scholarly journals COVID-19 Lockdown Effects on Academic Functioning, Mood, and Health Correlates: Data from Dutch Pharmacy Students, PhD Candidates and Postdocs

Data ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Pauline A. Hendriksen ◽  
Agnese Merlo ◽  
Elisabeth Y. Bijlsma ◽  
Ferdi Engels ◽  
Johan Garssen ◽  
...  

Mixed results have been published on the impact of the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its associated lockdown periods on academic functioning, mood, and health correlates such as alcohol consumption. Whereas a number of students report an impaired academic performance and increased alcohol intake during lockdown periods, other students report no change or an improvement in academic functioning and a reduced alcohol consumption. This data descriptor article describes the dataset of a study investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic functioning. To investigate this, an online survey was conducted among Dutch pharmacy students, PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers (postdocs) of Utrecht University, the Netherlands. Compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, the survey assessed possible changes in self-reported academic functioning, mood and health correlates such as alcohol consumption, perceived immune functioning and sleep quality. Retrospective assessments were made for four periods, including (1) the year 2019 (the period before COVID-19), (2) the first lockdown period (15 March–11 May 2020), (3) summer 2020 (no lockdown) and (4) the second lockdown (November 2020–April 2021). This article describes the content of the survey and corresponding dataset. The survey had a response rate of 24.3% and was completed by 345 participants.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (22) ◽  
pp. 5332
Author(s):  
Agnese Merlo ◽  
Pauline A. Hendriksen ◽  
Johan Garssen ◽  
Elisabeth Y. Bijlsma ◽  
Ferdi Engels ◽  
...  

In the Netherlands, the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on daily life, with two extensive lockdowns enforced to combat the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These measures included the closure of bars and restaurants, and the transition from face-to-face to online education. A survey was conducted among Dutch pharmacy students and PhD-candidates to investigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on alcohol consumption, hangovers, and academic functioning. The analysis revealed a significant reduction in both quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 lockdown periods. This was accompanied with a significant reduction in hangover frequency and lower hangover severity during COVID-19 lockdown periods. The distribution of scores on academic performance showed great variability between respondents: while some participants reported impairment, others reported improved performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, or no change. Women reported that significantly more time investment was associated with maintaining these performance levels. Consistent among participants was the notion of reduced interactions with teachers and other students. Participants who reported more hangovers and most severe hangovers before COVID-19 benefited from the lockdown periods in terms of improved academic performance. Positive correlations were found between study grades/output and both the frequency and severity of hangovers experienced before COVID-19, suggesting that heavier drinkers, in particular, improved academic performance during the lockdown periods. In conclusion, COVID-19 lockdowns were associated with a significant reduction in both alcohol consumption and experiencing hangovers, which was, among heavier drinkers particularly, associated with significantly improved academic functioning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-193
Author(s):  
Kacem Abdelhadi ◽  
Houar Abdelatif ◽  
Zerf Mohamed ◽  
Bengoua Ali

SummaryThis study tests the impact of COVID-19 on sleep of Algerian population before and during the COVID-19 quarantine by an estimated online survey, adapted from the PSQI Italian version. Including 1210 participants (age between 18-60 years old). The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 22.0 software. Our results showed a significant change in sleeping quality during quarantine, the sleep timing markedly changed, we also noticed additional use of sleeping medications. Algerian scientists recommend to build public awareness and to provide necessary information regarding Algerian sleep quality, especially for Algerian adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah De Pue ◽  
Céline Gillebert ◽  
Eva Dierckx ◽  
Marie-Anne Vanderhasselt ◽  
Rudi De Raedt ◽  
...  

AbstractCOVID-19 took a heavy toll on older adults. In Belgium, by the end of August, 93% of deaths due to COVID-19 were aged 65 or older. Similar trends were observed in other countries. As a consequence, older adults were identified as a group at risk, and strict governmental restrictions were imposed on them. This has caused concerns about their mental health. Using an online survey, this study established the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults aged 65 years or older, and which factors moderate this impact. Participants reported a significant decrease in activity level, sleep quality and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression was strongly related to reported declines in activity level, sleep quality, wellbeing and cognitive functioning. Our study shows that the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the mental health of older adults. This implies that this group at risk requires attention of governments and healthcare.


1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 139-145
Author(s):  
Georg Høyer ◽  
Odd Nilssen ◽  
Tormod Brenn ◽  
Helge Schirmer

Although the archipelago of Svalbard is a part of Norway (situated 78 degrees north), the area is subject to a different alcohol policy than on the Norwegian mainland. In Svalbard, the prices of alcohol are low (in comparison to those on the mainland): however, personal quotas are in force in order to control sales. This study compares the level of alcohol consumption on Svalbard and on the Norwegian mainland. The comparison is based on self-reports of alcohol consumption. In Svalbard all of the residents eighteen years or older were screened by a self-administered questionnaire: alcohol consumption was recorded as an intake of alcohol measured in units during the last week before filling in the questionnaire. On the mainland, the recording was carried out through personal interviews in which respondents were asked about the frequency of alcohol intake and the average amount of intake for each episode in representative periods. The results showed that men in Svalbard consumed 1.7 times more alcohol then the men consumed on the mainland: women, 1.4 times more. The increased level of alcohol consumption can primarily be explained by the lower prices of alcohol in Svalbard. Thus this study strongly confirms the results of other studies which stress the impact of prices on the levels of alcohol consumption.


2020 ◽  
pp. 107815522092154
Author(s):  
Beth V Clayton ◽  
Shereen Nabhani-Gebara

Accompanied suicide is a controversial topic with varying practice across Europe; therefore, there is very little guidance on how healthcare professionals should be educated on accompanied suicide. This study implemented an anonymous, cross-sectional online survey to discover the perceptions of final-year MPharm students on accompanied suicide and the factors affecting one’s views, with the aim of investigating the knowledge, awareness and opinions of pharmacy students regarding accompanied suicide, as well as education to pharmacy students. Surveys were disseminated to final-year pharmacy students at Kingston University between January and March 2019. The survey comprised of three sections: Section A consisting of definitions – to determine knowledge of pharmacy students. Section B including case studies – to understand the opinions of pharmacy students and identify influential patient factors. Section C involving demographics – to discover the influential participant factors. An ethics application was submitted and approved prior to conducting this study. The data yielded a total of 111 responses out of a possible 139 (80% response rate); 77.5% participants were unable to correctly define each term given, with many also agreeing their lack of knowledge affected their views. Overall, most pharmacy students disagreed with accompanied suicide, regardless of the patient factors. Additionally, religious participants were more likely to disagree with the patient request ( p < 0.03). Three recommendations were concluded to improve the education of pharmacy students: (1) an approved medical organisation to specifically define terminology, (2) include accompanied suicide in the pharmacy syllabus and (3) include lesser known terminal illnesses on the pharmacy syllabus.


Author(s):  
Karina Conde ◽  
Paula Victoria Gimenez ◽  
Tomás Salomón ◽  
Raquel Inés Peltzer ◽  
Sebastián Laspiur ◽  
...  

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and isolation measures on alcohol consumption remains unknown among Latin-American countries. This paper characterizes differences in alcohol consumption and related problems before and after the pandemic among Argentinians from different genders, age groups, income levels, and behaviors regarding the acquisition of alcoholic beverages. Through an online survey 1446 participants were assessed regarding four alcohol consumption dimensions (frequency, quantity, heavy episodic drinking -HED- and alcohol-related problems) three months prior and after the first cases in the country and subsequent lockdown measures. Overall, participants reported small reductions for usual consumption and moderate ones for HED and related problems. As expected, very high reductions were found for those underage (14 to 18 years), and young adults (19 to 24 years). Those who had an increase in income after the pandemic did not report changes in consumption, while those whose income remained equal or lowered reported reductions. Those who did not report special behaviors to acquire alcohol (e.g. pre-stocking) informed decreases in consumption compared to those who did. This study provides new evidence on the impact of environmental factors in public health, suggesting restricted access to alcohol generates a significant decrease in alcohol consumption and related problems.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulqadir J. Nashwan ◽  
Ahmad A. Abujaber ◽  
Ahmed S. Mohamed ◽  
Ralph C. Villar ◽  
Mahmood M. Al-Jabry

Abstract Aim: This study aims to assess the impact of nurses’ knowledge and attitude toward Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a predictor for their willingness to work with patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Qatar. Design: A cross-sectional study.Methods: A self-administered, 35-item online survey was circulated to the registered nurses and midwives working in Hamad Medical Corporation; the principle healthcare provider in Qatar. Results: A total of 580 attempts to complete the survey. Of them, 377 completed surveys with a response rate of 65%. Logistic regression was used to predict nurses’ willingness to work with patients with COVID-19. Two main factors were found to be significant predictors for nurses’ willingness; knowledge level and the expected remuneration that is associated with the level of exposure to risk. The findings of this study may help nursing leaders design educational programs and remuneration models that may help boost nurses’ willingness to work with high-risk patient groups, especially during crisis situations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 249-259
Author(s):  
Abdulmuminu Isah ◽  
Deborah Oyine Aluh ◽  
Abubakar Abba ◽  
Patrick Ogbonna Chukwu ◽  
Ebere Mercy Okpara ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria led to a national lockdown that resulted in the suspension of academic activities. Objective: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 national lockdown on pharmacy students’ productivity and their coping strategies. Methods: This study involved the cross-sectional collection of responses from undergraduate students of six Nigerian schools of pharmacy. Data was collected using a structured, validated questionnaire in the form of Google form. The data was entered into a statistical product and service solutions software (SPSS, version-25) for analysis. Results: A total of 808 students responded to the questionnaire. The majority of the students’ responses (757, 93.7%) showed that their reading duration had decreased during the lockdown. The most missed variable during the closure by students was ‘school life’ (303, 37.5%). The use of social media (133, 16.5%) was the most common coping strategy. The majority of the students, 544 (67.3%), agreed to participate in the virtual mode of learning. The cost of data was the main challenge to online learning by the students (288, 36.0%). Conclusion: This study shows that the productivity of pharmacy students decreased during the COVID-19 lockdown. Social media and business activities were the most common coping mechanisms of pharmacy students. Pharmacy students were willing to accept virtual learning despite possible challenges.


Author(s):  
Robert Stanton ◽  
Quyen G. To ◽  
Saman Khalesi ◽  
Susan L. Williams ◽  
Stephanie J. Alley ◽  
...  

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has enforced dramatic changes to daily living including economic and health impacts. Evidence for the impact of these changes on our physical and mental health and health behaviors is limited. We examined the associations between psychological distress and changes in selected health behaviors since the onset of COVID-19 in Australia. An online survey was distributed in April 2020 and included measures of depression, anxiety, stress, physical activity, sleep, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking. The survey was completed by 1491 adults (mean age 50.5 ± 14.9 years, 67% female). Negative change was reported for physical activity (48.9%), sleep (40.7%), alcohol (26.6%) and smoking (6.9%) since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Significantly higher scores in one or more psychological distress states were found for females, and those not in a relationship, in the lowest income category, aged 18–45 years, or with a chronic illness. Negative changes in physical activity, sleep, smoking and alcohol intake were associated with higher depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. Health-promotion strategies directed at adopting or maintaining positive health-related behaviors should be utilized to address increases in psychological distress during the pandemic. Ongoing evaluation of the impact of lifestyle changes associated with the pandemic is needed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-92
Author(s):  
Sebastian Sieberichs ◽  
Annette Kluge

Abstract. Fatigue is a frequent phenomenon for pilots doing shift work and working in changing time zones. Napping or increased cockpit lighting, so-called in-flight countermeasures, may help pilots mitigate the symptoms of acute fatigue. This study investigated the impact of napping on sleep quality and the effect of in-flight countermeasures on how often pilots notice fatigue symptoms when feeling tired. In total, 106 German-speaking pilots participated in an online survey. The results showed a medium correlation between napping and improved sleep quality (r = .32) and a low-to-medium correlation between a frequent usage of in-flight countermeasures and less acute physical fatigue symptoms (r = −.22). Officers indicate using napping more often than captains do (d = .70). Further research should investigate how cabin crew members can benefit from mitigating measures.


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