Smoking, distress and COVID-19 in England: cross-sectional population surveys from 2016 to 2020

Background: Changes in the prevalence of mental health problems among smokers due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England have important implications for existing health inequalities. This study examined the prevalence of psychological distress among smokers following the onset of the pandemic compared with previous years. Methods: Cross-sectional data were used from a representative survey of smokers (18+) in England (n = 2,927) during four months (April to July) in 2016, 2017 and 2020. Adjusted logistic regressions estimated the associations between past-month psychological distress across two time periods (2016/17 and 2020), and age. Weighted proportions, chi-squared statistics and stratified logistic regression models were used to compare the distributions of minimal, moderate and severe distress, respectively, within socio-demographic and smoking characteristic categories in 2016/17 and 2020. Results: The prevalence of moderate and severe distress among past-year smokers was higher in 2020 (moderate: 28.79%, 95%CI 26.11-31.60; OR=2.08, 95%CI 1.34-3.25; severe: 11.04%, 9.30-13.12; OR=2.16, 1.13-4.07) than in 2016/17 (moderate: 20.66%, 19.02-22.43; severe: 8.23%, 7.16-9.47). While there was no overall evidence of an interaction between time period and age, young (16-24 years) and middle-age groups (45-54 years) may have experienced greater increases in moderate and older age groups (65+ years) in severe distress from 2016/17 to 2020. There were also increases in 2020 of moderate distress among those from more disadvantaged social grades and of both moderate and severe distress among women and those with low cigarette addiction. Conclusions: Between April-July 2016/17 and April-July 2020 in England there were increases in both moderate and severe distress among smokers. The distribution of distress differed between 2016/17 and 2020 and represents a widening of established inequalities, with increases in distress among socio-economically disadvantaged groups, women and diverging age groups.

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Demographic and social correlates and indicators for behavioural compliance with personal protection among Chinese community-dwellers during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041453 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e041453

Author(s):

Xin Xu ◽

Kimberly Ann Chew ◽

Xiaolin Xu ◽

Zhihua Wu ◽

Xiaohua Xiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle Age ◽

Social Indicators ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Personal Protection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Community Dwellers

ObjectivesExamine compliance with personal protective measures in communities for the prevention and control of local transmission of the COVID-19, and explore indicators for such behavioural compliance.DesignCross-sectional design with a self-selecting sample. Data collected in February 2020.SettingCommunity dwellers in China.Participants2956 participants aged 16 and above completed the study and were included in the analysis.Outcome measuresNationwide COVID-19 survey. Demographics and self-reported compliance with four personal protective measures—home quarantine, mask-wearing, temperature-taking and hand-sanitising were collected. Outbreak severity and timeliness of personal protection order were obtained from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between demographic and social indicators and behavioural compliance.ResultsCompliance with home quarantine was only associated with gender (men, OR=0.61 (0.51–0.73), inverse association) but no other indicators. In contrast, men had higher compliance with mask-wearing (OR=1.79 (1.49–2.16)) and temperature-taking (OR=1.27 (1.05–1.53)). Compared with younger adults (≤20 years), the middle-age groups (31–40 and 41–50 years of age) were more compliant with all protective behaviours, except for home quarantine (OR=0.71 (0.54–0.93) and 0.67 (0.46–0.97), respectively).ConclusionMale gender was associated with lower compliance with home quarantine yet higher compliance with mask-wearing and temperature-taking. The middle-age participants (31–50 years) had lower compliance with home quarantine but higher with other measures. These findings may be supported by the economic considerations and the long-inherited Confucian values among Chinese. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities should tailor policy implementation to disparities in psychosocial indicators.

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Religious Affiliation, Informal Participation, and Network Support Associated With Substance Use: Differences Across Age Groups

Health Education & Behavior ◽

10.1177/1090198119826259 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 656-665 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Tuba Demir-Dagdas ◽

Stephanie T. Child

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Regression Models ◽

Middle Age ◽

Religious Affiliation ◽

Age Groups ◽

Religious Involvement ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Network Support ◽

Age Cohorts

Background. Associations between religious involvement and substance use are well established. However, limited research examines the effects of religious affiliation, informal participation, and network support on substance use among two distinct age cohorts. Objectives. This study aims to examine whether religious affiliation, informal participation, and network support are associated with alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use among young and late middle-age adults. Method. The UC Berkeley Social Networks Study (Wave 1, 2015) offers novel cohort data on young (21-30 years old, n = 483) and late middle-age (50-70 years old, n = 673) adults. Poisson regression models were used to predict alcohol use, while logistic regression models were used to predict odds of smoking and marijuana use. Results. Among young adults, membership in a religious organization was associated with less alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. Conversely, participating in informal organizations was associated with more alcohol and marijuana use. Desiring more people to talk to and get together with were associated with more smoking and drinking, respectively. However, wishing more people to ask for help was associated with less substance use altogether. In a similar pattern, among older adults, religious involvement was associated with less alcohol and marijuana use. Desiring more people to ask for help was also related to less marijuana use. Conclusion. Younger adult participation in informal groups serves to encourage social substance use. In contrast, older people are more involved in religious groups, which support social behaviors that do not include substance use.

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Serious Psychological Distress and Emergency Room Use among Adults with Multimorbidity in the United States

Psychiatry Journal ◽

10.1155/2017/8565186 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Khalid Alhussain ◽

Abdulkarim M. Meraya ◽

Usha Sambamoorthi

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Emergency Room ◽

Regression Models ◽

The United States ◽

Serious Psychological Distress ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Adjusted Logistic Regression

Objectives. (1) To examine the association between serious psychological distress (SPD) and emergency room (ER) use in the past 12 months among adults with multimorbidity in the United States (US) and (2) to investigate the association between SPD and the reasons for ER use. Methods. The current study used a cross-sectional design with retrospective data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between SPD and ER use among adults with multimorbidity. Among ER users, adjusted logistic regression models were conducted to examine the association between SPD and the reasons for the ER use. Results. After controlling for other variables, adults with multimorbidity and SPD were more likely to use ER than those with multimorbidity and no SPD (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.26, 2.04). Among ER users, there were no significant associations between SPD and the reasons for ER use after controlling for other variables. Conclusion. Adults with multimorbidity and SPD were more likely to use ER as compared to those with multimorbidity and no SPD. Among adults with multimorbidity, routine screening for SPD may be needed to reduce the ER use.

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Association of Workplace Bullying and Workplace Vulnerability in the Psychological Distress of Chilean Workers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16204039 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (20) ◽

pp. 4039 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Elisa Ansoleaga ◽

Magdalena Ahumada ◽

Andrés González-Santa Cruz

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Workplace Violence ◽

Workplace Bullying ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Salaried Workers ◽

Chi Square Test ◽

Probabilistic Survey

Workplace bullying has been identified as a global problem because of its growing magnitude and the harmful effects in victims and organizations. Workplace vulnerability is a component of job precarious1ness that reflects insecurity, fear, and labor uncertainty. This paper aims to analyze the associations between the exposure to workplace vulnerability and psychological distress, and to explore the associations between exposure to workplace bullying and psychological distress, by sex. A cross-sectional and probabilistic survey was applied to a randomly-selected valid sample of 1995 salaried workers in three main metropolitan areas of Chile. Chi-square test and logistic regression models controlling for confounders were tested. Female workers were more exposed to workplace vulnerability and presented a higher prevalence of psychological distress. Among women who were vulnerable, one of three reported psychological distress (30.8%), which is higher than men (16.5%). Workers exposed to workplace vulnerability had a greater chance of workplace bullying, workers who perceived high workplace vulnerability had a greater chance of psychological distress, and workers exposed to workplace violence had a greater likelihood of psychological distress in comparison to those who were not exposed. Increasing employment security can reduce the perception of job vulnerability and help prevent the existence of workplace bullying. Additionally, occupational health protection policies should prevent, protect from, and intervene in workplace bullying as a precursor to mental health problems in Chile.

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Several frailty parameters highly prevalent in middle age (50–65) are independent predictors of adverse events

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-88410-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lauriane Segaux ◽

Amaury Broussier ◽

Nadia Oubaya ◽

Claire Leissing-Desprez ◽

Marie Laurent ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adverse Events ◽

Middle Age ◽

Executive Dysfunction ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Living Alone ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Balance Impairment ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Paris Area

AbstractAlthough frailty can arise in middle age, very few studies have investigated frailty before 65 years. Our objectives were to assess the prevalence of frailty parameters in middle-aged individuals and probe the association with future adverse events. We performed cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of community-dwelling individuals aged 50 to 65 (n = 411, median age: 59.0) having undergone a multidomain geriatric assessment (2010–2015) in an outpatient clinic in the greater Paris area of France (SUCCEED cohort). The primary outcome was a composite measure of adverse events (non-accidental falls, fractures, unplanned hospitalizations, death), recorded in 2016/2017. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to identify independent predictors. Six frailty parameters were highly prevalent (> 20%): low activity (40.1%), exhaustion (31.3%), living alone (28.5%), balance impairment (26.8%), weakness (26.7%), and executive dysfunction (23.2%). Female sex (odds ratio: 2.67 [95% confidence interval: 1.17–6.11]), living alone (2.39 [1.32–4.33]), balance impairment (2.09 [1.16–3.78]), executive dysfunction (2.61, [1.18–5.77]), and exhaustion (2.98 [1.65–5.39]) were independent predictors of adverse events. Many frailty parameters are already altered in middle-aged individuals and are predictive of adverse health events. Our findings highlight a possible need for frailty screening and preventive programs targeting middle-aged individuals.

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Depressive Symptoms in Swiss University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Correlates

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041458 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1458 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thomas Volken ◽

Annina Zysset ◽

Simone Amendola ◽

Anthony Klein Swormink ◽

Marion Huber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

University Students ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

National Population ◽

Student Cohorts ◽

Containment Measures

Background: COVID-19 containment measures and the uncertainties associated with the pandemic may have contributed to changes in mental health risks and mental health problems in university students. Due to the high burden of the disease, depression is of particular concern. However, knowledge about the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Swiss university students during the pandemic is limited. We therefore assessed the prevalence of depressive symptoms and their change during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large sample of Swiss university students. Methods: We assessed depressive symptoms in two cross-sectional cohorts of university students (n = 3571) in spring and autumn 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and compared them with a matched sample of the Swiss national population (n = 2328). Binary logistic regression models estimated prevalence with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Adjusted prevalence of depressive symptoms in female (30.8% (95% CI: 28.6–33.0)) and male students (24.8% (95% CI: 21.7–28.1)) was substantially higher than in the matching female (10.9% (95% CI: 8.9–13.2)) and male (8.5% (6.6–11.0)) pre-pandemic national population. Depressive symptoms in the two consecutive student cohorts did not significantly differ. Conclusions: More than a quarter of Swiss university students reported depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was substantially higher as compared to the matched general population. Universities should introduce measures to support students in such times of crisis and gain an understanding of the factors impacting mental health positively or negatively and related to university structures and procedures.

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The multimorbidity of hypertension and osteoarthritis and relation with sleep quality and hyperlipemia/hyperglycemia in China’s rural population

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96523-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Li Ran ◽

Qi Chen ◽

Jingyi Zhang ◽

Xinlong Tu ◽

Xiaodong Tan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Regression Models ◽

Joint Effect ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Poor Sleep ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Additive Interaction ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Remote Rural Area

AbstractHypertension (HTN) and osteoarthritis (OA) are frequent in middle-aged and elderly people, and the co-occurrence of these two diseases is common. However, the pathogenesis of the multimorbidity of both diseases and the relation with sleep quality, hyperlipemia, and hyperglycemia is unclear. We conducted a cross-sectional study to make sense of the multimorbidity of HTN and OA and the relation with sleep quality, hyperlipemia, and hyperglycemia. The relation between sleep quality and OA and its joint effect with hyperlipemia or hyperglycemia was evaluated with logistic regression models. The additive interaction was assessed with the relative excess risk due to interaction (REEI), the attributable proportion (AP), and the synergy index (S). According to this research in a remote rural area, approximately 34.2% of HTN patients are accompanied with OA and 49.1% are suffering poor sleep. Both hyperlipemia/hyperglycemia and sleep quality were related to OA prevalence with crude ORs of 1.43 (95% CI 1.014–2.029) and 1.89 (95% CI 1.411–2.519, P < 0.001) respectively. An observed additive effect was found greater than the sum of the effects of sleep quality and hyperlipemia/hyperglycemia posed on OA prevalence alone. This additive interaction was observed in females (OR = 3.19, 95% CI 1.945–5.237) as well as males ≥ 65 years old (OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.693–4.557), with RERI, AP, and S significant. Therefore, poor sleep and hyperlipemia/hyperglycemia are associated with OA, and further studies on the additive interaction among females and males ≥ 65 are warranted.

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Chronic disruptive pain in emerging adults with and without chronic health conditions and the moderating role of psychiatric disorders: Evidence from a population-based cross-sectional survey in Canada

Scandinavian Journal of Pain ◽

10.1016/j.sjpain.2017.07.009 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 30-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rana A. Qadeer ◽

Lilly Shanahan ◽

Mark A. Ferro

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Regression Models ◽

Daily Functioning ◽

Moderating Effects ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Drug Disorders

AbstractBackground and aimsThere has been a growth in the proportion of emerging adults vulnerable to pain-related sequelae of chronic health conditions (CHCs). Given the paucity of research during this important developmental period, this study investigated the association between CHCs and chronic disruptive pain among emerging adults and the extent to which psychiatric disorders moderate this association.MethodsData come from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey - Mental Health (CCHS-MH). This cross-sectional survey included 5987 participants that were 15-30 years of age and self-reported their CHCs (n = 2460,41%) and the extent to which pain impacted daily functioning using items from the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI 3). Group comparisons between respondents with CHCs and healthy controls were made using chi-square tests. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed from ordinal logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Product-term interactions between CHCs and psychiatric disorders were included in the models to explore moderating effects. All analyses were weighted to maintain representativeness of the study sample to the Canadian population.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 23.5 (SE 0.1) years and 48% were female. Compared to healthy controls, a greater proportion of participants with CHCs reported having chronic pain (20.3% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.001). Among those with chronic pain, respondents with CHCs reported a greater number of activities prevented because of chronic disruptive pain (χ2 = 222.28, p< 0.001). Similarly, in logistic regression models, participants with CHCs had greater odds of reporting chronic disruptive pain (OR = 4.94, 95% CI = 4.08-5.99). Alcohol (β = –0.66; p = 0.025) and drug abuse/dependence disorders (β = –1.24; p = 0.012) were found to moderate the association between CHCs and chronic disruptive pain. Specifically, the probability of chronic disruptive pain was higher for emerging adults without CHCs and with alcohol or drug disorders; however, among participants with CHCs, probability was higher for those without these disorders.ConclusionsThere is a robust association between CHCs and chronic disruptive pain. The moderating effects suggest that alcohol or drug disorders are especially harmful for emerging adults without CHCs and contribute to higher levels of chronic disruptive pain; however, among those with CHCs, alcohol and illicit drugs may be used as a numbing agent to blunt chronic disruptive pain.ImplicationsFindings from this study have implications for the integration and coordination of services to design strategies aimed at managing chronic disruptive pain and preventing pain-related disabilities later in life. Within the health system, healthcare providers should engage in dialogues about mental health and substance use regularly with emerging adults, be proactive in screening for psychiatric disorders, and continue to monitor the impact of pain on daily functioning. Given the age range of emerging adults, there is tremendous opportunity for clinicians to work cooperatively with colleagues in the education system to support emerging adults with and without CHCs. Overall, clinicians, researchers, educators, and those in social services should continue to be mindful of the complex interrelationships between physical and mental health and chronic disruptive pain and work cooperatively to optimize health outcomes and prevent pain-related disabilities among emerging adults.

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Physician Perceptions on Quality of Life and Resuscitation Preferences for Extremely Early Newborns

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1733782 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Danielle LoRe ◽

Christopher Mattson ◽

Dalia M. Feltman ◽

Jessica T. Fry ◽

Kathleen G. Brennan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Models ◽

Mixed Effects ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Comfort Care ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Extremely Preterm

Objective The study aimed to explore physician views on whether extremely early newborns will have an acceptable quality of life (QOL), and if these views are associated with physician resuscitation preferences. Study Design We performed a cross-sectional survey of neonatologists and maternal fetal medicine (MFM) attendings, fellows, and residents at four U.S. medical centers exploring physician views on future QOL of extremely early newborns and physician resuscitation preferences. Mixed-effects logistic regression models examined association of perceived QOL and resuscitation preferences when adjusting for specialty, level of training, gender, and experience with ex-premature infants. Results A total of 254 of 544 (47%) physicians were responded. A minority of physicians had interacted with surviving extremely early newborns when they were ≥3 years old (23% of physicians in pediatrics/neonatology and 6% in obstetrics/MFM). The majority of physicians did not believe an extremely early newborn would have an acceptable QOL at the earliest gestational ages (11% at 22 and 23% at 23 weeks). The majority of physicians (73%) believed that having an extremely preterm infant would have negative effects on the family's QOL. Mixed-effects logistic regression models (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval [CI]) revealed that physicians who believed infants would have an acceptable QOL were less likely to offer comfort care only at 22 (OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.05–0.65, p < 0.01) and 23 weeks (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.07–0.78, p < 0.02). They were also more likely to offer active treatment only at 24 weeks (OR: 9.66, 95% CI: 2.56–38.87, p < 0.01) and 25 weeks (OR: 19.51, 95% CI: 3.33–126.72, p < 0.01). Conclusion Physician views of extremely early newborns' future QOL correlated with self-reported resuscitation preferences. Residents and obstetric physicians reported more pessimistic views on QOL. Key Points

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Awareness, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Meningococcal B Vaccine among Pediatricians in Italy

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina54060100 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 100

Author(s):

Pietro Ferrara ◽

Lucia Stromillo ◽

Luciana Albano

Keyword(s):

Regression Models ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Daily Practice ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vaccination Schedule ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

4Cmenb Vaccine

Background and objectives: Vaccination against bacterial pathogens is decisive for preventing invasive meningococcal disease and pediatricians play a pivotal role in vaccination compliance and coverage. The aim of this study was to investigate awareness, attitude, and practices toward the vaccine against Meningococcal B serogroup (4CMenB) among a sample of Italian pediatricians. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using an online questionnaire from March to May 2015. Three multivariate logistic regression models were built to identify factors associated with the outcomes of interest. Results: The data showed that 95.5% of the interviewees correctly responded about the availability of 4CMenB vaccine in Italy, while only 28.0% knew the vaccination schedule for children aged two years or under. This knowledge was significantly higher in younger pediatricians and in those who worked a higher number of hours per week. Pediatricians self-reported a positive attitude toward the utility and safety of 4CMenB vaccine. Those pediatricians with a strong positive attitude toward the utility of the vaccine, who knew the vaccination schedules for children of two years or under, and who declared a satisfactory or good knowledge about the vaccine were more likely to inform parents about its availability in Italy, recommend the vaccination, and verify patients’ vaccination status, in their daily practice. Conclusions: The study highlights factors that currently influence pediatricians’ practices regarding the 4CMenB vaccine. The results showed the possible actions recommended to improve physicians’ awareness and behaviors in order to improve the vaccination compliance and invasive meningococcal diseases prevention.

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