scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adult Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (COVID19-S4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Ijaz Haider ◽  
Farah Tiwana ◽  
Sania Mumtaz Tahir
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Adult Mental Health ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Status ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Open Access Article

The outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in December 2019 has progressed to the status of a global pandemic, with countries across the seven continents adversely affected and the number of human cases exceeding two million. With no available vaccine, the treatment is primarily symptomatic for those affected and preventative for those at risk. Most countries have taken action to curtail the spread of COVID-19 through measures such as lockdowns, social distancing and voluntary self-isolation. Whilst necessary, such measures and the disease itself, may have an adverse impact on mental health. In view of research from previous pandemic crises, it is known that such situations are likely to increase stress levels and have negative psychiatric effects. The impact is likely to be felt by the general public, sufferers of COVID-19, their families and friends, persons with pre-existing mental health conditions and healthcare workers. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2756 How to cite this:Haider II, Tiwana F, Tahir SM. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adult Mental Health. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2756 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals Risk Assessment of Healthcare Workers at the Frontline against COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (COVID19-S4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saqib Ali ◽  
Sara Noreen ◽  
Imran Farooq ◽  
Amr Bugshan ◽  
Fahim Vohra
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
And Training ◽  
Open Access Article

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are on the frontline of treating patients infected with COVID-19. However, data related to its infection rate among HCWs are limited. The aim was to present evidence associated with the number of HCWs being infected with COVID-19 from most viral affected countries (Italy, China, United States, Spain, and France). Furthermore, we looked into the reasons for HCWs COVID 19 infections and strategies to overcome this problem. Early available evidence suggested that HCWs are being increasingly infected with the novel infection ranging from 15% to 18% and in some cases up to 20% of the infected population. Major factors for infection among HCWs include lack of understanding of the disease, inadequate use and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), uncertain diagnostic criteria, unavailability of diagnostic tests and psychological stress. Therefore the protection of HCWs by authorities should be prioritized through education and training, the readiness of staff, incentives, availability of PPEs, and psychological support. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2790 How to cite this:Ali S, Noreen S, Farooq I, Bugshan A, Vohra F. Risk Assessment of Healthcare Workers at the Frontline against COVID-19. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2790 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals The Impact of Armed Conflict on the Epidemiological Situation of COVID-19 in Libya, Syria and Yemen

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed A. Daw
Keyword(s):  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Public Data ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Background: Since the Arab uprising in 2011, Libya, Syria and Yemen have gone through major internal armed conflicts. This resulted in large numbers of deaths, injuries, and population displacements, with collapse of the healthcare systems. Furthermore, the situation was complicated by the emergence of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, which made the populations of these countries struggle under unusual conditions to deal with both the pandemic and the ongoing wars. This study aimed to determine the impact of the armed conflicts on the epidemiology of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) within these war-torn countries and highlight the strategies needed to combat the spread of the pandemic and its consequences.Methods: Official and public data concerning the dynamics of the armed conflicts and the spread of SARS-COV-2 in Libya, Syria and Yemen were collected from all available sources, starting from the emergence of COVID-19 in each country until the end of December 2020. Datasets were analyzed by a set of statistical techniques and the weekly resolved data were used to probe the link between the intensity levels of the conflict and the prevalence of COVID-19.Results: The data indicated that there was an increase in the intensity of the violence at an early stage from March to August 2020, when it approximately doubled in the three countries, particularly in Libya. During that period, few cases of COVID-19 were reported, ranging from 5 to 53 cases/day. From September to December 2020, a significant decline in the intensity of the armed conflicts was accompanied by steep upsurges in the rate of COVID-19 cases, which reached up to 500 cases/day. The accumulative cases vary from one country to another during the armed conflict. The highest cumulative number of cases were reported in Libya, Syria and Yemen.Conclusions: Our analysis demonstrates that the armed conflict provided an opportunity for SARS-CoV-2 to spread. The early weeks of the pandemic coincided with the most intense period of the armed conflicts, and few cases were officially reported. This indicates undercounting and hidden spread during the early stage of the pandemic. The pandemic then spread dramatically as the armed conflict declined, reaching its greatest spread by December 2020. Full-blown transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic in these countries is expected. Therefore, urgent national and international strategies should be implemented to combat the pandemic and its consequences.

scholarly journals The impact of novel COVID-19 initial pandemic on orthopedic healthcare: an experience from a single institution of South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 778-787
Author(s):  
Gun Woo Lee ◽  
Gi Beom Kim ◽  
In Jun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Preventive Surgery ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Cancellation Rate ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Background: This study was to investigate the cancellation rate and trend of orthopedic surgeries during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Moreover, we assessed the psychologic status of orthopedic healthcare workers, and investigated the details of the preventive surgeries underwent in COVID-19-positive patients.Methods: For 3 months after January 20, 2020, cancellation rates of elective surgeries were investigated, and the number of elective surgeries conducted in the same period over the last two years was compared. Four different questionnaires were used to investigate psychologic status among the orthopedic health care workers. We compared the outcomes according to occupation (physician or nurse), and type of work (faculty staff or resident physician). Outcomes according to occupation and type of work were compared. Preventive surgeries underwent in patients who could not wait for the results of the COVID-19 diagnosis were investigated.Results: Spine and hip surgery had relatively lower cancellation rates, and elective surgeries were significantly reduced. During the initial pandemic, the cancellation rate of orthopedic elective surgeries was significantly higher than in the same period of the previous year and was different for each subdivision depending on the degree of pain or disability. The psychological outcomes were within the normal range and there were no significant differences between groups. After preventive surgery, all medical staff involved in the operation tested negative.Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the cancellation rate of orthopedic elective surgeries was significantly higher than in the same period of the previous year. Orthopedic health care workers did not seem to have significant psychological distress. As a result of the preventive surgery in specialized facilities, all the medical staff who participated in the operation tested negative.

scholarly journals Changes in Mental Health of Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak in Xi'an, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Qu ◽  
Doudou Zhao ◽  
Peng Jia ◽  
Shaonong Dang ◽  
Wenhao Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Technology ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Outbreak Period ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Objective: To investigate the mental health of women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment during the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak in Xi'an, China.Methods: A repeated cross-sectional study was administered to women undergoing ART treatment during the outbreak period (599 women in February 2020) and the control period (892 women in May 2020) at the Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China.Results: Both the ART-treated women surveyed during the outbreak period and those surveyed during the control period had high scores on the fear dimension (0.88, 0.51). The total scores for mental health among the participants during the control period were lower than those during the outbreak period (difference = −0.22; 95% CI = −0.25, −0.18). Lower scores were also seen during the control period, compared to those in the outbreak period, for depression (difference = −0.18; 95% CI = −0.23, −0.13), neurasthenia (difference = −0.31; 95% CI = −0.36, −0.25), fear (difference = −0.37; 95% CI = −0.43, −0.31), compulsion anxiety (difference = −0.13; 95% CI = −0.16, −0.09), and hypochondriasis (difference = −0.09; 95% CI = −0.12, −0.06).Conclusions: During the COVID-19 global pandemic, the mental health of women undergoing ART treatment in Xi'an, China, was primarily manifested as fear. As the pandemic was brought under control, the mental health of ART-treated women improved. As evidenced by these results, the COVID-19 pandemic influences the mental health of women undergoing ART treatment, and clinicians should be aware of this for similar future situations.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact of Quarantine on Medical Students’ Mental Wellbeing and Learning Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (COVID19-S4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultan Ayoub Meo ◽  
Dr Abdulelah Adnan Abukhalaf ◽  
Ali Abdullah Alomar ◽  
Kamran Sattar ◽  
David C Klonoff
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Learning Behaviors ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Background and Objectives: The novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic causes great public health and socioeconomic harms. Worldwide many countries implemented quarantine policies to minimize the spread of this highly contagious disease. The present study aim was to investigate the impact of quarantine on the medical students’ mental wellbeing and learning behaviors. Methods: In this descriptive study, we used a questionnaire with a Five-Point Likert Scale to collect the information. The questionnaire was distributed among 625 medical students through their emails with a response rate of 530 (84.8%), majority 294 (55.47%) being female. The survey questionnaire consisted of total 20 items; 12 items were related to psychological wellbeing and stress-allied queries and 08 items were about learning behaviors. Results: The findings encompass two important characteristics related to quarantine, psychological wellbeing, and learning behaviors. A combined cohort of 234 medical students, either female or male, (which was 44.1% of the total responders) showed a sense of being emotionally detached from family, friends and fellow students, 125/ 530 (23.5%) medical students felt disheartened. Both female and male medical students showed a marked decrease in their overall work performance. Moreover, 56.2% of the total students (61.5% of the females and 49.5% of the males) felt a decrease in the time they spent studying. Conclusions: Both female and male medical students have identified that quarantine has caused them to feel emotionally detached from family, fellows, and friends and decrease their overall work performance and study period. The findings also show that one-fourth of the medical students who participated in this study felt disheartened during the quarantine period. The long-term quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemic may causes further worsening in the psychological and learning behaviors of these medical students. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2809 How to cite this:Meo SA, Abukhalaf AA, Alomar AA, Sattar K, Klonoff DC. COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact of Quarantine on Medical Students’ Mental Wellbeing and Learning Behaviors. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(COVID19-S4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.COVID19-S4.2809 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals Blockchain Enabled Tracking of Physician Burnout and Stressors During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram Dhillon ◽  
Tailong Xu ◽  
Chirag Parikh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Physician Burnout ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Hospital Systems ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

With more than 54 million cases worldwide, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disrupted every aspect of public life and poses an ever-growing burden on an already strained healthcare system. The emergence of new COVID-19 hot-spots and super-spreader events are placing an immense amount of stress on hospital systems responding to the increased influx of critically ill patients. Healthcare workers and frontline physicians disproportionately bear the additional physical and psychological burdens associated with the appearance of a new hot-spot. However, the mental health implications of COVID-19 for physicians are not well understood. In this perspective piece, we discuss widespread effects of the ongoing pandemic on physician mental health and how blockchain infrastructure can enable digital health technologies in supporting data-driven fatigue mitigation interventions. This is particularly applicable to simplifying physician workflows in newly emerging hot-spots.

scholarly journals The impact of digitization on economy in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 01018
Author(s):  
Crina Ionescu ◽  
Mihaela Iordache ◽  
Emilia Țițan
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
National Level ◽  
Value Added ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Face ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Research background: As COVID-19 is posing unprecedented challenges, the governments as well as the individuals have to adapt to the shift towards a new lifestyle. The preventing measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus has important consequences on economy sectors both at global and national level. In this regard, it is the right time to accelerate the development of the digital tools and technologies that can help neutralize or at least mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19. Purpose of the article: Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the current situation of digitization, focusing on the main transformations in recent months. Methods: Throughout the paper, there can be distinguished both qualitative and quantitative approach. The methods used include a secondary research from official information and primary quantitative research obtained from a conducted survey that explains the importance and the impact of digitization on economy in the face of a global pandemic. Findings & Value added: The article highlights the impact of digitization on the economy by comparing the findings from Romanian economy with other EU countries. It is noted that in areas where the digitization was more developed or where the adaptation to the new conditions imposed by the crisis generated by COVID-19 has been faster, the impact was significantly lower as well.

scholarly journals Current and emerging diagnostic tests available for the novel COVID-19 global pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Mboowa
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Status ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Point Of Care Tests

On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the status of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak from epidemic to a global pandemic. This infection is caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Several rapid diagnostic tests have been developed at an astonishing pace; however, COVID-19 requires more highly specific rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests. This review describes the currently available testing approaches, as well as the available test assays including the Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 test (takes ~45 min) and Abbott ID COVID-19 test (5 min) as easy to use point-of-care tests for diagnosis of novel COVID-19 that have so far received the US Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations clearance. This review is correct as of the date published and will be updated as more diagnostic tests come to light.

COVID-19 and Children’s Mental Health: Identifying Challenges and the New Normal

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aniruddh Behere ◽  
Brittany N. Barber Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Health Organizations ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 has had clear and direct impact on the physical health of human beings, but the mental health toll associated with this global pandemic is only beginning to be understood. Although children and adolescents have been largely spared from the more severe symptoms associated with the disease, global health organizations such as the United Nations have suggested that COVID-19 may have the longest and most severe impact on children and adolescents due to the socioeconomic, physical, psychological impacts associated with the disease itself and the measures taken to stop transmission, such as physical distancing. This paper provides an overview of the evolutionary basis for community, and the ways that social and physical distancing measures to contain COVID-19 threaten the important social learning and support that community provides. It will then discuss, based on research from prior pandemics, recommendations from global health authorities, and emerging data on the impacts of COVID-19, how this pandemic is likely to impact the mental health of children and adolescents. Finally, we offer evidenced-based suggestions about how to mitigate the effects of physical and social distancing.

scholarly journals COVID-19: How the Radiology Department Should Combat this Global Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanvi Modi ◽  
Mitusha Verma ◽  
Gauri Ahuja ◽  
Deepak Patkar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Radiology Department ◽  
Computerised Tomography ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Accurate Reporting

The impact of the global pandemic due to novel Coronavirus Disease (nCOVID-19) has been braced by all medical subspecialties, including the radiology department. As Computerised Tomography (CT) of the chest as well as radiographs gain more and more importance in diagnosing, following up and prognosticating this respiratory infection, it becomes essential to have set protocols in place regarding imaging, disinfection and departmental workflow to ensure smooth functioning and protection of patients and health care workers. We have formulated the “AMMO” protocol as a guide to smooth functioning of the radiology department, which enumerates the steps to be taken for organisation of patient workload, organising equipment, disinfection protocols, maintaining the health and safety of radiology healthcare workers along with timely and accurate reporting. By combining the established guidelines and the knowledge gained from our experience at a dedicated COVID-19 hospital, this article aims to provide a reference in the management of radiology departments during this pandemic.

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