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Kasatpibal N, Viseskul N, Untong A, Thummathai K, Kamnon K, Sangkampang S, Tokilay R, Assawapalanggool S, Apisarnthanarak A. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Thai population: Delineating the effects of the pandemic and policy measures. ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP & HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY : ASHE 2023; 3:e241. [PMID: 38156233 PMCID: PMC10753483 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2023.523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to determine the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and policy measures and delineate the impact of each on a cohort of Thai citizens. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,500 Thai people from October 2020 to January 2021. A questionnaire collecting demographic information and other data was sent to eligible subjects. Results Overall, 51.6% and 49.5% of participants felt the impacts of COVID-19 and policy measures at the highest level, respectively. The study demonstrated that the weighted effect of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak was statistically (p < .001) greater than that of policy measures on family (0.664 vs 0.618), education (0.562 vs 0.557), and the economy (0.643 vs 0.572). The weighted effect of the impact of policy measures was statistically (p < .001) greater than that of the COVID-19 pandemic on people's daily activities (0.675 vs 0.651), cultural/traditional or community way of life (0.769 vs 0.736), access to healthcare services and infection prevention supplies (0.410 vs 0.390), and mental health (0.625 vs 0.584). Conclusions About half of the participants had a high level of impact from both the COVID-19 pandemic and policy measures. The results of this study suggest that policy measures need to be judged with caution, and the government should provide more comprehensive support to reduce the impact on people's lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nongyao Kasatpibal
- Division of Nursing Science, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Epidemiology Research Center of Infectious Disease (ERCID), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Nongkran Viseskul
- Division of Nursing Science, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Epidemiology Research Center of Infectious Disease (ERCID), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Akarapong Untong
- School of Tourism Development, Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Yin Z, Guo W, Wang Y. The Effect of Psychological Distress on Adolescents' Academic Engagement: The Roles of Social-Emotional Competence and Teachers' Caring Behavior. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:5011-5021. [PMID: 38107444 PMCID: PMC10725697 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s438998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The relationship between psychological distress (PD) and academic engagement (AE) in adolescents is widely recognized. However, there is a lack of research on the mechanisms behind this correlation, especially in COVID-19 pandemic policy liberalization. This study proposed a moderated mediation model to determine the mediating role of social-emotional competence (SEC) between PD and AE and the moderating role of teachers' caring behavior (TCB). Patients and methods The moderated mediation model was tested by PROCESS macro developed based on SPSS with Chinese adolescents aged 13-18 years (n = 8625; male 50.5%) as survey respondents. Multiple scales, including the 6-item Kessler PD Scale, SEC Scale, TCB Scale, and AE Scale, were used in this test. Results Adolescent PD negatively predicted AE. In addition, SEC partially mediated the relationship between adolescent PD and AE. TCB moderated the direct and indirect relationships between PD and AE, which mitigated the negative effect of PD on AE and enhanced the positive effect of SEC on AE. Conclusion Adolescent SEC and TCB are essential in mediating PD and AE. This study provided instructions for schools and teachers to intervene in adolescents' PD and academic problems, such as improving SEC and engaging in TCB in an adequate and timely manner. In addition, these findings provided vital references for adolescent mental health interventions in future large-scale public health events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Yin
- School of Teacher Education, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wanying Guo
- Overseas Education College, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Wang
- College of Education, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
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3
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Jawad-Ul-Haque, Siddique MAB, Islam MS, Ali MM, Tokatli C, Islam A, Pal SC, Idris AM, Malafaia G, Islam ARMT. Effects of COVID-19 era on a subtropical river basin in Bangladesh: Heavy metal(loid)s distribution, sources and probable human health risks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159383. [PMID: 36240937 PMCID: PMC9551124 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 era has profoundly affected everyday human life, the environment, and freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Despite the numerous influences, a strict COVID-19 lockdown might improve the surface water quality and thus provide an unprecedented opportunity to restore the degraded freshwater resource. Therefore, we intend to investigate the spatiotemporal water quality, sources, and preliminary health risks of heavy metal(loid)s in the Karatoya River basin (KRB), a tropical urban river in Bangladesh. Seventy water samples were collected from 35 stations in KRB in 2019 and 2022 during the dry season. The results showed that the concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cr were significantly reduced by 89.3-99.7 % during the post-lockdown period (p < 0.05). However, pH, Fe, Mn, and As concentrations increased due to the rise of urban waste and the usage of disinfectants during the post-lockdown phase. In the post-lockdown phase, the heavy metal pollution index, heavy metal evaluation index, and Nemerow's pollution index values lessened by 8.58 %, 42.86 %, and 22.86 %, respectively. Besides, the irrigation water quality indices also improved by 59 %-62 %. The total hazard index values increased by 24 % (children) and 22 % (adults) due to the rise in Mn and As concentrations during the lockdown. In comparison, total carcinogenic risk values were reduced by 54 % (children) and 53 % (adults) in the post-lockdown. We found no significant changes in river flow, rainfall, or land cover near the river from the pre to post-lockdown phase. The results of semivariogram models have demonstrated that most attributes have weak spatial dependence, indicating restricted industrial and agricultural effluents during the lockdown, significantly improving river water quality. Our study confirms that the lockdown provides a unique opportunity for the remarkable improvement of degraded freshwater resources. Long-term management policies and regular monitoring should reduce river pollution and clean surface water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jawad-Ul-Haque
- Department of Disaster Management, Begum Bekeya University, Rangpur 5400, Bangladesh
| | - Md Abu Bakar Siddique
- Institute of National Analytical Research and Service (INARS), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Saiful Islam
- Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Mir Mohammad Ali
- Department of Aquaculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Cem Tokatli
- Trakya University, Laboratory Technology Department, İpsala, Edirne,Turkey
| | - Aznarul Islam
- Department of Geography, Aliah University, 17 Gorachand Road, Kolkata 700 014, West Bengal, India
| | - Subodh Chandra Pal
- Department of Geography, The University of Burdwan, Bardhaman 713104, West Bengal, India
| | - Abubakar M Idris
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
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Dahan S, Bloemhof‐Bris E, Weizman S, Pesah M, Gorno N, Abu Shah M, Levi G, Shelef A. Factors affecting the willingness of mental health staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19. J Eval Clin Pract 2022; 28:948-957. [PMID: 35731528 PMCID: PMC9349556 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE At the beginning of vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), information about the effects of the vaccine was not known and hesitancy was observed among the population. The mental health staff members in our center in Israel had to decide whether to get vaccinated or not. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in demographic characteristics of vaccinated and nonvaccinated mental health care workers (HCWs), and to identify their reasons for or against vaccination. METHOD Data on characteristics of 357 staff members at a mental health center (MHCS) in Israel and their attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccination, those who were nonvaccinated, were collected via anonymous questionnaires, from 1 January to 10 January 2021. The groups were then compared using χ2 , Fisher's exact tests, t test or Mann-Whitney nonparametric test as appropriate. A logistic regression was then performed using the significant variables and odd ratios presented. RESULTS Eighty-one per cent of the sample received at least the first dose of the vaccine. Results indicated differences in seniority (p < 0.001), profession (p < 0.001), department (p < 0.001), risk groups (p < 0.05), religion (p < 0.001), religiosity (p < 0.001), previous care for COVID-19 patients (p < 0.05) and level of interaction with patients (p < 0.01), between the vaccinated and nonvaccinated staff. The factor that was found to be most influential regarding vaccination and which convinced those originally against the vaccine to become vaccinated was the level of scientific knowledge about the vaccine. CONCLUSION Efforts and resources should focus on the dissemination of reliable scientific data about the vaccine, to increase vaccination rates among mental HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagit Dahan
- Lev‐Hasharon Mental Health CenterZur MosheIsrael
- Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel‐Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Esther Bloemhof‐Bris
- Lev‐Hasharon Mental Health CenterZur MosheIsrael
- Dual Diagnosis DepartmentAbarbanel Mental Health CenterBat YamIsrael
| | - Shira Weizman
- Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel‐Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
- Dual Diagnosis DepartmentAbarbanel Mental Health CenterBat YamIsrael
| | - Moran Pesah
- Lev‐Hasharon Mental Health CenterZur MosheIsrael
| | - Nadav Gorno
- Lev‐Hasharon Mental Health CenterZur MosheIsrael
- Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel‐Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | | | - Galit Levi
- Lev‐Hasharon Mental Health CenterZur MosheIsrael
| | - Assaf Shelef
- Lev‐Hasharon Mental Health CenterZur MosheIsrael
- Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of MedicineTel‐Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
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Fareed Z, Ghaemi Asl M, Irfan M, Rashidi MM, Wang H. Exploring the co-movements between COVID-19 pandemic and international air traffic: A global perspective based on wavelet analysis. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION 2022; 61:IMIG13026. [PMID: 35935684 PMCID: PMC9347509 DOI: 10.1111/imig.13026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The travel and tourism industry was one of the fastest-growing industries before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, to avoid COVID-19 spread, the government authorities imposed strict lockdown and international border restrictions except for some emergency international flights that badly hit the travel and tourism industry. The study explores the nexus between international air departures and the COVID-19 pandemic in this strain. We use a novel wavelet coherence approach to dissect the lead and lag relationships between international flight departures and COVID-19 deaths from January 2020 to September 2020 (COVID-19 first wave period). The results reveal that international flights cause the spread of COVID-19 spread during May 2020 to June 2020 worldwide. The overall findings suggest asymmetries between daily international flight departures and COVID-19 deaths globally at different time-frequency periods due to uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will be conducive for the policymakers to control the upsurge of COVID-19 spread worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Fareed
- School of Economics and ManagementHuzhou UniversityHuzhouChina
| | | | - Muhammad Irfan
- Department of Political Science & International RelationsUniversity of GujratGujratPakistan
| | | | - Hong Wang
- School of Economics and ManagementAnqing Normal UniversityAnqingChina
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Akan AP. Transmission of COVID-19 pandemic (Turkey) associated with short-term exposure of air quality and climatological parameters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:41695-41712. [PMID: 35098452 PMCID: PMC8801283 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-18403-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The study aims to investigate associations between air pollution, climate parameters, and the diffusion of COVID-19-confirmed cases in Turkey using Spearman's correlation test as an empirical methodology by Statgraphics Centurion XVI (version 16.1) and to determine the risk factors accelerating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus. The present study demonstrates the strong impacts of air pollutants and weather conditions on the transmission of COVID-19 morbidity. Particularly, O3 and PM10 from air quality parameters exhibited the strongest correlation with the number of daily cases in Kütahya (rs = -0.62; p < 0.05) and Sivas (rs = -0.62; p < 0.05) provinces, respectively. In meteorological parameters, rainfall showed the highest impact (rs = 0.76; p < 0.05) on the number of daily COVID-19 cases in Denizli distinct. Moreover, this study suggested that the diffusion of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in regions with high levels of air pollution and low wind speed is dominant. To prevent the negative effects of the future pandemic crisis on public health and economic systems, manifold implications to encourage strategies to reduce air pollution in the polluted region such as being prevalent the usage of renewable energy technologies in particular electricity generation and sustainable policies such as improving the health system should be implemented by decision-makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aytac Perihan Akan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Hacettepe University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
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Fareed Z, Bashir MF, Bilal, Salem S. Investigating the Co-movement Nexus Between Air Quality, Temperature, and COVID-19 in California: Implications for Public Health. Front Public Health 2021; 9:815248. [PMID: 35004602 PMCID: PMC8733250 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.815248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This research aims to look at the link between environmental pollutants and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in California. To illustrate the COVID-19 outbreak, weather, and environmental pollution, we used daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 patients, average daily temperature, and air quality Index, respectively. To evaluate the data from March 1 to May 24, 2020, we used continuous wavelet transform and then applied partial wavelet coherence (PWC), wavelet transform coherence (WTC), and multiple wavelet coherence (MWC). Empirical estimates disclose a significant association between these series at different time-frequency spaces. The COVID-19 outbreak in California and average daily temperature show a negative (out phase) coherence. Similarly, the air quality index and COVID-19 also show a negative association circle during the second week of the observed period. Our findings will serve as policy implications for state and health officials and regulators to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Fareed
- School of Economics and Management, Huzhou University, Huzhou, China
| | | | - Bilal
- Accounting School, Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan, China
| | - Sultan Salem
- Department of Economics (DoE), Birmingham Business School (BBS), College of Social Sciences (CoSS), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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8
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Sarwar S, Shahzad K, Fareed Z, Shahzad U. A study on the effects of meteorological and climatic factors on the COVID-19 spread in Canada during 2020. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2021; 19:1513-1521. [PMID: 34306711 PMCID: PMC8284697 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-021-00707-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has infected more than three million people, with thousands of deaths and millions of people into quarantine. In this research, the authors focus on meteorological and climatic factors on the COVID-19 spread, the main parameters including daily new cases of COVID-19, carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), PM2.5, Ozone (O3), average temperature, and humidity are examined to understand how different meteorological parameters affect the COVID-19 spread in Canada? The graphical quantitative analysis results indicate that CO2 emissions, air quality, temperature, and humidity have a direct negative relationship with COVID-19 infections. Quantile regression analysis revealed that air quality, Nitrogen, and Ozone significantly induce the COVID-19 spread across Canadian provinces. The findings of this study are contrary to the earlier studies, which argued that weather and climate change significantly increase COVID-19 infections. We suggested that meteorological and climatic factors might be critical to reducing the COVID-19 new cases in Canada based on the findings. This work's empirical conclusions can provide a guideline for future research and policymaking to stop the COVID-19 spread across Canadian provinces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suleman Sarwar
- Finance and Economics Department, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Khurram Shahzad
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zeeshan Fareed
- School of Business, Huzhou University, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province People’s Republic of China
| | - Umer Shahzad
- School of Statistics and Applied Mathematics, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu, 233030 People’s Republic of China
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9
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Irfan M, Ikram M, Ahmad M, Wu H, Hao Y. Does temperature matter for COVID-19 transmissibility? Evidence across Pakistani provinces. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021. [PMID: 34143386 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14875-6/tables/1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has become a global concern that is deteriorating environmental quality and damaging human health. Though some researchers have investigated the linkage between temperature and COVID-19 transmissibility across different geographical locations and over time, yet these studies are scarce. This study aims to bridge this gap using daily temperature and COVID-19 cases (transmissibility) by employing grey incidence analysis (GIA) models (i.e., Deng's grey incidence analysis (DGIA), the absolute degree GIA (ADGIA), the second synthetic degree GIA (SSDGIA), the conservative (maximin) model) and correlation analysis. Data on temperature are accessed from the NASA database, while the data on COVID-19 cases are collected from the official website of the government of Pakistan. Empirical results reveal the existence of linkages between temperature and COVID-19 in all Pakistani provinces. These linkages vary from a relatively stronger to a relatively weaker linkage. Based on calculated weights, the strength of linkages is ranked across provinces as follows: Gilgit Baltistan (0.715301) > Baluchistan (0.675091) > Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (0.619893) > Punjab (0.619286) > Sindh (0.601736). The disparity in the strength of linkage among provinces is explained by the discrepancy in the intensity of temperature. Besides, the diagrammatic correlation analysis shows that temperature is inversely linked to COVID-19 cases (per million persons) over time, implying that low temperatures are associated with high COVID-19 transmissibility and vice versa. This study is among the first of its kind to consider the linkages between temperature and COVID-19 transmissibility for a tropical climate country (Pakistan) using the advanced GIA models. Research findings provide an up-to-date glimpse of the outbreak and emphasize the need to raise public awareness about the devastating impacts of the COVID-19. The educational syllabus should provide information on the causes, signs, and precautions of the pandemic. Additionally, individuals should practice handwashing, social distancing, personal hygiene, mask-wearing, and the use of hand sanitizers to ensure a secure and supportive atmosphere for preventing and controlling the current pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Irfan
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Muhammad Ikram
- Research Institute of Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management, College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Munir Ahmad
- School of Economics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Haitao Wu
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Yu Hao
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
- Beijing Key Lab of Energy Economics and Environmental Management, Beijing, 100081, China.
- Sustainable Development Research Institute for Economy and Society of Beijing, Beijing, 100081, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Electric Vehicles in Beijing, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Irfan M, Ikram M, Ahmad M, Wu H, Hao Y. Does temperature matter for COVID-19 transmissibility? Evidence across Pakistani provinces. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:59705-59719. [PMID: 34143386 PMCID: PMC8211721 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14875-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has become a global concern that is deteriorating environmental quality and damaging human health. Though some researchers have investigated the linkage between temperature and COVID-19 transmissibility across different geographical locations and over time, yet these studies are scarce. This study aims to bridge this gap using daily temperature and COVID-19 cases (transmissibility) by employing grey incidence analysis (GIA) models (i.e., Deng's grey incidence analysis (DGIA), the absolute degree GIA (ADGIA), the second synthetic degree GIA (SSDGIA), the conservative (maximin) model) and correlation analysis. Data on temperature are accessed from the NASA database, while the data on COVID-19 cases are collected from the official website of the government of Pakistan. Empirical results reveal the existence of linkages between temperature and COVID-19 in all Pakistani provinces. These linkages vary from a relatively stronger to a relatively weaker linkage. Based on calculated weights, the strength of linkages is ranked across provinces as follows: Gilgit Baltistan (0.715301) > Baluchistan (0.675091) > Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (0.619893) > Punjab (0.619286) > Sindh (0.601736). The disparity in the strength of linkage among provinces is explained by the discrepancy in the intensity of temperature. Besides, the diagrammatic correlation analysis shows that temperature is inversely linked to COVID-19 cases (per million persons) over time, implying that low temperatures are associated with high COVID-19 transmissibility and vice versa. This study is among the first of its kind to consider the linkages between temperature and COVID-19 transmissibility for a tropical climate country (Pakistan) using the advanced GIA models. Research findings provide an up-to-date glimpse of the outbreak and emphasize the need to raise public awareness about the devastating impacts of the COVID-19. The educational syllabus should provide information on the causes, signs, and precautions of the pandemic. Additionally, individuals should practice handwashing, social distancing, personal hygiene, mask-wearing, and the use of hand sanitizers to ensure a secure and supportive atmosphere for preventing and controlling the current pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Irfan
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Muhammad Ikram
- Research Institute of Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management, College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Munir Ahmad
- School of Economics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058 China
| | - Haitao Wu
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Yu Hao
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081 China
- Beijing Key Lab of Energy Economics and Environmental Management, Beijing, 100081 China
- Sustainable Development Research Institute for Economy and Society of Beijing, Beijing, 100081 China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Electric Vehicles in Beijing, Beijing, 100081 China
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Fabiani C, Longo S, Pisello AL, Cellura M. Sustainable production and consumption in remote working conditions due to COVID-19 lockdown in Italy: An environmental and user acceptance investigation. SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION 2021; 28:1757-1771. [PMID: 37274732 PMCID: PMC10225306 DOI: 10.1016/j.spc.2021.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In response to the disruptive changes brought upon our society by the COVID-19 pandemic, most work activities and service providers had to resort to remote working. This is credited to reduce emissions for transportation, however the role of forced confinement within dwellings, especially if not designed for hosting working stations, deserves to be properly evaluated in terms of both user acceptance and long-term environmental impact. In this work, a dedicated survey campaign is used for investigating the potential pros and cons of remote working. In more detail, logistic regression and generalized linear models are used for capturing the effect of several independent variables on user acceptance of remote working. At a later stage, the main greenhouse gas emissions produced by each participant before and during remote working are assessed. According to the obtained results, the greater the distance between their home and workplace, the higher the acceptance score declared by the survey participants about remote working. Additionally, higher incomes and better-quality lifestyles with larger devotion to leisure activities also provide higher acceptance. Finally, the existence of a comfortable room to be used for work activities plays a crucial role on the declared acceptance. From an environmental point of view, remote working is always sustainable in case of long commuting distances (above 10 km) are avoided on a daily routine. In conclusion, a sensible use of remote working could reduce the environmental impact of any organization employing desk-workers as well as improve their work satisfaction and lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Fabiani
- CIRIAF - Interuniversity Research Centre, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67 06125 Perugia, Italy
- Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 93 06125 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sonia Longo
- University of Palermo, Department of Engineering, Viale delle Scienze Building. 9, Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Pisello
- CIRIAF - Interuniversity Research Centre, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67 06125 Perugia, Italy
- Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 93 06125 Perugia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cellura
- University of Palermo, Department of Engineering, Viale delle Scienze Building. 9, Palermo, Italy
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Shuai Z, Iqbal N, Hussain RI, Shahzad F, Yan Y, Fareed Z, Bilal. Climate indicators and COVID-19 recovery: A case of Wuhan during the lockdown. ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY 2021; 24:8464-8484. [PMID: 34580574 PMCID: PMC8458049 DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01794-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The world needs to get out of the COVID-19 pandemic smoothly through a thorough socio-economic recovery. The first and the foremost step forward in this direction is the health recovery of the people infected. Our empirical study addresses this neglected point in the recent research on COVID-19 and specifically aims at exploring the impact of the environment on health recovery from COVID-19. The sample data are taken during the lockdown period in Wuhan, i.e., from 23rd January 2020 to 8th April 2020. The recently developed econometric technique of Quantile-on-Quantile regression, proposed by Shin and Zhu (2016) is employed to capture the asymmetric association between environmental factors (TEMP, HUM, PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2, NO2, and O3) and the number of recovered patients from COVID-19. We observe significant heterogeneity in the association among variables across various quantiles. The findings suggest that TEMP, PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO2, and O3 are negatively related to the COVID-19 recovery, while HUM and SO2 show a positive association at most quantiles. The study recommends that maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for the patients may increase the chances of recovery from COVID-19. The success story of Wuhan, the initial epicenter of the novel coronavirus in China, can serve as an important case study for other countries to bring the outbreak under control. The current study could be conducive for the policymakers of those countries where the COVID-19 pandemic is still unrestrained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhai Shuai
- School of Economics and Management, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang China
| | - Najaf Iqbal
- School of Finance, Anhui University of Finance and Economics, Bengbu, Anhui China
- Africa-Asia Centre for Sustainability, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Farrukh Shahzad
- School of Economics and Management, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Guangdong, China
| | - Yong Yan
- School of Economics and Management, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang China
| | - Zeeshan Fareed
- School of Economics and Management, Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang China
- Africa-Asia Centre for Sustainability, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Bilal
- School of Accounting, Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan, Hubei China
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Ahmad M, Akhtar N, Jabeen G, Irfan M, Khalid Anser M, Wu H, Işık C. Intention-Based Critical Factors Affecting Willingness to Adopt Novel Coronavirus Prevention in Pakistan: Implications for Future Pandemics. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:6167. [PMID: 34200335 PMCID: PMC8200947 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18116167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Since human beings have a long tradition of coexistence with pandemics, which may profoundly impact them, adopting preventive measures is crucial for humankind's survival. This study explores the intention-based critical factors affecting the willingness of individuals to adopt pandemic prevention. To this end, a representative sample of 931 Pakistanis filled in an online questionnaire. However, only 828 questionnaires were found to be complete and valid for path modeling analysis. The core findings are as follows: Firstly, peer groups' beliefs, self-efficacy, perceived risk, pandemic knowledge, ease of pandemic prevention adoption, and risk-averse behavior are revealed as driving forces of the individuals' willingness to adopt pandemic prevention. Contrastingly, a lack of trust in political will and mythical attitude towards pandemics are uncovered as inhibitors. Nevertheless, moral values depict a neutral role. Secondly, the peer groups' beliefs are highest ranked, followed by the lack of trust in political will and a mythical attitude towards pandemic prevention. Finally, moral values are determined as the lowest-ranked critical factor. Based on these results, the government should promote awareness campaigns on lethality and fatality of the pandemic at both centralized and decentralized levels to win people's trust at the grass-roots level and overcome the mythical attitude of individuals at all societal levels. Besides, access to personal protective gears should be made feasible since an easier pandemic prevention adoption would increase the individuals' willingness to adopt such preventative measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munir Ahmad
- School of Economics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Nadeem Akhtar
- School of Urban Culture, Nanhai Campus, South China Normal University, Foshan 528225, China
- Pakistan Center, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750001, China
| | - Gul Jabeen
- Research Institute of Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management, College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China;
- School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; (M.I.); (H.W.)
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Muhammad Khalid Anser
- School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710000, China;
| | - Haitao Wu
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; (M.I.); (H.W.)
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Cem Işık
- Faculty of Tourism, Anadolu University, 26470 Tepebaşı-Eskişehir, Turkey;
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Use of Respiratory Protection Devices by Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18115834. [PMID: 34071661 PMCID: PMC8198429 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The use of face masks has assumed a leading spot among nonspecific prevention measures during the coronavirus pandemic. The effectiveness of this protective measure depends on the specifics of individual use. The purpose of our study was to analyze the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) by medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation of face mask use was based on the results of a survey of medical students at Sechenov University. There were 988 participants in the study: 97.5% used RPE during the pandemic, 89.1% used disposable medical and hygienic face masks, 27.4% used reusable cloth face masks, and 13.2% used respirators. The majority of respondents (75.2%) were found to wear face masks correctly. However, 17.0% of the respondents were found to cover only their mouths with a face mask, while 7.8% reported often shifting their face mask under the chin due to perceived discomfort. Only 25.1% of respondents changed their disposable face mask after 2–3 h of wearing, while 13.0% decontaminated and used it several times. Most cloth face mask users (93.7%) decontaminated their marks, but only 55.7% of respondents did so daily. Face masks were most often worn in medical organizations (91.5%), and 1.4% of respondents did not use respiratory protection anywhere. In conclusion, we consider it necessary to introduce a special module on nonspecific prevention in the discipline of hygiene.
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Irfan M, Akhtar N, Ahmad M, Shahzad F, Elavarasan RM, Wu H, Yang C. Assessing Public Willingness to Wear Face Masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Fresh Insights from the Theory of Planned Behavior. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:4577. [PMID: 33925929 PMCID: PMC8123495 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Face masks are considered an effective intervention in controlling the spread of airborne viruses, as evidenced by the 2009's H1N1 swine flu and 2003's severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreaks. However, research aiming to examine public willingness to wear (WTW) face masks in Pakistan are scarce. The current research aims to overcome this research void and contributes by expanding the theoretical mechanism of theory of planned behavior (TPB) to include three novel dimensions (risk perceptions of the pandemic, perceived benefits of face masks, and unavailability of face masks) to comprehensively analyze the factors that motivate people to, or inhibit people from, wearing face masks. The study is based on an inclusive questionnaire survey of a sample of 738 respondents in the provincial capitals of Pakistan, namely, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, Gilgit, and Quetta. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to analyze the proposed hypotheses. The results show that attitude, social norms, risk perceptions of the pandemic, and perceived benefits of face masks are the major influencing factors that positively affect public WTW face masks, whereas the cost of face masks and unavailability of face masks tend to have opposite effects. The results emphasize the need to enhance risk perceptions by publicizing the deadly effects of COVID-19 on the environment and society, ensure the availability of face masks at an affordable price, and make integrated and coherent efforts to highlight the benefits that face masks offer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Irfan
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; or (H.W.); (C.Y.)
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Nadeem Akhtar
- School of Urban Culture, South China Normal University, Nanhai Campus, Foshan 528225, China
- Pakistan Center, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750001, China
| | - Munir Ahmad
- School of Economics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
| | - Farrukh Shahzad
- School of Economics and Management, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China;
| | | | - Haitao Wu
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; or (H.W.); (C.Y.)
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Chuxiao Yang
- School of Management and Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; or (H.W.); (C.Y.)
- Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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Abdulla F, Nain Z, Karimuzzaman M, Hossain MM, Rahman A. A Non-Linear Biostatistical Graphical Modeling of Preventive Actions and Healthcare Factors in Controlling COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:4491. [PMID: 33922634 PMCID: PMC8122857 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the insurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people died in the past several months, and the situation is ongoing with increasing health, social, and economic panic and vulnerability. As most of the countries relying on different preventive actions to control the outcomes of COVID-19, it is necessary to boost the knowledge about the effectiveness of such actions so that the policymakers take their country-based appropriate actions. This study generates evidence of taking the most impactful actions to combat COVID-19. OBJECTIVE In order to generate community-based scientific evidence, this study analyzed the outcome of COVID-19 in response to different control measures, healthcare facilities, life expectancy, and prevalent diseases. METHODS It used more than a hundred countries' data collected from different databases. We performed a comparative graphical analysis with non-linear correlation estimation using R. RESULTS The reduction of COVID-19 cases is strongly correlated with the earliness of preventive initiation. The apathy of taking nationwide immediate precaution measures has been identified as one of the critical reasons to make the circumstances worse. There is significant non-linear relationship between COVID-19 case fatality and number of physicians (NCC = 0.22; p-value ≤ 0.001), nurses and midwives (NCC = 0.17; p-value ≤ 0.001), hospital beds (NCC = 0.20; p-value ≤ 0.001), life expectancy of both sexes (NCC = 0.22; p-value ≤ 0.001), life expectancy of female (NCC = 0.27; p-value ≤ 0.001), and life expectancy of male (NCC = 0.19; p-value ≤ 0.001). COVID-19 deaths were found to be reduced with increased medical personnel and hospital beds. Interestingly, no association between the comorbidities and severity of COVID-19 was found excluding asthma, cancer, Alzheimer's, and smoking. CONCLUSIONS Enhancing healthcare facilities and early imposing the control measures could be valuable to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic. No association between COVID-19 and other comorbidities warranted further investigation at the pathobiological level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faruq Abdulla
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Sciences, Islamic University, Kushtia 7003, Bangladesh;
- Research, Training and Management (RTM) International, Mirpur, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh
| | - Zulkar Nain
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamic University, Kushtia 7003, Bangladesh;
| | - Md. Karimuzzaman
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh; (M.K.); (M.M.H.)
| | - Md. Moyazzem Hossain
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh; (M.K.); (M.M.H.)
- School of Mathematics, Statistics & Physics, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Azizur Rahman
- School of Computing and Mathematics, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia
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Boguszewski R, Makowska M, Podkowińska M. A Typology of Poles' Attitudes toward COVID-19 during the First Wave of the Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2002. [PMID: 33669545 PMCID: PMC7922647 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18042002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Objective: To explore Poles' attitudes during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as a contribution toward the creation of effective health policies. (2) Method: Computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) was used to survey a sample of 1001 Poles selected using quota sampling. (3) Results: Using cluster analysis, three types of attitudes were distinguished, people being classified as "involved" (48.1%), "cautious" (27.4%), or "indifferent" (24.6%). The result of greatest interest was the absence of any attitude indicating an extremely dismissive posture toward COVID-19. Three logistic regression analyses, comparing people displaying each attitude with those comparing the other two attitudes combined, showed that an involved attitude was likely to be associated with being female, being in a poorer financial situation, but having relatively high life satisfaction. A cautious attitude was more likely to appear in places with fewer residents and among people in a favorable financial situation, and that an indifferent attitude was more likely to be associated with being male and having lower life satisfaction. (4) Conclusions: The attitudes identified may help to explain why, during the spring of 2020, the virus was spreading slightly more slowly, and on a narrower scale, in Poland than in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Makowska
- Department of Sociology, Institute of Sociological Sciences and Pedagogy, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 166 St., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland; (R.B.); (M.P.)
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