The Impact of COVID-19 on Staff Working Practices in UK Horseracing

Due to COVID-19, horseracing was required to cease all activity in March 2020; however, little is known about the pandemic’s impact on staff working practices. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on staff working practices during the initial lockdown phases. An online survey about working conditions during lockdown was answered by 287 participants. Chi-squared tests for independence and binary logistic regression (BLR) analysis was undertaken. A total of 53.7% (n = 154) of staff were working during lockdown. Pandemic-specific workplace changes were reported as effective by 87.8% (n = 115) of staff. Flat grooms reported workplace changes as less effective (χ2 (52, n = 131) = 92.996, p < 0.001). A total of 67.2% (n = 193) of staff were positive about job security. Trainers and grooms were significantly less likely to report jobs as secure (χ2 (52, n = 287) = 75.653, p < 0.05). The findings suggest that most of the racing industry positively received changes made by their employers to tackle the pandemic, and for staff still working during lockdown, their health and safety was prioritised. Continued development of employee support structures to promote job security and workforce stability is advised, which will minimise the disruption of staff changes on the care and welfare of the horses.

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Characteristics of visits and predictors of admission from a paediatric emergency room in Saudi Arabia

BMC Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12873-021-00467-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad H. Al-Qahtani ◽

Abdullah A. Yousef ◽

Bassam H. Awary ◽

Waleed H. Albuali ◽

Mohammed A. Al Ghamdi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Hospital Admission ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Total Sample ◽

Age Group ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Improper Use ◽

Level Shifts ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The Emergency Repartment (ER) is one of the most used areas in healthcare institutions. Problems with over utilisation and overcrowding have been reported worldwide. This study aims at examining the characteristics of paediatric ER visits, the rate of hospital admissions and its associated predictors at King Fahd Hospital of the University in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Methods This is a retrospective, medical record-based study. Variables included gender, age group, nationality, complaints, Triage level, shifts and seasons. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies/percentages. P-values were obtained through a Chi-Squared test while unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were estimated by binary logistic regression, where admission was considered as the outcome. Results The total number of paediatric patients included was 46,374, and only 2.5% were admitted. Males comprised 55.4% while females comprised 44.6%. The most common age group were toddlers, and 92.4% of the total sample were Saudis. The most common complaint was fever (26.9%) followed by respiratory symptoms (24.9%). Only 7 patients (0.02%) were classified as triage I (Resuscitation), and most were triage IV (Less urgent) (71.0%). Most visits occurred during the winter months. Adjusted ORs showed that neonates had higher odds of admission (OR = 3.85, 95%CI = 2.57–5.76). Moreover, those presenting with haematological conditions showed an OR of 65.49 (95%CI = 47.85–89.64), followed by endocrine conditions showing an OR of 34.89 (95%CI = 23.65–51.47). Triage I had a very high odds of admission (OR = 19.02, 95%CI = 2.70–133.76), whereas triage V was associated with a very low odds of admission (OR = 0.30, 95%CI = 0.23–0.38). Conclusions A low rate of hospital admission was found in comparison with other rates worldwide. This was mostly attributed to an alarmingly high number of non-urgent ER visits. This further emphasises the problem with improper use of ER services, as these cases should be more appropriately directed towards primary healthcare centres. Further studies to examine the impact of prioritising patients in the ER based on the identified predictors of hospital admission, in addition to the standard triage system, are suggested.

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Challenges and Opportunities: Experiences of Mathematics Lecturers Engaged in Emergency Remote Teaching during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mathematics ◽

10.3390/math9182303 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (18) ◽

pp. 2303

Author(s):

Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn ◽

Olivia Fitzmaurice

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Online Teaching ◽

Online Survey ◽

Prior Experience ◽

Teaching Mathematics ◽

Experience Teaching ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Teaching Of Mathematics ◽

Nature Of Mathematics ◽

The Impact

In this paper, we consider the experiences of mathematics lecturers in higher education and how they moved to emergency remote teaching during the initial university closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was conducted in May–June 2020 which received 257 replies from respondents based in 29 countries. We report on the particular challenges mathematics lecturers perceive there to be around teaching mathematics remotely, as well as any advantages or disadvantages of teaching mathematics online that they report. Over 90% of respondents had little or no prior experience teaching mathematics online, and, initially, 72% found it stressful and 88% thought it time-consuming. 88% felt there was a difference between teaching mathematics in this way compared with other disciplines. Four main types of challenges were associated with emergency remote teaching of mathematics: technical challenges; student challenges; teaching challenges; and the nature of mathematics. Respondents identified flexibility as the main advantage of online teaching, with lack of interaction featuring strongly as a disadvantage. We also consider respondents’ personal circumstances during this time, in terms of working conditions and caring responsibilities and conclude by summarizing the impact they perceive this experience may have upon their future teaching. Forty-six percent% of respondents self-identified as having caring responsibilities, and 61% felt the experience would affect their future teaching.

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The COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on business establishments: a study on challenges and strategic approaches

The Philippine Review of Economics ◽

10.37907/8erp1202jd ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 (1&2) ◽

pp. 185-213

Author(s):

Aurora Hidalgo ◽

Viory Yvonne Janeo ◽

Winston Conrad Padojinog ◽

Cid Terosa ◽

Peter L. U ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Aggregate Demand ◽

Health And Safety ◽

The Philippines ◽

Firm Level ◽

Safety Standards ◽

Business Operations ◽

Survey Results ◽

The Impact

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) commissioned the School of Economics of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) to conduct a study aimed at understanding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on various industry sectors and to draw possible policy measures for both government and private institutions to help the affected sectors deal with the pandemic’s negative effects and gradually return to stable business operations. An online survey of pre-selected thirty-three (33) representatives from key priority sectors which recorded sharp contractions in the first two quarters of 2020 and which had a share to GDP of above 1 percent was conducted. To validate the survey results, stakeholder interviews were also conducted with more than 10 firms via the zoom video conferencing platform. The survey results confirmed the negative impact of the pandemic at the firm-level (i.e., decrease in employee compensation, decline in headcount, loss of revenue and other liquidity crunches, prolonged collection periods, problems in logistics, delayed or cancelled projects and disrupted supply chains and access to labor; among others). Some have had to close branches or altogether cease operations. The sudden and likely permanent shift towards digitization of operations has disrupted operations and exerted pressure to digitally transform business operations in order to survive in the so-called “new normal.” Moreover, this requires investments in equipment and training. Additional costs and investments are also needed to meet health and safety standards and protocols. Thus, required assistance commonly cited by firms were loans, subsidies, and tax relief In the short term, the national government must restore consumer confidence and deploy its fiscal powers to stimulate aggregate demand. With assistance, business can invest in platforms and meeting health and safety protocols for workers and customers to return to work and patronize their business, whether on site or online. Resuscitating the economy is not solely the responsibility of government. It also requires solidarity and coordinated response from the private sector. Over the long term, both government and business must build more resilient organizations and strategies. This would include adopting digital transformation by both private and public sectors for a more nimble and agile economy. Business may also revisit the concept of “coopetition”. The interconnectedness of each industry calls for a more collaborative approach among businesses. When firms who have been negatively affected by the pandemic recover, this can also increase the rate at which the economy bounces back.

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1303. Impact of Pharmacy Type on HIV Viral Suppression at a University-Based HIV Clinic in the Midwest

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofz360.1166 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. S470-S470

Author(s):

Josh Havens ◽

Moses New-Aaron ◽

Yangyang Gao ◽

Qingfeng He ◽

Fadul Nada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Viral Suppression ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Mail Order ◽

Hiv Viral Load ◽

Regimen Adherence ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Hiv Viral Suppression ◽

Mail Order Pharmacy ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background People with HIV (PWH) utilize various pharmacy types beyond the traditional local pharmacy including mail order and specialty pharmacies. Some pharmacies often provide additional adherence services such as refill reminders, expedited delivery, and adherence packaging. Limited data are available describing the relationship between pharmacy type and HIV viral suppression (VS). We evaluated the impact of pharmacy type on VS. Methods We conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort study of PWH (≥19 years) receiving care at a Midwestern HIV clinic between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018, with at least 1 HIV RNA reading during the study period. We collected sociodemographic information, ART regimen, adherence (PDC—percentage of days covered), and clinical characteristics. Patients were stratified by pharmacy type: local (traditional pharmacy without adherence services), local specialty (traditional pharmacy with adherence services and same-day, couriered delivery), and mail order (mail order pharmacy with or without adherence services). Pearson Chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression were used to examine the effect of pharmacy type on VS (HIV viral load ≤50 copies/mL). Results A total of 1014 patients met study criteria; 164 (16%) utilized a local, 720 (71%) local specialty, and 130 (13%) mail order. VS rates were similar between pharmacy types: local (91%), semi-specialty local (88%), and mail order (96%). After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, ART regimen, ART adherence and other clinical characteristics, there was no association between pharmacy type and VS when comparing local and mail to local specialty pharmacy types (local—aOR: 0.98, 95% CI, 0.46–2.12; mail—aOR: 1.65, 95% CI, 0.46–6.0). Factors found to be negatively associated with VS were single marital status (aOR: 0.49; 95% CI, 0.24–0.95), current or historical opportunistic infection (aOR: 0.51; 95% CI, 0.26–0.99), and usage of a multiclass or dual ART regimen (aOR: 0.40; 95% CI, 0.16–0.98). Conclusion Despite additional services offered by some pharmacies, no differences were observed in HIV VS between pharmacy types. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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COVID-19: Impact on United Kingdom Horse Owners

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10101862 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1862

Author(s):

Jane M. Williams ◽

Hayley Randle ◽

David Marlin

Keyword(s):

United Kingdom ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Human Interactions ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Horse Health ◽

The Impact ◽

Horse Owners

COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic on 11 March 2020; the United Kingdom (UK) implemented quarantine measures shortly afterward, resulting in rapid changes in how owners managed and interacted with their horses. This study provides a rapid analysis of the initial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the management of UK leisure and competition horses. A 17 question online survey was distributed via equestrian social media sites to ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on horse and yard management and on human–horse interactions. Frequency analysis combined with Chi-squared and thematic analyses identified the impact of COVID-19 on UK horse owners. Major changes within horse management and horse–human interactions were reported for the majority of horse owners (>65%), regardless of the establishment type or region. Social distancing and visiting restrictions were implemented at most yards, but nearly half were not providing hand sanitization or disinfection protocols for the shared areas/equipment to prevent cross-contamination between users. The financial impact of the pandemic combined with restricted access to veterinary professionals resulted in owners expressing concerns that horse health and welfare may be compromised as a result. Horse owners also felt that the reduced opportunities for horse–human interactions were negatively affecting their mental health and wellbeing.

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Ability to Overcome Border Guards’ Psychological Barriers During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Journal of Mediation & Social Welfare ◽

10.18662/jmsw/2.1/11 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 44-59

Author(s):

Dmytro Oleshko ◽

◽

Maksym Filippov ◽

Yurii Bets ◽

Iryna Basaraba ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Online Survey ◽

Training Programs ◽

Online Training ◽

Online Classes ◽

Psychological Strain ◽

Psychological Barriers ◽

The World ◽

The Impact ◽

Positive Results

The article reveals an analysis of the ability of border guards to overcome psychological barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last few months, the psychological strain in the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic has increased significantly, which has affected the ability of border guards to overcome psychological barriers. The article examines the impact of such psychological support in the form of online classes and provides recommendations for the applied use of the program to develop the ability to overcome border guards’ psychological barriers, developed by the authors. The authors suggested a number of methods to test the ability in order to overcome the psychological barriers of border guards in difficult working conditions, and also tested these methods. To examine the ability of border guards to overcome psychological barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic, an online survey of respondents was conducted. The results of the survey were compared with the results in 2014. The study also included the testing of online training programs, which provided for the simulation of service situations in order to correct the errors that are most common done by officers. A constructive part of the study was the research and analysis of psychoregulation and correction of negative, uncomfortable states, emotional, affective and sensory spheres. At the final stage there was a consolidation of the positive results achieved in the process of classes, discussion by the students of the group of experience, emotions, own states.

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The Impact of COVID – 19 on Employee’s Job Security and Job Satisfaction of Bangladesh

ABC Research Alert ◽

10.18034/abcra.v9i3.584 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 109-126

Author(s):

Monija Islam ◽

Tanveer Muhammad Al-Shams

Keyword(s):

Job Satisfaction ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Service Sector ◽

Job Security ◽

Relative Importance ◽

Survey Questionnaire ◽

College And University ◽

The Impact ◽

Precarious Situation ◽

Satisfaction Factors

This paper presents a comprehensive diagnosis of Job Security and Job Satisfaction of different service sector in Bangladesh. The different service sector job holders are in a precarious situation in terms of their job security. The survey questionnaire was modeled to measure the job security & job satisfaction of an employee in this Covid-19 pandemic. In this study, we investigate the vacillation of job security for different service sector employees. Job security and Job Satisfaction is one of the vexed questions here in the COVID-19 pandemic situation. It focuses on the relative importance of Job Security and job satisfaction factors and their impact on the employment. The result shows that working conditions, chance to try my own methods and co workers harmony are the most important factors contributing to job satisfaction during COVID-19. For this purpose, we formed questionnaire of 300 service sector employees such as Teachers School, College and University; bankers, doctors, engineers etc. to find out the actual scenarios. It also investigates the influence of age, gender and managerial/non managerial differences on the attitude towards job satisfaction. The study also examines the differences between intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction factors. Based on the findings, the employees at different service sector they were slightly satisfied with their jobs. Service sector employees are agonizing mostly due to this problem.

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Impact of COVID-19 on the practice of breast pathologists: a survey of breast pathologists in the UK and Ireland

Journal of Clinical Pathology ◽

10.1136/jclinpath-2021-207725 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jclinpath-2021-207725

Author(s):

Mirna Elghobashy ◽

Lutful Wahab ◽

Anu Gunavardhan ◽

Emma O’Sullivan ◽

Elena Provenzano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Education ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Safety Concern ◽

Rapid Change ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Well Being ◽

Working Practices ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

AimsThere is little information on the impact of COVID-19 on breast pathologists. This survey assessed the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK and Ireland-based breast pathologists to optimise working environments and ensure preparedness for potential future pandemics.MethodsA 35-question survey during the first wave of COVID-19 infections in the UK including questions on workload, working practices, professional development, training, health and safety and well-being was distributed to consultant breast pathologists and responses collected anonymously.ResultsThere were 135 responses from breast pathologists based in the UK and Ireland. Most participants (75.6%) stated that their workload had decreased and their productivity dropped. 86/135 (63.7%) were given the option of working from home and 36% of those who did reported improved efficiency. Multidisciplinary team meetings largely moved to virtual platforms (77.8%) with fewer members present (41.5%). Online education, including webinars and courses, was utilised by 92.6%. 16.3% of pathologists reported shortages of masks, visors or gowns as the the most common health and safety concern. COVID-19 had a significant negative impact on the physical and mental health of 33.3% of respondents. A small number of pathologists (10.4%) were redeployed and/or retrained.ConclusionThe UK and Ireland breast pathologists adapted to the rapid change and maintained service delivery despite the significant impact of the pandemic on their working practices and mental health. It is important to apply flexible working patterns and environments that improve productivity and well-being. The changes suggested should be considered for long-term shaping of breast pathology services.

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Academic Careers in Transnational Higher Education: The Rewards and Challenges of Teaching at International Branch Campuses

Journal of Studies in International Education ◽

10.1177/10283153211052782 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102831532110527

Author(s):

Stephen Wilkins ◽

Carrie Amani Annabi

Keyword(s):

Working Conditions ◽

Online Survey ◽

Academic Staff ◽

Job Security ◽

Survey Questionnaire ◽

Publish Or Perish ◽

Branch Campuses ◽

International Branch Campuses ◽

Transnational Higher Education ◽

Foreign Culture

This research investigates the attitudes, working conditions, experiences, and job satisfaction of academic staff employed at offshore campuses. An online survey questionnaire was completed by 72 academic staff in 10 different countries, which included China, Malaysia, Qatar, the UAE, and Vietnam. It was found that the desire for adventure and travel, and to experience a foreign culture, were the most popular motivations for working at an offshore campus. Common challenges and disadvantages of teaching at an offshore campus are the lack of job security, support for research, academic freedom, and opportunities for development and advancement. However, such academics often have motivated students, smaller class sizes, greater autonomy at work, fewer meetings, higher disposable income, and less of the ‘publish or perish’ culture. Almost three-quarters of our research participants believe that it is possible to have an attractive career teaching in transnational education, at offshore campuses.

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Does the Presence of a Physical Disability Affect Classification of Sexual Assault?

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260521997951 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052199795

Author(s):

Alec Dalton ◽

Dayna Henry ◽

Sarah Blackstone ◽

Julia Passuth ◽

Haley Birchfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

Physical Disability ◽

Online Survey ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽

Clear Trend ◽

Disability Status ◽

The Impact

The occurrence of sexual assault is common and problematic, especially among those with disabilities. While many other characteristics of the victim, perpetrator, and situation involving a sexual assault have been shown to affect perceptions, only one study has examined the impact of a hypothetical victim with a physical disability. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the effect that a victim and/or perpetrator’s physical disability status has on individuals’ classification of encounters as sexual assault. University students over the age of 18 ( n = 207) completed an anonymous online survey which included reading an ambiguous scenario involving a sexual assault in which either the victim, perpetrator or neither was in a wheelchair. Participants classified the scenario as either representing a sexual assault or not and completed the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance scale and demographic information. A binary logistic regression model was conducted to examine the effects of conditions, participant gender and RMA score on sexual assault classification. In the scenario with the victim in a wheelchair, 71.6% of participants agreed sexual assault occurred; when the perpetrator was in a wheelchair 58.6% classified the scenario as sexual assault. In the control condition 61.4% agreed sexual assault occurred. Condition was not associated with classification at a statistically significant level; however, the effect sizes indicate participants were more likely to classify sexual assault when the victim was in a wheelchair (OR = 1.41), but less likely to blame a perpetrator in a wheelchair (OR = 0.69) compared to the control condition. Despite a lack of statistical significance, the data show a clear trend away from blaming individuals with disabilities in sexual assault scenarios. These findings can have implications within the legal system where incorrect decisions may be made due to bias based on disability status.

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