scholarly journals Meeting the Mental Health Needs of College Student-Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Women ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Kobi V. Ajayi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
The United States ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Remote Work ◽  
Student Mothers ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Rapid Spread

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is the deadliest public health emergency in the twenty-first century. To mitigate the rapid spread of the virus, institutions around the globe, including higher education, instituted infection control measures such as social distancing and restricted movements with virtual/remote work and learning environments. These changes, including the pandemic-related stressors, are associated with poor mental health among college students. However, student-mothers may encounter an aggravated psychological impact of the pandemic because of their competing and challenging intersecting roles. Multipronged strategies and targeted-mental health services that consider the needs of student-mothers, their children, and families are encouraged to mitigate the pandemic’s impact. Doing so has important implications for public health, policy, and research.

Abstract 225: The Adverse Mental Health Impact of Emergency Medical Services Related Public Health Messaging for Cardiac Arrest Patients During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Preston ◽  
Edmund Shen ◽  
Sabine L. Abukhadra ◽  
David Roh ◽  
Soojin Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Health Messaging

Introduction: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, various emergency medical services (EMS) and health agencies in New York City (NYC), and other hard-hit cities, issued new guidelines terminating resuscitation efforts in cases of out of hospital cardiac arrests (CA). This guidance was issued to protect the health and safety of EMS providers, to conserve hospital resources, and to ensure optimal use of equipment to save the greatest number of lives. However, the psychological impact of this public health messaging on existing CA survivors has not yet been studied. Methods: Between 5/15 - 5/18 of 2020, a month after the NYC COVID-19 pandemic peak, CA survivors from an ongoing, prospective study, were invited to participate in a telephone-based assessment of the pandemic’s impact on psychological and behavioral dimensions. COVID-19 anxiety was assessed using the 7-item Perceived Coronavirus Threat Questionnaire (PCTQ; e.g., “I am stressed around other people because I worry I’ll catch the coronavirus;” range 1-42). Survivors’ self-reported fear and uncertainty in receiving immediate life-saving care in the event of a CA due to recent public health messaging was assessed on a 5-point Likert-scale (Not at all—extremely). Results: Of 100 approached, 75 CA survivors participated (53% male; age 61±15 years; 44% non-Hispanic White, 20% Black, and 31% Latinx). The majority, 63 of 75 (84%), had no COVID-19 symptoms or had not been tested. The median COVID-19 anxiety score was 28 (interquartile range [IQR]: 21-37). Participants who were “very to extremely” afraid that emergency care would not come if they had another CA made up 45% (34 of 75; 95% C.I: 34-57) and scored 1 SD higher (mean±SD 34±6 vs 23±9, p<0.001) on COVID-19 anxiety scores than those with little fear about the availability of emergency care. The association was significant after adjusting for age, race, sex, and COVID-19 testing status (Odds Ratio = 1.17; 95% CI: [1.079, 1.274]; p<0.001). Conclusion: A better understanding of the potential psychological impact of disaster-related public health messaging is needed to prevent campaigns from causing additional distress and contributing to poor mental health and quality of life.

Recent Attitudes toward ADHD in the Broader Community: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 108705472110036
Author(s):  
Matthew Bisset ◽  
Leanne Winter ◽  
Christel M. Middeldorp ◽  
David Coghill ◽  
Nardia Zendarski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Community Attitudes ◽  
Standardized Protocol

Objective: This review aimed to understand the broader community’s attitudes toward ADHD, which could facilitate public health interventions to improve outcomes for individuals with ADHD. Methods: A standardized protocol identified peer-reviewed studies focusing on attitudes of broader community samples, published from January 2014 to February 2020 (inclusive). Results: A total of 1,318 articles were screened and 10 studies were included, examining attitudes of broader community samples from Australia, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Korea, Indonesia, and the United States. Findings revealed that broader community samples displayed varying degrees of ADHD-related knowledge, negative attitudes (that ADHD is over-diagnosed; that pharmacological treatment is not acceptable; that those with ADHD are more likely to exhibit poor behavior), and a desire for maintaining social distance from individuals with ADHD. Conclusion: Findings suggest that community attitudes are generally negative toward those with ADHD. Targeted mental health literacy could provide an important avenue for improving the broader community’s attitudes toward those with ADHD.

scholarly journals Aggressive Colonization Screening and Infection Control Measures in Containment of NDM-5 Carbapenemase-Producing CRE

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s458-s459
Author(s):  
Ishrat Kamal-Ahmed ◽  
Kate Tyner ◽  
Teresa Fitzgerald ◽  
Heather Adele Moulton-Meissner ◽  
Gillian McAllister ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Acute Care Hospital ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Clinical Culture ◽  
Medical Histories ◽  
Asymptomatic Case

Background: In April 2019, Nebraska Public Health Laboratory identified an NDM-producing Enterobacter cloacae from a urine sample from a rehabilitation inpatient who had recently received care in a specialized unit (unit A) of an acute-care hospital (ACH-A). After additional infections occurred at ACH-A, we conducted a public health investigation to contain spread. Methods: A case was defined as isolation of NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) from a patient with history of admission to ACH-A in 2019. We conducted clinical culture surveillance, and we offered colonization screening for carbapenemase-producing organisms to all patients admitted to unit A since February 2019. We assessed healthcare facility infection control practices in ACH-A and epidemiologically linked facilities by visits from the ICAP (Infection Control Assessment and Promotion) Program. The recent medical histories of case patients were reviewed. Isolates were evaluated by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Results: Through June 2019, 7 cases were identified from 6 case patients: 4 from clinical cultures and 3 from 258 colonization screens including 1 prior unit A patient detected as an outpatient (Fig. 1). Organisms isolated were Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 5), E. cloacae (n = 1), and Citrobacter freundii (n = 1); 1 patient had both NDM-producing K. pneumoniae and C. freundii. Also, 5 case patients had overlapping stays in unit A during February–May 2019 (Fig. 2); common exposures in unit A included rooms in close proximity, inhabiting the same room at different times and shared caregivers. One case-patient was not admitted to unit A but shared caregivers, equipment, and devices (including a colonoscope) with other case patients while admitted to other ACH-A units. No case patients reported travel outside the United States. Screening at epidemiologically linked facilities and clinical culture surveillance showed no evidence of transmission beyond ACH-A. Infection control assessments at ACH-A revealed deficiencies in hand hygiene, contact precautions adherence, and incomplete cleaning of shared equipment within and used to transport to/from a treatment room in unit A. Following implementation of recommended infection control interventions, no further cases were identified. Finally, 5 K. pneumoniae of ST-273 were related by WGS including carriage of NDM-5 and IncX3 plasmid supporting transmission of this strain. Further analysis is required to relate IncX3 plasmid carriage and potential transmission to other organisms and sequence types identified in this study. Conclusions: We identified a multiorganism outbreak of NDM-5–producing CRE in an ACH specialty care unit. Transmission was controlled through improved infection control practices and extensive colonization screening to identify asymptomatic case-patients. Multiple species with NDM-5 were identified, highlighting the potential role of genotype-based surveillance.Funding: NoneDisclosures: Muhammad Salman Ashraf reports that he is the principal investigator for a study funded by an investigator-initiated research grant.

scholarly journals Prepregnancy Depression and Breastfeeding Duration: A Look at Maternal Age

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordyn T. Wallenborn ◽  
Anny-Claude Joseph ◽  
Whitney C. Graves ◽  
Saba W. Masho
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Breastfeeding Duration ◽  
Pregnancy Risk ◽  
Care Models ◽  
History Of

Background. In the United States, major depressive disorder affects one in five women aged 20-40 years. During these childbearing years, depression can negatively impact maternal behaviors that are crucial for infant growth and development. This study examined the relationship between prepregnancy depression and breastfeeding duration by maternal age. Methods. Data from Phase 7 (2012-2013) of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (N=62,483) were analyzed. Prepregnancy depression was dichotomized while breastfeeding duration was categorized as never breastfed, breastfed 8 weeks or less, and breastfed more than 8 weeks. Maternal age was a significant effect modifier; therefore, results were stratified by maternal age. Multinomial logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results. For women aged 20-24, 25-29, and 30-34 years with prepregnancy depression, the odds of never breastfeeding and breastfeeding 8 weeks or less were significantly higher than in women with no history of prepregnancy depression. Notably, among women aged 25-29 with prepregnancy depression, the odds of never breastfeeding and breastfeeding 8 weeks or less were 93% (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.93, 95% CI =1.57-2.37) and 65% (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.37-1.99) higher compared to women with no history of prepregnancy depression, respectively. Conclusions. Having a history of poor mental health before pregnancy may increase the likelihood of premature breastfeeding cessation. A woman’s mental health status before pregnancy should be considered in reproductive and prenatal care models. Efforts should be made to understand challenges women of specific age groups face when trying to breastfeed.

scholarly journals Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Emerging and Future Challenges for Dental and Oral Medicine

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Meng ◽  
F. Hua ◽  
Z. Bian
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
The World ◽  
Essential Knowledge ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), originating in Wuhan, China, has become a major public health challenge for not only China but also countries around the world. The World Health Organization announced that the outbreaks of the novel coronavirus have constituted a public health emergency of international concern. As of February 26, 2020, COVID-19 has been recognized in 34 countries, with a total of 80,239 laboratory-confirmed cases and 2,700 deaths. Infection control measures are necessary to prevent the virus from further spreading and to help control the epidemic situation. Due to the characteristics of dental settings, the risk of cross infection can be high between patients and dental practitioners. For dental practices and hospitals in areas that are (potentially) affected with COVID-19, strict and effective infection control protocols are urgently needed. This article, based on our experience and relevant guidelines and research, introduces essential knowledge about COVID-19 and nosocomial infection in dental settings and provides recommended management protocols for dental practitioners and students in (potentially) affected areas.

scholarly journals Content Analysis of the Free COVID-19 Telephone Consultations Available during the First Wave of the Pandemic in Japan

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1593
Author(s):  
Kyoko Yoshioka-Maeda ◽  
Yuka Sumikawa ◽  
Noriha Tanaka ◽  
Chikako Honda ◽  
Riho Iwasaki-Motegi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Consultation Services

This cross-sectional study aimed to (1) describe the unclassified contents of telephone consultation services provided by a public health center during the first wave of COVID-19 in Japan and (2) examine whether the contents required assistance from public health nurses (PHNs). We analyzed a total of 207 calls in which the purpose of the call was unclassified into pre-set categories. PHNs transcribed the exact text of the consultation conversations recorded from 25 March to 20 April 2020 in City A. Approximately half of the calls were from residents. Seven categories were extracted through a qualitative content analysis. The most common topic was infection control measures, where the presence of COVID-19 infection was assumed (n = 62); the second most common was extreme anxiety and fear of infection (n = 50). Questions about the COVID-19 response system (n = 30), discrimination and misunderstandings about COVID-19 (n = 24), and response measures for COVID-19 outbreaks within organizations (n = 18) were also included. The unclassified consultations included various topics, several of which required the expertise of a PHN. Each local government should consider sharing and task-shifting telephone consultation services among PHNs and other staff to reduce their burden and allow them to concentrate on conducting infection control more effectively.

scholarly journals COVID-19: A HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
pp. 57-81
Author(s):  
SHEENA WONG ◽  
GOH JING EN ◽  
DAVID KOH
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Rapid Characterization ◽  
Silver Lining

A severe pneumonia of an unknown origin was reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The disease, now known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has evolved into a public health emergency of international concern and wreaked worldwide havoc. An unprecedented and vigorous scientific response has allowed the accelerated discovery of the virus and reliable diagnostic methods; a rapid characterization of the disease and its impacts so as to better apply precautionary and public health measures; and resulted in remarkable progress in the development of mitigation strategies, including the development of vaccines at breakneck speed. This paper provides a health perspective of the virus and the pandemic it caused, based on available best evidence. Controversies surrounding the origin of the virus, its incubation period and infectivity, presentation and course of the disease, testing, as well as treatments and vaccinations are highlighted. The pandemic response, including infection control measures, and considerations on mental and economic health, alongside physical health is discussed. Moving forward, it is important that the global community is aware and better informed. More resources are needed to strengthen public health systems and healthcare infrastructure and delivery. This virus has the potential to persist and become endemic and seasonal in communities. Thus, non-pharmaceutical interventions (e.g. wearing masks, frequent hand washing, etc.) might become the new normal in a post-pandemic world. The silver lining in the COVID-19 cloud may be the lessons it provides, so that we may be better prepared to respond to an inevitable next pandemic.

scholarly journals Mumps: an Update on Outbreaks, Vaccine Efficacy, and Genomic Diversity

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Lam ◽  
Jennifer B. Rosen ◽  
Jane R. Zucker
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mumps Virus ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Genomic Diversity ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Mmr Vaccine

SUMMARY Mumps is an acute viral infection characterized by inflammation of the parotid and other salivary glands. Persons with mumps are infectious from 2 days before through 5 days after parotitis onset, and transmission is through respiratory droplets. Despite the success of mumps vaccination programs in the United States and parts of Europe, a recent increase in outbreaks of mumps virus infections among fully vaccinated populations has been reported. Although the effectiveness of the mumps virus component of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is suboptimal, a range of contributing factors has led to these outbreaks occurring in high-vaccination-coverage settings, including the intensity of exposure, the possibility of vaccine strain mismatch, delayed implementation of control measures due to the timeliness of reporting, a lack of use of appropriate laboratory tests (such as reverse transcription-PCR), and time since last vaccination. The resurgence of mumps virus infections among previously vaccinated individuals over the past decade has prompted discussions about new strategies to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks. The decision to implement a third dose of the MMR vaccine in response to an outbreak should be considered in discussions with local public health agencies. Traditional public health measures, including the isolation of infectious persons, timely contact tracing, and effective communication and awareness education for the public and medical community, should remain key interventions for outbreak control. Maintaining high mumps vaccination coverage remains key to U.S. and global efforts to reduce disease incidence and rates of complications.

scholarly journals Investigating the effect of social networking site use on mental health in an 18–34 year-old general population; a cross-sectional study using the 2016 Scania Public Health Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Stella Scott ◽  
Catarina Canivet ◽  
Per-Olof Östergren
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Effect Modification ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Health Survey

Abstract Background Social Networking Sites (SNS) are commonly used, especially by young adults. Their impact on mental health is unclear. Moreover, little is known about how social factors, e.g. Perceived Emotional Support (PES), may affect this association. Mental health issues are increasingly burdening the young generation and society as a whole. This study aims to investigate the association between frequency of SNS use and number of SNS contacts with the mental health of a young, Swedish population. Additionally, the potential effect modification of PES will be analysed in regard to these relationships. Method This cross-sectional study applied logistic regression analyses to data on 1341 participants (aged 18–34), retrieved from the Scania Public Health Survey (2016). Analyses were stratified by gender and the GHQ-12 scale assessed poor mental health. A 2-way interaction model was used to test for effect modification by PES regarding the association between SNS use and mental health. Results Increased risk for poor mental health was found in women only. Using SNS almost hourly vs. less often resulted in an odds ratio (OR) of 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16–2.38). The corresponding figures for having ≥600 contacts vs. ≤599 were (1.89; 1.21–2.97). Having low PES and using SNS almost hourly was associated with an OR of 3.12 (CI = 1.69–5.76; synergy index (SI) = 1.25). Low PES and ≥ 600 contacts resulted in an OR of 6.07 (CI = 1.73–21.33), whereby interaction was detected (SI = 2.88). Conclusion Women, but not men, with frequent SNS use and a high number of SNS contacts were more likely to have poor mental health, which was exacerbated in women with low PES. Facilitating PES could be an approach for improving mental health among young adults. Future studies on the use of SNS should focus more on gender analyses.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document