Prevalence and associated factors of COVID-19 across Italian regions: a secondary analysis from a national survey on physiotherapists

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) broke out in China in December 2019 and now is a pandemic all around the world. In Italy, Northern regions were hit the hardest during the first wave. We aim to explore the prevalence and the exposure characteristics of physiotherapists (PTs) working in different Italian regions during the first wave of COVID-19. Methods Between April and May 2020 a structured anonymous online survey was distributed to all PTs registered in the National Professional Registry to collect prevalence data of a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 (i.e., nasopharyngeal swab and/or serological test). A bottom-up agglomerative nesting hierarchical clustering method was applied to identify groups of regions based on response rate. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore personal and work-related factors associated with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Results A total of 15,566 PTs completed the survey (response rate 43.3%). The majority of respondents (57.7%) were from Northern regions. Considering all respondents, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Northern and Central Italy, was higher compared to those in Southern Italy (6.9% vs. 1.8%, P < 0.001); focusing the analysis on respondents who underwent nasopharyngeal swab and/or serological test led to similar findings (14.1% vs. 6.4%, P < 0.001). Working in Northern and Central regions was associated with a higher risk of confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 compared to Southern regions (OR 3.4, 95%CI 2.6 to 4.3). PTs working in Northern and Central regions were more likely to be reallocated to a different unit and changing job tasks, compared to their colleagues working in the Southern regions (10.5% vs 3.7%, P < 0.001). Conclusions Work-related risk factors were differently distributed between Italian regions at the time of first pandemic wave, and PTs working in the Northern and Central regions were more at risk of a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, especially when working in hospitals. Preventive and organizational measures should be applied to harmonize physiotherapy services in the national context. Registration https://osf.io/x7cha

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A novel methodology for epidemic risk assessment of COVID-19 outbreak

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82310-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. Pluchino ◽

A. E. Biondo ◽

N. Giuffrida ◽

G. Inturri ◽

V. Latora ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Mobility ◽

Risk Index ◽

A Priori ◽

Geographical Area ◽

Central Italy ◽

Policy Model ◽

Italian Regions ◽

Northern Regions ◽

Seasonal Flu ◽

Epidemic Risk

AbstractWe propose a novel data-driven framework for assessing the a-priori epidemic risk of a geographical area and for identifying high-risk areas within a country. Our risk index is evaluated as a function of three different components: the hazard of the disease, the exposure of the area and the vulnerability of its inhabitants. As an application, we discuss the case of COVID-19 outbreak in Italy. We characterize each of the twenty Italian regions by using available historical data on air pollution, human mobility, winter temperature, housing concentration, health care density, population size and age. We find that the epidemic risk is higher in some of the Northern regions with respect to Central and Southern Italy. The corresponding risk index shows correlations with the available official data on the number of infected individuals, patients in intensive care and deceased patients, and can help explaining why regions such as Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna, Piemonte and Veneto have suffered much more than the rest of the country. Although the COVID-19 outbreak started in both North (Lombardia) and Central Italy (Lazio) almost at the same time, when the first cases were officially certified at the beginning of 2020, the disease has spread faster and with heavier consequences in regions with higher epidemic risk. Our framework can be extended and tested on other epidemic data, such as those on seasonal flu, and applied to other countries. We also present a policy model connected with our methodology, which might help policy-makers to take informed decisions.

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Central Tokyo’s Low Response Rate to the 2015 Population Census and Its Related Factors

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/2158244020963080 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 215824402096308

Author(s):

Tomoya Hanibuchi ◽

Masakazu Yamauchi

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Response Rate ◽

Statistical Analyses ◽

The Other ◽

Population Census ◽

Single Family ◽

Data Reliability ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Related Factors ◽

Nationwide Study

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of “unreported” cases in the Population Census of Japan caused by nonresponses to the survey. Subsequently, this has led to data reliability challenges. In light of this problem, the factors related to the low response rate of the 2015 Population Census in the central Tokyo area are examined in the present study. An online survey was conducted among individuals residing in the three Special Wards of Tokyo to inquire about their responses (submitted or not submitted) to the previous census. The statistical analyses demonstrated that particularly in central Tokyo, middle-aged (35–49 years) people and those who did not own a single-family residence were more likely to be nonrespondents, while most of the other characteristics were similar to the results reported in a previous nationwide study. However, further studies are required to fully understand the high rates of unreported cases in central Tokyo.

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How authentic leadership and inclusion benefit organizations

Equality Diversity and Inclusion An International Journal ◽

10.1108/edi-05-2012-0041 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 275-292 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Kenna Cottrill ◽

Patricia Denise Lopez ◽

Calvin C. Hoffman

Keyword(s):

Organizational Citizenship Behavior ◽

Authentic Leadership ◽

Online Survey ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Citizenship Behavior ◽

Related Factors ◽

Content Type ◽

Work Related ◽

The Relationship

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of inclusion and related factors, to understand how organizations can encourage and facilitate the full participation of employees. The research explored authentic leadership (AL) as an antecedent of inclusion, and two outcomes, organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). Design/methodology/approach – Using an online survey, data were collected from 107 primary and 219 peer participants in various industries throughout the USA. Primary participants provided perceptual ratings on inclusion, AL, OBSE and OCB. Co-workers assessed primary participants’ OCB. Findings – AL was positively related to inclusion (β=0.58, p<0.01) as well as self-rated OCB (β=0.36, p<0.01). Inclusion was positively associated with OBSE (β=0.48, p<0.01) and self-rated OCB (β=0.63, p<0.01). Inclusion mediated the relationship between AL and self-rated OCB. OBSE mediated the relationship between inclusion and self-rated OCB. All analyses controlled for the effects of race and gender. Practical implications – Results suggest organizations can promote inclusive environments through AL, and that inclusive environments promote employees’ work-related self-esteem and their willingness to go above and beyond in their jobs. Originality/value – This paper examines previously unstudied relationships, thus contributing to organizational theory and practice.

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Parents are Stressed! Factors that Influence Parenting During COVID-19

10.21203/rs.3.rs-66730/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth Adams ◽

Danyel Smith ◽

Laura J Caccavale ◽

Melanie K Bean

Keyword(s):

Perceived Stress ◽

Online Survey ◽

Family Income ◽

High Stress ◽

Health Resources ◽

Parent Stress ◽

Stress Factors ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Related Factors ◽

Work Related

Abstract Objective: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused numerous unexpected challenges for many families, and these long-lasting demands have likely contributed to higher amounts of stress for most parents. The aim of this study was to describe changes in parent stress from before to during COVID-19, and examine if work related-factors (e.g., family job layoff / furlough) were associated with changes in parent stress. Factors that parents felt influenced their parenting and strategies to effectively manage parenting difficulties during COVID-19 were also examined. Methods: Parents (N=584; 95% female) in the US with >1 child aged 5-18 years completed a single online survey in April-May 2020, ~2 months after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Survey measures included the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale, where parents reported on their stress prior to COVID-19 (via retrospective-report) and again during COVID-19 (thinking about their current situation). Parents also reported on their parenting-specific stress, factors that influenced parenting, and strategies implemented to manage parenting difficulties during COVID-19. Paired sample t-tests examined changes in parent stress from before to during COVID-19. Results: Parents’ perceived stress increased from before to during COVID-19 (16.2±5.6 vs. 22.0±6.3; p<0.01), with an even greater increase for parents with a family job loss / furlough or a decrease in family income (p<0.01). Only ~4% of all parents reported high stress before COVID-19, whereas 22% reported high stress during COVID-19. Most parents (72.8%) reported an increase parenting-specific stress from before to during COVID-19, and 34.6% reported that it was very difficult to continue parenting in the same way as they did prior to COVID-19. Common factors influencing parenting were a change in children’s daily structure/routines, worry about COVID-19, and demands of online schooling. Strategies used to manage parenting difficulties were doing family activities together, keeping in touch with family/friends virtually, and keeping children on a daily routine. Conclusions: Parent stress increased substantially during COVID-19, suggesting a need for enhanced access to mental health resources and emotional supports. Public health interventions should address parenting-specific stressors and effective strategies for managing parenting difficulties to mitigate their deleterious impact.

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Workplace-Related Factors Associated With Employees’ Standing Time at Work: A Research Brief

American Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.1177/0890117118807407 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 606-610 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amanda H. Wilkerson ◽

Stuart L. Usdan ◽

Adam P. Knowlden ◽

James L. Leeper ◽

David A. Birch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Nonparametric Tests ◽

Advanced Degree ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Standing Time ◽

Work Related

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between work-related, individual, and environmental factors and self-reported standing time during the workday. Design: Cross-sectional study design. Setting: Participants were recruited from a large, public university in the southeastern United States. Measures: Data were collected through an 87-item online survey using previously validated scales that assessed workplace standing time, demographic variables, work-related psychosocial factors, and workplace environment factors. Analysis: One-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and nonparametric tests were used to determine univariate relationships between standing time and independent work-related variables and demographic factors. Results: Mean standing time among the sample (n = 502) was 72.49 minutes (standard deviation = 73.48) daily. There was a significant relationship between standing time and barrier self-efficacy for standing at work, self-regulation strategies, social norms, local connectivity in the workplace, overall connectivity in the workplace, and proximity of coworkers. Standing time was significantly higher for men, employees with an advanced degree, employees with a standing desk, and faculty. Conclusion: Health promotion researchers and practitioners should consider factors at multiple levels of influence when designing studies to explore workplace sedentary behavior. The findings regarding variations in workplace behavior by employee subgroups should be taken into consideration when designing future studies in the workplace.

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An Online Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK:

Sushruta Journal of Health Policy & Opinion ◽

10.38192/13.2.9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Indranil Chakravorty ◽

Sunil Daga ◽

Subodh Dave ◽

Subarna Chakravorty ◽

Neeraj Bhala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Related Factors ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Work Related ◽

Indian Origin ◽

Care Workers ◽

The Media ◽

The Uk

To explore the emerging concerns of COVID-19 related issues amongst health care workers, members of a range of healthcare organisations, governmental agencies, and the media, and online self-administered survey of healthcare workers was undertaken by the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin in April 2020. Results The respondents were predominantly hospital doctors (67%), aged between 40-60 years (72%) and from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnicity (BAME) backgrounds in the UK (86%). Thirty percent of respondents had one or more vulnerable comorbidities. Over 78% reported either lack of, or inappropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for their role and 68% of respondents felt that they were unable to comply with or that it was impractical to adhere to social distancing at work (including commuting). At the time of the survey, 18.5% of respondents reported having a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. In multivariate analysis, the BAME community emerged as an independent risk factor (OR 1.45) for COVID-19 when adjusted for confounding factors. Conclusions These results add to the emerging concerns expressed internationally on the observation that BAME ethnicity appears to have a higher risk of developing COVID-19. This is the first study that adjusted work-related factors (inability to maintain social distancing and inadequate PPE) and comorbidities. Our work supports the imperative for designing and conducting urgent larger studies to understand this risk and plan appropriate mitigation of the risks to health care workers

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Geographic Inequalities in Breast Cancer in Italy: Trend Analysis of Mortality and Risk Factors

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17114165 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 4165

Author(s):

Paolo Giorgi Rossi ◽

Olivera Djuric ◽

Simone Navarra ◽

Alessandra Rossi ◽

Anteo Di Napoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Breast Cancer Mortality ◽

Central Italy ◽

Mammographic Screening ◽

Fertility Rates ◽

The North ◽

Northern Regions ◽

Central Regions ◽

Geographic Differences

We calculated time trends of standardised mortality rates and risk factors for breast cancer (BC) from 1990 to 2016 for all women resident in Italy. The age-standardised mortality rate in Italy decreased from 4.2 in 1990 to 3.2 (×100,000) in 2016. While participation in organised screening programmes and age-standardised fertility rates decreased in Italy, screening invitation coverage and mammography uptake, the prevalence of women who breastfed and mean age at birth increased. Although southern regions had favourable prevalence of protective risk factors in the 1990s, fertility rates decreased in southern regions and increased in northern regions, which in 2016 had a higher rate (1.28 vs. 1.32 child per woman) and a smaller increase in women who breastfed (+4% vs. +30%). In 2000, mammography screening uptake was lower in southern than in northern and central regions (28% vs. 52%). However, the increase in mammography uptake was higher in southern (203%) than in northern and central Italy (80%), reducing the gap. Participation in mammographic screening programmes decreased in southern Italy (−10%) but increased in the North (6.6%). Geographic differences in mortality and risk factor prevalence is diminishing, with the South losing all of its historical advantage in breast cancer mortality.

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Burnout syndrome among psychiatric trainees in 22 countries: Risk increased by long working hours, lack of supervision, and psychiatry not being first career choice

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.10.007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 ◽

pp. 34-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

N. Jovanović ◽

A. Podlesek ◽

U. Volpe ◽

E. Barrett ◽

S. Ferrari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Career Choice ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Linear Mixed Model ◽

Working Hours ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Burnout Syndrome ◽

Related Factors ◽

Long Working Hours ◽

Work Related

AbstractBackgroundPostgraduate medical trainees experience high rates of burnout, but evidence regarding psychiatric trainees is missing. We aim to determine burnout rates among psychiatric trainees, and identify individual, educational and work-related factors associated with severe burnout.MethodsIn an online survey psychiatric trainees from 22 countries were asked to complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS) and provide information on individual, educational and work-related parameters. Linear mixed models were used to predict the MBI-GS scores, and a generalized linear mixed model to predict severe burnout.ResultsThis is the largest study on burnout and training conditions among psychiatric trainees to date. Complete data were obtained from 1980 out of 7625 approached trainees (26%; range 17.8–65.6%). Participants were 31.9 (SD 5.3) years old with 2.8 (SD 1.9) years of training. Severe burnout was found in 726 (36.7%) trainees. The risk was higher for trainees who were younger (P < 0.001), without children (P = 0.010), and had not opted for psychiatry as a first career choice (P = 0.043). After adjustment for socio-demographic characteristics, years in training and country differences in burnout, severe burnout remained associated with long working hours (P < 0.001), lack of supervision (P < 0.001), and not having regular time to rest (P = 0.001). Main findings were replicated in a sensitivity analysis with countries with response rate above 50%.ConclusionsBesides previously described risk factors such as working hours and younger age, this is the first evidence of negative influence of lack of supervision and not opting for psychiatry as a first career choice on trainees’ burnout.

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Critical Review on Suicide Among Nurses

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000305 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 91-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Marie Alderson ◽

Xavier Parent-Rocheleau ◽

Brian Mishara

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Literature Review ◽

High Stress ◽

Related Factors ◽

Work Settings ◽

Work Related ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Full Text Review ◽

The Subject ◽

Psychiatric Problems

Background: Research shows that there is a high prevalence of suicide among nurses. Despite this, it has been 15 years since the last literature review on the subject was published. Aim: The aim of this article is to review the knowledge currently available on the risk of suicide among nurses and on contributory risk factors. Method: A search was conducted in electronic databases using keywords related to prevalence and risk factors of suicide among nurses. The abstracts were analyzed by reviewers according to selection criteria. Selected articles were submitted to a full-text review and their key elements were summarized. Results: Only nine articles were eligible for inclusion in this review. The results of this literature review highlight both the troubling high prevalence of suicide among nurses as well as the persistent lack of studies that examine this issue. Conclusion: Considering that the effects of several factors related to nurses' work and work settings are associated with high stress, distress, or psychiatric problems, we highlight the relevance of investigating work-related factors associated with nurses' risk of suicide. Several avenues for future studies are discussed as well as possible research methods.

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