Major Coping-behavior and Risk-perception Factors for the COVID-19 Pandemic and their Psychobehavioral Characteristics

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has dramatically changed people’s behavior, to prevent infection and overcome the general adversity caused by the implementation of infection-prevention measures. Here, we investigated the main coping-behavior and risk-perception factors, and the underlying psychological mechanisms (e.g., psychobehavioral characteristics) of coping behavior. We recruited 2,885 Japanese participants (1,524 women, ages 20–91 years). First, we identified four coping-behavior factors (two related to infection and two related to general adversity) and three risk-perception factors (one related to medical aspects and two related to society). Second, we demonstrated that infection prevention was promoted by female sex and etiquette in the Power to Live scale. General-adversity coping behavior was facilitated by shortages of daily necessities. Thus, we identified four parsimonious coping-behavior factors, as well as the risk-perception factors and demographic and psychobehavioral characteristics that influenced them. These results will benefit strategic approaches to optimize the social response to the pandemic.

SOCIAL FEATURES OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION PREVENTION IN THE STUDENT ENVIRONMENT: ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY

В работе рассматриваются результаты авторского социологического исследования, проведённого в мае 2021 г. Опрос был проведен среди студентов, обучающихся в медицинском институте ФГБОУ ВО «Майкопский государственный технологический университет» («МГТУ»), с целью изучения отношения студенческой молодежи к необходимости соблюдения мер профилактики коронавирусной инфекции, а также к вакцинации населения и отношения к ним студентов медицинских специальностей в период локдауна и после него. Результаты проведённого исследования показали высокую степень ответственности студентов - будущих медиков за своё здоровье и здоровье окружающих. В то же время часть опрошенных демонстрировала в этот период нигилизм по отношению к мерам профилактики COVID-19. Вместе с тем участники опроса продемонстрировали высокий уровень толерантности по отношению к студентам - гражданам других государств, обучающимся вместе с ними. Ответы студентов медицинских специальностей на вопросы анкеты показывают понимание параметрики, смысла и содержания ограничений, введённых в период пандемии, и необходимости соблюдения жителями региона мер, рекомендованных Роспотребнадзором для профилактики и нераспространения коронавирусной инфекции. The work examines the results of the author's sociological study conducted in May 2021. The survey was conducted among students learning at the Medical Institute of the Maykop State University of Technology in order to study the attitude of students to the need to comply with measures to prevent coronavirus infection, as well as to vaccinate the population and the attitude of medical students to them during the lockdown period and after it. The results of the study showed a high degree of responsibility of students - future medical experts for their health and that of others. At the same time, some respondents demonstrated nihilism towards COVID-19 prevention measures during this period. At the same time, the survey participants showed a high level of tolerance towards students - citizens of other states studying with them. The answers of medical students to the questions of the questionnaire show an understanding of the parameters, meaning and content of the restrictions introduced during the pandemic, and the need for residents of the region to comply with the measures recommended by Rospotrebnadzor for the prevention and non-proliferation of coronavirus infection.

New Contraception Update — Annovera, Phexxi, Slynd, and Twirla

Purpose of Review In this review, we discuss the efficacy, safety, and benefits of four new contraceptive products available in the USA, specifically Annovera, Phexxi, Slynd, and Twirla. Recent Findings Annovera is a vaginal ring releasing ethinyl estradiol and segesterone acetate that can be used for up to one year (13 cycles), offering patients an effective, user-controlled option that may improve contraceptive access for those in low-resource settings or those with barriers to retrieving monthly prescriptions; however, given limited efficacy and safety data in people with body mass index (BMI) > 29 kg/m2, clinicians may consider whether Annovera is an appropriate contraceptive method for obese patients if there are other acceptable alternatives. Phexxi prescription-only vaginal gel is a user-controlled, non-hormonal, on-demand contraceptive method that represents a novel addition to the market with its additional uses as a personal lubricant and as a potential microbicide for urogenital infection prevention. Slynd, a drospirenone-only pill, provides more flexibility for delayed or missed pills while maintaining efficacy and a more favorable bleeding profile compared with previously available progestin-only pills. Lastly, Twirla is a transdermal patch releasing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel that offers users an additional option for a user-controlled, combined hormonal contraceptive method without daily dosing; however, prescription is limited to patients with BMI < 30 kg/m2 due to decreased efficacy and VTE events in people with obesity. Summary The addition of these products expands the available options for pregnancy prevention to address unmet contraceptive needs.

Six Moments of Infection Prevention in Injection Drug Use: An Educational Toolkit for Clinicians

Background Injection drug use-associated bacterial and viral infections are increasing. Expanding access to harm reduction services, such as safe injection education, are effective prevention strategies. However, these strategies have had limited uptake. New tools are needed to improve provider capacity to facilitate dissemination of these evidence-based interventions. Methods The “Six Moments of Harm Reduction” provider educational tool was developed using a global, rather than pathogen-specific, infection prevention framework, highlighting the prevention of invasive bacterial and fungal infections in additional to viral pathogens. The tool’s effectiveness was tested using a short, paired pre/post survey that assessed provider knowledge and attitudes about harm reduction. Results N=75 respondents completed the paired surveys. At baseline, 17 respondents (22.6%) indicated that they had received no prior training in harm reduction and 28 (37.3%) reported discomfort counseling patients who inject drugs (PWID). 60 respondents (80.0%) reported they had never referred a patient to a syringe service program (SSP) and, of those, 73.3% cited lack of knowledge regarding locations of SSPs and 40.0% reported not knowing where to access information regarding SSPs. After the training, 66 (88.0%) reported that they felt more comfortable educating PWID (p&lt;0.0001), 65 respondents (86.6%) reported they planned to use the “Six Moments” model in their own practice, and 100% said they would consider referring patients to a SSP in the future. Conclusions The “Six Moments” model emphasizes the importance of a global approach to infection prevention and harm reduction. This educational intervention can be used as part of a bundle of implementation strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality in PWID.

Assessment of risk perception and risk communication regarding COVID-19 among healthcare providers: An explanatory sequential mixed-method study in Bangladesh

Background: Any public health emergency demands adequate risk communication with the vulnerable population along with their optimized perception about the impending risk to ensure proper risk management and crisis control. Hence, we conducted this study to explore healthcare providers’ perceptions regarding risks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as how they are being communicated to about the risk, and how they practice risk reduction measures. Methods: We conducted a two-phased explanatory sequential mixed-method study among physicians and nurses from randomly selected tertiary healthcare facilities in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. In the first phase, we assessed the general pattern and quantifiable measures of risk perception, risk communication, and infection prevention practices quantitatively. We performed multiple linear regression analyses to explore how much variability of risk perception was predicted by risk communication methods and contents. In the second phase, we collected qualitative data for in-depth understanding and exploration of participants’ experiences and insights regarding COVID-19 risk through interviews and document reviews. We manually performed thematic content analysis of the qualitative data. Finally, we triangulated findings from both phases to illustrate the research objectives. Discussion: Based on the psychometric dimensions of risk perception and psycho-social theory of the health belief model, perceptions of COVID-19 risk among healthcare providers were evaluated in this study. The relationship between risk perception and infection prevention and control practices among healthcare providers were also investigated. The explanatory sequential design of this study is expected to generate hypotheses on how risk perception is being shaped in a time of uncertainty and, thus, will help to build a proper risk communication strategy for the healthcare providers

Effect of Frequent Vaginal Saline Lavage On Maternal Infection Prevention During Mechanical Labor Induction

Background: Induction of labor is performed in up to 25% of pregnancies. The major concern in mechanical labor induction is that it increases the chance of infection when a foreign device is introduced into the cervix. The aim of the study is to test the effectiveness of a vagina saline lavage procedure on infection prevention during labor induction by transcervical double balloon catheter.Methods: Enrolled pregnant women were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received standard aseptic vaginal cleansing with 5% betadine solution. In addition to the standard aseptic preparation, the study group received vaginal lavage with 0.9% saline solution before the device placement and once every 4 hours after the insertion. Results: There was no statistical difference in the demographic characteristics or the indications for induction between the two groups (P > 0.1). The final delivery modes and complication rates were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the two groups, except for the maternal infection rate (P < 0.05). The rate of infection dropped from 10.6% to 2.9% when the frequent vaginal lavage procedure was performed. Conclusions: Excessive vaginal aseptic preparation by saline solution is easy to apply, safe and effective in reducing maternal infection during mechanical labor induction.

The ongoing challenge of managing and preventing hospital-acquired infections

Lucy Williamson discusses the issues that often lie behind non-compliance with infection prevention strategies among healthcare staff, and how managers can improve compliance by facilitating cultural change.