scholarly journals Exploring the impact of shielding advice on the health and wellbeing of individuals identified as extremely vulnerable and advised to shield in Southwest England amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods evaluation

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Lasseter ◽  
Polly Compston ◽  
Charlotte Robin ◽  
Helen Lambert ◽  
Matthew Hickman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact

Objective: Explore the impact and responses to public health advice on the health and wellbeing of individuals identified as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) and advised to shield (not leave home for 12 weeks at start of the pandemic) in Southwest England during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Design: Mixed-methods study; structured survey and follow-up semi-structured interviews. Setting: Communities served by Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. Participants: 204 people (57% female, 54% >69 years, 94% White British, 64% retired) in Southwest England identified as CEV and were advised to shield completed the survey. Thirteen survey respondents participated in follow-up interviews (53% female, 40% >69years, 100% White British, 61% retired). Results: Receipt of official communication from NHS England or General Practitioner (GP) was considered by participants as the legitimate start of shielding. 80% of survey responders felt they received all relevant advice needed to shield, yet interviewees criticised the timing of advice and often sought supplementary information. Shielding behaviours were nuanced, adapted to suit personal circumstances, and waned over time. Few interviewees received community support, although food boxes and informal social support were obtained by some. Worrying about COVID-19 was common for survey responders (90%). Since shielding had begun, physical and mental health reportedly worsened for 35% and 42% of survey responders respectively. 21% of survey responders scored 10 or more on the PHQ-9 questionnaire indicating possible depression and 15% scored 10 or more on the GAD-7 questionnaire indicating possible anxiety. Conclusions: This research highlights the difficulties in providing generic messaging that is applicable and appropriate given the diversity of individuals identified as CEV and the importance of sharing tailored and timely advice to inform shielding decisions. Providing messages that reinforce self-determined action and assistance from support services could reduce the negative impact of shielding on mental health and feelings of social isolation.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of optometry students at a higher education institution: A case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Simjee ◽  
Zothile Mncwabe ◽  
Keihara Sindhrajh ◽  
Rabia Khan ◽  
Maseeha Seedat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Higher Education ◽  
Black People ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Optometry Students

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak poses serious threats to the physical and mental health of individuals worldwide. The lockdown strategy and social distancing regulations adopted in South Africa have disrupted the day-to-day life activities of all people including students.Aim: To explore the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of optometry students at a higher education institution.Setting: The study population included optometry students currently registered at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in Durban, South Africa.Methods: The study adopted a case study research design and used an online questionnaire and follow-up interviews to collect data. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire that assesses depression, anxiety and stress subscales was used. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The interview data were analysed using thematic content analysis.Results: A total of 147 participants responded to the online questionnaire and consisted of majority black people (n = 98), female (n = 114) and second year (n = 58) students. The majority of the participants had normal scores for depression (n = 97), anxiety (n = 79) and stress (n = 107). Only a few participants had scores indicating severe or extremely severe depression (n = 13), anxiety (n = 23) and stress (n = 5). Follow-up interviews were conducted with 10 participants and of these, seven reported that COVID-19 had a negative impact on their ability to concentrate and they felt anxious about examining patients. Factors such as stigma and judgment were perceived as hindrances to seeking mental health help.Conclusion: Most participants had normal scores for depression, anxiety and stress; however, some participants presented with abnormal scores. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health should be highlighted and higher education authorities should plan and provide appropriate services to improve the quality of life of affected students.

scholarly journals The impact of the Safer Anaesthesia from Education (SAFE) Obstetric Anaesthesia training course in Ethiopia: A mixed methods longitudinal cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-305
Author(s):  
Jolene N Moore ◽  
Wayne W Morriss ◽  
Gebrehiwot Asfaw ◽  
Gosa Tesfaye ◽  
Aaliya R Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Longitudinal Cohort Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Longitudinal Cohort ◽  
Obstetric Anaesthesia ◽  
The Impact

Summary Reducing maternal mortality remains a global priority, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Safer Anaesthesia from Education (SAFE) Obstetric Anaesthesia (OB) course is a three-day refresher course for trained anaesthesia providers addressing common causes of maternal mortality in LMICs. This aim of this study was to investigate the impact of SAFE training for a cohort of anaesthesia providers in Ethiopia. We conducted a mixed methods longitudinal cohort study incorporating a behavioural questionnaire, multiple-choice questionnaires (MCQs), structured observational skills tests and structured interviews for anaesthesia providers who attended one of four SAFE-OB courses conducted in two regions of Ethiopia from October 2017 to May 2018. Some 149 participants from 60 facilities attended training. Behavioural questionnaires were completed at baseline ( n = 101, 69% response rate). Pre- and post-course MCQs ( n = 121, n = 123 respectively) and pre- and post-course skills tests ( n = 123, n = 105 respectively) were completed, with repeat MCQ and skills tests, and semi-structured interviews completed at follow-up ( n = 88, n = 76, n = 49 respectively). The mean MCQ scores for all participants improved from 80.3% prior to training to 85.4% following training ( P < 0.0001) and skills test scores improved from 56.5% to 83.2% ( P < 0.0001). Improvements in MCQs and skills were maintained at follow-up 3–11 months post-training compared to baseline ( P = 0.0006, < 0.0001 respectively). Participants reported improved confidence, teamwork and communication at follow-up. This study suggests that the SAFE-OB course can have a sustained impact on knowledge and skills and can improve the confidence of anaesthesia providers and communication within surgical teams.

scholarly journals Exploring the impact of social inequality and poverty on the mental health and wellbeing and attainment of children and young people in Scotland

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Gaynor Mowat
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Inequality ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Impact

The poverty-related attainment gap is an internationally recognised problem. There is growing recognition that it cannot either be understood or addressed without taking cognisance of children’s mental health and wellbeing. The focus of this conceptual article is to examine the impact of social inequality and poverty on the mental health and wellbeing and attainment of children and young people in Scotland through the lens of resilience. While not a ‘state of the art’ literature review, a systematic approach was adopted in the selection of the literature and in the identification of themes to emerge from it. A range of risk and protective factors at the individual, social, societal and political levels emerged as impacting on the mental health and wellbeing and attainment of children living in poverty, and three important mediating variables are the negative impact of social stratification and adverse childhood experiences and the positive impact of a supportive adult. Schools alone cannot solve the problem. The findings revealed that there is a need to build a strong infrastructure around families and schools and to examine how economic, social, health and educational policy interact with each other as a starting point in addressing the problem, supported by inter-disciplinary research.

Adult CHD patients under clinical follow-up have a similar quality of life to the general population in Malta

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1051-1059
Author(s):  
Maryanne Caruana ◽  
Victor Grech
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
Cardiac Medication ◽  
Self Reporting Questionnaire ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundThe improved survival of patients born with CHD has led to increasing interest in research on quality of life of adult survivors. We report the findings of the first study in Malta carried out to investigate quality of life in adults with CHD under follow-up.MethodsA self-reporting questionnaire modelled on the basis of the European Health Interview Survey 2008, including questions on mental health and vitality, was administered to consecutive adult CHD outpatients, aged 16 years and over, between May, 2013 and May, 2014. Foreigners and patients with learning difficulties or cognitive impairment were excluded. Quality-of-life data were compared with that from 371 age- and sex-matched 2008 survey responders – general population cohort. The impact of congenital lesion complexity, hospitalisation in the preceding 12 months, arrhythmias, co-morbidities, and cardiac medication use on quality of life of the CHD cohort was also investigated.ResultsThere were a total of 120 patient responders (63 males; mean age 30.53, SD 12.77 years). Overall, there were no significant differences in mental health and vitality between patient and general population cohorts, although older patients had better mental health scores compared with age-matched controls. Within the adult CHD cohort, hospitalisation in the preceding 12 months was the only factor associated with a poorer quality of life.ConclusionsOverall, CHD has no negative impact on mental health and vitality in Maltese adult patients under follow-up. Patients needing frequent hospitalisations might warrant closer attention by clinical psychologists.

scholarly journals Pet Ownership and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 332
Author(s):  
Kristel J. Scoresby ◽  
Elizabeth B. Strand ◽  
Zenithson Ng ◽  
Kathleen C. Brown ◽  
Charles Robert Stilz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
The Impact

Pet ownership is the most common form of human–animal interaction, and anecdotally, pet ownership can lead to improved physical and mental health for owners. However, scant research is available validating these claims. This study aimed to review the recent peer reviewed literature to better describe the body of knowledge surrounding the relationship between pet ownership and mental health. A literature search was conducted in May 2020 using two databases to identify articles that met inclusion/exclusion criteria. After title review, abstract review, and then full article review, 54 articles were included in the final analysis. Of the 54 studies, 18 were conducted in the general population, 15 were conducted in an older adult population, eight were conducted in children and adolescents, nine focused on people with chronic disease, and four examined a specific unique population. Forty-one of the studies were cross-sectional, 11 were prospective longitudinal cohorts, and two were other study designs. For each of the articles, the impact of pet ownership on the mental health of owners was divided into four categories: positive impact (n = 17), mixed impact (n = 19), no impact (n = 13), and negative impact (n = 5). Among the reviewed articles, there was much variation in population studied and study design, and these differences make direct comparison challenging. However, when focusing on the impact of pet ownership on mental health, the results were variable and not wholly supportive of the benefit of pets on mental health. Future research should use more consistent methods across broader populations and the development of a pet-ownership survey module for use in broad, population surveys would afford a better description of the true relationship of pet ownership and mental health.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Autistic Adults in the UK: A Mixed-Methods Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Bundy ◽  
William Mandy ◽  
Laura Crane ◽  
Hannah Belcher ◽  
Laura Bourne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Autistic Adults ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with mental health declines in the general population. Those with pre-existing vulnerabilities are known to be at particular risk. This may include autistic people, who have high levels of mental and physical health problems. Yet little is currently known about the impact of the pandemic on autistic people. Using an online survey, this mixed-methods study gathered data from 133 autistic adults in the United Kingdom (UK), about their experiences of the pandemic in relation to their mental health. Results indicated that the mental health impact of the pandemic on autistic adults was variable. A sizeable minority reported improvements in their mental health associated with COVID-19 restrictions. By contrast, most participants described an overall negative impact their levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Analysis of qualitative data using thematic analysis highlighted four themes that contributed to mental health changes in autistic adults: (i) adjusting to changes to the social world, (ii) living with uncertainty, (iii) disruptions to self-regulation, and (iv) barriers to fulfilling basic needs. Based on these findings, we discuss recommendations about how to support autistic people; both as the pandemic persists and once normality ensues.

scholarly journals A mixed-methods longitudinal evaluation of a one-day mental health wellness intervention

2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Doyle ◽  
Jan de Vries ◽  
Agnes Higgins ◽  
Brian Keogh ◽  
Padraig McBennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Perceived Impact ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Wellness Intervention ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of a one-day mental health Wellness Workshop on participants’ mental health and attitudes towards mental health. Design: Convergent, longitudinal mixed-methods approach. Setting: The study evaluated Wellness Workshops which took place throughout the Republic of Ireland. Method: Questionnaires measuring hope, mental health self-efficacy, attitudes towards mental health and perceived impact on wellbeing were administered to participants before the workshop ( n = 415), 1 week after ( n = 221) and 3 months after ( n = 110). Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 24 participants to generate a more in-depth understanding of the impact of the workshop. Results: Quantitative findings relating to hope, mental health self-efficacy and attitudes towards mental health did not identify statistically significant changes; however, participants’ perceptions of the effect of the workshop on wellbeing suggested a positive impact which was maintained over time. Qualitative findings, however, suggested that hope and self-efficacy were improved and the simplicity and utility of the wellness strategies disseminated in the workshop, in addition to the warmth and openness of the narrative approach used by the facilitators, were central to the perceived positive impact. Conclusion: This evaluation demonstrates the potential for wellness interventions to have a subjective improvement in wellbeing in members of the general public.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and loneliness: A rapid systematic review

2021 ◽  
pp. 000486742110314
Author(s):  
Nagesh Pai ◽  
Shae-Leigh Vella
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
General Adult Population ◽  
Key Terms ◽  
The Impact

Background: Loneliness is known to be associated with both poorer physical and mental health, being associated with increased mortality. Responses throughout the world to the current COVID-19 pandemic all incorporate varying degrees of social distancing and isolation. There is an imperative to provide a timely review and synthesis of the impact of COVID-19 on loneliness in the general population. Methods: PubMed was searched using the key terms ‘COVID-19’, ‘coronavirus’, ‘SARS-COV2’ and ‘loneliness’. Fifty-four articles were identified and screened against the inclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria stipulated that the study needed to incorporate a measure of loneliness with participants being drawn from the general adult population. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: The key data extracted from the 24 reviewed studies are presented and summarised with a focus on key demographics of participants, the research designs utilised, the measures of loneliness employed and the other variables assessed in the studies. Overall, the findings indicate that loneliness has been a significant issue during the current COVID-19 pandemic and loneliness is positively associated with mental health symptoms. However, there were inconsistencies in the results evident across studies. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of research investigating loneliness during the current COVID-19 pandemic in the general adult population. Despite the inconsistencies evident in some of the results across the studies, it is clearly apparent that loneliness is having an impact on the mental health and wellbeing of the general adult population. Furthermore, it is apparent that the current COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on loneliness in the general adult population and that loneliness is significantly positively associated with mental illness symptomatology. Thus, there is an imperative to address loneliness through public policy and interventions. The limitations of this review are noted and directions given for future research.

The impact of retirement on physical, mental health and wellbeing

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Odone ◽  
B Frascella ◽  
G Vigezzi ◽  
G Gaetti ◽  
V Gianfredi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Population Ageing ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Relevant Evidence ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Population ageing presents both challenges and opportunities for societies around the world. Increasing statutory retirement age and limiting exits to early retirement are frequent policy responses to population ageing, but this is unlikely to have the desired impact if the complex relationships that link work, retirement and health remains unknown. In this context, we designed and are currently conducting the multi-partner project on pension reforms and spatial-temporal patterns in healthy ageing, funded by Fondazione Cariplo. The project involves a multi-disciplinary research team from University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Bocconi University and the Unit of Epidemiology of the Regional Health Service of ASL TO3. In this first presentation we will first describe the project design, its general aim and specific objectives, then we will present a proposed conceptual framework on the association between retirement and health and its determinants. The framework is the first deliverable of the project and is the results of a comprehensive review of the available evidence and consultation with experts in the field. In particular we conducted a scoping review to retrieve, pool and critically appraise the relevant evidence on the impact of retirement and transition to retirement on physical and mental health and their determinants. We summarized the evidence collected in a conceptual framework that attempt to quantify how health and retirement are bi-directionally linked, how health is central to the timing of retirement, how labor-associated determinants condition employment cessation, how and retirement have varying effects on risk factors for physical and mental health and the role of confounding factors and mediators. Towards the end of the presentation we will outline an extensive stakeholder mapping carried out for the purposes of the project at the national and European level

scholarly journals “It’s Changed My Life Not To Have the Continual Worry of Being Warm” – Health and Wellbeing Impacts of a Local Fuel Poverty Programme: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Sawyer ◽  
Nigel Sherriff ◽  
Mary Darking ◽  
Jörg W. Huber
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Heating Systems ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Living in a cold home and being fuel poor can contribute to adverse physical and mental health. Energy efficiency interventions are considered the simplest ways of tackling fuel poverty and preventing associated negative health, wellbeing, and socio-economic consequences. The overall aim of the current study was to provide a greater understanding of the impact of a locally administered programme, which funded the installation of major heating/insulation measures in areas of high fuel poverty, on the health and wellbeing of beneficiaries of the programme. Methods A mixed-methods approach to explore the health and wellbeing impacts of a fuel poverty programme in East Sussex that took place between October 2016 and March 2018. Beneficiaries completed the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale before and after any heating/insulation work had been completed in their home. Beneficiaries were also asked to retrospectively rate their health pre- and post-installation. Interviews with 23 beneficiaries of the programme were conducted to explore in-depth the impact of the programme on people’s health and wellbeing and the wider social determinants of health. Results A major heating/insulation measure was installed in 149 homes. The majority of measures installed were boilers (57.7%) and new central heating systems (32.2%). Self-rated health and wellbeing were significantly higher post-installation. Interviewees described clear examples of the positive impacts on physical health and wellbeing such as fewer chest infections, reduced pain, feeling less anxious and depressed, and generally feeling happier and more relaxed. Interviews also highlighted broader areas of impact such as reduced social isolation and increased use of domestic space. Many of the beneficiaries also reported a reduction in their energy bills since their new heating systems had been installed. Conclusions The findings from the evaluation suggest that the installation of major heating or insulation measures such as new boilers have substantial benefits for the health and wellbeing of beneficiaries. The findings also suggest that the programme had a positive impact on wider determinants of health including reduction in stress and isolation that are likely to be part of the pathways between fuel poverty interventions and mental and physical health outcomes.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document