Occupational Health and Wellness of Adult Women With Autism Spectrum Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Date Presented 03/31/2022 This quantitative survey study measured stress, engagement in meaningful activities, self-efficacy, quality of life, and coping among women with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the time of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences on all measures except engagement. These findings suggest a potential need for specialized OT support for women with ASD that may be especially desired when adapting to changes during and after COVID-19. Primary Author and Speaker: Yan-hua Huang Additional Authors and Speakers: Annika Lin, Teresa Lam, Alexandra Krizek, Jaclyn Ingram

COVID-19 vaccination intention during early vaccine rollout in Canada: a nationwide online survey.

BACKGROUND: Understanding vaccination intention during early vaccination rollout in Canada can help the government's efforts in vaccination education and outreach. METHOD: Panel members age 18 and over from the nationally representative Angus Reid Forum were invited to complete an online survey about their experience with COVID-19, including their intention to get vaccinated. Respondents were asked "When a vaccine against the coronavirus becomes available to you, will you get vaccinated or not?" Having no intention to vaccinate was defined as choosing "No - I will not get a coronavirus vaccination" as a response. Odds ratios and predicted probabilities are reported for no vaccine intentionality in demographic groups. FINDINGS: 14,621 panel members completed the survey. Having no intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 is relatively low overall (9%) with substantial variation among demographic groups. Being a resident of Alberta (predicted probability = 15%; OR 0.58 [95%CI 0.14-2.24]), aged 40-59 (predicted probability = 12%; OR 0.87 [0.78-0.97]), identifying as a visible minority (predicted probability = 15%; OR 0.56 [0.37-0.84]), having some college level education or lower (predicted probability = 14%) and living in households of at least five members (predicted probability = 13%; OR 0.82 [0.76-0.88]) are related to lower vaccination intention. INTERPRETATION: The study identifies population groups with greater and lesser intention to vaccinate in Canada. As the Canadian COVID-19 vaccination effort continues, policymakers may use this information to focus outreach, education, and other efforts on the latter groups, which also have had higher risks for contracting and dying from COVID-19. FUNDING: Pfizer Global Medical, Unity Health Foundation, Canadian COVID-19 Immunity Task Force.

Predictors of self-reported symptoms and testing for COVID-19 in Canada using a nationally representative survey.

Random population-based surveys to estimate prevalence of SARS-CoV2 infection causing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are useful to understand distributions and predictors of the infection. In April 2020, the first-ever nationally representative survey in Canada polled 4,240 adults age 18 years and older about self-reported COVID experience in March, early in the epidemic. We examined the levels and predictors of COVID symptoms, defined as fever plus difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, dry cough so severe that it disrupts sleep, and/or loss of sense of smell; and testing for SARS-CoV-2 by respondents and/or household members. About 8% of Canadians reported that they and/or one or more household members experienced COVID symptoms. Symptoms were more common in younger than in older adults, and among visible minorities. Overall, only 3% of respondents and/or household members reported testing for SARS-CoV-2. Being tested was associated with having COVID symptoms, Indigenous identity, and living in Quebec. Periodic nationally representative surveys of symptoms, as well as SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, are required in many countries to understand the pandemic and prepare for the future.