scholarly journals School teachers' self-reported fear and risk perception during the COVID-19 pandemic - a nationwide survey in Germany

Author(s):  
Stefanie Weinert ◽  
Anja Thronicke ◽  
Maximilian Hinse ◽  
Friedemann Schad ◽  
Harald Matthes

Background With COVID-19 cases peaking, COVID-19 vaccination programs starting and health systems reaching their limits in winter 2020/21, schools remained closed in many countries despite ever-recurring debates. To better understand teachers' fear of infection and risk perception we conducted a survey in Germany. Methods Participants were recruited through various associations and invited to take part in a cross-sectional COVID-19 specific online survey. Anonymous demographic and self-reported data were collected from those who gave their informed consent. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. To evaluate with fear associated factors of contracting SARS-CoV-2, an adjusted multivariable regression analysis was performed. Results 6.753 teachers gave their informed consent to answer the online survey. The median age of the teachers was 43 years with 77% being female. Most teachers worked in high schools (29%) and elementary schools (26%). Most participants (73%) feared to contract SARS-CoV-2 at school while 77% intended to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 98% considered students to pose the greatest risk. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that female and younger teachers were significantly more anxious to get infected with SARS-CoV-2 and that the odds teachers were more anxious was 9 times higher for those who favored re-opening of schools the least (p < 0.001). Conclusions To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to describe teachers fear and risk perception of COVID-19 and their attitude towards vaccinations in a nationwide survey. The anxiety correlates to the COVID-19 protection measures demanded. Teachers' fear is the driving factor and not a rational logic.

Author(s):  
Stefanie Weinert ◽  
Anja Thronicke ◽  
Maximilian Hinse ◽  
Friedemann Schad ◽  
Harald Matthes

With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases peaking and health systems reaching their limits in winter 2020/21, schools remained closed in many countries. To better understand teachers’ risk perception, we conducted a survey in Germany. Participants were recruited through various associations and invited to take part in a cross-sectional COVID-19-specific online survey. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Factors associated with teachers’ fears of contracting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were evaluated with an adjusted multivariable regression analysis. The median age of the 6753 participating teachers was 43 years, and 77% were female. Most teachers worked in high schools (29%) and elementary schools (26%). The majority of participants (73%) feared contracting SARS-CoV-2 at school, while 77% intended to receive their COVID-19 vaccination. Ninety-eight percent considered students to pose the greatest risk. Female and younger teachers were significantly more anxious to get infected and teachers who opposed the re-opening of schools had significantly higher odds of being more anxious (p < 0.001). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to describe teachers’ risk perception of COVID-19 and their attitudes towards vaccinations in a nationwide survey. The anxiety correlates with the COVID-19 protection measures demanded and appears to be a driving factor rather than rational logic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001268
Author(s):  
Angela Koipuram ◽  
Sandra Carroll ◽  
Zubin Punthakee ◽  
Diana Sherifali

IntroductionPersons of South Asian descent have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The management of T2DM in the South Asian community has required the support of adult children, potentially impacting the quality of life, diabetes-related knowledge, and risk perception among these caregivers.Research design and methodsTo investigate diabetes-related knowledge, quality of life, risk perception, and actual risk of developing diabetes among South Asian young adults whose parents are living with T2DM. A cross-sectional study was conducted (n=150). An online survey was administered. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in diabetes-related knowledge between males and females (p<0.001). Males (in comparison to females) had a lower risk perception of developing diabetes (p=0.06). Further, risk perception and diabetes-related knowledge were positively associated with caregiver’s physical health (p=0.002).ConclusionFindings highlight the importance of providing gender-specific and culturally tailored diabetes educational interventions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 109 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Kornej ◽  
Claudia Reinhardt ◽  
Jedrzej Kosiuk ◽  
Arash Arya ◽  
Gerhard Hindricks ◽  
...  

Background: HSP and anti-HSP antibodies have been associated with AF development and progression. This study investigated the possible association between circulating heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and anti-HSP70 antibodies as well their changes and rhythm outcome after atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation. Methods: In 67 patients with AF (59±11 years, 66 % male, 66 % lone AF) undergoing catheter ablation, circulating HSP70 and anti-HSP70 antibodies levels were quantified before and 6 months after catheter ablation. Serial 7-day Holter ECGs were used to detect AF recurrences. Results: At baseline, HSP70 was detectable in 14 patients (21 %), but there was no correlation between clinical or echocardiographic variables and the presence or the level of HSP70. Patients with paroxysmal AF (n=39) showed lower anti-HSP70 antibodies (median 43, IQR 28 - 62 µg/ml) than patients with persistent AF (n=28; 53, 41 - 85 µg/ml, p=.035). Using multivariable regression analysis, AF type was the only variable associated with anti-HSP70 antibodies (Beta=.342, p=.008). At 6 months, HSP70 was present in 27 patients (41 %, p<.001 vs. baseline) with an overall increase (median 0, IQR 0 - 0 vs. 0, 0 - 0.09 ng/ml, p=.029). Similarly, there was an increase of anti-HSP70 antibodies (48, 36 - 72 vs. 57, 43 - 87 µg/ml, p<.001). AF recurrence rates were higher in patients with HSP70 increase >0.025 ng/ml (32 vs. 11 %, p=.038) or anti-HSP70 antibodies increase >2.5 µg/ml (26 vs. 4 %, p=.033). Conclusion: HSP70 and anti-HSP70 antibodies may be involved in the progression of AF and AF recurrence after catheter ablation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason C Gallagher ◽  
Michael J Satlin ◽  
Abdulrahman Elabor ◽  
Nidhi Saraiya ◽  
Erin K McCreary ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections remain common in hospitals worldwide. We investigated the outcomes associated with the use of ceftolozane-tazobactam for the treatment of these infections. Methods Data were collected retrospectively from 20 hospitals across the United States about adults who received ceftolozane-tazobactam for the treatment of multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa infections of any source for at least 24 hours. The primary outcome was a composite of 30-day and inpatient mortality, and secondary outcomes were clinical success and microbiological cure. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with outcomes. Results Two-hundred five patients were included in the study. Severe illness and high degrees of comorbidity were common, with median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores of 19 (interquartile range [IQR], 11–24) and median Charlson Comorbidity Indexes of 4 (IQR, 3–6). Delayed initiation of ceftolozane-tazobactam was common with therapy started a median of 9 days after culture collection. Fifty-nine percent of patients had pneumonia. On susceptibility testing, 125 of 139 (89.9%) isolates were susceptible to ceftolozane-tazobactam. Mortality occurred in 39 patients (19%); clinical success and microbiological cure were 151 (73.7%) and 145 (70.7%), respectively. On multivariable regression analysis, starting ceftolozane-tazobactam within 4 days of culture collection was associated with survival (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.14–14.40), clinical success (adjusted OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.40–6.10), and microbiological cure (adjusted OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.24–5.38). Conclusions Ceftolozane-tazobactam appeared to be effective in the treatment of multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa infections, particularly when initiated early after the onset of infection.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malak Al Shammari ◽  
Ali Hassan ◽  
Omran Al Dandan ◽  
Mohammed Al Gadeeb ◽  
Dalal Bubshait

Abstract Background : Musculoskeletal symptoms account for the majority of work-related illnesses resulting in a significant economic burden on society. Computer users are subject to unique repetitive strains that predispose them to musculoskeletal symptoms. In the digitalized field of radiology, radiologists spend long hours interpreting medical images on computers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among radiologists in Saudi Arabia and their contributing factors. Methods : An online survey was sent to radiologists in all hospitals (academic, public and private) in the major cities of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia covering demographic characteristics, workload (e.g. the time spent at a computer workstation), and workstation environments including the number of monitors as well as the adjustability of the height of the workstation and the viewing distance. This survey of 263 radiologists was conducted in April 2019. It included an evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The study outcome was the presence of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms in any body region, which restricted the performance of normal activities in the last 12 months. Results were analyzed descriptively using a Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to estimate the odd ratio of experiencing disabling musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 12 months. Results : The survey was completed by 198 participants (111 men and 87 women) with a response rate of 75.3%. Most participants (71.2%) were aged below 40 years. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed being a female radiologist (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2–6.5), aged 30–39 years (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.1–15.3), and predominantly reviewing computed tomography (CT) images (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.4–12.3) or ultrasound scans (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 1.4–25.3) were associated with higher prevalence of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms, compared to those aged below 30 years and those who reviewed various imaging modalities, respectively. Conclusions : Musculoskeletal symptoms are common among radiologists with lower back and neck pain being the most frequent complaints. Being a female radiologist, aged 30–39 years, and reviewing CT or ultrasound scans were associated with higher rates of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms.


Author(s):  
Felix Marius Bläsius ◽  
Laura Elisabeth Stockem ◽  
Matthias Knobe ◽  
Hagen Andruszkow ◽  
Frank Hildebrand ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Surgically treated calcaneal fractures have a high risk of postoperative wound healing complications and a prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS). The aim of this study was to identify predictor variables of impaired wound healing (IWH) and LOS in surgically treated patients with isolated calcaneal fractures. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed data on patients aged 18 years or older who were admitted to a level I trauma center with isolated calcaneal fractures between 2008 and 2018. Multivariable regression models were used to identify predictor variables. Results In total, 89 patients (age: 45.4 years; SD: 15.1) were included. In 68 of these patients, low-profile locking plate osteosynthesis was performed, and a minimally invasive approach (MIA) (percutaneous single screws/K-wire or low-profile locking plating via a sinus tarsi approach) was applied in 21 patients. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that a higher preoperative Böhler’s angle (β = − 0.16 days/degree, 95% CI [− 0.25, − 0.08], p = 0.004) and MIA (β = − 5.04 days, 95% CI [− 8.52, − 1.56], p = 0.002) reduced the LOS. A longer time-to-surgery (β = 1.04 days/days, 95% CI [0.66, 1.42] p = 0.001) and IWH increased the LOS (β = 7.80 days, 95% CI [4.48, 11.12], p = 0.008). In a subsequent multivariable regression analysis, two variables, open fractures (OR: 14.6, 95% CI [1.19, 180.2], p = 0.030) and overweight (BMI > 24) (OR: 3.65, 95% CI [1.11, 12.00], p = 0.019), increased the risk of IWH. Conclusion Advanced treatment algorithms for open fractures are needed to reduce the risk of IWH.


Author(s):  
Tamara Al-Daghastani ◽  
Odate Tadros ◽  
Shereen Arabiyat ◽  
Deema Jaber ◽  
Husam AlSalamat

Objectives: To analyze the role of pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic, to measure pharmacists’ attitude toward COVID-19 safety measures (wearing masks, wearing gloves, isolation shield, good hygiene, etc.), and explore their perspectives regarding a second wave of the virus. Methods: This cross-sectional online survey study was conducted in Jordan during the COVID-19 outbreak in July 2020 to discuss Jordanian pharmacists’ awareness of safety at their workplace during the COVID-19 outbreak, their sources of information, and their predictions for COVID-19 vaccination. Results: The participants (n = 311) were all pharmacists mostly aged between 23–30 years old (45%) and female (83%). The primary source of information about COVID-19 was social networking (38.9%). Pharmacists were committed to social distancing (86.5%) and wearing masks (76.2%). They expressed levels of agreement to their role in decreasing COVID-19 spread (94.2%) and correcting false information (94.5%); they expressed levels of expectation toward concern about a second COVID-19 wave (83%) that would be more severe than the previous one (43.4%). Pharmacists expected that an influenza vaccine might be helpful in decreasing severity and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic (56.9%). Pharmacists expected COVID-19 vaccine development within 6 months of administering our study survey (84.9%) and that vaccination might be effective in preventing COVID-19 (93%) infection. Conclusion: Pharmacists expressed positive roles on COVID-19 spread through exemplary actions, self-commitment to protection measures, and public health awareness. Social media as a source of health information should be cautiously investigated, and pharmacists should always refer to evidence-based sources. The role of pharmacists is particularly important for the upcoming era of COVID-19 vaccination administration and awareness.


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