Patients Characteristics, Vaccine Uptake, Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs Associated with Acute COVID-19 during the Omicron Predominant Period in Brazil: A Nationwide Database Study

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed significant burden on Brazil's health system. The present study aims to describe patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, vaccine uptake and assess healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs associated with acute COVID-19 in Brazil during the Omicron predominant period. Method(s): A population-based retrospective study was conducted using the National Health Data Network (RNDS), National Vaccination Campaign against COVID-19 data and surveillance data in public setting. Individuals with positive COVID-19 test results between January-April 2022 were identified. Patients' demographics, comorbidities, vaccination status, HCRU for those who were admitted to hospitals and their associated costs were described by age groups. Result(s): A total of 8,160,715 COVID-19 cases were identified and 2.7% were aged <5 years, 11.6% were 5-19 years, 76.9% were 20-64 years and 8.7% were >= 65 years. The presence of comorbidity was 23.1% with a higher prevalence of comorbidities in the elderly (61.8% for 65-74 years and 71.2% for >=75 years). Regarding COVID -19 vaccination uptake, among those aged <=19 years, 20-64 years and >=65 years, 40.6%, 86.5% and 92.2% had primary series, respectively. Among adults, the booster uptake was 47.3% and 75.8% for those aged 20-64 years and >= 65 years, respectively. Among those with confirmed COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, 87% were being symptomatic and 1.7% were hospitalized (3.8% in aged <5 years, 4.2% in 5-19 years, 34.3% in 20-64 years and 57.6% in >= 65 years). Among hospitalized patients, 32,6% were admitted to ICU and 80% required mechanical ventilation support. The average cost per day in normal wards and ICU without ventilation was R$291,89 and R$923,90, respectively. Conclusion(s): Our results quantify the public health and economic burden of COVID-19 in Brazil, suggesting substantial healthcare resources required to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © 2023

Maternal knowledge about childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative approach

Objective: to describe maternal knowledge about childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: descriptive field research with a qualitative approach, carried out with 30 mothers of young children aged between zero and 24 months. Participants were selected at home, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed and interpreted through content analysis. Results: 4 categories were created: Mothers’ knowledge about childcare;Childcare appointments in times of the COVID-19 pandemic;Surveillance of child development from the perspective of mothers;Mothers’ knowledge about the assessment of infant developmental milestones. Conclusion: poor communication between health providers and mothers, limited knowledge of mothers in relation to child development and because of the pandemic were revealed, and mothers are afraid to take children for child developmental follow-up. © 2022. Online Brazilian Journal of Nursing.All Rights Reserved

Psychological Responses According to Gender during the Early Stage of COVID-19 in Spain

BACKGROUND: Current research has pointed out an increased risk of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in women compared to men, however the reason for this difference remains unclear. The aim of this research is to study early psychological responses to the pandemic in the Spanish general population, focusing on gender differences. METHODS: Nine to 14 days after the declaration of a state of emergency an online survey was conducted assessing sociodemographic, health, behavioral and COVID-19-related variables. Mental health status was evaluated by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Self-Care Scale (SCS). RESULTS: The study included 3520 respondents: 2611 women and 909 men. Women scored significantly higher in DASS-21 and IES-R (p < 0.05) and were more likely to somatize, suffer from hypochondriasis, sleeping disturbances and claustrophobia (p < 0.05). Being a woman can be considered a risk factor for intrusive thoughts, avoidance mechanisms, stress and anxiety (Odd Ratio = 2.7/2.3/2.3/1.6). The risk of presenting posttraumatic symptoms and emotional distress was greater in women (Odd Ratio = 6.77/4.59). General linear models to predict IES-R and DASS-21 scores clarified which variables were gender specific, such as main concerns. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that at early stages of the pandemic, women mental health was more impacted and that both genders show different concerns. Gender perspective in secondary and tertiary prevention strategies must be taken into account when facing the distress associated with the pandemic.

Assistance for newborns in the delivery room during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: To map the main recommendations for newborn care according to the maternal clinical picture in the delivery room, considering the COVID-19 pandemic context. Methods: This is a scoping review based on the JBI method. The guiding question was: What are the main recommendations for assistance to newborns in the delivery room during the current coronavirus pandemic? Study selection was carried out in national and international databases and reference lists. Two independent reviewers read full texts, extracted and analyzed their data, and synthesized the content. Results: We included 9 studies that had their data synthesized in a map of recommendations for assistance to newborns, based on the maternal condition for the new coronavirus in the delivery room according to the axes of attention breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, umbilical cord clamping, and respiratory assistance. Conclusion: For newborn care in the delivery room, precautions should be taken to reduce the risk of virus transmission, make skin-to-skin contact after the adoption of hygiene measures, maintain and encourage exclusive breastfeeding through hygienic care of parturient women and perform respiratory assistance in a negative pressure room by trained professionals. © 2021 Departamento de Enfermagem/Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo. All rights reserved.

DEVELOPMENT OF TERMINOLOGICAL SUBSET FOR PEOPLE WITH COVID-19 SEQUELAE

Objectives: to develop a terminological subset of the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) for people with covid-19 sequelae.® Method: methodological study, which followed the steps: Identification of the relevant terms contained in the literature related to Covid-19 sequelae;Cross-mapping of the terms identified in the review with the terms of the classification;Construction of the statements of diagnoses, outcomes and nursing interventions and mapping of the constructed statements;Content validation of the statements by specialist nurses;and Structuring of the subset based on Roy’s Adaptation Model. For data analysis, the Content Validity Index was used, and the statements with Content Validity Index were validated ≥ 0.80. Content validation was performed by 28 specialist nurses. Results: 178 statements of nursing diagnoses/outcomes were constructed, with 450 nursing intervention statements. After content validation, a quantity of 127 diagnoses/outcomes and 148 nursing interventions were obtained, which comprised the terminological subset proposed in the study. Conclusion: the validated statements that make up the terminological subset with greater predominance were those outlines in the physiological adaptive mode. However, the repercussions on the spiritual, social and personal dimensions are also highlighted. © 2022, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. All rights reserved.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department visits: experience of a Brazilian reference center

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of COVID-19 on emergency department metrics at a large tertiary reference hospital in Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of consecutive emergency department visits, from January 1, 2020, to November 21, 2020, was performed and compared to the corresponding time frame in 2018 and 2019. The volume of visits and patients' demographic and clinic characteristics were compared. All medical conditions were included, except confirmed cases of COVID-19. RESULTS: A total of 138,138 emergency department visits occurred during the study period, with a statistically significant (p<0.01) reduction by 52% compared to both 2018 and 2019. This decrease was more pronounced for pediatric visits - a drop by 71% in comparison to previous years. Regarding clinical presentation, there was a decrease of severe cases by 34.7% and 37.6%, whereas mild cases decreased by 55.2% and 56.2% when comparing 2020 to 2018 and 2019, respectively. A 30% fall in the total volume of hospital admission from emergency department patients was observed during the study period, but accompanied by a proportional increase in monthly admission rates since April 2020. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 52% fall in attendance at our emergency department for other conditions, along with a proportional increase in hospital admission rates of COVID-19 patients. Healthcare providers should raise patient awareness not to delay seeking medical treatment of severe conditions that require care at the emergency department.