Normative positions towards COVID-19 contact-tracing apps: findings from a large-scale qualitative study in nine European countries

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) risk is highest immediately after primary infection, and young children are vulnerable to rapid and severe TB disease. Contact tracing should identify infected children rapidly and simultaneously target resources effectively. We conducted a retrospective review of the paediatric TB contact tracing results in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa from 2012 to 2016 and identified risk factors for TB disease or infection. Altogether, 121 index cases had 526 paediatric contacts of whom 34 were diagnosed with TB disease or infection. The maximum delay until first contact investigation visit among the household contacts under 5 years of age with either TB disease or infection was 7 days. The yield for TB disease or infection was 4.6% and 12.8% for household contacts, 0.5% and 0% for contacts exposed in a congregate setting and 1.4% and 5.0% for other contacts, respectively. Contacts born in a TB endemic country (aOR 3.07, 95% CI 1.10–8.57), with household exposure (aOR 2.96, 95% CI 1.33–6.58) or a sputum smear positive index case (aOR 3.96, 95% CI 1.20–13.03) were more likely to have TB disease or infection.Conclusions: Prompt TB investigations and early diagnosis can be achieved with a well-organised contact tracing structure. The risk for TB infection or disease was higher among contacts with household exposure, a sputum smear positive index case or born in a TB endemic country. Large-scale investigations among children exposed in congregate settings can result in a very low yield and should be cautiously targeted. What is Known:• Vulnerable young children are a high priority in contact tracing and should be evaluated as soon as possible after TB exposure What is New:• Prompt investigations for paediatric TB contacts and early diagnosis of infected children can be achieved with a well-organised contact tracing structure• Large-scale investigations among children exposed in congregate settings can result in a very low yield and should be cautiously targeted

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Digital proximity tracing on empirical contact networks for pandemic control

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-21809-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

G. Cencetti ◽

G. Santin ◽

A. Longa ◽

E. Pigani ◽

A. Barrat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Physical Distance ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Reproductive Number ◽

Modeling Framework ◽

Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽

Contact Patterns ◽

Contact Data ◽

The Impact

AbstractDigital contact tracing is a relevant tool to control infectious disease outbreaks, including the COVID-19 epidemic. Early work evaluating digital contact tracing omitted important features and heterogeneities of real-world contact patterns influencing contagion dynamics. We fill this gap with a modeling framework informed by empirical high-resolution contact data to analyze the impact of digital contact tracing in the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigate how well contact tracing apps, coupled with the quarantine of identified contacts, can mitigate the spread in real environments. We find that restrictive policies are more effective in containing the epidemic but come at the cost of unnecessary large-scale quarantines. Policy evaluation through their efficiency and cost results in optimized solutions which only consider contacts longer than 15–20 minutes and closer than 2–3 meters to be at risk. Our results show that isolation and tracing can help control re-emerging outbreaks when some conditions are met: (i) a reduction of the reproductive number through masks and physical distance; (ii) a low-delay isolation of infected individuals; (iii) a high compliance. Finally, we observe the inefficacy of a less privacy-preserving tracing involving second order contacts. Our results may inform digital contact tracing efforts currently being implemented across several countries worldwide.

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The Relationships among Self-Worth Contingency on Others’ Approval, Appearance Comparisons on Facebook, and Adolescent Girls’ Body Esteem: A Cross-Cultural Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18030901 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 901 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael Prieler ◽

Jounghwa Choi ◽

Hye Eun Lee

Keyword(s):

South Korea ◽

Cultural Context ◽

Large Scale ◽

Body Esteem ◽

Asian Country ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

European Countries ◽

Self Worth ◽

Appearance Comparison

The present study examined the relationship between appearance-related social comparison on social networking services (SNSs) and body esteem in a cross-cultural context (three European countries, i.e., Austria, Belgium, and Spain, versus one Asian country, i.e., South Korea). The role of self-worth contingency on others’ approval was considered to be a psychological and cultural factor. Utilizing a large-scale cross-national survey of early and middle adolescents in 2017, the responses of female adolescents (N = 981) were analyzed. The results generally support the findings from previous studies but also reveal cultural differences. Appearance comparison on Facebook negatively influenced girls’ body esteem in all European countries, but not in South Korea. Self-worth contingency on others’ approval negatively influenced girls’ body esteem across all four countries. Finally, a positive relationship between self-worth contingency on others’ approval and appearance comparison on Facebook was found in all European countries, but not among Korean girls. These findings suggest the importance of self-worth contingency on others’ approval and cultural contexts can be used to study the effects of body image-related SNS use.

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Limits of data anonymity: lack of public awareness risks trust in health system activities

Life Sciences Society and Policy ◽

10.1186/s40504-021-00115-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Felix Gille ◽

Caroline Brall

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Personal Data ◽

Public Trust ◽

Online News ◽

Healthcare Management ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Common Denominator ◽

The Public ◽

Privacy And Anonymity

AbstractPublic trust is paramount for the well functioning of data driven healthcare activities such as digital health interventions, contact tracing or the build-up of electronic health records. As the use of personal data is the common denominator for these healthcare activities, healthcare actors have an interest to ensure privacy and anonymity of the personal data they depend on. Maintaining privacy and anonymity of personal data contribute to the trustworthiness of these healthcare activities and are associated with the public willingness to trust these activities with their personal data. An analysis of online news readership comments about the failed care.data programme in England revealed that parts of the public have a false understanding of anonymity in the context of privacy protection of personal data as used for healthcare management and medical research. Some of those commenting demanded complete anonymity of their data to be willing to trust the process of data collection and analysis. As this demand is impossible to fulfil and trust is built on a false understanding of anonymity, the inability to meet this demand risks undermining public trust. Since public concerns about anonymity and privacy of personal data appear to be increasing, a large-scale information campaign about the limits and possibilities of anonymity with respect to the various uses of personal health data is urgently needed to help the public to make better informed choices about providing personal data.

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Taking the heat or taking the temperature? A qualitative study of a large-scale exercise in seeking to measure for improvement, not blame

Social Science & Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.12.033 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 198 ◽

pp. 157-164 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Natalie Armstrong ◽

Liz Brewster ◽

Carolyn Tarrant ◽

Ruth Dixon ◽

Janet Willars ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Large Scale

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FRI0562 THE PERSPECTIVE OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS ON PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURES: RESULTS OF A EUROPE-WIDE SURVEY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.4618 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 883-883

Author(s):

A. Alunno ◽

E. Mosor ◽

T. Stamm ◽

P. Studenic

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Personal Experience ◽

Large Scale ◽

Young Patients ◽

Patient Reported Outcome Measures ◽

Patient Reported Outcome ◽

Self Management ◽

Research Support ◽

Patient Reported

Background:Although patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are widely used in clinical practice and research, it is unclear if these instruments adequately cover the perspective of young people (18-35 years) with inflammatory arthritis (IA). We recently performed focus groups on PROMs with 53 young IA patients from 4 European countries, but the perspective of these patients has never been explored on a large scale.Objectives:To explore personal experience, opinions and beliefs of young people with IA across Europe concerning PROMs content, characteristics and ways of administration in order to inform EULAR points to consider (PtC) for including the perspective of young patients with IA into PROMs.Methods:Based on the results of our previous qualitative study, a task force including patients, rheumatologists and health professionals developed an online survey. The survey covered personal experience, preferences and opinions concerning PROMs. After being pilot tested and revised accordingly, the survey was distributed through the EULAR people with arthritis and rheumatism in Europe (PARE), Young PARE networks and the Emerging EULAR Network (EMEUNET).Results:547 people (88% females) from 29 countries aged 18-35 years with a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Still’s disease, psoriatic arthritis or spondyloarthritis completed the survey (Figure 1). Thirty-seven percent of respondents reported they never filled a PROM. A North-South and West-East Europe gradient was observed (30.4% vs 56.3% and 25.5% vs 58.8% respectively). Figure 2 outlines key findings of our survey. Among respondents having filled PROMs (n=313), two thirds perceived their access to PROM results useful for self-management of their health. Discomfort while filling PROMs was an issue for nearly half of the respondents, as questions were perceived as scaring or not relevant. This discomfort, the fear of judgement, or inadequate assessed time frames were major reasons for difficulties in translating the health experience into a rating scale. Still 75% use their own experience in the past as reference. Among several reasons, people scored differently from what they felt to emphasize how much better or worse they felt from previous assessment. Concerning preferences of numerical rating scales (NRS) or visual analogue scales (VAS) explored in all respondents regardless having ever filled in PROMs, those in favour of VAS mainly reasoned this by having more possibilities to select and those favouring NRS by better readability and interpretation. Maintaining a sitting position, preparing food, doing physical activity, intimacy and sleep problems were the items selected most frequently in the survey as in the qualitative study to be included in PROMs. The implementation of discussion on self-management, education/work and support possibilities at regular clinic visits was considered important by over 60% of responders. Overall, electronic capturing of PROMs was preferred over paper-based questionnaires (57% vs 13%).Conclusion:Our survey explored for the first time the personal experience and opinions of young people with IA concerning PROMs on a large scale and confirmed the results obtained in the qualitative study. This survey informed the EULAR PtC for including the perspective of young patients with IA into PROMs.References:[1] Mosor E et al. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019; 71 (suppl 10)Disclosure of Interests:Alessia Alunno: None declared, Erika Mosor: None declared, Tanja Stamm Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, Sanofi Genzyme, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Roche, Sanofi, Paul Studenic Grant/research support from: Abbvie

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The complication of cyber manhunt: How cyber manhunt further complicated the ethical conflict between breaching the confidentiality and endangering the society in face of the COVID-19 pandemic (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.29135 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yen-Chang Chen ◽

Yen-Yuan Chen

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Large Scale ◽

Health Workers ◽

Early Stage ◽

Personal Information ◽

Public Health Intervention ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Online Activity ◽

Contact Investigation ◽

The Impact

UNSTRUCTURED While health care and public health workers are working on measures to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an unprecedentedly large number of people spending much more time indoors, and relying heavily on the Internet as their lifeline. What has been overlooked is the influence of the increasing online activities on public health issues. In this article, we pointed out how a large-scale online activity called cyber manhunt may threaten to offset the efficacy of contact tracing investigation, a public health intervention considered highly effective in limiting further transmission in the early stage of a highly contagious disease outbreak such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first section, we presented a case to show how personal information obtained from contact investigation and disclosed in part on the media provoked a vehement cyber manhunt. We then discussed the possible reasons why netizens collaborate to reveal anonymized personal information about contact investigation, and specify, from the perspective of public health and public health ethics, four problems of cyber manhunt, including the lack of legitimate public health goals, the concerns about privacy breach, the impact of misinformation, and social inequality. Based on our analysis, we concluded that more moral weight may be given to protecting one's confidentiality, especially in an era with the rapid advance of digital and information technologies.

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Forms and directions of migration from the countries of the Middle East in 1990-2017

RUDN Journal of Economics ◽

10.22363/2313-2329-2018-26-4-730-741 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 730-741

Author(s):

Maram Homsi

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

International Migration ◽

Large Scale ◽

European Countries ◽

The Political ◽

Official Statistics ◽

Demographic Development ◽

Development Trends ◽

Political Factors

The article examines the modern forms and directions of migration from the countries of the Middle East in the period from 1990 to 2017. It is shown that the high emigration potential of the countries of the Middle East is formed not only by socio-economic and political factors, but also by demographic development trends. Based on a detailed study of official statistics, special attention is paid to the study of the dynamics and geography of international migration in the region. Detailed donor countries and recipient countries of migrants from the Middle East. The political and ethnocultural consequences of large-scale migration from this region to European countries are considered.

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Non-commemorative memory in news production: Discovering underlying motivations for journalists’ memory work

Memory Studies ◽

10.1177/1750698019863158 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 175069801986315 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Stefanie Trümper ◽

Irene GB Broer

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Storm Surge ◽

Large Scale ◽

News Production ◽

News Reporting ◽

Memory Work ◽

Bare Potential ◽

Key Events

Memory in journalism has largely been investigated in relation to the commemoration of historical key events. This article sheds light on everyday, less obvious forms of memory in journalism with a focus on non-commemorative memory. We carried out a large-scale content analysis of contemporary newspaper articles (n = 2799) about two historic storm surge disasters in the Netherlands (1953) and Germany (1962) and a subsequent qualitative study based on 10 interviews with Dutch and German journalists. Combining content-based results with actor views enabled us to look below the surface of memory in news reporting and lay bare potential triggers, justifications, and underlying motivations for memory use. We found that journalists frequently use memory to connect past, present, and future, driven by a range of professional, economic, ideological, and cultural motivations that go beyond commemoration. We propose the term “strategic motivations” to better understand the dynamics of memory in journalism.

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The same or different psychiatrists for in- and out-patient treatment? A multi-country natural experiment

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796018000732 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

D. Giacco ◽

V.J. Bird ◽

T. Ahmad ◽

M. Bauer ◽

A. Lasalvia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Natural Experiment ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Routine Care ◽

European Countries ◽

Patient Treatment ◽

Substantial Impact ◽

Clinical Criteria ◽

Somatisation Disorder ◽

Secondary Outcomes

Abstract Aims A core question in the debate about how to organise mental healthcare is whether in- and out-patient treatment should be provided by the same (personal continuity) or different psychiatrists (specialisation). The controversial debate drives costly organisational changes in several European countries, which have gone in opposing directions. The existing evidence is based on small and low-quality studies which tend to favour whatever the new experimental organisation is. We compared 1-year clinical outcomes of personal continuity and specialisation in routine care in a large scale study across five European countries. Methods This is a 1-year prospective natural experiment conducted in Belgium, England, Germany, Italy and Poland. In all these countries, both personal continuity and specialisation exist in routine care. Eligible patients were admitted for psychiatric in-patient treatment (18 years of age), and clinically diagnosed with a psychotic, mood or anxiety/somatisation disorder. Outcomes were assessed 1 year after the index admission. The primary outcome was re-hospitalisation and analysed for the full sample and subgroups defined by country, and different socio-demographic and clinical criteria. Secondary outcomes were total number of inpatient days, involuntary re-admissions, adverse events and patients’ social situation. Outcomes were compared through mixed regression models in intention-to-treat analyses. The study is registered (ISRCTN40256812). Results We consecutively recruited 7302 patients; 6369 (87.2%) were followed-up. No statistically significant differences were found in re-hospitalisation, neither overall (adjusted percentages: 38.9% in personal continuity, 37.1% in specialisation; odds ratio = 1.08; confidence interval 0.94–1.25; p = 0.28) nor for any of the considered subgroups. There were no significant differences in any of the secondary outcomes. Conclusions Whether the same or different psychiatrists provide in- and out-patient treatment appears to have no substantial impact on patient outcomes over a 1-year period. Initiatives to improve long-term outcomes of psychiatric patients may focus on aspects other than the organisation of personal continuity v. specialisation.

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