Behavioral Changes During COVID-19 Confinement in France: A Web-Based Study

(1) Background: A global pandemic due to COVID-19 emerged in November 2019 and hit France in early March 2020. It not only resulted in a loss of lives but also in very strict confinement measures. The objective of this study was to understand what the determinants of the change in participants’ behavior and mental state were during the confinement. (2) Methods: An online survey was launched on April 23rd, 2020, and closed on May 7th, 2020. The final sample included 1454 participants from 24 to 65 years old. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were then performed. (3) Results: 28.7% reported having a more balanced diet, against 17.1% with a less balanced diet. 22.7% of respondents reported an increased alcohol consumption, as opposed to only 12.2% declaring a decrease and 11.2% of respondents increased their tobacco consumption, while 6.3% decreased it. 50.6% of the participants reported being more depressed, stressed, or irritable since the beginning of the lockdown. Confinement had a negative effect on every behavior studied in this survey, except for nutrition. We also found that negative mental state changes were strongly associated with nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and alcohol consumption changes.

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Behavioral Changes During COVID-19 Confinement in France: A Web-Based Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17228444 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (22) ◽

pp. 8444 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hélène Rossinot ◽

Romain Fantin ◽

Julien Venne

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Mental State ◽

Online Survey ◽

Tobacco Consumption ◽

Behavioral Changes ◽

Web Based ◽

Balanced Diet ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Final Sample ◽

Negative Effect

Background: A global pandemic due to COVID-19 emerged in November 2019 and hit France in early March 2020. It not only resulted in a loss of lives, but also in very strict confinement measures. The objective of this study was to understand what the determinants of the changes in participants’ behavior and mental state were during the confinement. Methods: An online survey was launched on 23 April 2020 and closed on 7 May 2020. The final sample included 1454 participants from 24 to 65 years old. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were then performed. Results: In total, 28.7% reported having a more balanced diet, against 17.1% with a less balanced diet, 22.7% of respondents reported an increased alcohol consumption, as opposed to only 12.2% declaring a decrease, and 11.2% of respondents increased their tobacco consumption, while 6.3% decreased it. In total, 50.6% of the participants reported being more depressed, stressed, or irritable since the beginning of the lockdown. Confinement had a negative effect on every behavior studied in this survey, except for nutrition. We also found that negative mental state changes were strongly associated with nutrition, sleep, physical activity and alcohol consumption changes.

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How social influences and work environment affect the overall experience of tefl teachers in China

International Journal of Contemporary Management ◽

10.2478/ijcm-2021-0001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Gabriella Berman ◽

Adele Potgieter

Keyword(s):

Work Environment ◽

Online Survey ◽

Social Influences ◽

Target Population ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Web Based ◽

Descriptive Research ◽

Final Sample ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

Abstract Background Expatriation has grown rapidly, and the TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) industry relies on it heavily. As is the case with any expatriation adjustment, TEFL teachers’ overall experience of living and working in China can be influenced by external factors. For the purpose of the study described in this article, both social influences and the work environment are highlighted as influences on the overall experience of teaching TEFL in China. Research aims The research aim of the study was to investigate the efect of social influences and work environment on the overall experience of TEFL teachers who teach in China. Methodology The study made use of a positivistic research paradigm and a descriptive research design. The sampling procedure utilised in the study was non-probability sampling, and the technique used was convenience sampling. The target population comprised TEFL teachers who were teaching in China, with the final sample consisting of 379 respondents. To collect data, the method used was an online survey, and the specific measuring instrument was a web-based, self-administered questionnaire, distributed via a link on Facebook, WeChat, LinkedIn, and Reddit groups that are specifically for TEFL teachers in China. Once the data were collected, both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilised to analyse and interpret the data. Findings From the empirical data collected in the study, it was found that, in general, both social influences and the work environment of TEFL teachers in China positively affected their overall experience, while the potential influence of a language barrier proved to have no negative effect on their overall experience.

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Psychological Factors Affecting Risk Perception of COVID-19: Evidence from Peru and China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126513 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6513

Author(s):

Fredy S. Monge-Rodríguez ◽

He Jiang ◽

Liwei Zhang ◽

Andy Alvarado-Yepez ◽

Anahí Cardona-Rivero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Risk Communication ◽

Online Survey ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Self Confidence ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Negative Effect ◽

The Government ◽

Using Data ◽

Health Field

COVID-19 has spread around the world, causing a global pandemic, and to date is impacting in various ways in both developed and developing countries. We know that the spread of this virus is through people’s behavior despite the perceived risks. Risk perception plays an important role in decision-making to prevent infection. Using data from the online survey of participants in Peru and China (N = 1594), data were collected between 8 July 31 and August 2020. We found that levels of risk perception are relatively moderate, but higher in Peru compared to China. In both countries, anxiety, threat perception, self-confidence, and sex were found to be significant predictors of risk perception; however, trust in the information received by government and experts was significant only in Peru, whereas self-confidence had a significant negative effect only for China. Risk communication should be implemented through information programs aimed at reducing anxiety and improving self-confidence, taking into consideration gender differences. In addition, the information generated by the government should be based on empirical sources. Finally, the implications for effective risk communication and its impacts on the health field are discussed.

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Public’s view on myths related to COVID-19: a web-based cross-sectional study in Nepal

International Journal of Scientific Reports ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-2156.intjscirep20205496 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 50

Author(s):

Deeependra Prasad Sarraf ◽

Shashi Keswhar ◽

Pramendra Prasad Gupta

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Vital Role ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

The Social ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Study Participants

Background: The global pandemic COVID-19 has created havoc. Various myths prevail among public that hamper them from adopting evidence based preventive measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to seek timely health advice. The aim of the study was to find out the public’s view on myths related to COVID-19 in educated Nepalese population.Methods: A cross-sectional web-based online survey was conducted in educated public in Nepal during May, 2020. A self-designed questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic variables and 21 myths was prepared using Google forms via docs.google.com/forms. The responses were recorded on a 3-point scale (agree, disagree, do not know). The Google form link was sent to the study participants via the social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and Viber. Descriptive statistics mean, frequency and percentage were used to analyze the data using SPSS version 22. Results: Out of 270, 33.7%, 33.3% and 37% participants agreed that eating lemon, turmeric and garlic prevents us from COVID-19 respectively. Thirty seven percent participants believed that spraying bleach or disinfectant into our body will protect us against COVID-19. The overall view of participants toward the myths related to COVID-19 was ‘agree’ (17.3%), ‘disagree’ (59.2%) and ‘don’t know’ (23.5%).Conclusions: Myths regarding COVID-19 prevailed among majority of the participants in this study. There is an urgent need to educate the public regarding various preventive approaches for COVID-19 issues. Media and government agencies have a vital role in creating awareness to adopt evidence-based facts.

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Consumption Patterns of Alcohol and Alcohol mixed with Energy Drinks in Australian Students and Non-Students

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12010149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 149 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sarah Benson ◽

Joris C. Verster ◽

Andrew Scholey

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Risk Taking ◽

Online Survey ◽

Energy Drinks ◽

Energy Drink ◽

Consumption Patterns ◽

Final Sample ◽

Within Subjects ◽

Drinking Behaviors

Studies assessing alcohol mixed with energy drink (AMED) use and drinking behaviors have been largely restricted to student-only cohorts. Thus, it is not known whether evidence from these studies is applicable to non-student populations. This study examined alcohol consumption and involvement in negative alcohol-related consequences among AMED and alcohol-only (AO) users, with the aim of determining whether drinking behaviors differ according to student status. An online survey was conducted in Australia to assess alcohol consumption and alcohol-related consequences following AMED and AO consumption, according to student status. The final sample consisted of 1369 participants. Between-subjects analyses comparing AMED and AO users, confirmed previous findings in that, compared with AO users, AMED users consumed significantly more alcohol, consumed alcohol more frequently and were involved in a greater number of alcohol-related consequences. Within-subjects analyses of AMED users comparing AMED and AO drinking occasions revealed that significantly less alcohol was consumed and involvement in negative alcohol-related consequences was lower during AMED compared with AO drinking occasions. Regardless of drink type, compared with students, non-students consumed more alcohol, consumed alcohol more frequently and were involved in a greater number of negative alcohol-related consequences. These findings provide further evidence that AMED use is one manifestation of a risk-taking personality and suggest that non-students drink more alcohol, drink more frequently and are involved in a greater number of negative alcohol-related consequences than students.

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Use of Web-Based Health Services in Individuals With and Without Symptoms of Hypochondria: Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.10980 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Christiane Eichenberg ◽

Markus Schott

Keyword(s):

Health Services ◽

Online Survey ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Health Anxiety ◽

Attitude Scale ◽

Survey Study ◽

Online Health Information ◽

Web Based ◽

Final Sample ◽

Health Related

BACKGROUND An increasing number of people consult physicians because of distressing information found online. Cyberchondria refers to the phenomenon of health anxiety because of online health information. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine online health research of individuals with and without symptoms of hypochondria and their impact on health anxiety as well as behavior. METHODS An online survey was conducted. Demographic data, health-related internet use, and general health behavior were assessed. The illness attitude scale was used to record symptoms of hypochondria. RESULTS The final sample consisted of N=471 participants. More than 40% (188/471) of participants showed at least some symptoms of hypochondria. Participants with symptoms of hypochondria used the internet more frequently for health-related purposes and also frequented more online services than individuals without symptoms. Most online health services were rated as more reliable by individuals with symptoms of hypochondria. Changes to behavior such as doctor hopping or ordering nonprescribed medicine online were considered more likely by individuals with symptoms of hypochondria. CONCLUSIONS Results show that individuals with symptoms of hypochondria do not turn to online research as a result of lacking alternatives but rather consult health services on- as well as offline.

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Physical symptoms in tinnitus: an international web-based study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.14519 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Michiels ◽

Stephen Harrison ◽

Markku Vesala ◽

Winfried Schlee

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Diagnostic Criteria ◽

Online Survey ◽

Acoustic Stimulation ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Web Based ◽

Negative Effect ◽

As Stress ◽

Low Intensity Exercise ◽

Ringing In The Ears

BACKGROUND Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a phantom perception of sound in the absence of overt acoustic stimulation. Many patients indicate that the perception of their tinnitus is not constant and can vary from moment to moment. This tinnitus fluctuation is one of the diagnostic criteria for somatosensory tinnitus (ST), a tinnitus subtype that is influenced by cervical spine or temporomandibular dysfunctions. Although various factors have been reported to cause fluctuations in tinnitus, such as: stress, anxiety and physical activity. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was twofold: first to investigate the presence of physical symptoms in a large group of participants with tinnitus and second to investigate if these physical symptoms are more frequently present in a subgroup of participants with ST. METHODS An online survey, questioning the presence of physical symptoms in participants with tinnitus was launched on the online forum Tinnitus Talk, managed by Tinnitus Hub. After a general analysis of the physical symptoms, present in our survey population, we further analysed the group op participants who were diagnosed by a physician (n = 1262). This subgroup was divided into two groups, one group diagnosed with ST and another group diagnosed with other types of tinnitus. RESULTS In total, 6115 participants with a mean age of 54,08 years (SD: 13,8) completed the survey. Physical symptoms were frequently present in our sample of participants with tinnitus: 69% reported some form of neck pain, 7% was diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders, 44,6% indicated they have bruxism and 14 to 23,1% was able to modulate their tinnitus by voluntary movements. ST was diagnosed in 17,7%. Symptoms referring to the known diagnostic criteria were evidently more present in the ST-group than in the non-ST-group. Additionally, participants with ST more often indicated a negative effect of a bad night’s sleep and light intensity exercise. CONCLUSIONS Physical activity and movement (disorders) frequently affect the tinnitus severity. Head-neck related symptoms are more frequently reported in the ST-group, as is the ability to modulate the tinnitus by head or jaw movements. Additionally, participants with ST more often report fluctuations of their tinnitus and reaction to sleeping difficulties and low intensity exercise.

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Low Back Pain in Commercial Airline Pilots

Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance ◽

10.3357/amhp.5656.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 91 (12) ◽

pp. 940-947

Author(s):

Matthias Albermann ◽

Maria Lehmann ◽

Christian Eiche ◽

Joachim Schmidt ◽

Johannes Prottengeier

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Online Survey ◽

German Population ◽

Low Back ◽

Airline Pilots ◽

Acute Low Back Pain ◽

Commercial Airline ◽

Negative Effect

BACKGROUND: In their working life, airline pilots are exposed to particular risk factors that promote nonspecific low back pain (LBP). Because of the varying incidence internationally, we evaluated the point prevalences of acute, subacute, and chronic nonspecific LBP, as well as the current prevalences in German airline pilots. Furthermore, we compared the prevalence to the general German population and to European counterparts.METHODS: An anonymous online survey of 698 participating German airline pilots was evaluated. The impairment between groups was analyzed. Prevalences from our data were compared to existing data.RESULTS: The following point prevalences were found: 8.2% acute, 2.4% subacute, 82.7% chronic LBP; 74.1% of all individuals were suffering from current LBP when answered the questionnaire. A total time spent flying greater than 600 h within the last 12 mo was significantly related to acute nonspecific LBP. Individuals with any type of LBP were significantly impaired compared to those unaffected. It was found that German airline pilots suffer more often from current LBP than the general population and have a higher point prevalence of total LBP than their European counterparts.CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation showed a surprisingly high, previously unidentified, prevalence of nonspecific LBP in German airline pilots. Why German airline pilots suffer more often from LBP remains uncertain. The number of flying hours appears to have a negative effect on developing acute low back pain, but causation cannot be concluded. Other risk factors could not be confirmed.Albermann M, Lehmann M, Eiche C, Schmidt J, Prottengeier J. Low back pain in commercial airline pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(12):940947.

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Analysis of Korean adolescents' sexual experience and substance use

Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal ◽

10.2224/sbp.5935 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 45 (5) ◽

pp. 809-817

Author(s):

Gyu-Young Lee ◽

Yun-Jung Choi

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Sex Education ◽

Online Survey ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Sexual Experience ◽

National Policy ◽

Unprotected Sex ◽

Sexual Experiences ◽

Chi Square ◽

Korean Adolescents

We investigated the relationship between Korean adolescents' sexual experience—including, kissing, petting, and sexual intercourse—and their alcohol consumption and use of illegal drugs and tobacco. We analyzed data taken from the responses of 74,186 adolescents who had participated in the 2012 Korean Youth Health Behavior Online Survey. Variables regarding sexual experiences, experience of contraception, and substance and alcohol use were extracted and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. The results showed that fewer than 30% of the respondents reported always using contraception, and almost half reported rarely using contraception. The number of boys and girls reporting having had sexual experiences increased from 2 to 4 times when they also reported use of illicit drugs, smoking tobacco, or alcohol consumption. The results highlight a need for school-based sex education supported by a national policy and the provision of basic resources to reduce the incidence of unprotected sex and to improve healthy behavior of adolescents.

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The effect of risk communication on preventive and protective Behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak: mediating role of risk perception

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-10125-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Seyed Taghi Heydari ◽

Leila Zarei ◽

Ahmad Kalateh Sadati ◽

Najmeh Moradi ◽

Maryam Akbari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Perception ◽

Risk Communication ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

And Control ◽

New Evidence

Abstract Background The COVID-19 outbreak is a global pandemic, during which the community preventive and protective behaviors play a crucial role in the containment and control of infection. This study was designed to contribute to the existing knowledge on how risk communication (RC) and risk perception (RP) affect protective and preventive behaviors (PPB) during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods The required data were extracted from a national online survey of Iranian adults aged 15 and older during March 15–19, 2020 (n=3213). Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling. Results The study findings reveal that RC has direct and indirect positive effects on PB. Furthermore, this study also provides new evidence indicating that RP mediates the relationship between RC and PB and there is a two-way relationship between RC and RP. These interactions may have impact on risk communication strategies which should be adopted during this pandemic. Conclusion The study findings have remarkable implications for informing future communications as well as interventions during this ongoing outbreak and subsequent national risk events.

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