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Background/Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the implementation of telehealth and virtual care services. Clinicians must be comfortable using this technology in order for it to be developed effectively and implemented consistently. This study evaluated the influence of various factors, including those theorised in the technology acceptance model, on physicians' intention to use teleconsultations in their clinical practice in Chennai, India. Methods: A snowball sampling method was used to distribute an online survey to physicians in Chennai, India. The survey measured respondents' intention to use teleconsultations (dependent variable), along seven independent variables relating to this technology (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, physicians' attitudes, social influences, facilitating conditions, perceived compatibility with the clinical area and trust). A total of 165 responses were collected. Results were analysed using descriptive and correlational statistics, along with multiple linear regression. Results: All seven independent variables were found to be significantly associated with the dependent variable (P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the independent variables accounted for 67.8% of the variance in respondents' intention to use teleconsultations. Conclusions: Physicians' intention to use teleconsultations is complex and multi-faceted. Although the factors theorised by the technology acceptance model were significantly associated with intention to use telemedicine, other factors were also found to be important, including social influences, external facilitating factors, perceived compatibility with the clinical area and personal trust in technology.
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It is aimed to examine the reasons of Syrian migrant women getting married early. Universe selection has not been made. Participants were reached using the snowball sampling method. In this phenomenological qualitative study, 4 main themes were created with the method of description and examined. It has been determined that poverty, family coercion, love and the losses they suffered during the war are effective in the early marriage of Syrian migrant women. It has been investigated that most of the factors determined in the early marriage of Syrian migrant women are situations that develop against their will and that these women have to marry at an early age.
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Objective: This research was carried out as a descriptive and cross-sectional study between January and April 2021 in order to determine the relationship between COVID-19 fear and COVID-19 hygiene behaviors in adults. Materials and Methods: The sample of the research consisted of 1876 individuals who accepted to participate in the online survey with the snowball sampling method and completed the research completely. Research data were obtained with an introductory questionnaire, COVID-19 Fear Scale and COVID-19 Hygiene Behavior Scale. In the analysis of the data, number-percentage calculations, mean, standard deviation, independent t test and ANOVA, Pearson Correlation and Linear regression tests were used. Results: The mean score of the individuals on the COVID-19 Fear Scale was found to be 19.51±.89 and the total mean score of the COVID-19 Hygiene Behaviors Scale was found to be 105.35±18.61. The COVID-19 fear level of the participants;It was determined that gender, education status, working status, place of residence, socio-economic status, individual with chronic disease at home, anxiety due to COVID-19, change in hygiene behavior, thinking that hygiene will prevent COVID-19 explained 21.4%. Variables of age, gender, education status, employment status, marital status, family type, presence of children, place of residence, socioeconomic status, individuals with chronic diseases at home, anxiety due to corona, change in hygiene behavior, thinking that hygiene will prevent corona, COVID-19 Hygiene The level of their behavior;It was determined that 14% explained. Conclusion: As the COVID-19 fear levels of individuals increase, the COVID-19 hygiene behaviors also increas. Amaç: Bu araştırma, yetişkinlerde COVID-19 korkusu ile COVID-19 hijyen davranışları arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemek amacıyla Ocak-Nisan 2021 tarihleri arasında tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel olarak yapılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Araştırma verileri, "Veri Toplama Formu”, "COVID-19 Korkusu Ölçeği” ve "COVID-19 Hijyen Davranış Ölçeği” ile elde edilmiştir. Verilerin çözümlenmesinde sayı-yüzde hesaplamaları, ortalama, standart sapma, bağımsız t testi ve ANOVA, Pearson Korelasyon ve Lineer regresyon testleri kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Bireylerin COVID-19 Korku Ölçeği puan ortalaması 19.51±6.89, COVID19 Hijyen Davranışları Ölçeği toplam puan ortalaması 105.35±18.61 olarak bulundu. Katılımcıların COVID-19 korku düzeyinin;cinsiyet, öğrenim durumu, çalışma durumu, yaşadığı yer, sosyoekonomik durum, evde kronik hastalığı olan birey, COVID-19 nedeniyle endişe, hijyen davranışı değişikliği, hijyenin COVID-19'u engelleyeceğini düşünme değişkenlerinin %21.4'ünü açıkladığı saptanmıştır. Yaş, cinsiyet, öğrenim durumu, çalışma durumu, medeni durum, aile tipi, çocuk varlığı, yaşadığı yer, sosyoekonomik durum, evde kronik hastalığı olan birey, korona nedeniyle endişe, hijyen davranışı değişikliği, hijyenin koronayı engelleyeceğini düşünme değişkenlerinin, COVID-19 Hijyen Davranışları düzeyinin;%14'ünü açıkladığı belirlenmiştir. Sonuç: Bireylerin COVID-19 korku düzeyleri arttıkça, COVID-19 hijyen davranışları da artmaktadır.
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Minority communities have borne a disproportionate burden of health, social and economic consequences during the pandemic. By engaging in policy-shaping processes, social workers can contribute to the development of beneficial policies for minority communities. When working in cross-cultural environments with majorities and minorities, social workers must develop cultural competence to be effective in policy practice. Despite the importance associated with cultural competence in policy practice (CCPP), little empirical evidence exists regarding what is required of social workers in order to engage in culturally competent policy change during the pandemic. In the present study, we address this lacuna through the theoretical framework of culturally competent policy practice. Drawing on twenty-one in-depth interviews, which were conducted at two time points during the pandemic with social workers who work with ultra-Orthodox minority communities in Israel, we demonstrate that CCPP involves the combination of two perspectives—contextual and structural. These include identifying and analysing social problems from a local and global perspective, reshaping the problem through self-awareness and critical awareness of power relations, and applying cultural competence skills that reflect the unique characteristics of the communities. This article discusses the strengths and limitations of CCPP, especially when implemented in changing social and political situations.
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The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had a global impact on family social and economic well-being. Individuals and families sought alternative living arrangements as a result of the financial crisis, health implications, and housing insecurity, with many joining multigenerational households. However, it is unknown how multigenerational family life affects children's well-being. Therefore, this qualitative study explored risks and resilience-building opportunities for children's psychological and social well-being in resource-constrained multigenerational households during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. Five multigenerational families were selected through snowball sampling and case design. The three generations of participants were grandparents (n = 5), parents (n = 7), and children (n = 4). Data were gathered through a questionnaire and interviews. The study received institutional ethics approval. After thematic analysis, two themes and six sub-themes were identified. Risks were related to interpersonal conflict, family collective fear of COVID-19, and children's multiple other fears. Opportunities were identified as academic support, shared responsibilities, life skills and values acquisition, and family cohesion. Results demonstrated the potential risks and resilience-building opportunities multigenerational households present for children's psychosocial well-being. Multisystemic influences in a multigenerational household contribute to children's adjustment. These outcomes necessitate systemic school psychology interventions. Longitudinal studies are recommended to explore child well-being trends in multigenerational households in varying socioeconomic contexts.
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Background: Coronavirus disease 2019, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is a global pandemic resulting in the deaths of more than 3 million people across the world. It has been reported to be more fatal in individuals with chronic diseases than in healthy adults without a diagnosis of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, or respiratory system diseases. Aim: To determine the experiences and attitudes of individuals with comorbidities in relation to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: This quali tativ e-phe nomen ologi cal study was conducted with individuals with chronic diseases among the family members of students attending the Healthcare Services Department of Eldivan Vocational School of Health. The sample of the study consisted of 17 individuals with chronic diseases. Data were collected through online interviews conducted between June and July 2020. The obtained data were analyzed using content analysis, and themes were created. Results: The mean age of the participants was 67.17 years;47% were men, and 53% were women. From the data obtained through the interviews, 2 main themes emerged in relation to the pandemic experiences of the participants: negative emotions and positive responses. The theme of negative emotions related to the pandemic was further divided into the following sub-themes: fear of death, fear of being in social environments, lack of information about the pandemic, and external pressures. The theme of positive responses had 2 subthemes: trust in government and spirituality, and individual measures. Conclusion: Individuals with chronic diseases have experienced many positive and negative emotions during the pandemic period. It is recommended to establish emergency information and advice lines for these individuals, provide them with training on health communication and health literacy, and raise their awareness of similar pandemics through practices such as public service announcements.
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To explore the implications of digital use on the wellbeing of older people during the pandemic. 33 adults aged 70 and above responded to an online and phone survey, a communication technology usage questionnaire, and the Personal Wellbeing Index-Adult (PWI-A). A Spearman test determined the correlation between frequency of communication technology usage and wellbeing. A significant medium correlation (r=.488, p=.004) was found between frequent digital communication usage and a higher average score on the PWI-A. Significant correlations were found between frequent technology use and health satisfaction (r=.377, p=.03), a sense of personal security (r=.404, p=.02), and a sense of future security (r=.597, p≤.001). Of all the communication platforms, video calls and emails yielded the most significant positive correlations with personal wellbeing. Results suggest that frequent users of communication technology felt greater levels of wellbeing and life satisfaction during the pandemic than non-frequent users.
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Qualitative methods that capture individual lived experiences throughout rapidly changing circumstances are particularly important during public health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has put home care workers at risk as they provide vital services in homes to individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities. Using a 6-week journaling process in which we enrolled participants at different points, we sought to examine experiences of home care workers (n = 47) in the United States in New York and Michigan during April–July 2020 of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our methods for data collection and analysis were guided by a general qualitative approach as we aimed to examine the weekly perspectives and lived experiences of home care workers. We asked individuals to respond to our journaling prompts weekly to capture their reflections in "real time." To better understand home care workers' perspectives on journaling and the broader external context in which they provided care, we triangulated our data with interviews with home care workers (n = 19) and home health agency representatives (n = 9). We explored the feasibility of a rolling journaling process during an unprecedented public health emergency, characterized by rapid changes and uncertainty in day-to-day life, and reflect on lessons learned to guide future research on journaling for data collection, particularly for marginalized workers during public health crises, when events are evolving rapidly.
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Amid the ongoing pandemic, as overburdened and underfunded health systems are requiring health care social workers (HSWs) to assume responsibilities beyond their scope of practice, institutional constraints have undoubtedly heightened encounters of moral distress (MD). MD is the psychological disequilibrium that arises when institutional factors obligate an individual to carry out a task that violates their professional and/or personal ethics. Our qualitative study investigated HSWs' (n = 43) MD in Texas during the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic. Findings from our study indicate that MD occurs across five levels: (i) patient care decisions;(ii) personal care decisions;(iii) team/unit decisions;(iv) organisational decisions;and (v) social justice decisions. MD is rooted in systems that disproportionately impact historically excluded populations, including social inequities such as financial instability, homelessness and substance use. Organisations need to explicitly consider social justice initiatives that seek to identify growing disparities in care that have been at the forefront of the pandemic;macro-level perspectives that expand MD must address social and health inequities that impede daily tasks of all health care workers. MD encounters that are rooted in social determinants of health can inform supervision, education and practice to ameliorate HSWs' value conflict.
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Objectives: There is evidence of morbidity and mortality in children due to COVID-19 infection. “Vaccine Hesitant Parents (VHPs)” may act as barriers to vaccination of children and their knowledge, attitude, beliefs, and perceptions come into play. Health-care providers are cited as the most important source for vaccine information by VHPs, and provider recommendation for vaccination is crucial for improving vaccine uptake. Hence, we aim to study among Indian health-care professionals having children <18 years of age, the prevalence of parental hesitancy for pediatric COVID-19 vaccine and to assess their knowledge, attitude, beliefs, and perceptions about pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted across India through a web-based questionnaire amongst health-care professionals having children less than 18 years of age by Snowball sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were used to study the demographic profile, the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy, and individual factors. Correlations between the datasets were obtained using regression analysis and significance level using the Chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for children in Indian health-care professionals is 3.3%. The most important source of information was the internet and social media. The majority of the participants knew about the vaccine and its side effects (p=0.00) and believed in the usefulness of the vaccine in preventing infection (p=0.008) and in reducing severity (p=0.009). All these factors lead to better vaccine acceptance. Conclusion: These data show that vaccine acceptance has improved over time and thus HCWs can aid in reducing vaccine hesitancy.
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This article reports on a qualitative, single centre descriptive study on the experiences of nurses working in managed isolation and quarantine facilities (MIQFs) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Semi-structed interviews, via Zoom, took place with 14 registered nurses. The focus of this article is on the personal and social impacts on the nurses. The four themes discussed are: protecting the community while being a risk to the community;the barriers beyond the borders -- social stigma;kept at distance - families and social connections;and a part of, but apart from, other health professionals. This study captures a unique moment in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand and highlights how the nurses' professional and personal lives were significantly impacted. Unlike other studies of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients, the MIQF nurses were caring for guests who were in isolation due to the Aotearoa New Zealand's government directive to protect the borders from people returning to the country. The study offers valuable lessons for employers, colleagues, and the wider community about the necessity of supporting nurses through times of a pandemic.
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The COVID-19 global pandemic has altered the way people in Aotearoa New Zealand live, work, play, and access healthcare, and this has included an increase in the use of technology. The aim of this exploratory study was to understand Aotearoa New Zealand nurses' use of technology during the COVID-19 lockdown, in particular what information and communication technologies (ICT) was being used and how nurses felt about using ICT in their practice. An anonymous online survey, utilising both open and closed-ended questions, was selected as an appropriate and safe data collection method during the pandemic. Snowball sampling was used with an online survey that was sent out during the level 3 lockdown (from March to May 2020) via social media and existing email networks and so potentially dispersed to nurses throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. In total 220 responses were received. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics, and open-ended qualitative comments were thematically analysed. The key finding was that there were significant access issues related to nurses using ICT in their practice: Access to information technology systems and resources, access to technical support, access to connectivity (particularly for those working from home in rural communities) and access to patients and colleagues. As predicted, this study has identified areas for future exploration but highlights Aotearoa New Zealand nurse's ability and willingness to embrace technology to better meet the needs of their patients.