Reducing bias through indirect social contact: assessing the impact of student involvement with faculty-led research on unauthorized immigration

Abstract Background In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, several countries adopted measures of social distancing to a different degree. For many countries, after successfully curbing the initial wave, lockdown measures were gradually lifted. In Belgium, such relief started on May 4th with phase 1, followed by several subsequent phases over the next few weeks. Methods We analysed the expected impact of relaxing stringent lockdown measures taken according to the phased Belgian exit strategy. We developed a stochastic, data-informed, meta-population model that accounts for mixing and mobility of the age-structured population of Belgium. The model is calibrated to daily hospitalization data and is able to reproduce the outbreak at the national level. We consider different scenarios for relieving the lockdown, quantified in terms of relative reductions in pre-pandemic social mixing and mobility. We validate our assumptions by making comparisons with social contact data collected during and after the lockdown. Results Our model is able to successfully describe the initial wave of COVID-19 in Belgium and identifies interactions during leisure/other activities as pivotal in the exit strategy. Indeed, we find a smaller impact of school re-openings as compared to restarting leisure activities and re-openings of work places. We also assess the impact of case isolation of new (suspected) infections, and find that it allows re-establishing relatively more social interactions while still ensuring epidemic control. Scenarios predicting a second wave of hospitalizations were not observed, suggesting that the per-contact probability of infection has changed with respect to the pre-lockdown period. Conclusions Contacts during leisure activities are found to be most influential, followed by professional contacts and school contacts, respectively, for an impending second wave of COVID-19. Regular re-assessment of social contacts in the population is therefore crucial to adjust to evolving behavioral changes that can affect epidemic diffusion.

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The influence of risk perceptions on close contact frequency during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-996488/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

James Wambua ◽

Lisa Hermans ◽

Pietro Coletti ◽

Frederik Verelst ◽

Lander Willem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Communication ◽

Risk Perceptions ◽

Close Contact ◽

Social Contact ◽

Perceived Severity ◽

Public Health Communication ◽

Contact Behaviour ◽

Contact Frequency ◽

The Impact

Abstract Human behaviour is known to be crucial in the propagation of infectious diseases through respiratory or close-contact routes like the current SARS-CoV-2 virus. Intervention measures implemented to curb the spread of the virus mainly aim at limiting the number of close contacts, until vaccine roll-out is complete. Our main objective was to assess the relationships between SARS-CoV-2 perceptions and social contact behaviour in Belgium. Understanding these relationships is crucial to maximize interventions' effectiveness, e.g. by tailoring public health communication campaigns. In this study, we surveyed a representative sample of adults in Belgium in two longitudinal surveys (8 waves of survey 1 in April 2020 to August 2020, and 11 waves of survey 2 in November 2020 to April 2021). Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to analyse the two surveys. Participants with low and neutral perceptions on perceived severity made a significantly higher number of social contacts as compared to participants with high levels of perceived severity after controlling for other variables. Furthermore, participants with higher levels of perceived effectiveness of measures and perceived adherence to measures made fewer contacts. However, the differences were small. Our results highlight the key role of perceived severity on social contact behaviour during a pandemic. Nevertheless, additional research is required to investigate the impact of public health communication on severity of COVID-19 in terms of changes in social contact behaviour.

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Geospatial Analysis and Mapping Strategies for Fine Grained and Detailed COVID-19 Data With Geographic Information Systems

10.21203/rs.3.rs-273514/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

ÁNGEL MIRAMONTES CARBALLADA ◽

JOSE BALSA-BARREIRO

Keyword(s):

Geographic Location ◽

Social Contact ◽

Temporal Behaviour ◽

Fine Grained ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

Media Reports ◽

Predictive Risk ◽

The Impact

Abstract The CoVID-19 pandemic is showing a dramatic impact across the world. To the tragedy of the loss of human lives, we must add the great uncertainty that the new coronavirus is causing to our lives. Governments and public health authorities must be able to respond this emergency by taking the appropriate decisions for minimizing the impact of the virus. In the absence of an immediate solution, governments have concentrated their efforts on adopting non-pharmaceutical interventions for restricting the mobility of people and reducing the social contact. Health authorities are publishing most of data for supporting their interventions and policies. The geographic location of the cases is a vital information with exceptional value for analysing the spatio-temporal behaviour of the virus, doing feasible to anticipate potential outbreaks and to elaborate predictive risk mapping. In fact, a great number of media reports, research papers, and web-browsers have presented the COVID-19 disease spreading by using maps. However, processing and visualization of this sort of data presents some aspects that must be carefully reviewed. Based on our experience with fine-grained and detailed data related to COVID-19 in a Spanish region, we present a bunch of mapping strategies and good practices using geospatial tools. The ultimate goal is create appropriate maps at any spatial scale while avoiding conflicts with data such as those related to patients’ privacy.

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FACE-TO-FACE AND FACEBOOK ACROSS THE LIFESPAN: SOCIAL INTERACTIONS BUFFER STRESS ON MOOD, BUT ONLY FOR ADOLESCENTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2558 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S694-S695

Author(s):

Yin Liu ◽

Elizabeth B Fauth ◽

Myles Maxey ◽

Troy Beckert

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Social Media ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Stress Reactivity ◽

Age Groups ◽

Social Contact ◽

Developmental Differences ◽

Stress Appraisal ◽

Face To Face ◽

The Impact

Abstract Social support serves as a protective factor, buffering stress in both adolescents and adults, however Socioemotional Selectivity Theory suggests developmental differences in stress reactivity and social support. It is unclear how modern forms of social contact, such as social media buffer stress, and the extent to which this differs across the lifespan. We utilized ecological momentary data to examine the moderating effects of age and two distinct types of social contacts the person had experienced in prior hours (frequency of face-to-face, or social media contacts) on the association between daily stress and momentary mood. Participants were recruited initially through Amazon.com’s Mechanical Turk (adolescents referred by a parent). A total of 119 adolescent (n = 44; Agemean= 15.73) and middle-aged/older adult participants (n = 75; Agemean= 59.67) provided momentary data three times a day, on three consecutive days, every two weeks, for up to 12 weeks. Multi-level models showed significant 3-way interactions between stress appraisal of avoiding an argument, age group, and frequency of social contact via face-to-face (β = 1.698, se = 0.542, p = .002) and social media (β = 3.341, se = 0.984, p = .001). Older adults experienced better mood than adolescents. When avoiding an argument was appraised as more stressful, both age groups displayed worse mood. Whereas high levels of recent social contact (both face-to-face and social media) seemed to exacerbate the impact of this stressor on poorer mood for older persons, high levels of recent social contact, particularly social media, had stress-buffering benefits for adolescents.

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Integration of Multiple Regression Model in an Epidemiological Decision Support System

International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making ◽

10.1142/s0219622019500408 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (06) ◽

pp. 1755-1783

Author(s):

Fatima-Zohra Younsi ◽

Ahmed Bounnekar ◽

Djamila Hamdadou ◽

Omar Boussaid

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Multiple Regression ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Network Effects ◽

Social Contact ◽

Public Health Care ◽

Human Populations ◽

Influenza Epidemic ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

The Impact

Prevention and control of influenza epidemics are major challenges for public health care services. Early identification of flu outbreak is an important step towards implementing effective disease interventions for reducing mortality and morbidity in human populations. Indeed, health officials need a real geo-making tool for monitoring and prediction. The aim of the current study is to discuss a novel spatiotemporal tool for monitoring and predicting the phenomenon of the seasonal influenza epidemic spread in the human population using multiple regression analysis. The suggested tool is mainly based on three sub-systems. It allows generating simulation data by the use of a simulation system, integrating data sources in a data warehouse (DW) system and performing a specific online analysis Spatial On-Line Analytical Processing (SOLAP). Our proposal enables also to illustrate evolution of disease through visualizations in time and space. It can examine social network effects to better understand the topological structure of social contact and the impact of its properties. A regression analysis is performed on the influenza epidemic to examine the main factors influencing flu incidence number and therefore to predict and track influenza epidemic.

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Years of life lost due to the psychosocial consequences of COVID-19 mitigation strategies based on Swiss data

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.56 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Dominik A. Moser ◽

Jennifer Glaus ◽

Sophia Frangou ◽

Daniel S. Schechter

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Social Contact ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Years Of Life Lost ◽

Psychosocial Consequence ◽

Psychosocial Consequences ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background. The pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has forced governments to implement strict social mitigation strategies to reduce the morbidity and mortality from acute infections. These strategies, however, carry a significant risk for mental health, which can lead to increased short-term and long-term mortality and is currently not included in modeling the impact of the pandemic. Methods. We used years of life lost (YLL) as the main outcome measure, applied to Switzerland as an example. We focused on suicide, depression, alcohol use disorder, childhood trauma due to domestic violence, changes in marital status, and social isolation, as these are known to increase YLL in the context of imposed restriction in social contact and freedom of movement. We stipulated a minimum duration of mitigation of 3 months based on current public health plans. Results. The study projects that the average person would suffer 0.205 YLL due to psychosocial consequence of COVID-19 mitigation measures. However, this loss would be entirely borne by 2.1% of the population, who will suffer an average of 9.79 YLL. Conclusions. The results presented here are likely to underestimate the true impact of the mitigation strategies on YLL. However, they highlight the need for public health models to expand their scope in order to provide better estimates of the risks and benefits of mitigation.

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Students’ experience and adherence to containment measures during COVID-19 in Switzerland

Health Promotion International ◽

10.1093/heapro/daab019 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Annina E Zysset ◽

Nadine Schlatter ◽

Agnes von Wyl ◽

Marion Huber ◽

Thomas Volken ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Information Source ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Social Contact ◽

Home Rule ◽

Public Health Response ◽

Public Media ◽

Gender Information ◽

Containment Measures ◽

The Impact

Summary Background Young adults are not considered a risk group, but the public health response to COVID-19 impacts all citizens. We investigated the impact on young adults’ and their adherence to containment measures addressing potential gender differences. Methods In April 2020 12 341 students of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences were invited to a longitudinal health survey. Survey topics spanned socio-demographic data, students’ health status and behavior, COVID-19 specific impact, concerns, information sources, adherence to containment measures, and trust in government bodies. Group comparisons by gender and multivariate ordinal regression models assessing adherence to restrictions of mobility and social contacts were conducted (n = 2373). Results Mean age was 26.4 (SD = 5.6), 70% were female. 43.5% reported some concern about their own health, 2.7% stated major worries. Women experienced more conflicts (p < 0.000) and, enjoyed time with the family more (p < 0.000). Men felt less locked up (p = 0.001). The most frequented COVID-19 information source was public media (48%) and confidence in government bodies was high (82%) for both genders. Men yielded lower adjusted odds (OR; 95%-CI) of adherence regarding the following measures: social distancing (0.68; 0.53–0.87), non-utilization of public transport (0.74; 0.56–0.97), 5-person limit for social gatherings (0.47; 0.35–0.64) and the stay at home rule (0.64; 0.51–0.82). Conclusion Early in the pandemic a high degree of adherence was observed in this young academic population. Containment measures restricting movement and social contact yielded considerable differences by gender, information source and perceived susceptibility to the virus. More targeted communication may increase adherence regarding mobility restrictions.

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The Impact of Quality of Life on the Health of Older People from a Multidimensional Perspective

Journal of Aging Research ◽

10.1155/2018/4086294 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Luis Miguel Rondón García ◽

Jose Manuel Ramírez Navarrro

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Social Contact ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Subjective Health ◽

Level Of Satisfaction ◽

Capacity Level ◽

The Impact

Background. This research analyzes the impact of quality of life as a metavariable that conditions the health and social welfare of the elderly. The sample of this study is composed of 500 people, randomly selected from the major day centers for the elderly in the province of Granada (Spain).Method. For the inferential analysis, we used the CUBRECAVI questionnaire, which is a multidimensional scale of health and quality of life, along with the Katz and García measure questionnaires, which are also applied to quality of life. Through the technique of the interview, we have distributed the participants into two groups: experimental and control.Results and Conclusions. Once the tests have been completed, we have concluded from the meta-analysis and validation tests that the participants have a good perception of their quality of life, considering health, leisure, environmental quality, functional capacity, level of satisfaction, social support, social networks, and positive social interactions as the determinants of their well-being, although social contact reduces as the age advances. We conclude that multidimensional evaluation is an effective tool to evaluate the quality of life and the objective and subjective health of the elderly. These variables can be related to the improvement of health and well-being.

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Social Integration following Traumatic Brain Injury and Rehabilitation

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/030802260206500802 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 65 (8) ◽

pp. 356-362 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Anne Louise Conneeley

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Head Injury ◽

Social Integration ◽

Social Contact ◽

Rehabilitation Team ◽

Self Identity ◽

Final Interview ◽

The Individual ◽

The Impact

The aim of this qualitative study was to examine the issues involved in social integration for those affected by traumatic brain injury, following a period of rehabilitation. Eighteen patients, their significant other* and members of the rehabilitation team involved in their care were interviewed when the patient was discharged from the ward of a neurological rehabilitation hospital, 6 months later and, again, at one year following discharge from the ward. When the data were analysed at the time of the final interview, two respondents reported social isolation. Although many others felt that the level of social contact was that of their choice, several issues were discussed that affected social relationships. These included the impact of impairments, the social response of others and the fact that social networks change naturally over time irrespective of injury or disability. When the data were considered from a sociological perspective, the themes of self-identity, master status and stranger status emerged. This gave a different insight into issues that could be relevant but had not been discussed widely within the head injury literature. Further consideration of the individual in the context of personhood as well as head injury is recommended as a means to develop understanding.

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Study design and protocol for investigating social network patterns in rural and urban schools and households in a coastal setting in Kenya using wearable proximity sensors

Wellcome Open Research ◽

10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15268.2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 84 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Moses Chapa Kiti ◽

Alessia Melegaro ◽

Ciro Cattuto ◽

David James Nokes

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Social Contact ◽

Simulation Models ◽

Face To Face ◽

Rural And Urban Areas ◽

Contact Patterns ◽

Rural And Urban ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

The Impact

Background: Social contact patterns shape the transmission of respiratory infections spread via close interactions. There is a paucity of observational data from schools and households, particularly in developing countries. Portable wireless sensors can record unbiased proximity events between individuals facing each other, shedding light on pathways of infection transmission. Design and methods: The aim is to characterize face-to-face contact patterns that may shape the transmission of respiratory infections in schools and households in Kilifi, Kenya. Two schools, one each from a rural and urban area, will be purposively selected. From each school, 350 students will be randomly selected proportional to class size and gender to participate. Nine index students from each school will be randomly selected and followed-up to their households. All index household residents will be recruited into the study. A further 3-5 neighbouring households will also be recruited to give a maximum of 350 participants per household setting. The sample size per site is limited by the number of sensors available for data collection. Each participant will wear a wireless proximity sensor lying on their chest area for 7 consecutive days. Data on proximal dyadic interactions will be collected automatically by the sensors only for participants who are face-to-face. Key characteristics of interest include the distribution of degree and the frequency and duration of contacts and their variation in rural and urban areas. These will be stratified by age, gender, role, and day of the week. Expected results: Resultant data will inform on social contact patterns in rural and urban areas of a previously unstudied population. Ensuing data will be used to parameterize mathematical simulation models of transmission of a range of respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, and used to explore the impact of intervention measures such as vaccination and social distancing.

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