scholarly journals The COVID-19 pandemic in Norway and Sweden – threats, trust, and impact on daily life: A comparative survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise Helsingen ◽  
Erle Refsum ◽  
Dagrun Kyte Gjøstein ◽  
Magnus Løberg ◽  
Michael Bretthauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Care Systems

Abstract Background: Norway and Sweden have similar populations and health care systems, but different reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Norway closed educational institutions, and banned sports and cultural activities; Sweden kept most institutions and training facilities open. We aimed to compare peoples’ attitudes towards authorities and control measures, and perceived impact of the pandemic and implemented control measures on life in Norway and Sweden.Methods: Anonymous web-based surveys for individuals age 15 or older distributed through Facebook using the snowball method, in Norway and Sweden from mid-March to mid-April, 2020. The survey contained questions about perceived threat of the pandemic, views on infection control measures, and impact on daily life. We performed descriptive analyses of the responses and compared the two countries.Results: 3,508 individuals participated in the survey (Norway 3000; Sweden 508). 79% were women, the majority were 30-49 years (Norway 60%; Sweden 47%), and about 45% of the participants in both countries had more than four years of higher education.Participants had high trust in the health services, but differed in the degree of trust in their government (High trust in Norway 17%; Sweden 37%). More Norwegians than Swedes agreed that school closure was a good measure (Norway 66%; Sweden 18%), that countries with open schools were irresponsible (Norway 65%; Sweden 23%), and that the threat from repercussions of the mitigation measures were large or very large (Norway 71%; Sweden 56%). Both countries had a high compliance with infection preventive measures (> 98%). Many lived a more sedentary life (Norway 69%; Sweden 50%) and ate more (Norway 44%; Sweden 33%) during the pandemic. Conclusion: Sweden had more trust in the authorities, while Norwegians reported a more negative lifestyle during the pandemic. The level of trust in the health care system and self-reported compliance with preventive measures was high in both countries despite the differences in infection control measures.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 pandemic in Norway and Sweden – threats, trust, and impact on daily life: a comparative survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise M. Helsingen ◽  
◽  
Erle Refsum ◽  
Dagrun Kyte Gjøstein ◽  
Magnus Løberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Care Systems

Abstract Background Norway and Sweden have similar populations and health care systems, but different reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Norway closed educational institutions, and banned sports and cultural activities; Sweden kept most institutions and training facilities open. We aimed to compare peoples’ attitudes towards authorities and control measures, and perceived impact of the pandemic and implemented control measures on life in Norway and Sweden. Methods Anonymous web-based surveys for individuals age 15 or older distributed through Facebook using the snowball method, in Norway and Sweden from mid-March to mid-April, 2020. The survey contained questions about perceived threat of the pandemic, views on infection control measures, and impact on daily life. We performed descriptive analyses of the responses and compared the two countries. Results 3508 individuals participated in the survey (Norway 3000; Sweden 508). 79% were women, the majority were 30–49 years (Norway 60%; Sweden 47%), and about 45% of the participants in both countries had more than 4 years of higher education. Participants had high trust in the health services, but differed in the degree of trust in their government (High trust in Norway 17%; Sweden 37%). More Norwegians than Swedes agreed that school closure was a good measure (Norway 66%; Sweden 18%), that countries with open schools were irresponsible (Norway 65%; Sweden 23%), and that the threat from repercussions of the mitigation measures were large or very large (Norway 71%; Sweden 56%). Both countries had a high compliance with infection preventive measures (> 98%). Many lived a more sedentary life (Norway 69%; Sweden 50%) and ate more (Norway 44%; Sweden 33%) during the pandemic. Conclusion Sweden had more trust in the authorities, while Norwegians reported a more negative lifestyle during the pandemic. The level of trust in the health care system and self-reported compliance with preventive measures was high in both countries despite the differences in infection control measures.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 pandemic in Norway and Sweden – threats, trust, and impact on daily life: A comparative survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise Helsingen ◽  
Erle Refsum ◽  
Dagrun Kyte Gjøstein ◽  
Magnus Løberg ◽  
Michael Bretthauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Care Systems

Abstract Background: Norway and Sweden have similar populations and health care systems, but different reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Norway closed educational institutions, and banned sports and cultural activities; Sweden kept most institutions and training facilities open. We aimed to compare peoples’ attitudes towards authorities and control measures, and perceived impact of the pandemic and implemented control measures on life in Norway and Sweden. Methods: Anonymous web-based surveys for individuals age 15 or older distributed through Facebook using the snowball method, in Norway and Sweden from mid-March to mid-April, 2020. The survey contained questions about perceived threat of the pandemic, views on infection control measures, and impact on daily life. We performed descriptive analyses of the responses and compared the two countries. Results: 3,508 individuals participated in the survey (Norway 3000; Sweden 508). 79% were women, the majority were 30-49 years (Norway 60%; Sweden 47%), and about 45% of the participants in both countries had more than four years of higher education. Participants had high trust in the health services, but differed in the degree of trust in their government (High trust in Norway 17%; Sweden 37%). More Norwegians than Swedes agreed that school closure was a good measure (Norway 66%; Sweden 18%), that countries with open schools were irresponsible (Norway 65%; Sweden 23%), and that the threat from repercussions of the mitigation measures were large or very large (Norway 71%; Sweden 56%). Both countries had a high compliance with infection preventive measures (> 98%). Many lived a more sedentary life (Norway 69%; Sweden 50%) and ate more (Norway 44%; Sweden 33%) during the pandemic. Conclusion: Sweden had more trust in the authorities, while Norwegians reported a more negative lifestyle during the pandemic. The level of trust in the health care system and self-reported compliance with preventive measures was high in both countries despite the differences in infection control measures.

scholarly journals Trust, threats, and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway and Sweden: A comparative survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lise M. Helsingen ◽  
Erle Refsum ◽  
Dagryn Kyte Gjostein ◽  
Magnus Loberg ◽  
Michael Bretthauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Restrictive Measures ◽  
And Control

Objectives: Norway and Sweden, two neighboring countries with similar populations, health care systems and socioeconomics, have reacted differently to the COVID-19 pandemic. Norway closed all kindergartens, schools and universities, and banned sports and cultural activities, while Sweden kept most institutions and trainings facilities open. We aimed to compare peoples' attitudes towards authorities and control measures, and effects on life in Norway and Sweden. Design: Anonymous web-based surveys for individuals age 15 or older distributed through Facebook using the snowball method. Setting: Norway and Sweden, mid-March to mid-April, 2020. Participants: Altogether, 3,508 individuals participated in the survey; 3000 in Norway and 508 in Sweden. 79% of the participants were women, 60% of the Norwegians and 47% of the Swedes were between 30-49 years, and around 45% of the participants in both countries had more than 4 years of higher education. Outcome measures: Perceived threat of the pandemic, views on infection control measures, and impact on daily life. We performed descriptive analyses of the responses and compared the two countries. Results: People had high trust in the health services in both countries, but differed in the degree of trust in their government (17% had high trust in Norway and 37% in Sweden). More Norwegians than Swedes agreed that school closure was a good measure (66% Norway and 18% in Sweden), and that countries with open schools were irresponsible (65% in Norway and 23% in Sweden). About the same amount responded that COVID-19 was a large to very large threat to the population (53% in Norway and 58% in Sweden), whereas more Norwegians than Swedes responded that the threat from repercussions of the mitigation measures were large or very large (71% in Norway and 56% in Sweden). Compliance with infection preventive measures was high and similar in the two countries (more than 98%). In Norway, 69% lived a more sedentary life during the pandemic versus 50% in Sweden; and Norwegians reported they ate more than Swedes (44% in Norway and 33% in Sweden). Conclusion: Sweden, with less restrictive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, had a higher level of trust in the authorities, while Norwegians reported a more negative lifestyle during the pandemic. The level of trust in the health care system and self-reported compliance with preventive measures was high in both countries.

scholarly journals Potential impact of seasonal forcing on a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Neher ◽  
Robert Dyrdak ◽  
Valentin Druelle ◽  
Emma B. Hodcroft ◽  
Jan Albert
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Rate Variation ◽  
Small Peak ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) first detected in Wuhan, China, has spread rapidly since December 2019, causing more than 80,000 confirmed infections and 2,700 fatalities (as of Feb 27, 2020). Imported cases and transmission clusters of various sizes have been reported globally suggesting a pandemic is likely.Here, we explore how seasonal variation in transmissibility could modulate a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Data from routine diagnostics show a strong and consistent seasonal variation of the four endemic coronaviruses (229E, HKU1, NL63, OC43) and we parameterize our model for SARS-CoV-2 using these data. The model allows for many subpopulations of different size with variable parameters. Simulations of different scenarios show that plausible parameters result in a small peak in early 2020 in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and a larger peak in winter 2020/2021. Variation in transmission and migration rates can result in substantial variation in prevalence between regions.While the uncertainty in parameters is large, the scenarios we explore show that transient reductions in the incidence rate might be due to a combination of seasonal variation and infection control efforts but do not necessarily mean the epidemic is contained. Seasonal forcing on SARS-CoV-2 should thus be taken into account in the further monitoring of the global transmission. The likely aggregated effect of seasonal variation, infection control measures, and transmission rate variation is a prolonged pandemic wave with lower prevalence at any given time, thereby providing a window of opportunity for better preparation of health care systems.

scholarly journals “Soldiers of the System”: Maternity Care in Russia Between Bureaucratic Instructions and the Epidemiological Risks of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Ozhiganova
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Maternity Care ◽  
Maternal Care ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Severe Infection ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Maternity Hospitals ◽  
Different Types

Preventive measures taken by the Russian maternity care system in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are very tough. Supporting persons (doulas and partners) are being completely excluded from the maternity hospitals. Pregnant women and newborns are distributed in different types of hospitals according to their epidemiological status (confirmed, suspected, contact, or “clear”). Severe infection control measures are introduced for women with confirmed or suspected COVID-19: separation from newborns and weeks of hospital quarantine. How do obstetricians and other perinatal specialists perceive these measures? What strategies do they choose and what new practices are being created? The study is based on interviews conducted between March and August 2020 with obstetricians-gynecologists, midwives, perinatal psychologistsdoulas, and women who gave birth during the pandemic and is focused on their subjective interpretations of COVID-related changes in maternal care. My data indicate that this pandemic with its high risks and uncertainties reveals multiple ethical and organizational conflicts among bureaucratic, managerial and professional logics in Russian health care in which mistrust has played an important role.

How to … effectively motivate and support

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Adrian Ashurst
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The People ◽  
Difficult Times

As daily life continues to be affected by COVID-19 and infection control measures, it can be difficult to sustain energy and motivation, both in yourself and the people around you. Adrian Ashurst discusses some top tips to help support both yourself and those in your care through these difficult times

scholarly journals Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: The Value of Infection Control and Antibiotic Control Policy

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (suppl b) ◽  
pp. 9B-12B ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Canadian Health Care System ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Canadian Health ◽  
Canadian Health Care ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) represent a major challenge for the Canadian health care system. The clinical significance of VRE in the Canadian health care system has increased over the past two decades, with outbreaks reported in Ontario and Quebec, although most provinces have been affected. This organism has been a substantial human and financial burden for Canadian institutions. VRE have been shown to be associated with an increased mortality, a longer hospital stay and a much higher overall cost compared with vancomycinsusceptible strains. Enterococci are now the third most important nosocomial pathogen in American intensive care units. The two most common species,Enterococcus faecalisandEnterococcus faecium, have shown remarkable adaptability in responding to antibiotics. The arrival of VRE in Canada has forced hospitals to implement stringent and costly infection control measures. A multifaceted approach, including antibiotic restriction and stringent infection control measures, is important in managing VRE prevalence in Canadian institutions.

scholarly journals Οικονομική αξιολόγηση του ελληνικού συστήματος υγείας

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Νικόλαος Πολύζος ◽  
Στυλιανός Δρακόπουλος
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Insurance ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Main Element ◽  
International Context ◽  
Continuous Evaluation ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
And Control ◽  
Continuous Measures

<p>International analysis of macro-economic<br />indicators is the main element of economic<br />evaluation of health care systems. Health<br />expenditures have continuously increased<br />both in Greece and in the international context,<br />despite the continuous measures and the<br />reforms. Public fi nancing has remained<br />stable, while private fi nancing has gone<br />up. This situation is even worse in Greece,<br />where serious fi nancial inequalities, either<br />regionally, or among various social insurance<br />funds are predominant. Continuous evaluation<br />and control measures, along with a total<br />reconsideration and reform of fi nancing in<br />the health fi eld of our country will provide the<br />much needed solutions.</p>

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