scholarly journals Global trends and predictors of face mask usage during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Badillo-Goicoechea ◽  
Ting-Hsuan Chang ◽  
Esther Kim ◽  
Sarah LaRocca ◽  
Katherine Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Behaviors ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Health Prevention ◽  
Calendar Time ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Country Level

Abstract Background Guidelines and recommendations from public health authorities related to face masks have been essential in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed the prevalence and correlates of mask usage during the pandemic. Methods We examined a total of 13,723,810 responses to a daily cross-sectional online survey in 38 countries of people who completed from April 23, 2020 to October 31, 2020 and reported having been in public at least once during the last 7 days. The outcome was individual face mask usage in public settings, and the predictors were country fixed effects, country-level mask policy stringency, calendar time, individual sociodemographic factors, and health prevention behaviors. Associations were modeled using survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression. Results Mask-wearing varied over time and across the 38 countries. While some countries consistently showed high prevalence throughout, in other countries mask usage increased gradually, and a few other countries remained at low prevalence. Controlling for time and country fixed effects, sociodemographic factors (older age, female gender, education, urbanicity) and stricter mask-related policies were significantly associated with higher mask usage in public settings. Crucially, social behaviors considered risky in the context of the pandemic (going out to large events, restaurants, shopping centers, and socializing outside of the household) were associated with lower mask use. Conclusion The decision to wear a face mask in public settings is significantly associated with sociodemographic factors, risky social behaviors, and mask policies. This has important implications for health prevention policies and messaging, including the potential need for more targeted policy and messaging design.

scholarly journals Self-Perceived Life Satisfaction during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6234
Author(s):  
Christina Brogårdh ◽  
Catharina Sjödahl Hammarlund ◽  
Frida Eek ◽  
Kjerstin Stigmar ◽  
Ingrid Lindgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
Life Domains ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Life Satisfaction

Currently, there is limited knowledge on how the Swedish strategy with more lenient public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced people’s life satisfaction. Here, we investigated self-reported life satisfaction during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, and perceived changes in life satisfaction in relation to various sociodemographic factors. A total of 1082 people (mean age 48 (SD 12.2); 82% women) responded to an online survey during autumn 2020 including the “Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11”. A majority (69%) were satisfied with life as a whole, and with other important life domains, with the exception of contact with friends and sexual life. An equal share reported that life as a whole had either deteriorated (28%) or improved (29%). Of those that perceived a deterioration, 95% considered it to be due to the pandemic. Regarding deteriorated satisfaction with life as a whole, higher odds were found in the following groups: having no children living at home; being middle aged; having other sources of income than being employed; and having a chronic disease. The Swedish strategy might have contributed to the high proportion of satisfied people. Those who perceived a deterioration in life satisfaction may, however, need attention from Swedish Welfare Authorities.

scholarly journals How is the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the mental health of parents of school-age children in the UK? A cross-sectional online survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e043397
Author(s):  
Austen El-Osta ◽  
Aos Alaa ◽  
Iman Webber ◽  
Eva Riboli Sasco ◽  
Emmanouil Bagkeris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveInvestigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on feelings of loneliness and social isolation in parents of school-age children.DesignCross-sectional online survey of parents of primary and secondary school-age children.SettingCommunity setting.Participants1214 parents of school-age children in the UK.MethodsAn online survey explored the impact of lockdown on the mental health of parents with school-age children, and in particular about feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Associations between the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLATILS), the Direct Measure of Loneliness (DMOL) and the characteristics of the study participants were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported measures of social isolation and loneliness using UCLATILS and DMOL.ResultsHalf of respondents felt they lacked companionship, 45% had feelings of being left out, 58% felt isolated and 46% felt lonely during the first 100 days of lockdown. The factors that were associated with higher levels of loneliness on UCLATILS were female gender, parenting a child with special needs, lack of a dedicated space for distance learning, disruption of sleep patterns and low levels of physical activity during the lockdown. Factors associated with a higher DMOL were female gender, single parenting, parenting a child with special needs, unemployment, low physical activity, lack of a dedicated study space and disruption of sleep patterns during the lockdown.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdown has increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness among parents of school-age children. The sustained adoption of two modifiable health-seeking lifestyle behaviours (increased levels of physical activity and the maintenance of good sleep hygiene practices) wmay help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown.

scholarly journals Concerns in the Norwegian Population during the Initial Lockdown Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6119
Author(s):  
Inger Schou-Bredal ◽  
Laila Skogstad ◽  
Tine K. Grimholt ◽  
Tore Bonsaksen ◽  
Øivind Ekeberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Financial Loss ◽  
Next Of Kin ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Norwegian Population ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Response Alternatives

Although concern affects one’s welfare or happiness, few studies to date have focused on peoples’ concerns during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. The aim of the study was to explore concerns in the Norwegian populations according to gender and age, and identify which concerns were most prominent during the lockdown. A population-based cross-sectional online survey using snowball-sampling strategies was conducted, to which 4527 adults (≥18 years) responded. Questions related to concerns had response alternatives yes or no. In addition, they were asked which concern was most prominent. Nearly all the 4527 respondents (92%) reported that they were concerned: 60.9% were generally concerned about the pandemic, 83.9% were concerned about family and friends, 21.8% had financial concerns, and 25.3% expected financial loss. More women were concerned about family and friends than males, (85.2% vs. 76.2%, p < 0.001), whereas more men expected financial loss (30.4% vs. 24.4%y, p = 0.001). Younger adults (<50 years) had more financial concerns than older adults (25.9% vs. 10.5%, p < 0.001). Being concerned about family and friends was the most prominent concern and was associated with; lower age (OR 0.79), female gender (OR 1.59), and being next of kin (2.42). The most prominent concern for adults 70 years or older was being infected by COVID-19. In conclusion, women and younger individuals were most concerned. While adults under 70 years of age were most concerned about family and friends and adults 70 years or older were most concerned about being infected by COVID-19.

scholarly journals Factors Associated With the Experience of Cognitive Training Apps for the Prevention of Dementia: Cross-sectional Study Using an Extended Health Belief Model

10.2196/31664 ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. e31664
Author(s):  
Jaegyeong Lee ◽  
Jung Min Lim
Keyword(s):  
Health Belief Model ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Belief Model

Background The prevalence and economic burden of dementia are increasing dramatically. Using information communication technology to improve cognitive functions is proven to be effective and holds the potential to serve as a new and efficient method for the prevention of dementia. Objective The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the experience of mobile apps for cognitive training in middle-aged adults. We evaluated the relationships between the experience of cognitive training apps and structural variables using an extended health belief model. Methods An online survey was conducted on South Korean participants aged 40 to 64 years (N=320). General characteristics and dementia knowledge were measured along with the health belief model constructs. Statistical analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed. Results Higher dementia knowledge (odds ratio [OR] 1.164, P=.02), higher perceived benefit (OR 1.373, P<.001), female gender (OR 0.499, P=.04), and family history of dementia (OR 1.933, P=.04) were significantly associated with the experience of cognitive training apps for the prevention of dementia. Conclusions This study may serve as a theoretical basis for the development of intervention strategies to increase the use of cognitive training apps for the prevention of dementia.

scholarly journals Knowledge of dental academics about the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-country online survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nour Ammar ◽  
Nourhan M. Aly ◽  
Morenike O. Folayan ◽  
Simin Z. Mohebbi ◽  
Sameh Attia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Global Pandemic

Abstract Background COVID-19 is a global pandemic affecting all aspects of life in all countries. We assessed COVID-19 knowledge and associated factors among dental academics in 26 countries. Methods We invited dental academics to participate in a cross-sectional, multi-country, online survey from March to April 2020. The survey collected data on knowledge of COVID-19 regarding the mode of transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, protection, and dental treatment precautions as well as participants’ background variables. Multilevel linear models were used to assess the association between dental academics’ knowledge of COVID-19 and individual level (personal and professional) and country-level (number of COVID-19 cases/ million population) factors accounting for random variation among countries. Results Two thousand forty-five academics participated in the survey (response rate 14.3%, with 54.7% female and 67% younger than 46 years of age). The mean (SD) knowledge percent score was 73.2 (11.2) %, and the score of knowledge of symptoms was significantly lower than the score of knowledge of diagnostic methods (53.1 and 85.4%, P <  0.0001). Knowledge score was significantly higher among those living with a partner/spouse than among those living alone (regression coefficient (B) = 0.48); higher among those with PhD degrees than among those with Bachelor of Dental Science degrees (B = 0.48); higher among those seeing 21 to 30 patients daily than among those seeing no patients (B = 0.65); and higher among those from countries with a higher number of COVID-19 cases/million population (B = 0.0007). Conclusions Dental academics had poorer knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms than of COVID-19 diagnostic methods. Living arrangements, academic degrees, patient load, and magnitude of the epidemic in the country were associated with COVD-19 knowledge among dental academics. Training of dental academics on COVID-19 can be designed using these findings to recruit those with the greatest need.

scholarly journals Burden of informal caregivers of dependent elderlies in the community in small cities

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (spe) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marines Aires ◽  
Ana Cláudia Fuhrmann ◽  
Duane Mocellin ◽  
Fernanda Laís Fengler Dal Pizzol ◽  
Laura Franco Sponchiado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Women Caregivers ◽  
Spearman Correlation ◽  
Small Cities ◽  
Cross Sectional

ABSTRACT Aim: To analyze sociodemographic factors and aspects of care related to the burden of informal caregivers of dependent elderlies in the community. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 125 caregivers. Data collection was carried out in municipalities of the Northwest of Rio Grande do Sul through a structured interview in 2017 and 2018. The Caregiver Burden Inventory was used. The Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients and t-student test or Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were done. For the multivariate analysis, Linear Regression was used. Results: Most caregivers were female (73.6%), married (55.2%) and daughters (68.0%). The variables that showed a statistically significant relationship with burden were: caregiver age (p = 0.039), education (p = 0.001), time devoted to care (p = <0.001), kinship degree (p = 0.001), living with the elder (p <0.001), using their income (p = 0.001) and female gender (p = 0.017). Conclusion: Women caregivers, with less education, who spend more time in weekly care and lived with the elder presented higher burden.

scholarly journals Factors Associated to Weight Gain During Confinement Due to COVID-19 Pandemic in a Sample of Adults in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 244-244
Author(s):  
Carmen Perez-Rodrigo ◽  
Marta Gianzo Citores ◽  
Gotzone Hervás Bárbara ◽  
Fátima Ruiz-Litago ◽  
Luis Casis Sáenz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Change Score ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dietary Change ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Objectives To analyze the prevalence of weight gain during lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain and associated factors in a sample of adults. Methods This cross-sectional study included 1029 adults recruited online through social media, website and newsletter of the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC) in a snowball procedure. The protocol used a 10-section questionnaire, including sociodemographic characteristics of participants (gender, age group, occupation), reported changes in dietary habits (22 Likert type items), and physical activity (PA), self-reported body weight and height as well as reported change in body weight. Body Mass Index (BMI) was computed to estimate prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30). A score of dietary change was computed compared to the Spanish Dietary Guidelines (DG) (Score ≥ 6: greater adherence to DGs). Binomial logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between sociodemographic factors, dietary change score, change in PA, and overweight or obesity with weight gain during confinement. Responses were collected during the de-escalation phase towards the so-called “new normal”, June 7–26, 2020 (weeks 13–15 since COVID-19 lockdown restrictions started in Spain). Results In this study, 1029 individuals (74% female) accepted to participate and provided valid responses. 37.7% (95%CI 34.8–40.8) reported weight gain during confinement, mean weight gain 2.8 ± 1.4 kg, significantly higher among overweight (3.1 ± 1.5 kg) and obese (3.5 ± 1.5 kg) subjects. Adjusted for age and occupation, increased body weight was more likely in women OR 1.50 (95%IC 1.03–2.19), overweight OR 3.12(IC95% 2.23–4.36) or obese subjects OR 3.13 (IC95% 1.89–5.18) less active than usual in confinement OR 2.16 (1.60–2.92), but less likely for those with dietary change score ≥6, OR 0.60 (IC95% 0.42–0.85). Conclusions A high proportion of adults in Spain reported weight gain during confinement, significantly higher in overweight subjects. Female gender, being overweight or obese and being less physically active were factors positively associated to weight gain in COVID-19 confinement. Changes in lifestyles during lockdown can negatively influence the evolution of chronic diseases and risk factors in many people. Funding Sources This research received no external funding.

scholarly journals Parental COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for children: vulnerability in an urban hotspot

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina L. Alfieri ◽  
Jennifer D. Kusma ◽  
Nia Heard-Garris ◽  
Matthew M. Davis ◽  
Emily Golbeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cook County ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Publicly Insured

Abstract Objective To compare hesitancy toward a future COVID-19 vaccine for children of various sociodemographic groups in a major metropolitan area, and to understand how parents obtain information about COVID-19. Methods Cross-sectional online survey of parents with children < 18 years old in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, in June 2020. We used logistic regression to determine the odds of parental COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) for racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups, controlling for sociodemographic factors and the sources where parents obtain information regarding COVID-19. Results Surveys were received from 1702 parents and 1425 were included in analyses. Overall, 33% of parents reported VH for their child. COVID-19 VH was higher among non-Hispanic Black parents compared with non-Hispanic White parents (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.65, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): (1.99–3.53), parents of publicly insured children compared with privately insured (OR 1.93, (1.53–2.42)) and among lower income groups. Parents receive information about COVID-19 from a variety of sources, and those who report using family, internet and health care providers as information sources (compared to those who don’t use each respective source) had lower odds of COVID-19 VH for their children. Conclusions The highest rates of hesitancy toward a future COVID-19 vaccine were found in demographic groups that have been the most severely affected by the pandemic. These groups may require targeted outreach efforts from trusted sources of information in order to promote equitable uptake of a future COVID-19 vaccine.

scholarly journals “Medical Student Syndrome”—A Myth or a Real Disease Entity? Cross-Sectional Study of Medical Students of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9884
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Szczurek ◽  
Natalia Furgał ◽  
Dawid Szczepanek ◽  
Rashid Zaman ◽  
Krzysztof Krysta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Student ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Medical University

The description of Medical Student Syndrome is based on the assumption that inexperienced medical students are prone to develop a pathological fear of medical conditions they are taught about. The aim of this study is to examine the sample of students (medical and non-medical) in order to assess and compare their level of hypochondriacal attitudes and health-related anxiety. We also examined other factors which might have had an influence on hypochondria and nosophobia attitudes among students. Methods: The study was conducted in two groups of students: 313 medical students at the Medical University of Silesia and 293 students at non-medical universities in Katowice, Poland. The study used the medical student syndrome self-explanatory questionnaire constructed for the study, taking into account the specificity of the group and the research problem. The research questionnaire was completed in an online survey by 606 students. Results: The results of the study showed that medical students obtained the same scores on a nosophobic scale as the non-medical students (p = 0.5). The analysis of hypochondriacal behavior showed significantly higher results in the non-medical student group (p = 0.02). In the entire study group, females and participants with mental disorders obtained higher scores in relation to nosophobia. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were more common in the group of medical students. Conclusions: Medical studies are not a risk factor for the occurrence of health anxiety and hypochondrial attitudes. Such factors are female gender and having a mental illness.

scholarly journals Knowledge of Dental Academics about the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Country Online Survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nour Ammar ◽  
Nourhan M. Aly ◽  
Morenike O. Folayan ◽  
Simin Z. Mohebbi ◽  
Sameh Attia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Multilevel Linear Models

Abstract Background: COVID-19 is a global pandemic affecting all aspects of life in all countries. We assessed COVID-19 knowledge and associated factors among dental academics in various countries. Method: We invited dental academics to participate in a cross-sectional, multi-country, online survey from March to April 2020. The survey assessed knowledge of COVID-19 regarding the mode of transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, protection, and dental treatment precautions as well as participants’ background variables. The analysis was based on multilevel linear models to assess the association between knowledge and factors at individual levels (personal and professional) and country-level (number of COVID-19 cases/ million population), accounting for random variation among countries. Results: Two thousand forty-five academics from 26 countries participated in the survey (response rate= 14.3%, with 54.7% female and 67% younger than 46 years of age). The mean (SD) knowledge percent score was 73.2% (11.2), and the knowledge of symptoms score was significantly lower than the diagnostic methods score (53.1% and 85.4%). Knowledge was significantly higher among those living with partner/spouse than those living alone (regression coefficient (B)= 0.48); those with PhD than those with BDS (B= 0.48), those seeing 21 to 30 patients daily than those seeing no patients (B= 0.65) and those from countries with a higher number of COVID-19 cases/million population (B= 0.0007). Conclusions: Dental academics had poorer knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms than diagnostic methods. Living arrangements, academic degrees, patient load, and magnitude of epidemic in the country were associated with COVD-19 knowledge among dental academics. COVID-19 training can be designed using these factors to target academics with the greatest need.

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