scholarly journals COVID-19 prevention behaviour over time in Australia: Patterns and long-term predictors from April to July 2020

Author(s):  
J Ayre ◽  
E Cvejic ◽  
K McCaffery ◽  
T Copp ◽  
S Cornell ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundIn Australia in March 2020 a national public health directive required that non-essential workers stay at home, except for essential activities. These restrictions began easing in May 2020 as community transmission slowed.PurposeThis study investigated changes in COVID-19 prevention behaviours from April-July 2020, and psychosocial predictors of these behaviours.Methods1,843 participants in Australia completed a national COVID-19 survey in April, with monthly follow-up over four months. Principal components analysis (PCA) combined self-reported adherence across seven prevention behaviours. Multivariable regression models explored baseline (April) correlates of behaviour in June (a period of low community transmission) and July (a period of increasing community transmission).ResultsOn average, participants agreed with statements of adherence for all behaviours (means all above 4 out of 7). PCA identified two behaviour types: ‘distancing’ (e.g. staying 1.5m away) and ‘hygiene’ (e.g. washing hands), explaining 28.3% and 24.2% of variance, respectively. Distancing declined each month (p’s<.001), whereas hygiene remained relatively stable. For distancing, stronger perceptions of societal risk, self-efficacy to maintain distancing, and greater perceived social obligation at baseline were associated with adherence in June and July (p’s<0.05). For hygiene, the only significant correlate of adherence in June and July was belief that one’s actions could prevent infection of family members (p<.001).ConclusionsHigh adherence to COVID-19 prevention behaviours were reported; however, distancing behaviours tended to decrease over time. Belief in social responsibility may be an important aspect to consider in encouraging distancing behaviours. Different policy approaches may be needed for different behavioural categories.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253930
Author(s):  
Julie Ayre ◽  
Erin Cvejic ◽  
Kirsten McCaffery ◽  
Tessa Copp ◽  
Samuel Cornell ◽  
...  

Background In Australia in March 2020 a national public health directive required that non-essential workers stay at home, except for essential activities. These restrictions began easing in May 2020 as community transmission slowed. Objectives This study investigated changes in COVID prevention behaviours from April-July 2020, and psychosocial predictors of these behaviours. Methods An Australia-wide (national) survey was conducted in April, with monthly follow-up over four months. Participants who were adults (18+ years), currently residing in Australia and who could read and understand English were eligible. Recruitment was via online social media. Analysis sample included those who provided responses to the baseline survey (April) and at least one subsequent follow-up survey (N = 1834 out of a possible 3216 who completed the April survey). 71.7% of the sample was female (n = 1,322). Principal components analysis (PCA) combined self-reported adherence across seven prevention behaviours. PCA identified two behaviour types: ‘distancing’ (e.g. staying 1.5m away) and ‘hygiene’ (e.g. washing hands), explaining 28.3% and 24.2% of variance, respectively. Distancing and hygiene behaviours were analysed individually using multivariable regression models. Results On average, participants agreed with statements of adherence for all behaviours (means all above 4 out of 7). Distancing behaviours declined each month (p’s < .001), whereas hygiene behaviours remained relatively stable. For distancing, stronger perceptions of societal risk, self-efficacy to maintain distancing, and greater perceived social obligation at baseline were associated with adherence in June and July (p’s<0.05). For hygiene, the only significant correlate of adherence in June and July was belief that one’s actions could prevent infection of family members (p < .001). Conclusion High adherence to COVID prevention behaviours were reported in this social media sample; however, distancing behaviours tended to decrease over time. Belief in social responsibility may be an important aspect to consider in encouraging distancing behaviours. These findings have implications for managing a shift from government-imposed restrictions to individual responsibility.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 1663-1670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leda Chatzi ◽  
Vasiliki Melaki ◽  
Katerina Sarri ◽  
Ioanna Apostolaki ◽  
Theano Roumeliotaki ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo identify and describe dietary patterns in a cohort of pregnant women, and investigate whether dietary patterns during pregnancy are related to postpartum depression (PPD).DesignThe study uses data from the prospective mother–child cohort ‘Rhea’ study. Pregnant women completed an FFQ in mid-pregnancy and the Edinburg Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) at 8–10 weeks postpartum. Dietary patterns during pregnancy (‘health conscious’, ‘Western’) were identified using principal component analysis. Associations between dietary patterns categorized in tertiles and PPD symptoms were investigated by multivariable regression models after adjusting for confounders.SettingHeraklion, Crete, Greece, 2007–2010.SubjectsA total of 529 women, participating in the ‘Rhea’ cohort.ResultsHigh adherence to a ‘health conscious’ diet, characterized by vegetables, fruit, pulses, nuts, dairy products, fish and olive oil, was associated with lower EPDS scores (highest v. lowest tertile: β-coefficient = −1·75, P = 0·02). Women in the second (relative risk (RR) = 0·52, 95 % CI 0·30, 0·92) or third tertile (RR = 0·51, 95 % CI 0·25, 1·05) of the ‘health conscious’ dietary pattern were about 50 % less likely to have high levels of PPD symptoms (EPDS ≥ 13) compared with those in the lowest tertile.ConclusionsThis is the first prospective study showing that a healthy diet during pregnancy is associated with reduced risk for PPD. Additional longitudinal studies and trials are needed to confirm these findings.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James John ◽  
W Kathy Tannous ◽  
Amanda Jones

Abstract Background: Studies report that increased levels of patient activation is associated with increased engagement with the health care system, better adherence to treatment protocols, and improved health outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of a 12-month Patient-Centred Medical Home (PCMH) model called ‘WellNet’ on the activation levels of patients with one or more chronic diseases in general practices across Northern Sydney, Australia.Methods: A total of 636 patients aged 40 years and above with one or more chronic conditions consented to participate in the WellNet program which was delivered across six general practices in Northern Sydney, Australia. The WellNet intervention includes team-based care with general physicians and trained chronic disease management care coordinators collaborating with patients in designing a patient-tailored care plan with improved self-management support and care navigation according to the level of risk and health care needs. The level of patient activation was measured using the validated PAM 13-item scale at baseline and follow-up. A before and after case-series design was employed to determine the adjusted mean differences between baseline and 12-months using repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Additionally, the backward stepwise multivariable regression models were employed to identify significant predictors of activation at follow-up.Results: Of the 626 patients, 420 reported their PAM scores at follow-up. The mean (SD) baseline PAM score was 57.9 (13.0). The adjusted model showed significant mean difference in PAM scores by increase of 6.5 (95% CI 5.0-8.1; p-value<0.001) after controlling for baseline covariates. The multivariable regression models showed that older age (B = -0.14; 95% CI -0.28, -0.01) and private insurance (uninsured patients) (B = -3.41; 95% CI -6.50, -0.32) were significantly associated with lower PAM scores at 12 months whereas higher baseline PAM score (B = 0.48; 95% CI 0.37, 0.59) was significantly associated with higher follow-up PAM score.Conclusion: The WellNet study is the first of its kind in Australia to report on changes in the patient activation levels among patients with one or more chronic diseases. PCMH has the potential to improve patient activation and engagement which can lead to long-term health benefits and sustained self-management behaviours.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3415
Author(s):  
Hursuong Vongsachang ◽  
Aleksandra Mihailovic ◽  
Jian-Yu E ◽  
David S. Friedman ◽  
Sheila K. West ◽  
...  

Understanding periods of the year associated with higher risk for falling and less physical activity may guide fall prevention and activity promotion for older adults. We examined the relationship between weather and seasons on falls and physical activity in a three-year cohort of older adults with glaucoma. Participants recorded falls information via monthly calendars and participated in four one-week accelerometer trials (baseline and per study year). Across 240 participants, there were 406 falls recorded over 7569 person-months, of which 163 were injurious (40%). In separate multivariable regression models incorporating generalized estimating equations, temperature, precipitation, and seasons were not significantly associated with the odds of falling, average daily steps, or average daily active minutes. However, every 10 °C increase in average daily temperature was associated with 24% higher odds of a fall being injurious, as opposed to non-injurious (p = 0.04). The odds of an injurious fall occurring outdoors, as opposed to indoors, were greater with higher average temperatures (OR per 10 °C = 1.46, p = 0.03) and with the summer season (OR = 2.69 vs. winter, p = 0.03). Falls and physical activity should be understood as year-round issues for older adults, although the likelihood of injury and the location of fall-related injuries may change with warmer season and temperatures.


Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy K Guzik ◽  
Rema Raman ◽  
Kain Ernstrom ◽  
Dawn M Meyer ◽  
Ajeet Sodhi ◽  
...  

Background: Patients with advanced age or high NIHSS have poorer tPA outcomes. When combined, old age (≥80yo) and elevated NIHSS (≥20) may have an even worse outcome. Patients who are also in this “Stroke100 Club” (any combination of age and NIHSS ≥100) by other means, have not been fully assessed. We evaluated discharge destination, 90-day mRS, sICH and death in treated and untreated Stroke100 Club patients. We further compared patients with age ≥ 80 and NIHSS ≥ 20 (“80/20s”), those who reached 100 without both characteristics (“non80/20s”) and ‘controls’. Methods: The UCSD SPOTRIAS prospectively collected database was analyzed for AIS patients (with and without tPA). Multivariable regression models including the Stroke100 group as an independent variable was used. Outcomes were adjusted for baseline mRS. For comparing categorical outcomes between controls, “80/20s” and “non80/20s” subgroups, a Fisher’s exact was used. Results: The IV tPA subset included 257 patients (mean age 71, 52% male, 85% white, mean NIHSS 12). 53 were in the “Stroke100 Club” (28 80/20, 25 non80/20), with more women (68% p= 0.002), higher NIHSS (22.5 p<0.0001), older age (mean age 86.4 p<0.0001), higher pre stroke mRS (34.6% mRS 3-6 vs 7.84%, p<0.0001), more HTN (p=0.045) and more afib (p= 0.008). There were 284 non tPA patients (mean age 69.52, 54% male, 85% white, mean NIHSS 5.92). 21 were in the “Stroke100 Club” (14 80/20, 7 non80/20), with higher NIHSS (23 p<0.0001), older age (mean 86.2 p<0.0001), higher pre stroke mRS (45.5% 3-6 vs 9.5%, p= 0.0001), and more afib (p= 0.0002). Stroke100 Club 90day mRS(3-6) outcomes were worse in both tPA treated patients (OR=6.77, p= 0.0001) and nontreated patients (OR 31.57, p= 0.001). sICH rates (in tPA subjects) were not different (3.8% vs 3.4%, p> 0.99). Conclusions: There is a question of treatment outcome in patients with various permutations of stroke severity and advanced age. Our data corroborates the concern of poor outcomes for Stroke100 Club patients, but notes no increased sICH with tPA. Though outcome may be poor, withholding tPA should be discouraged as worse outcomes were not due to sICH. Young patients with severe strokes or old patients with mild strokes may have outcomes similar to the standard “80/20” Stroke100 patients, however further adjusted analysis is ongoing. In addition, further analyses are being done to compare tPA to non tPA patients.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimon Bekelis ◽  
Kendrew Wong ◽  
Nancy Marth ◽  
Weiping Zhou ◽  
Jonathan Skinner

Background: Regionalization of care to primary stroke centers (PSC) may improve outcomes for stroke patients. We evaluated the current access of Medicare stroke patients to PSC, and its potential impact on mortality. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of a 100% sample of Medicare fee-for-service claims data for patients admitted with stroke in 2008-2009, with one-year follow-up through 2010. Population weighted centroids were created, helicopter pad locations were identified, and driving distances were calculated based on real road network data. Driving and flying speeds, dispatch, scene, and pre-hospital times were estimated using validated models, adjusted for population density. The association of 30-day mortality with travel times, and treatment at a PSC was investigated using multivariable regression models. Results: During the study period, 510,822 patients (mean age 79.6 years, 59.7% females) had a stroke. There was significant regional variation in our cohort, (Figure) with 8.6% of stroke patients having ground access to a PSC within 30 minutes, 14.9% from 30 to 45 minutes, 11.1% from 45 to 60 minutes, 43.9% from 1 to 4.5 hours, and 21.5% over 4.5 hours. The latter group could be limited to 0.1% of stroke patients, if existing helicopter services were used optimally. 164,485 (32.2%) patients received treatment in a PSC, and had modestly decreased mortality (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99). For this group, actual travel time to the PSC was not associated with mortality for patients within one hour of the PSC. On the contrary, travel times from 1 to 4.5 hours (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.08-1.22), and over 4.5 hours (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.29-1.54) were associated with increased mortality. Conclusions: There is significant regional variation in access to PSC for elderly stroke patients, with a potential impact on outcomes. Optimal use of helicopter services may address these disparities. Funding: NIH (P01-AG19783, and U01-AG046830-01).


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steinunn Arnardóttir ◽  
Jacob Järås ◽  
Pia Burman ◽  
Katarina Berinder ◽  
Per Dahlqvist ◽  
...  

Objective: To describe treatment and long-term outcomes of patients with acromegaly from all health-care regions in Sweden. Design and Methods: Analysis of prospectively reported data from the Swedish Pituitary Register of 698 patients (51% females) with acromegaly diagnosed from 1991-2011. The latest clinical follow-up date was December, 2012, while mortality data were collected for 28.5 years until June, 2019. Results: The annual incidence was 3.7/million; 71% of patients had a macroadenoma, 18% had visual field defects, and 25% had at least one pituitary hormone deficiency. Eighty-two percent had pituitary surgery, 10% radiotherapy and 39% medical treatment. At the 5- and 10-year follow-ups, IGF-I levels were within the reference range in 69% and 78% of patients, respectively. In linear regression the proportion of patients with biochemical control including adjuvant therapy at 10 year follow-up increased over time with 1.23 % per year. The SMR (95% CI) for all patients was 1.29 (1.11-1.49). For patients with biochemical control at the latest follow-up, SMR was not increased, neither among patients diagnosed 1991-2000, SMR 1.06 (0.85-1.33) or 2001-2011, SMR 0.87 (0.61-1.24). In contrast, non- controlled patients at the latest follow up from both decades had elevated SMR, 1.90 (1.33-2.72) and 1.98 (1.24-3.14), respectively. Conclusions: The proportion of patients with biochemical control increased over time. Patients with biochemically controlled acromegaly have normal life expectancy while non-controlled patients still have increased mortality. The high rate of macroadenomas and unchanged age at diagnosis illustrates the need for improvements in the management of patients with acromegaly.


2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iren Johnsen ◽  
Kari Dyregrov ◽  
Stig Berge Matthiesen ◽  
Jon Christian Laberg

This article presents results from one of the first longitudinal studies exploring the effects of losing a close friend to traumatic death, focusing on complicated grief over time and how this is affected by avoidant behavior and rumination about the loss. The sample consists of 88 persons (76% women and 24% men, mean age = 21) who lost a close friend in the Utøya killings in Norway on July 22, 2011.Quantitative data were collected at three time-points; 18, 28, and 40 months postloss. Main findings are that bereaved friends are heavily impacted by the loss and their grief reactions are affected negatively by avoidant behavior and rumination. This indicates that close bereaved friends are a group to be aware of and that there is a need for better strategies for identifying individuals in need for follow-up.


2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane McCusker ◽  
Martin G. Cole ◽  
Philippe Voyer ◽  
Johanne Monette ◽  
Nathalie Champoux ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground:Depression is a common problem in long-term care (LTC) settings. We sought to characterize depression symptom trajectories over six months among older residents, and to identify resident characteristics at baseline that predict symptom trajectory.Methods:This study was a secondary analysis of data from a six-month prospective, observational, and multi-site study. Severity of depressive symptoms was assessed with the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) at baseline and with up to six monthly follow-up assessments. Participants were 130 residents with a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 15 or more at baseline and of at least two of the six monthly follow-up assessments. Individual resident GDS trajectories were grouped using hierarchical clustering. The baseline predictors of a more severe trajectory were identified using the Proportional Odds Model.Results:Three clusters of depression symptom trajectory were found that described “lower,” “intermediate,” and “higher” levels of depressive symptoms over time (mean GDS scores for three clusters at baseline were 2.2, 4.9, and 9.0 respectively). The GDS scores in all groups were generally stable over time. Baseline predictors of a more severe trajectory were as follows: Initial GDS score of 7 or more, female sex, LTC residence for less than 12 months, and corrected visual impairment.Conclusions:The six-month course of depressive symptoms in LTC is generally stable. Most residents who experience a more severe symptom trajectory can be identified at baseline.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6568-6568
Author(s):  
Robert J. Motzer ◽  
Toni K. Choueiri ◽  
Jessica May ◽  
Youngmin Kwon ◽  
Nifasha Rusibamayila ◽  
...  

6568 Background: After a minimum follow-up of 48 months (mos), the CheckMate 214 trial (phase 3, NCT02231749) continued to demonstrate a significant overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survival benefit for N+I vs. SUN in aRCC patients (pts) with intermediate (I) or poor (P) International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk factors (median OS: 48.1 vs. 26.6 mos, HR: 0.65, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.54, 0.78; 48-mos PFS: 32.7% vs. 12.3%, HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.62, 0.88) (Albiges et al. ESMO Open 2020). To further understand the clinical benefits and risks of N+I vs. SUN, we evaluated the Q-TWiST over time using up to 57 mos of follow-up in CheckMate 214. Methods: OS was partitioned into 3 states: time with any grade 3 or 4 adverse events (TOX), time without symptoms of disease or toxicity (TWiST), and time after progression (REL). The Q-TWiST is a metric that combines the quantity and quality (i.e., “utility”) of time spent in each of the 3 states TWiST, TOX, and REL. Prior research (Revicki et al, Qual Life Res, 2006) has established that relative gains in Q-TWiST (i.e., Q-TWiST gain divided by OS in SUN) of ≥ 10% and ≥ 15% can be considered as “clinically important” and “clearly clinically important”, respectively. Non-parametric bootstrapping was used to generate 95% CIs. To observe changes in quality-adjusted survival gains over time, absolute and relative Q-TWiST were calculated up to 57 mos at intervals of 12-mos. Results: With 57-mos follow-up, compared to SUN pts, N+I pts (N = 847) had significantly longer time in TWiST state (+7.1 mos [95% CI: 4.2, 10.4]). The between-group differences in TOX state (0.3 mos [95% CI: -0.2, 0.8]) and REL state (-1.2 mos [95% CI: -4.1, 1.5]) were not statistically significant. The Q-TWiST gain in the N+I vs. SUN arms was 6.6 mos (95% CI: 4.1, 9.4), resulting in a 21.2% relative gain. Q-TWiST gains progressively increased over the follow-up period and exceeded the “clinically important” threshold around 27 mos (Table). These gains were driven by steady increases in TWiST gains from 0.4 mos (after 12 mos) to 7.1 mos (after 57 mos). Conclusions: In CheckMate 214, N+I resulted in a statistically significant and “clearly clinically important (≥ 15%)” longer quality-adjusted survival vs. SUN, which increased over the longer follow-up time. Q-TWiST gains were primarily driven by time in “good” health (i.e., TWiST), which largely resulted from the long-term PFS benefits seen for N+I vs. SUN. Clinical trial information: NCT02231749. [Table: see text]


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