-educated survivors, survivors with high school education were at higher risk for poor sleep quality (OR 1.828; 95% CI 1.050-3.181) and PTSD (OR 2.521; 95% CI 1.316-4.830), and survivors with junior high school education were at higher risk for PTSD (OR 2.078; 95% CI 1.039-4.155). Compared with overweight survivors (BMI ≥ 23.0), survivors with normal BMI (18.5-22.9) (OR 0.600; 95% CI 0.405-0.889) were at lower risk for fatigue. While being housewife (OR 0.390; 95% CI 0.189-0.803) was protective factor for fatigue and having more family members was protective factor for PTSD (OR 0.404 95% CI 0.250-0.653) in survivors. CONCLUSIONS: One year after infection, poor sleep quality, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and PTSD, still existed in a relatively high proportion of COVID-19 survivors. Chronic disease history was an independent risk factor for poor sleep quality, fatigue, depression, and PTSD. Participants with low education levels were more likely to have mental problems than the others. We should focus on the long-term psychological impact of COVID-19 on survivors, and the government should apply appropriate mental health services to offer psychiatric support.
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This study describes the willingness of receiving the COVID-19 booster doses for adults and their children 12–17 years old, and its related factors in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted through a national online survey from November 17 to November 24, 2021 using Google Form. Study respondents were Vietnamese citizens who were ≥18 years old and currently living in Vietnam. A total of 900 complete responses were analyzed and of those 93.77% were willingness to receive the booster dose. Participants with a university degree or higher were 8.16 times higher in willingness than those with primary school (p = .017). Those who received the first or the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine were 5.85 (p = .001) and 5.65 (p < 0.001) times higher in willingness to receive booster doses, respectively. About the willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for children 12–17 years, 89.2% of the participants were willing to have their children get the vaccine. Participants who had the first or the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine had a 4.15 (p = .001) and 3.91 (p < 0.001) times higher willingness, respectively. Thus, the rate of willingness to receive the booster doses and the COVID-19 vaccine to children were excellent in this study. Both the education level and COVID-19 vaccination history were two positively associated factors.Abbreviations: COVID-19: Coronavirus Disease 2019;SARS-COV-2: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2;WHO: The World Health Organization;CDC: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;UK: The United Kingdom;US: The United States;MIS-C: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
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(1) Background: The psychological status of employees, especially vulnerable populations, has received considerable research attention. However, as a newly emerging and popular occupation in the gig industry, food delivery drivers have received little attention. The majority of these workers are immigrants who are already in a precarious position due to a lack of available jobs, inadequate medical care, poor diets, and communication and acculturation difficulties even before they take these jobs, which involve long working hours and exposure to the elements. (2) Methods: To examine the anxiety and depression symptoms of these workers and possible influencing factors, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of food delivery drivers working for the Meituan Company (one of the largest e-platform companies in China). Anxiety and depression scales were adapted from the GAD-7, and the PHQ-9 was used to assess participants' related symptoms. Differences were compared in terms of sociodemographic, work situation, and lifestyle variables. Binary logistic regressions were conducted to analyze the effects of various factors on the two psychological dimensions. (3) Results: Among the 657 participants, the proportions of participants reporting anxiety and depression symptoms were 46.0% and 18.4%, respectively. Lack of communication with leaders (ORAN = 2.620, 95% CI: 1.528-4.493, p < 0.001; ORDE = 1.928, 95% CI: 1.039-3.577, p = 0.037) and poor sleep quality (ORAN = 2.152, 95% CI: 1.587-2.917, p < 0.001; ORDE = 2.420, 95% CI: 1.672-3.504, p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for both anxiety and depression symptoms. Women (OR = 2.679, 95% CI: 1.621-4.427, p < 0.001), those who climbed ≥31 floors per day (OR = 2.415, 95% CI: 1.189-4.905, p = 0.015), and those with a high frequency of breakfast consumption (OR = 3.821, 95% CI: 1.284-11.369, p = 0.016) were more likely to have anxiety symptoms. Participants who earned less than 5000 RMB (OR = 0.438, 95% CI: 0.204-0.940, p = 0.034), were unwilling to seek medical help (OR = 3.549, 95% CI: 1.846-6.821, p < 0.001), or had a high frequency of smoking (OR = 5.107, 95% CI: 1.187-21.981, p = 0.029) were more likely to be depressive. (4) Conclusion: The existence of communication channels with leaders and good sleep quality are protective factors for anxiety and depression symptoms. Participants who were female, climbed ≥31floors per day, and had a high frequency of eating breakfast were more likely to have anxiety symptoms, while earning less, unwillingness to seek medical help, and a high frequency of smoking were risk factors for depression symptoms.
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Anxiety , Depression , Female , Humans , Male , Depression/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , China/epidemiology , Anxiety/psychology , Anxiety DisordersABSTRACT
The management of chronic diseases in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic is especially challenging, and reducing potential psychological harm is essential. This review aims to determine the prevalence of depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with chronic disease, and to characterize the impacts of related factors. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The meta-analysis was performed using StatsDirect software. The review identified 33 articles with a total of 50,905 patients with chronic diseases. Four meta-analyses were performed to estimate the prevalence of depression. In diabetic patients, the prevalence ranged from 17% (95% CI = 7-31) (PHQ-9) to 33% (95% CI = 16-51) (PHQ-8); in obese patients, the prevalence was 48% (95% CI = 26-71); and in hypertensive patients, the prevalence was 18% (95% CI = 13-24). The factors significantly associated with depression were female sex, being single, deterioration in the clinical parameters of diabetes, a decrease in self-care behavior, reduced physical activity and sleep time and fear of contagion. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased levels of depression among persons with chronic disease. Pandemics and other emergency events have a major impact on mental health, so early psychological interventions and health management policies are needed to reinforce chronic patients' physical and mental health.
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Purpose: This study aims to investigate the mediational path of the influence of cultural orientation on the COVID-19 pandemic outcome at the national level and find out whether some culture-related factors can have a moderating effect on the influence of culture. Methodology: Cultural dimension theory of Hofstede is used to quantify the degree of each dimension of culture orientation. The cross-section regression model is adopted to test if culture orientations affect the pandemic outcome, controlling for democracy, economy, education, population, age, and time. Then, a mediational analysis is conducted to examine if policy response is the mediator that culture makes an impact on the pandemic outcome. Finally, a moderation analysis is carried out to determine how each control variable has moderated the influence. Findings: The cross-section regression results showed that culture orientation influences the outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic at the 99% confidence level and that among the six cultural dimensions, collectivism-individualism has the most significant impact. It has also been found that policy response is the mediator of cultural influence, and culture-related factors can moderate the influence. Contribution: The contribution of this research lies in developing the assertion that culture influences pandemic outcomes. Our findings indicate that collectivism-individualism culture orientation affects the effectiveness of epidemic controls the most among the six culture dimensions. Additionally, our research is the first to study the mediating effect of policy responses and the moderating effect of culture-related factors on the influence of cultural orientation on the pandemic outcome.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted a wide range of human activities, from food delivery habits to major moving and travel decisions. Results indicate multiple pandemic-related factors have influenced millions of relocation decisions by Americans (e.g., health risk, financial pressures, more space, and employment), and there are various positive economic and social outcomes of this influence (e.g., remote work and education), enabling more affordable living and opportunity. This paper addresses COVID-19 impacts on mobility, especially involving permanent relocations. Survey design and data analysis with U-Haul targeted customers in Austin, New York, San Diego, and Chicago to understand mobility, new moving dynamics, and motivations. © ASCE. All rights reserved.
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BACKGROUND: The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a threat to global health. Increasing studies have shown that the mental health status of health professionals is very poor during the COVID-19 epidemic. At present, the relationship between somatic symptoms and symptoms of anxiety of health professionals during the COVID-19 has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to explore the frequency of somatic symptoms and its related factors in health professionals with symptoms of anxiety during COVID-19 in China. METHODS: A total of 606 health professionals were assessed online with the Chinese version of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, 7-item Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the somatization subscale of Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90). RESULTS: The percentage of symptoms of anxiety, somatic symptoms and insomnia in all health professionals was 45.4%, 12.0%, and 32%, respectively. The frequency of somatic symptoms in health professionals with symptoms of anxiety was 22.9%. The SCL-90 somatization subscale score was significantly positively correlated with history of somatic diseases, GAD-7 score and ISI score in participants with symptoms of anxiety. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19, symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and somatic symptoms are commonly observed in health professionals. Insomnia and symptoms of anxiety are independently associated with somatic symptoms of health professionals with symptoms of anxiety.
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The COVID-19 pandemic forced researchers to move academic conferences to a virtual format;but also brought attention back to the carbon footprint of their physical format. In general, while conferences can follow different formats with a different carbon footprint, the related factors of influence remain unclear, hence hindering informed decisions on how to organize and attend them.This work provides a preliminary study of the carbon footprint of academic conferences and the trade-offs between alternative conference types. First, we conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify factors that contribute to the carbon footprint of on-site, virtual, and hybrid conferences. Second, we conducted an interview survey among steering committee members of a pilot of prominent international conferences to complement the SLR.There is agreement in the literature and the research community that on-site conferences suffer from travel-related emissions among many other factors. While the on-site type benefits from strong networking possibilities, the virtual and hybrid types can reduce carbon emissions significantly. Notwithstanding, we miss a generic framework that accounts for all revealed carbon footprint factors in each conference type. Also, compared to carbon offsetting, carbon handprinting as a footprint reduction option is considered in neither the literature nor the research community. Among the results, we provide a first sustainability model to compare current and future conference types according to their sustainability trade-offs. The model can be used as a decision-making tool by, e.g., conference organizers. © 2022 IEEE.
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As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people have been forced to work from home. Particularly during video conferences, workers basically invite their colleagues, co-workers and supervisors into their homes, sacrificing portions of their privacy in the process. In this paper, we investigate which home-related and work-related factors are perceived as relevant for privacy. We asked participants to indicate their preferences for videoconferencing settings in various scenarios and also asked about their personal experiences. The results show that power distance plays a role, but that group size and familiarity with other group members are more decisive factors. We discuss implications of our findings in terms of user awareness and the benefits of different context-based default settings for videoconferencing privacy settings. © 2022 ACM.
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South Africa has recorded the highest COVID-19 morbidity and mortality compared to other African regions. Several authors have linked the least amount of death in African countries with under-reporting due to poor health systems and patients' health-seeking behaviors, making the use of clinical audits more relevant for establishing the root causes of health problems, and improving quality patient care outcomes. Clinical audits, such as mortality audits, have a significant role in improving quality health care services, but very little is documented about the outcomes of the audits. Therefore, the study sought to determine the health care system and patient-related factors associated with COVID-19 mortality by reviewing the COVID-19 inpatient mortality audit narration reports. This was a retrospective qualitative research approach of all hospitalized COVID-19 patients, resulting in death between the first and second COVID-19 pandemic waves. Thematic analysis employed inductive coding to identify themes from mortality audits from all 41 public hospitals in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Four themes with seventeen sub-themes emerged: sub-standard emergency medical care provided, referral system inefficiencies contributed to delays in access to health care services, the advanced age of patients with known and unknown comorbidities, and poor management of medical supplies and equipment, as a health system and patient-related factors that contributed to the high mortality of COVID-19 patients. There is a need to routinely conduct clinical audits to identify clinical challenges and make recommendations for health promotion, risk communication, and community engagement. We recommend reviewing and expanding the scope of practice for health-care providers during epidemics and pandemics that include aspects such as task-shifting.