scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 in Older People in Portugal: Results from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement (SHARE)

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 761
Author(s):  
Filipa Novais ◽  
Catarina Cordeiro ◽  
Pedro Câmara Pestana ◽  
Beatriz Côrte-Real ◽  
Teresa Reynolds Sousa ◽  
...  

Introduction: In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, and Portugal reported its initial cases. In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on Portuguese individuals aged over 60 years old.Material and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE 8: COVID-19 Survey). We selected a sample of 1080 noninstitutional Portuguese individuals aged ≥ 60 years.Results: The study sample consisted of 605 (56%) women and 475 (44%) men, with a mean age of 70 ± 9.1 years. In total, 80% of the participants experienced higher levels of anxiety, 73% felt more depressed and 30% experienced additional sleep problems comparedto the period before the pandemic. Interestingly, there were no statistically significant differences between the sexes or the two selected age groups (60 - 74 and over 75 years old) regarding the incidence of these changes. Only 23%, of those that were interviewed maintained their walking routines. In addition, only 8% of the participants continued visiting family members as frequently as before. While 8% of the participants were refused some form of medical treatment, 56% claimed that they experienced healthcare delays. However,only 15% of the participants reported that their health status worsened during the pandemic.Discussion: The pandemic has had a significant impact on Portuguese individuals aged ≥ 60 years; which is in agreement with the findings of previous international studies. It changed the participants’ routines and increased their anxiety and depression levels. Despite the deterioration of healthcare services, most participants did not experience worsening of their health status.Conclusion: In conclusion, a COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the elderly population, particularly regarding their mental health.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Walusa Assad Gonçalves-Ferri ◽  
◽  
Fábia Martins Pereira-Cellini ◽  
Kelly Coca ◽  
Davi Casale Aragon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The World Health Organization recognizes exclusive breastfeeding a safe source of nutrition available for children in most humanitarian emergencies, as in the current pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the Brazilian national guideline protecting breastfeeding practices, there are many concerns about protecting infants from their infected mothers. This study aimed to analyze how the Brazilian hospitals and maternity services promote and support mothers suspected or diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional and multicenter study which collected data from 24 Brazilian hospitals and maternity services between March and July 2020. Representatives of the institutions completed a questionnaire based on acts to promote and support breastfeeding, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and Brazil’s federal law recommendations. Results The results showed that in delivery rooms, 98.5% of the services prohibited immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their infants and did not support mothers to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour. On the postnatal ward, 98.5% of the services allowed breastfeeding while implementing respiratory hygiene practices to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Companions for mothers were forbidden in 83.3% of the hospitals. Hospital discharge was mostly between 24 and 28 h (79.1%); discharge guidelines were not individualized. Additionally, a lack of support was noticed from the home environment’s health community network (83.3%). Hospital and home breast pumping were allowed (87.5%), but breast milk donation was not accepted (95.8%). There was a lack of guidance regarding the use of infant comforting strategies. Guidelines specific for vulnerable populations were not covered in the material evaluated. Conclusions In Brazil, hospitals have not followed recommendations to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding during the COVID-19 outbreak. The disagreement between international guidelines has been a major issue. The absence of recommendations on breastfeeding support during the pandemic led to difficulties in developing standards among hospitals in different regions of Brazil and other countries worldwide. The scientific community needs to discuss how to improve maternal and infant care services to protect breastfeeding in the current pandemic.


2014 ◽  
Vol 02 (01) ◽  
pp. 009-015
Author(s):  
Vaibhav Munjal ◽  
Ritu Jindal ◽  
Rohini Dua ◽  
Ripin Garewal ◽  
Parveen Bathla

Abstract Aim: This study was done to evaluate correlation of Dental Caries status with frequency of tooth brushing, type of toothpaste and regular dental visits in children. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out randomly on 2500 school children of two age groups viz. 12 and 15 years, and caries examination was done using WHO (World Health organization) 1997 criteria in order to correlate with various risk factors viz. brushing frequency, use of fluoridated/non-fluoridated toothpaste and frequency of child's visit to dental clinic. Results: In both the age groups brushing frequency and type of toothpaste used insignificantly affected caries while evidence that frequency of child's visit to dental clinic reduces caries risk was also not substantial. Conclusion: The present study implicates that due to complex multifactorial nature of dental caries, its prevention still remains an enigma for the dental professional and society.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-74
Author(s):  
Atiq ur Rahman ◽  
Muhammad Imran ◽  
Zarmeena Yasmeen ◽  
Muzammil Irshad

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the effects of COVID-19 and lockdown on OPD services. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ) and Tehsil Headquarter (THQ) Hospitals of District Layyah. The data was collected from one DHQ hospital and six THQ hospitals. The OPD data of three years (the years 2018 to 2020) was extracted from District Health Information System (DHIS). Trends of outpatients’ flow during months of March and April of three years were taken. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic was declared by World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, and all countries started lockdown nationwide which imposed a major impact on all areas of life. Fear of coronavirus spread and lockdown resulted in significant reduction in number of patients at outdoor services. In our study, we analyzed outdoor services of seven hospitals of district Layyah - one DHQ hospital and six THQ hospitals. Conclusion: Fear of coronavirus spread and lockdown resulted in significant reduction in number of patients at outdoor services.


Author(s):  
Deborah Araujo Policarpo ◽  
Eduarda Cristina Alves Lourenzatto ◽  
Talita Costa e Silva Brito ◽  
Daise Aparecida Rossi ◽  
Roberta Torres de Melo

COVID-19 is considered by the World Health Organization to be a global public health emergency, which presents regional divergences that affect the epidemiological profile of the disease and are associated with political, economic, social and behavioral aspects. We aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the disease in the microregion of Uberlândia, Brazil, in order to determine risk factors that contributed to progression of SARS-CoV-2 virus. A cross-sectional study was conducted about micro- and macro-determinants combined with the significance analysis of suspected and confirmed cases in 18 municipalities during the epidemiological weeks (EW) 9 to 26. There were 34,046 notifications, of which 4935 (14.49%) people were diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 282 (5.71%) required hospital care and 40 (0.81%) died. Age and presence of associated comorbidities were decisive in the variations of incidence and lethality rates. In general, young people were the most affected and the elderly people, the most exposed to the serious and lethal form (p < 0.0001). Comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiopathies increased 33.5 times the death risk. The dispersion of the virus was centrifugal, in the inter as well as in the intra-municipal level. The disorderly implementation of municipal decrees applied in a decentralized manner in the municipalities seems to have contributed for the incidence rates increasing in the EW 25 and 26.


2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-252
Author(s):  
Mahua Chanak ◽  
Kaushik Bose

Abstract Obesity is generally classified into generalized obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) and abdominal or central obesity (WC ≥90 cm for men and WC ≥80 cm for women) based on World Health Organization recommendation for Asians. Hypertension is one of the most common obesity-related complications, and about 30% of hypertensive individuals can be classified as being obese. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of different age groups (years) on the anthropometric and derived variables. It determined the correlation between anthropometric and derived variables and also estimated the frequency of central obesity and hypertension. Finally, it investigated the relationship between central obesity and blood pressure among rural Bengalee adults of Dirghagram village of Ghatal Block, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken among 310 rural adults (154 males; 156 females) aged over 18 years. Our study was carried out during March, 2017. Height (cm), weight (kg), waist circumference (cm), hip circumference (cm) and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) were measured using standard procedures. One way ANOVA analysis on most of the anthropometric and derived variables showed a statistically significant increase from younger to older age group in both sexes (p<0.001;p<0.01; p<0.05). In addition to that, more females had central obesity using waist circumference (55.8% vs. 19.5%), waist hip ratio (87.2% vs. 35.7%), waist height ratio (73.7% vs. 44.2%), and conicity index (87.2% vs. 57.8%) criteria, and hypertension (52.5% vs. 27.3%). The prevalence of central obesity was much higher in case of hypertensive individuals. Therefore, the present study showed a high prevalence of central obesity among the rural adults of Dirghagram village. Furthermore, central obesity contributed in increasing hypertension among the villagers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira ◽  
Caio Rosas Moreira ◽  
Gabriel Lucas Morais Freire ◽  
Rogério Soares de Melo ◽  
Maura Fernandes Franco ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Multimorbidity is currently considered as a relevant clinical condition due to its severity and the high prevalence among the elderly. Objective: Assessing whether multimorbidity is an intervening factor in the functionality of the physically active elderly. Method: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 70 older people of both sexes who practice exercises at the Fitness zones (FZ) in the municipality of Maringá, state of Paraná. A sociodemographic questionnaire, and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale (WHO-DAS 2.0) were used as instruments. Data analysis was performed by using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test and Spearman’s rank correlation, in addition to the Path Analysis (p <0.05). Results: the elderly who have more than two diseases showed worse functionality than the ones with none or from 1 to 2 diseases (p <0.05). The number of diseases showed a significant association (p <0.05) with a reduction in functional domain scores, which explains from 15% to 31% of the variable’s variability. Specifically, the number of diseases was positively associated with the strong effect on the domains referred to as self-care (β = 0.56) and cognition (β = 0.55), besides a moderate effect on interpersonal relationships (β = 0.39) and social participation domains (β = 0.39). Conclusion: it was concluded that multimorbidity can be considered as an intervening factor in the functionality of elderly people who practice physical activity.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoda Wahba ◽  
Tamer Emara ◽  
Ahmed Elbokl

Abstract Background Ain Shams University Virtual Hospital (AVH) has been offering telemedicine services since 2016. During the COVID-19 pandemic it has become essential to offer healthcare services in a safe way. Telemedicine was the perfect choice worldwide to compensate for the deficiency of physical healthcare services. Limitations especially in the elderly population questioned the feasibility of the telegeriatrics model. Aim To study the feasibility and acceptability of the AVH telemedicine model in geriatric patients. Methodology A cross-sectional study performed from April to October 2020 recruiting patients above 60 years receiving telemedicine services as part of the telemedicine program delivered via AVH. Data was collected via Google forms that were sent to the patients and physicians via Whats app. Results 1471 patients were triaged via the Whats app managed by geriatric consultants and 64 received video consultations. 849 patients responded to the surveys from all age groups of which 21.8% were above 60 years. From the responders 19.7% consulted geriatric medicine while the 2.1% consulted other specialties. Most satisfaction domains were 85% and above positive responses with an insignificant difference between age groups. 90% of physicians felt confident in their medical management using telemedicine. Conclusion: telegeriatrics is feasible as it is well accepted, easily used and preferred over clinic visits during the COVID-19 pandemic and after, by patients. Physicians are confident in their management using it.


Author(s):  
Paula Adamo de Almeida ◽  
Viktoria Weihermann ◽  
Gustavo Lenci Marques ◽  
Camila Girardi Fachin ◽  
Ipojucan Calixto Fraiz ◽  
...  

Abstract: Introduction: The current outbreak of the new coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, was first reported to the World Health Organization on December 31, 2019, being declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. As for the clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection, it is a broad one, ranging from asymptomatic, mild upper respiratory tract disease to severe viral pneumonia with respiratory failure and death. With a chance of severe clinical presentation close to 25%, SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to health service overload and increase the demand for material and human resources. Aiming to increase the availability of health professionals directly involved in care during the pandemic, the Ministry of Education authorized the early graduation for students pursuing careers in health, including medicine. Objective: The aim of this article is to obtain preliminary results of the impact of early graduation for medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Observational and cross-sectional study, carried out by applying a questionnaire with 13 questions, five of which used a Likert scale of assessment, six in multiple choice format and two descriptive, via Google Forms, applied to medical students from the universities of Curitiba-PR that graduated earlier in mid-year 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: 113 recently graduated students answered the questionnaire.101 participants reported that they are working as physicians and, among them, 63.36% stated that they are working directly in the treatment of COVID-19 cases. Regarding the importance of an early graduation, most participants fully agree or agree, while only three participants totally disagree. More than half of the interviewees do not feel harmed by the early graduation. However, 43.3% believe they have failed to acquire important information for their training. Finally, regarding their performance in the pandemic, 79.6% consider important their role in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The study shows that, at first, the efforts to give the Class of 2020 an early graduation were successful, since these new physicians are contributing to alleviate workforce shortages and provide better care for patients during the pandemic.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walusa Assad Gonçalves-Ferri ◽  
Fábia Martins Pereira-Cellini ◽  
Kelly Pereira Coca ◽  
Davi Casale Aragon ◽  
Paulo de Jesus Hartmann Nader ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundRecommended by the World Health Organization, exclusive breastfeeding is a safe source of nutrition available for children in humanitarian emergencies, as in the current pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Despite the Brazilian Guideline protecting breastfeeding practice, there are many concerns about how to protect babies from their infected mothers. This study aimed to analyze how the Brazilian hospitals and maternity services promote and support mothers suspected or diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional and multicenter study collecting data from 24 Brazilian hospitals and maternity services from March to July 2020. Representatives of the institutions completed a questionnaire based on acts to promote and support breastfeeding, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and Brazil’s law recommendations.ResultsThe results showed that in delivery rooms, 98.5% of the services prohibited immediate and uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and companions for the mother and did not support mothers to initiate breastfeeding in the first hour. In rooming-in, 98.5% of the services allowed breastfeeding and recommend care for babies following the respiratory hygiene practices to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and whether companions are forbidden (83.3%). Hospital discharge was mostly early (79.1%); the guidelines were not individualized. Additionally, a lack of support was noticed from the health community network in the home environment (83.3%). Hospital and home breast pumping were allowed (87.5%), but breast milk donation was not accepted (95.8%). ConclusionsIn Brazil, the hospitals are not able to approach recommendations to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding properly during the COVID-19 outbreak. The scientific community needs to discuss how to improve maternal and baby care services to protect breastfeeding in the current pandemic.


2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Gopinath ◽  
K Ling ◽  
K Haziani ◽  
N Ismail

OBJECTIVE: This study reports on the predisposing factors and prevalence of fractured anterior teeth among 12 and 16 years-old school children in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, West Malaysia. STUDY DESIGN:A cross-sectional study was performed, involving 488 school children aged 12 and 16 years old and two calibrated dentists on the use of the World Health Organization (WHO) modification of Andreasen's 1999 classification. An oral examination was performed and all the necessary information was collected using a specified data collection sheet. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 12. RESULTS: The response rate was 98.8%. The prevalence of fractured anterior teeth was 11.2% at the age of 12 and 13.4% at the age of 16. Boys experienced more fractures than girls (p&lt;0.05) among 12 year-olds but there was no gender predilection among 16 year olds. Most children could not remember the cause of fracture (&gt;53.6%). Over 80% of dental injuries were of minor type (enamel fracture not involving the dentin). The maxillary central incisor was the most affected (&gt;60%) tooth. Children at the age of 12 years with over jet greater than 3 mm,incompetent and short lip were predisposed to dental injuries (p&lt;0.05). There was no association between molar relationship and fractures (p&gt;0.05) in both age groups. CONCLUSION: The present study assessed the prevalence of dental injuries in 12 and 16 year old children and determined the risk factors that predispose to dental injuries. The possible causes and consequences of such tooth fractures must be highlighted to ensure esthetics and tooth longevity.


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