scholarly journals How the Norwegian population was affected by non-pharmaceutical interventions during the first six weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110278
Author(s):  
Silje Mæland ◽  
Ragnhild Bjørknes ◽  
Stine Lehmann ◽  
Gro Mjeldheim Sandal ◽  
William Hazell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Health Services Needs ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Aims The aim of this study was to examine how the Norwegian general adult population was affected by non-pharmaceutical interventions during the first six weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown. We assessed quarantine, symptoms, social distancing, home office/school, work status, social contact and health-care contact through digital access and knowledge. Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed of 29,535 adults (aged 18–99) in Norway after six weeks of non-pharmaceutical interventions in March/April 2020. Results Most participants found the non-pharmaceutical interventions to be manageable, with 20% of all adults and 30% of those aged <30 regarding them as acceptable only to some or a limited degree. Sixteen per cent had been quarantined, 6% had experienced symptoms that could be linked to COVID-19 and 84% practiced social distancing. Eleven per cent reported changes in the use of health and social services. Three-quarters (75%) of those who had mental health or physiotherapy sessions at least monthly before the pandemic reported a reduction in their use of these services. A substantial reduction was also seen for home nursing, hospital services and dentists compared to usage before the non-pharmaceutical interventions. Immigrants were more likely to experience a reduction in follow-up from psychologists and physiotherapy. With regard to the use of general practitioners, the proportions reporting an increase and a reduction were relatively equal. Conclusions The non-pharmaceutical interventions were perceived as manageable by the majority of the adult general population in Norway at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. A substantial proportion of adults <30 years old experienced difficulties with social distancing, and those >70 years old lacked the digital tools and knowledge. Further, immigrant access to health services needs monitoring and future attention.

scholarly journals Early perceptions and behavioural responses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey of UK adults

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e043577
Author(s):  
Christina Atchison ◽  
Leigh Robert Bowman ◽  
Charlotte Vrinten ◽  
Rozlyn Redd ◽  
Philippa Pristerà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
The Uk

ObjectiveTo examine risk perceptions and behavioural responses of the UK adult population during the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in the UK.DesignA cross-sectional survey.SettingConducted with a nationally representative sample of UK adults within 48 hours of the UK Government advising the public to stop non-essential contact with others and all unnecessary travel.Participants2108 adults living in the UK aged 18 years and over. Response rate was 84.3% (2108/2500). Data collected between 17 March and 18 March 2020.Main outcome measuresDescriptive statistics for all survey questions, including number of respondents and weighted percentages. Robust Poisson regression used to identify sociodemographic variation in: (1) adoption of social distancing measures, (2) ability to work from home, and (3) ability and (4) willingness to self-isolate.ResultsOverall, 1992 (94.2%) respondents reported at least one preventive measure: 85.8% washed their hands with soap more frequently; 56.5% avoided crowded areas and 54.5% avoided social events. Adoption of social distancing measures was higher in those aged over 70 years compared with younger adults aged 18–34 years (adjusted relative risk/aRR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.5). Those with lowest household income were three times less likely to be able to work from home (aRR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.45) and less likely to be able to self-isolate (aRR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88 to 0.96). Ability to self-isolate was also lower in black and minority ethnic groups (aRR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.0). Willingness to self-isolate was high across all respondents.ConclusionsAbility to adopt and comply with certain non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) is lower in the most economically disadvantaged in society. Governments must implement appropriate social and economic policies to mitigate this. By incorporating these differences in NPIs among socioeconomic subpopulations into mathematical models of COVID-19 transmission dynamics, our modelling of epidemic outcomes and response to COVID-19 can be improved.

scholarly journals Perceptions and behavioural responses of the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey of UK Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina J Atchison ◽  
Leigh Bowman ◽  
Charlotte Vrinten ◽  
Rozlyn Redd ◽  
Philippa Pristerà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
The Uk

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo examine risk perceptions and behavioural responses of the UK adult population during the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in the UK.DesignA cross-sectional surveySettingConducted with a nationally representative sample of UK adults within 48 hours of the UK Government advising the public to stop non-essential contact with others and all unnecessary travel.Participants2,108 adults living in the UK aged 18 years and over. Data were collected between March 17 and 18 2020.Main outcome measuresDescriptive statistics for all survey questions, including the number of respondents and the weighted percentages. Logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic variation in: (1) adoption of social-distancing measures, (2) ability to work from home, and (3) willingness and (4) ability to self-isolate.ResultsOverall, 1,992 (94.2%) respondents reported taking at least one preventive measure: 85.8% washed their hands with soap more frequently; 56.5% avoided crowded areas and 54.5% avoided social events. Adoption of social-distancing measures was higher in those aged over 70 compared to younger adults aged 18 to 34 years (aOR:1.9; 95% CI:1.1 to 3.4). Those with the lowest household income were six times less likely to be able to work from home (aOR:0.16; 95% CI:0.09 to 0.26) and three times less likely to be able to self-isolate (aOR:0.31; 95% CI:0.16 to 0.58). Ability to self-isolate was also lower in black and minority ethnic groups (aOR:0.47; 95% CI:0.27 to 0.82). Willingness to self-isolate was high across all respondents.ConclusionsThe ability to adopt and comply with certain NPIs is lower in the most economically disadvantaged in society. Governments must implement appropriate social and economic policies to mitigate this. By incorporating these differences in NPIs among socio-economic subpopulations into mathematical models of COVID-19 transmission dynamics, our modelling of epidemic outcomes and response to COVID-19 can be improved.

scholarly journals Sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Among Adults in the General Population in Diredawa, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamrat Shaweno ◽  
Ibrahim Abdulhamid ◽  
Lemlem Bezabih ◽  
Daniel Teshome ◽  
Behailu Derese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Determining the extent of seropositivity of SARS-CoV-2 antibody has the potential to guide prevention and control efforts. We aimed to determine the sero prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among adults in the general population of Diredawa, Ethiopia. Method: Community based cross-sectional survey was conducted among random sample of 648 adult population in Diredawa from June 15 to July 30, 2020 using interview and blood sample collection. Participants were asked about demographic characteristics, COVID-19 symptoms and adherence to preventive measures. Sero-prevalence was determined using SARS-CoV-2 IgG test.Result: The estimated SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was 3.2% (95 % CI: 2.0 - 4.8) in the study region with no differences by age and sex but considerable differences were observed by adherence to COVID-19 preventive recommendations. For instance, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among participants who reported not to have practiced social distancing measures was 8.5 times the prevalence in their counterparts who reported of practicing social distancing. The corresponding estimates were 12.8 (95%CI, 7.0, 19) and 1.5 (95% CI, 0.5, 2.5) with statistically significant difference(p<0.01). Similarly, we observed 4.5 times higher prevalence among people who reported of not wearing face masks and who mentioned of not avoiding social gatherings. More than 80 percent of study participants reported of adherence to infection prevention measures (face masks and physical distancing recommendations). Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 sero-prevalence detected among adults in Diredawa was low and indicates much higher proportion of population not yet infected. COVID-19 preventive measures are associated with reduced prevalence and should be promoted to avoid transmission to the uninfected majority.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional survey of stigma towards people with a mental illness in the general public. The role of employment, domestic noise disturbance and age

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. C. Oudejans ◽  
M. E. Spits ◽  
J. van Weeghel
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Psychotic Disorder ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Community Integration ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Public Stigma ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Noise Disturbance

Abstract Introduction Stigmatization impedes the social integration of persons recovering from mental illnesses. Little is known about characteristics of the stigmatized person that lessen or aggravate public stigma. Purpose This study investigates which characteristics of persons with mental illnesses (i.e. with a depression or a psychotic disorder) might increase or decrease the likelihood of public stigma. Methods Over 2,000 adults read one of sixteen vignettes describing a person with a depressive disorder or a psychotic disorder and answered a set of items measuring social distance. Results The person who was employed (vs. unemployed), or whose neighbors did not experience domestic noise disturbance (vs. disturbance) elicited significantly less social distance. Also persons with a depressive disorder elicited less social distance, vs. persons with a psychotic disorder. Conclusion Employment and good housing circumstances may destigmatize persons coping with mental illnesses. Mental health and social services should encourage paid employment, quality housing and other paths to community integration.

COVID-19 and the Risk for Increased Intimate Partner Violence Among Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052199745
Author(s):  
Rob Stephenson ◽  
Tanaka M.D. Chavanduka ◽  
Matthew T. Rosso ◽  
Stephen P. Sullivan ◽  
Renée A. Pitter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
First Time

Stay at home orders–intended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by limiting social contact–have forced people to remain in their homes. The additional stressors created by the need to stay home and socially isolate may act as triggers to intimate partner violence (IPV). In this article, we present data from a recent online cross-sectional survey with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in the United States to illustrate changes in IPV risks that have occurred during the U.S. COVID-19 epidemic. The Love and Sex in the Time of COVID-19 survey was conducted online from April to May 2020. GBMSM were recruited through paid banner advertisements featured on social networking platforms, recruiting a sample size of 696 GBMSM. Analysis considers changes in victimization and perpetration of IPV during the 3 months prior to the survey (March-May 2020) that represents the first 3 months of lockdown during the COVID-19 epidemic. During the period March-May 2020, 12.6% of participants reported experiencing any IPV with higher rates of emotional IPV (10.3%) than sexual (2.2%) or physical (1.8%) IPV. Of those who reported IPV victimization during lockdown, for almost half this was their first time experience: 5.3% reported the IPV they experienced happened for the first time during the past 3 months (0.8% physical, 2.13% sexual, and 3.3% emotional). Reporting of perpetration of IPV during lockdown was lower: only 6% reported perpetrating any IPV, with perpetration rates of 1.5% for physical, 0.5% for sexual, and 5.3% for emotional IPV. Of those who reported perpetration of IPV during lockdown, very small percentages reported that this was the first time they had perpetrated IPV: 0.9% for any IPV (0.2% physical, 0.2% sexual, and 0.6% emotional). The results illustrate an increased need for IPV resources for GBMSM during these times of increased stress and uncertainty, and the need to find models of resource and service delivery that can work inside of social distancing guidelines while protecting the confidentiality and safety of those who are experiencing IPV.

scholarly journals The four weeks before lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany: a weekly serial cross-sectional survey on risk perceptions, knowledge, public trust and behaviour, 3 to 25 March 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (42) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelia Betsch ◽  
Lars Korn ◽  
Tanja Burgard ◽  
Wolfgang Gaissmaier ◽  
Lisa Felgendreff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Trust In Institutions

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, public perceptions and behaviours have had to adapt rapidly to new risk scenarios and radical behavioural restrictions. Aim To identify major drivers of acceptance of protective behaviours during the 4-week transition from virtually no COVID-19 cases to the nationwide lockdown in Germany (3–25 March 2020). Methods A serial cross-sectional online survey was administered weekly to ca 1,000 unique individuals for four data collection rounds in March 2020 using non-probability quota samples, representative of the German adult population between 18 and 74 years in terms of age × sex and federal state (n = 3,910). Acceptance of restrictions was regressed on sociodemographic variables, time and psychological variables, e.g. trust, risk perceptions, self-efficacy. Extraction of homogenous clusters was based on knowledge and behaviour. Results Acceptance of restrictive policies increased with participants’ age and employment in the healthcare sector; cognitive and particularly affective risk perceptions were further significant predictors. Acceptance increased over time, as trust in institutions became more relevant and trust in media became less relevant. The cluster analysis further indicated that having a higher education increased the gap between knowledge and behaviour. Trust in institutions was related to conversion of knowledge into action. Conclusion Identifying relevant principles that increase acceptance will remain crucial to the development of strategies that help adjust behaviour to control the pandemic, possibly for years to come. Based on our findings, we provide operational recommendations for health authorities regarding data collection, health communication and outreach.

scholarly journals Healthcare Students’ Perception of Social Distancing during the 2019 Coronavirus Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devon L Barrett ◽  
Katharine W Rainer ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Travis W Blalock
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Healthcare Students ◽  
Common Definition ◽  
Grouping Students ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Definition Of

Background: Since the implementation of social distancing practices during the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic there have been a myriad of definitions for ‘social distancing.’ The objective of this study was to determine students’ awareness of the various definitions of social distancing, how strictly they adhered to social distancing guidelines, and how they perceived the importance of various social distancing practices.  Methods: This cross-sectional survey was distributed via email to students at Emory-affiliated graduate schools, including the Medical, Nursing, and Public Health Schools. Results: Of the 2,453 recipients of the survey, 415 students responded (16.9% response rate). The majority of respondents were medical students (n=225, 55.6%). Of the respondents, 357 noted that they “frequently” or “always” abided by social distancing. The most common definition of social distancing with which respondents were familiar was the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s (n=276 of 369 responses, 74.8%). There were significant differences across groups  when grouping students by the definition of social distancing that they were aware of, the social distancing guideline they most closely followed, and their school of attendance regarding the importance of specific social distancing examples (p<0.05 for each). Conclusions: A survey of healthcare students identified differences in the importance of social distancing practices based on the definition of social distancing that they were aware of. The results of this study underscore the importance of having unified definitions of public health messaging, which ultimately may impact disease spread.

DETERMINANTS OF COVID-19 VACCINE ACCEPTANCE AMONG THE GENERAL ADULT POPULATION IN CHENNAI – A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY

2021 ◽  
pp. 12-14
Author(s):  
Monica Kalyanaraman ◽  
Parameswari Srijayanth ◽  
Srinivas Govindarajulu
Keyword(s):  
Public Perception ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Total N ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
The People

Background: Coronavirus outbreak was a highly unpredicted global burden that caused millions of deaths across the world. Vaccination against the infection declines the morbidity and mortality rates. This study objective aims to determine the reasons for the vaccine acceptance. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted through an online survey among the people living in chennai, Tamilnadu. An E-survey Google forms are circulated through the social platforms and email. Excluding the non-response all the data gained was descriptively analyzed. Results: Out of total (n =376 ≥ 18 years) participants majority of them showed High acceptance and got already vaccinated whereas some revealed the fear of vaccine safety and risk effects. Vaccine hesitancy is seen in terms of lack of trust and proper awareness, myths about adverse effects. In addition our ndings positively convey the knowledge of effective preventive measures for infection and proper following of government guidelines. Conclusion: The study outcomes even though shows willingness of the people in receiving the vaccine at some point still a notable interruption is seen. Prioritization should be given to those critical areas to inuence the public perception about vaccine benets because now vaccination is the only essential measure to suppress the healthcare pressure which halts the covid 19 infection.

scholarly journals Use of complementary medicine products: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of 2019 Australian adults

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e024198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna E Harnett ◽  
Erica McIntyre ◽  
Amie Steel ◽  
Hope Foley ◽  
David Sibbritt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complementary Medicine ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Product Use ◽  
Hospital Doctors ◽  
Nationally Representative

ObjectivesTo provide a contemporary description of complementary medicine (CM) product use in Australia.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingOnline.ParticipantsA nationally representative sample (n=2019) of the Australian adult population.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcomes measures included the use and type of CM products used, and source of recommendation. Secondary measures included disclosure of CM product use to health practitioners, concomitant use of pharmaceuticals and predictors of use.ResultsPrevalence of CM product use was 50.3%, with the most frequently used being vitamin and mineral supplements (VMSs; 47.8%) and homoeopathic medicines the least used (6.8%). A majority of respondents using CM products were also using pharmaceutical products, and small but significant associations were found between the use of CM products and pharmaceuticals (p<0.05). Small statistically significant associations were found between use of vitamin products and disclosure of use to general practitioners (GPs; Cramer’s V=0.13, p=0.004) and hospital doctors (Cramer’s V=0.11, p=0.04), and between use of herbal medicines and disclosure to both GPs (Cramer’s V=0.11, p=0.02) and hospital doctors (Cramer’s V=0.12, p=0.03). Women, those with higher education and those with no private health insurance were more likely to use CM products (p<0.05), while those without chronic conditions were less likely to use CM products (p<0.05) (χ2(29)=174.70, p<0.001).ConclusionsThe number of Australians using CM products has remained relatively stable and substantial for nearly two decades. The majority of CM use relates to VMSs. Given the number of Australians using both CM products and pharmaceutical medicines, it is important to evaluate the potential clinical implications of such practices to ensure safe, effective and coordinated health policy and patient care.

scholarly journals A cross sectional survey to estimate prevalence of asthma in Reunion Island, Indian Ocean

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J L S Solet ◽  
C R S Raherison-Semjen ◽  
E M Mariotti ◽  
Y L S Le Strat ◽  
A G Gallay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adult Population ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Reunion Island ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Home Heating ◽  
Asthma Attack ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Réunion Island

Abstract Background Previous studies on asthma mortality and hospitalizations in Reunion Island indicate that this French territory is particularly affected by this pathology. However, no estimates are provided on the prevalence of asthma among adults. In 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of asthma and to identify its associated factors in the adult population of Reunion Island. Methods A random sample of 2,419 individuals, aged 18-44 years, was interviewed by telephone using a standardized, nationally validated questionnaire. Information was collected on the respiratory symptoms, description of asthma attacks and triggering factors for declared asthmatics, as well as data on the indoor and outdoor home environment. “Current asthma” was defined as an individual declaring, at the time of the survey, having already suffered from asthma at some point during his/her life, whose asthma was confirmed by a doctor, and who had experienced an asthma attack in the last 12 months or had been treated for asthma in the last 12 months. “Current suspected asthma” was defined as an individual presenting, in the 12 months preceding the study, groups of symptoms suggestive of asthma consistent with the literature. Results The estimated prevalence of asthma was 5.4% [4.3-6.5]. After adjustment, women, obesity, a family member with asthma, tenure in current residence and presence of indoor home heating were associated with asthma. The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of asthma was 12.0% [10.2-13.8]. After adjustment, marital status, passive smoking, use of insecticide sprays, presence of mold in the home and external sources of atmospheric nuisance were associated with the prevalence of suspected asthma. Conclusions Preventive actions including asthma diagnosis, promotion of individual measures to reduce risk exposure as well as the development of study to improve knowledge on indoor air allergens are recommended. Key messages Individuals with suspected asthma who have not been medically diagnosed have been identified. Consequently, the development of a strategy to improve the diagnosis of asthma on Reunion is recommended. Aerating homes to reduce indoor moisture and mould growth, maintaining hygiene standards through cleaning, limiting the use of spray insecticides and household cleaning sprays at home.

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