scholarly journals COVID-19 Outbreaks and Control Measures Are Associated With Depression Risk Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 381-381
Author(s):  
Man-Man Peng ◽  
Tianyin Liu ◽  
Walker Siu Hong Au ◽  
Terry Y S Lum ◽  
Gloria H Y Wong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Depression Risk ◽  
And Control

Abstract Local COVID-19 outbreaks and infection control measures may affect mental health in older persons. This study aims to investigate the effects of COVID-19 outbreaks and control measures on depression risk in community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong. With rolling cross-sectional design, telephone screenings for depressive risk were conducted among 8163 older people using Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) from February to September 2020. COVID-19 outbreaks across thirty weeks were measured using real-time effective reproductive number (Rt), infected new cases, and change of infected new cases by week. Infection control measures were assessed using four policy indices, including government response, government stringency, containment and health, and economic support. Linear regressions were used to test the associations of depression risk with COVID-19 outbreaks and control measures. We found that being female and higher Rt were associated with higher depression risk in the overall sample. In older adults without pre-existing mental health issues, higher depression risk were related to older age (t=-1.974, 95%CI[-0.006, 0.000], p<0.05), a higher level of government stringency (t=2.954, 95%CI[0.007, 0.033], p<0.01), and less stringent containment and health-related policy (t=-2.599, 95%CI[-0.041, -0.006], p<0.01). In older adults with pre-existing mental health issues, greater changes in newly infected cases were related to higher depression risk (t=2.813, 95%CI[0.002, 0.010], p<0.01). In conclusion, the effects of COVID-19 infection risk and control measures on depression risk differ among older Chinese by pre-existing mental health issues. Future public health communication could build on resilience to balance awareness of infection risks and mental health risks in older persons.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 restriction measures on loneliness among older adults in Austria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin Stolz ◽  
Hannes Mayerl ◽  
Wolfgang Freidl
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Opening Phase

Abstract Background To halt the spread of COVID-19, Austria implemented a 7-week ’lockdown’ in March/April 2020. We assess whether the ensuing reduction in social contacts led to increased loneliness among older adults (60+). Methods Three analyses were conducted: (1) A comparison between pre-pandemic (SHARE: 2013-2017) and pandemic (May 2020) levels of loneliness (UCLA-3 scale), (2) an assessment of the cross-sectional correlation between being affected by COVID-19 restriction measures and loneliness (May 2020), and (3) a longitudinal analysis of weekly changes (March-June 2020) in loneliness (Corona panel). Results We found (1) increased loneliness in 2020 compared with previous years, (2) a moderate positive association between the number of restriction measures older adults were affected from and their loneliness, and (3) that loneliness was higher during ’lockdown’ compared to the subsequent re-opening phase, particularly among those who live alone. Conclusion We provide evidence that COVID-19 restriction measures in Austria have indeed resulted in increased levels of loneliness among older adults. However, these effects seem to be short-lived, and thus no strong negative consequences for older adults’ mental health are expected. Nonetheless, the effects on loneliness, and subsequent mental health issues, might be both more long-lasting and severe if future restriction measures are enacted repeatedly and/or over longer time periods.

Older Adults’ Narratives of Seeking Mental Health Treatment: Making Sense of Mental Health Challenges and “Muddling Through” to Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1517-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Reynolds ◽  
Maria Medved ◽  
Corey S. Mackenzie ◽  
Laura Megan Funk ◽  
Lesley Koven
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
System Level ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Older adults who experience challenges related to mental health are unlikely to seek professional help. The voices of older adults who have navigated through mental health issues and systems of care to arrive at psychological treatment are less well understood. We conducted individual interviews with 15 adults aged 61 to 86 who sought psychological treatment. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using narrative methods. We identified several main storylines that describe the meaning-making and treatment-seeking journeys of older adults: resistance to being labeled with mental health problems (telling stories of resistance, defining mental health issues in mysterious and uncontrollable terms, and experiencing internal role conflict); muddling through the help-seeking process (manifestations of chaos and system-level barriers); and emotional reactions to psychological treatment (hope, fear, and mistrust). Findings add to the literature base in the area of narrative gerontology, and highlight the complex experiences that older adults face when seeking psychological treatment.

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Societal Infection Control Measures on Children and Adolescents' Mental Health: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamile Marchi ◽  
Nina Johansson ◽  
Anna Sarkadi ◽  
Georgina Warner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Parenting Support ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The Impact

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is primarily a crisis that affects people's physical health. However, it is well-known from previous epidemics and pandemics that there are other indirect negative impacts on mental health, among others. The purpose of this scoping review was to explore and summarise primary empirical research evidence on how the COVID-19 pandemic and societal infection control measures have impacted children and adolescents' mental health.Methods: A literature search was conducted in five scientific databases: PubMed, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINHAL, and Social Science Premium Collection. The search string was designed using the Population (0–18 years), Exposure (COVID-19), Outcomes (mental health) framework. Mental health was defined broadly, covering mental well-being to mental disorders and psychiatric conditions.Results: Fifty-nine studies were included in the scoping review. Of these, 44 were cross-sectional and 15 were longitudinal studies. Most studies reported negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent mental health outcomes, yet the evidence was mixed. This was also the case for studies investigating societal control measures. Strong resilience, positive emotion regulation, physical activity, parental self-efficacy, family functioning and emotional regulation, and social support were reported as protective factors. On the contrary, emotional reactivity and experiential avoidance, exposure to excessive information, COVID-19 school concerns, presence of COVID-19 cases in the community, parental mental health problems, and high internet, social media and video game use were all identified as potentially harmful factors.Conclusions: Due to the methodological heterogeneity of the studies and geographical variation, it is challenging to draw definitive conclusions about the real impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents. However, the existing body of research gives some insight to how parents, clinicians and policy makers can take action to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and control measures. Interventions to promote physical activity and reduce screen time among children and adolescents are recommended, as well as parenting support programs.

scholarly journals Mental Health Issues in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island: Findings From the Healthy Aging Data Reports

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 95-95
Author(s):  
Taylor Jansen ◽  
Richard Chunga ◽  
Chae Man Lee ◽  
Shuangshuang Wang ◽  
Haowei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Abstract Mental health issues in older adults are prevalent, yet often undetected or untreated and can contribute to poor physical health, increased disability, and higher mortality rates. The current study describes state and local community rates of mental health indicators of older adults 65+ in MA, NH, and RI. Data sources used to calculate rates were: the American Community Survey (2009-2013 RI, 2012-2016 MA and NH), the Medicare Current Beneficiary Summary File (2012-2013 RI, 2015 MA and NH), and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2012-2014 RI, 2013-2015 MA, and 2014-2016 NH). Small area estimation techniques were used to calculate age-sex adjusted community rates for more than 150 health indicators. This research examines disparities in rates for 3 mental health indicators depression, self-reported poor mental health, and self-reported poor/fair health status. Depression rates: MA 31.5% (19.91-48.82%), RI 30% (19.7-38.5%), and NH 28.8% (18.26-40.56%). Self-reported poor mental health: RI 7.5% (4.8-12.5%), MA 7.0% (2.10-16.59%), and NH 6.9% (3.42-10.13%). Self-reported fair/poor health: RI 20.4% (8.6-38.8%), MA 18.0%, (7.2-34.38%), and NH 16.5% (13.31-21.60%). Results showed variability in rates across states. MA had the highest rates of depression, the greatest differences in rates, and access to the most mental health providers. RI had the highest community rates for poor physical and mental health, and the highest percentage of residents age 85+. Understanding the distribution of community rates makes disparities evident, and may help practitioners and policymakers to allocate resources to areas of highest need. Research funded by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

scholarly journals NURSES’ COMPLIANCE WITH INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES AND BARRIERS TO PRECAUTIONS IN THE DELIVERY ROOM

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-110
Author(s):  
Inaam Abdelati ◽  
Maha Ali ◽  
Yousif A ◽  
Amany El-berdan
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Emergency Situation ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Delivery Room ◽  
Standard Precautions ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Collection Data ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
And Control

Background: Nurses play crucial role in avoiding hospital procured infections, by guaranteeing that all viewpoints of their nursing practice is prove based, and also through nursing inquire research and understanding instruction. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the nurse's compliance with infection control measures and-barrier precautions in delivery room. Methods: Research design: An exploratory design had been chosen for carrying out our paper. Setting: The study was carried out in four hospitals in Damietta governorate. Subjects: 51 on duty nurses were taken at the time of the study. Tools of data collection: Data were collected using self-administers questioners. Results: Findings revealed the existence of poor standard precautions (100%). There is connection between age, education level, work involvement experience, and compliance with standard safety measures and precautions at p<0.05. At the same time significant relation between training courses and compliance to standard precautions was p<0.05. Conclusion: The nurses in the current study faced a lot of barriers that posed a hindrance in implementing the infection control measures, such as in situations like: emergency situation, lack of equipment & supplies, lack of infection control measures, lack of periodical infection and control training course. Recommendations: Strategic plan to overcome obstacles & barriers that hinder nurses to compliance with infection control measures should be conducted. It is essential to consider the national standards of infection prevention adopted by the ministry of health in delivery room of all hospital in Damietta governorate.

Mental Health and Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Yun Lee ◽  
William Hasenbein ◽  
Priscilla Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Older Adult Population

As the older adult population continues to grow at a rapid rate, with an estimated 2.1 billion older adults in 2050, social welfare researchers are determined to fill the shortage of gerontological social workers and structural lag to best serve the baby boomers who are expected to need different services than previous generations. Mental illness impacts over 20% of older adults in the world and the United States. The major mental health issues in older adults include depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social isolation. Depression is considered one of the most common mental health issues among this population; however, the prevalence could be underestimated due to older adults linking relevant symptoms to other causes, such as old age, instead of as possible depression. Like depression, anxiety symptoms are often mistaken as results of aging. It is also difficult for providers to diagnose anxiety in this population due to anxiety frequently being coupled with other illnesses and the psychological stress that comes with old age. Because the presence of loneliness or social isolation can manifest depression and anxiety symptoms in older adults, it is also difficult to separate these two issues. With the anticipated increase of the older adult population within the next few years, measurement tools have been created to assess depression and anxiety specifically for older adults. In addition to adapting assessment tools, interventions tailored to older adults are essential to ensure treatment coherence, even though medications are the go-to treatment option.

scholarly journals Economic Impact of Outbreaks of Norovirus Infection in Hospitals

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Y. Lee ◽  
Sarah M. McGlone ◽  
Rachel R. Bailey ◽  
Zachary S. Wettstein ◽  
Craig A. Umscheid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Johns Hopkins Hospital ◽  
Computer Simulation Model ◽  
Hospital Administrators ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Hospital Stays ◽  
And Control

Norovirus is highly infectious and can spread rapidly in healthcare settings, consuming resources and resulting in longer hospital stays. Although the economic impact of specific past outbreaks has been reported (eg, a 2007 outbreak of norovirus infection at Johns Hopkins Hospital cost an estimated $650,000), these costs may not be generalizable. We developed an economic computer simulation model to assist policy makers, hospital administrators, infection control professionals, and other healthcare workers in determining how much to invest in norovirus prevention and control interventions above and beyond existing infection control measures.

scholarly journals Overcoming Current and Preventing Future Nosocomial Outbreaks during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned at Three Hospitals in Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10226
Author(s):  
Makiko Komasawa ◽  
Myo Nyein Aung ◽  
Kiyoko Saito ◽  
Mitsuo Isono ◽  
Go Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Health Care Delivery Systems ◽  
And Control

Hospitals are increasingly challenged by nosocomial infection (NI) outbreaks during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although standardized guidelines and manuals regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are available worldwide, case-studies conducted at specified hospitals that are required to cope with real settings are limited. In this study, we analyzed three hospitals in Japan where large-scale NI outbreaks occurred for hints on how to prevent NI outbreaks. We reviewed openly available information from each hospital and analyzed it applying a three domain framework: operation management; identification of infection status; and infection control measures. We learned that despite having authorized infection control teams and using existing standardized IPC measures, SARS-CoV-2 may still enter hospitals. Early detection of suspected cases and confirmation by PCR test, carefully dealing with staff-to-staff transmission were the most essential factors to prevent NI outbreaks. It was also suggested that ordinary training on IPC for staff does not always provide enough practical knowledge and skills; in such cases external technical and operational supports are crucial. It is expected that our results will provide insights into preventing NI outbreaks of COVID-19, and contribute to mitigate the damage to health care delivery systems in various countries.

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