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Nagata M, Okada Y, Nishiura H. Epidemiological impact of revoking mask-wearing recommendation on COVID-19 transmission in Tokyo, Japan. Infect Dis Model 2024; 9:1289-1300. [PMID: 39252817 PMCID: PMC11382031 DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2024.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the global implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures, the disease continues to maintain transmission. Although mask wearing became one of the key measures for preventing the transmission of COVID-19 early in the pandemic period, many countries have relaxed the mandatory or recommended wearing of masks. The objective of the present study was to estimate the epidemiological impact of removing the mask-wearing recommendation in Japan. We developed a model to assess the consequences of declining mask-wearing coverage after the government revoked its recommendation in February 2023. The declining mask-wearing coverage was estimated using serial cross-sectional data, and a mathematical model was devised to determine the age-specific incidence of COVID-19 using the observed case count in Tokyo from week of October 3, 2022 to October 30, 2023. We explored model-based counterfactual scenarios to measure hypothetical situations in which the mask-wearing coverage decreases or increases relative to the observed coverage. The results show that mask-wearing coverage declined from 97% to 69% by the week of October 30, 2023, and that if the mask-wearing recommendation had continued, 427 lives could have been saved in Tokyo. If the mask-wearing coverage had declined to 25% of the observed level, the model suggests there might have been 1587 additional deaths. Thus, revoking the mask-wearing recommendation had a substantial epidemiological impact. In future pandemics, our proposed approach could provide a real-time quantification of the effects of relaxing countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayu Nagata
- Kyoto University School of Public Health, Yoshida-Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8601, Japan
| | - Yuta Okada
- Kyoto University School of Public Health, Yoshida-Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8601, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nishiura
- Kyoto University School of Public Health, Yoshida-Konoe, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8601, Japan
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2
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Kawamitsu S, Win TZ, Han SM, Nakamura T, Jogie M, Smith C. Public perspectives on COVID-19 public health and social measures in Japan and the United Kingdom: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1393. [PMID: 38783233 PMCID: PMC11118899 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18866-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was one of the greatest modern public health crises that the world has faced. Countries undertook sweeping public health and social measures (PHSM); including environmental actions such as disinfection and ventilation; surveillance and response, such as contact tracing and quarantine; physical, such as crowd control; and restrictions on travel. This study focuses on the public perceptions of PHSM in two countries, Japan and the United Kingdom (UK) as examples of high-income countries that adopted different measures over the course of the pandemic. METHODS This study was conducted between November 2021 and February 2022, a period in which the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was predominant. Fourteen online focus group discussions were conducted in each country. Overall, 106 total participants (50 from the UK and 56 from Japan) participated in 23 focus groups (11 in the UK and 12 in Japan) with an average of three to six participants per group. Both countries were compared using a thematic analysis method. RESULTS Both countries' participants agreed that vaccination was an effective measure. However, they did not favor mandatory vaccination policies. Working from home was well accepted by both sides, but they reported that schools should have continued to be opened as before COVID-19. Both sides of participants expressed that temperature testing alone in indoor facilities was ineffective as a COVID-19 control measure. There were contrasting views on face covering rules in public spaces, international and domestic movement restrictions. High acceptance of mask-wearing was reflective of Japanese customs, while it was accepted as a strong recommendation for participants in the UK. Japanese participants favored quarantine for international travel, while the UK participants supported banning non-essential travel. CONCLUSION Similar and contrasting views on PHSM against COVID-19 between Japan and the UK demonstrated how policies in controlling an epidemic should be tailored by country with respect to its norms, cultures, economic and disease burden. Our findings may guide how policy makers can engage with the public through effective health communication and consider regulations that are aligned with the public's views and capacities in changing their behavior for future pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Kawamitsu
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Health Sciences, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Tin Zar Win
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Su Myat Han
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- National Centre for Infectious Disease, Novena, Singapore
| | - Tomoka Nakamura
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Chris Smith
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Akaishi T, Tarasawa K, Fushimi K, Ota C, Sekiguchi S, Aoyagi T, Yaegashi N, Aoki M, Fujimori K. A Reduction in the Number of Hospitalized Cases of Acute Meningitis during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan. Intern Med 2024; 63:1353-1359. [PMID: 38432966 PMCID: PMC11157317 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.3022-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The changes in the prevalence of acute meningitis during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of acute meningitis before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the Japanese nationwide administrative medical payment system database, Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC), from 2016 to 2022. A total of 547 hospitals consistently and seamlessly offered DPC data during this period. The study period was divided into the following three periods: April 2016 to March 2018 (fiscal years 2016-2017), April 2018-March 2020 (2018-2019), and April 2020-March 2022 (2020-2021). Results Among the 28,161,806 patients hospitalized during the study period, 28,399 were hospitalized for acute meningitis: 16,678 for viral/aseptic type, 6,189 for bacterial type, 655 for fungal type, 429 for tuberculous, 2,310 for carcinomatous type, and 2,138 for other or unknown types of meningitis. A significant decrease during the pandemic was confirmed in viral (n=7,032, n=5,775, and n=3,871 in each period; p<0.0001) and bacterial meningitis (n=2,291, n=2,239, and n=1,659; p<0.0001) cases. Meanwhile, no decrease was observed in fungal meningitis (n=212, n=246, and n=197; p=0.056) or carcinomatous meningitis (n=781, n=795, and n=734; p=0.27). The decrease in the number of tuberculous meningitis cases was equivocal (n=166, n=146, and n=117; p=0.014). The decrease during the pandemic was more remarkable in younger populations aged <50 years than in older populations, both for viral and bacterial meningitis. Conclusion The number of hospitalized cases of acute meningitis clearly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for viral and bacterial meningitis in younger populations aged <50 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Akaishi
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Japan
| | - Kunio Tarasawa
- Department of Health Administration and Policy, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Kiyohide Fushimi
- Department of Health Policy and Informatics, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Japan
| | - Chiharu Ota
- Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Development and Environmental Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | | | - Tetsuji Aoyagi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Nobuo Yaegashi
- Development and Environmental Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Japan
| | - Masashi Aoki
- Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Kenji Fujimori
- Department of Health Administration and Policy, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
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Rzymski P, Zarębska-Michaluk D, Parczewski M, Genowska A, Poniedziałek B, Strukcinskiene B, Moniuszko-Malinowska A, Flisiak R. The burden of infectious diseases throughout and after the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023) and Russo-Ukrainian war migration. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29651. [PMID: 38712743 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how the infectious disease burden was affected throughout the COVID-19 pandemic is pivotal to identifying potential hot spots and guiding future mitigation measures. Therefore, our study aimed to analyze the changes in the rate of new cases of Poland's most frequent infectious diseases during the entire COVID-19 pandemic and after the influx of war refugees from Ukraine. We performed a registry-based population-wide study in Poland to analyze the changes in the rate of 24 infectious disease cases from 2020 to 2023 and compared them to the prepandemic period (2016-2019). Data were collected from publicly archived datasets of the Epimeld database published by national epidemiological authority institutions. The rate of most of the studied diseases (66.6%) revealed significantly negative correlations with the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections. For the majority of infectious diseases, it substantially decreased in 2020 (in case of 83%) and 2021 (63%), following which it mostly rebounded to the prepandemic levels and, in some cases, exceeded them in 2023 when the exceptionally high annual rates of new cases of scarlet fever, Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, HIV infections, syphilis, gonococcal infections, and tick-borne encephalitis were noted. The rate of Clostridioides difficile enterocolitis was two-fold higher than before the pandemic from 2021 onward. The rate of Legionnaires' disease in 2023 also exceeded the prepandemic threshold, although this was due to a local outbreak unrelated to lifted COVID-19 pandemic restrictions or migration of war refugees. The influx of war migrants from Ukraine could impact the epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases. The present analysis indicates that continued efforts are needed to prevent COVID-19 from overwhelming healthcare systems again and decreasing the control over the burden of other infectious diseases. It also identifies the potential tipping points that require additional mitigation measures, which are also discussed in the paper, to avoid escalation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | | | - Miłosz Parczewski
- Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Genowska
- Department of Public Health, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Barbara Poniedziałek
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | | | - Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Robert Flisiak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
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Yang W, Shaman J. Reconciling the efficacy and effectiveness of masking on epidemic outcomes. J R Soc Interface 2024; 21:20230666. [PMID: 38442856 PMCID: PMC10914508 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, mask wearing in public settings has been a key control measure. However, the reported effectiveness of masking has been much lower than laboratory measures of efficacy, leading to doubts on the utility of masking. Here, we develop an agent-based model that comprehensively accounts for individual masking behaviours and infectious disease dynamics, and test the impact of masking on epidemic outcomes. Using realistic inputs of mask efficacy and contact data at the individual level, the model reproduces the lower effectiveness as reported in randomized controlled trials. Model results demonstrate that transmission within households, where masks are rarely used, can substantially lower effectiveness, and reveal the interaction of nonlinear epidemic dynamics, control measures and potential measurement biases. Overall, model results show that, at the individual level, consistent masking can reduce the risk of first infection and, over time, reduce the frequency of repeated infection. At the population level, masking can provide direct protection to mask wearers, as well as indirect protection to non-wearers, collectively reducing epidemic intensity. These findings suggest it is prudent for individuals to use masks during an epidemic, and for policymakers to recognize the less-than-ideal effectiveness of masking when devising public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey Shaman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Jia L, Beidelschies M, Evans JM, Niemtzow RC, Niemtzow SZ, Dusek JA, Lin Y, Wu C, Su YC, Wang CJ, Lin CY, Astana PRW, Ardiyanto D, Hardjoutomo R, Visithanon K, Puagkong J, Chokpaisarn J, Lopez MV, Yotsuyanagi H, Lee MS, Ramirez HJG, Bobadilla CP, Quinteros EMG, Galanti de la Paz M, Maramba-Lazarte CC. Recommendations and guidelines of integrative medicine for COVID-19 care: The APEC project outcome. Integr Med Res 2024; 13:101022. [PMID: 38434793 PMCID: PMC10907161 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2024.101022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
This article - Recommendations and Guidelines of Integrative Medicine (IM) for COVID-19 Care - was one of the outcomes from an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Project (Integrative Medicine (IM) and COVID -19 Care) during the time between May 2022 and March 2023. With the efforts from care providers, researchers, health policy makers and healthcare administrative leaders among APEC economies, the purpose of this file was to provide comprehensive IM systems for COVID-19 care as recommendations and suggestive guidelines including care methods, tools, procedures, symptom conditions and targets selections, and points need to be considered during care applications. All cited COVID-19 care practices have confirmed their efficacy and usefulness either used alone or combined with conventional medicine. This article provides current useful medical information on IM for COVID-19 care which could benefit APEC economies and world health communities on their healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - C. Jason Wang
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Chinese Taipei
| | - Chien-Yu Lin
- Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Chinese Taipei
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - APEC Health Working Group
- National Cancer Institute, USA
- Cleveland Clinic, USA
- The Center for Functional Medicine, USA
- The US Air Force Medical Corps, USA
- Connor Whole Health, USA
- Food and Drug Administration, USA
- Stanford University, USA
- National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Chinese Taipei
- Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Chinese Taipei
- Sebelas Maret University of Surakarta, Indonesia
- Ministry of Health, Indonesia
- Public Health Management, Ministry of Health, Indonesia
- Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Thailand
- Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
- National University of San Marcos, Peru
- University of Tokyo, Japan
- Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Republic of Korea
- Complementary Care System, Mexico
- Academic Network of Integrative Medicine and Health, Chile
- Ministry of Health, Chile
- Academic University of Chile, Chile
- National Institutes of Health, Philippines
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7
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Cahill ME, Lozoya SB, Griffin MA, Blackstock A, Stockdale K, Cowman S, Graff R, Spear C, Carter K. Observed face mask use outside retail chain stores during the COVID-19 pandemic in two cities in the state of Idaho, USA. J Community Health 2024; 49:26-33. [PMID: 37314630 PMCID: PMC10719412 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01241-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities have encouraged the use of face masks to minimize transmission within the community. To assess mask wear during a COVID-19 surge and guide public health response efforts, including public messaging on mask recommendations, we compared observed mask use in the largest city in each of Idaho's 2 most populous counties, both without a current mask mandate. We recorded mask usage by every third person exiting stores of 5 retail chains in Boise and Nampa during November 8-December 5, 2021. Observations were conducted during three time periods (morning, afternoon, and evening) on weekday and weekend days. A multivariable model with city, retail chain, and city-chain interaction was used to assess mask wear differences by city for each chain. Of 3021 observed persons, 22.0% wore masks. In Boise, 31.3% (430/1376) of observed persons wore masks; in Nampa, 14.3% (236/1645) wore masks. Among all persons wearing masks, > 94% wore masks correctly; cloth and surgical masks were most common. By retail chain, observed individuals at Boise locations were 2.3-5.7 times as likely to wear masks than persons at respective Nampa locations. This study provided a rapid, nonconfrontational assessment of public use of mitigation measures in 2 Idaho cities during a COVID-19 surge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Cahill
- Division of Public Health, Idaho Department of Health Welfare, Boise, ID, USA.
- Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Sujeith Barraza Lozoya
- Division of Public Health, Idaho Department of Health Welfare, Boise, ID, USA
- Public Health Associate Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michelle A Griffin
- Division of Public Health, Idaho Department of Health Welfare, Boise, ID, USA
| | - Anna Blackstock
- Epidemiology Workforce Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Robert Graff
- Division of Public Health, Idaho Department of Health Welfare, Boise, ID, USA
| | | | - Kris Carter
- Division of Public Health, Idaho Department of Health Welfare, Boise, ID, USA
- Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Somorin YM, O'Connor GM. Assessment of microbial contamination in laser materials processing laboratories used for prototyping of biomedical devices. Access Microbiol 2023; 5:000494.v3. [PMID: 38188238 PMCID: PMC10765054 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000494.v3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial contamination of medical devices during pilot production can be a significant barrier as the laboratory environment is a source of contamination. There is limited information on microbial contaminants in laser laboratories and environments involved in the pilot production of medical devices. This study aimed to determine the bioburden and microbial contaminants present in three laser laboratories - an ISO class 7 clean room, a pilot line facility and a standard laser laboratory. Microbiological air sampling was by passive air sampling using settle plates and the identity of isolates was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Particulate matter was analysed using a portable optical particle counter. Twenty bacterial and 16 fungal genera were isolated, with the genera Staphylococcus and Micrococcus being predominant. Most isolates are associated with skin, mouth, or upper respiratory tract. There was no significant correlation between microbial count and PM2.5 concentration in the three laboratories. There were low levels but diverse microbial population in the laser-processing environments. Pathogenic bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii and Candida parapsilosis were isolated in those environments. These results provide data that will be useful for developing a contamination control plan for controlling microbial contamination and facilitating advanced manufacturing of laser-based pilot production of medical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinka M. Somorin
- National Centre for Laser Applications (NCLA), School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC), Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard M. O'Connor
- National Centre for Laser Applications (NCLA), School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Li T, Fujimoto M, Hayashi K, Anzai A, Nishiura H. Habitual Mask Wearing as Part of COVID-19 Control in Japan: An Assessment Using the Self-Report Habit Index. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:951. [PMID: 37998697 PMCID: PMC10669277 DOI: 10.3390/bs13110951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the Japanese government removed mask-wearing requirements in 2023, relatively high rates of mask wearing have continued in Japan. We aimed to assess psychological reasons and the strength of habitual mask wearing in Japan. An Internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted with non-random participant recruitment. We explored the frequency of mask usage, investigating psychological reasons for wearing masks. A regression analysis examined the association between psychological reasons and the frequency of mask wearing. The habitual use of masks was assessed in the participant's most frequently visited indoor space and public transport using the self-report habit index. The principal component analysis with varimax rotation revealed distinct habitual characteristics. Among the 2640 participants surveyed from 6 to 9 February 2023, only 4.9% reported not wearing masks at all. Conformity to social norms was the most important reason for masks. Participants exhibited a slightly higher degree of habituation towards mask wearing on public transport compared to indoor spaces. The mask-wearing rate was higher in females than in males, and no significant difference was identified by age group. Daily mask wearing in indoor spaces was characterized by two traits (automaticity and behavioral frequency). A high mask-wearing frequency has been maintained in Japan during the social reopening transition period. Mask wearing has become a part of daily habit, especially on public transport, largely driven by automatic and frequent practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Hiroshi Nishiura
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; (T.L.); (M.F.); (K.H.); (A.A.)
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10
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Su S, Zhao Y, Zeng N, Liu X, Zheng Y, Sun J, Zhong Y, Wu S, Ni S, Gong Y, Zhang Z, Gao N, Yuan K, Yan W, Shi L, Ravindran AV, Kosten T, Shi J, Bao Y, Lu L. Epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and management of long COVID: an update. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4056-4069. [PMID: 37491461 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02171-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The increasing number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections have highlighted the long-term consequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection called long COVID. Although the concept and definition of long COVID are described differently across countries and institutions, there is general agreement that it affects multiple systems, including the immune, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neuropsychological, musculoskeletal, and other systems. This review aims to provide a synthesis of published epidemiology, symptoms, and risk factors of long COVID. We also summarize potential pathophysiological mechanisms and biomarkers for precise prevention, early diagnosis, and accurate treatment of long COVID. Furthermore, we suggest evidence-based guidelines for the comprehensive evaluation and management of long COVID, involving treatment, health systems, health finance, public attitudes, and international cooperation, which is proposed to improve the treatment strategies, preventive measures, and public health policy making of long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sizhen Su
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Yimiao Zhao
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Scholl of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Na Zeng
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Scholl of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxing Liu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Yongbo Zheng
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Pain Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhong
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Shuilin Wu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Scholl of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuyu Ni
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Scholl of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yimiao Gong
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhibo Zhang
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Nan Gao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Le Shi
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China
| | - Arun V Ravindran
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Thomas Kosten
- Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jie Shi
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanping Bao
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Scholl of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Lin Lu
- Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, China.
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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Montazeri NX, Sandbrink JB. Innovate and Stockpile: Respiratory Protection for Essential Workers in a Catastrophic Pandemic. Health Secur 2023; 21:266-271. [PMID: 37196202 PMCID: PMC10357109 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2022.0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia X. Montazeri
- Nadia X. Montazeri, MD, is a Research Affiliate, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Jonas B. Sandbrink
- Jonas B. Sandbrink is a Doctoral Researcher, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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12
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Mirtaleb MS, Falak R, Heshmatnia J, Bakhshandeh B, Taheri RA, Soleimanjahi H, Zolfaghari Emameh R. An insight overview on COVID-19 mRNA vaccines: Advantageous, pharmacology, mechanism of action, and prospective considerations. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 117:109934. [PMID: 36867924 PMCID: PMC9968612 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has urged scientists to present some novel vaccine platforms during this pandemic to provide a rather prolonged immunity against this respiratory viral infection. In spite of many campaigns formed against the administration of mRNA-based vaccines, those platforms were the most novel types, which helped us meet the global demand by developing protection against COVID-19 and reducing the development of severe forms of this respiratory viral infection. Some societies are worry about the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine administration and the potential risk of genetic integration of inoculated mRNA into the human genome. Although the efficacy and long-term safety of mRNA vaccines have not yet been fully clarified, obviously their application has switched the mortality and morbidity of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study describes the structural features and technologies used in producing of COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines as the most influential factor in controlling this pandemic and a successful pattern for planning to produce other kind of genetic vaccines against infections or cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Sadat Mirtaleb
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), 14965/161, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Falak
- Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunology Department, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Jalal Heshmatnia
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Behnaz Bakhshandeh
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ramezan Ali Taheri
- Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hoorieh Soleimanjahi
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Zolfaghari Emameh
- Department of Energy and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), 14965/161, Tehran, Iran.
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13
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Condra A, Coston T, Jain M, Manning S, Pettyjohn S, Wahlquist AE. Mask Adherence to Mask Mandate: College Campus Versus the Surrounding Community. J Community Health 2023; 48:496-500. [PMID: 36695922 PMCID: PMC9874171 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01187-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Adherence to masking recommendations and requirements continues to have a wide variety of impacts in terms of viral spread during the ongoing pandemic. As governments, schools, and private sector businesses formulate decisions around mask requirements, it is important to observe real-life adherence to policies and discern subsequent implications. The CDC MASCUP! observational study tracked mask-wearing habits of students on higher-education campuses across the country to collect stratified data about mask typologies, correct mask usage, and differences in behaviors at locations on a college campus and in the surrounding community. Our findings from a single institution include a significant adherence difference between on-campus (86%) and off-campus sites (72%) across the course of this study as well as a notable change in adherence at the on-campus sites with the expiration of a county-wide governmental mandate, despite continuance of a university-wide mandate. This study, completed on and around the campus of East Tennessee State University in Washington County TN, was able to pivotally extract information regarding increased adherence on campus versus the surrounding community. Changes were also seen when mask mandates were implemented and when they expired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Condra
- College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, 1276 Gilbreath Drive, Box 70300, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA
| | - Taylor Coston
- College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, 1276 Gilbreath Drive, Box 70300, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA
| | - Monika Jain
- College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, 1276 Gilbreath Drive, Box 70300, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA
| | - Seth Manning
- College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, 1276 Gilbreath Drive, Box 70300, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA
| | - Samuel Pettyjohn
- College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, 1276 Gilbreath Drive, Box 70300, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA ,Center for Rural Health Research, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN USA
| | - Amy E. Wahlquist
- College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, 1276 Gilbreath Drive, Box 70300, Johnson City, TN 37614 USA ,Center for Rural Health Research, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN USA
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14
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Lazarus JV, Romero D, Kopka CJ, Karim SA, Abu-Raddad LJ, Almeida G, Baptista-Leite R, Barocas JA, Barreto ML, Bar-Yam Y, Bassat Q, Batista C, Bazilian M, Chiou ST, Del Rio C, Dore GJ, Gao GF, Gostin LO, Hellard M, Jimenez JL, Kang G, Lee N, Matičič M, McKee M, Nsanzimana S, Oliu-Barton M, Pradelski B, Pyzik O, Rabin K, Raina S, Rashid SF, Rathe M, Saenz R, Singh S, Trock-Hempler M, Villapol S, Yap P, Binagwaho A, Kamarulzaman A, El-Mohandes A. A multinational Delphi consensus to end the COVID-19 public health threat. Nature 2022; 611:332-345. [PMID: 36329272 PMCID: PMC9646517 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05398-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Despite notable scientific and medical advances, broader political, socioeconomic and behavioural factors continue to undercut the response to the COVID-19 pandemic1,2. Here we convened, as part of this Delphi study, a diverse, multidisciplinary panel of 386 academic, health, non-governmental organization, government and other experts in COVID-19 response from 112 countries and territories to recommend specific actions to end this persistent global threat to public health. The panel developed a set of 41 consensus statements and 57 recommendations to governments, health systems, industry and other key stakeholders across six domains: communication; health systems; vaccination; prevention; treatment and care; and inequities. In the wake of nearly three years of fragmented global and national responses, it is instructive to note that three of the highest-ranked recommendations call for the adoption of whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches1, while maintaining proven prevention measures using a vaccines-plus approach2 that employs a range of public health and financial support measures to complement vaccination. Other recommendations with at least 99% combined agreement advise governments and other stakeholders to improve communication, rebuild public trust and engage communities3 in the management of pandemic responses. The findings of the study, which have been further endorsed by 184 organizations globally, include points of unanimous agreement, as well as six recommendations with >5% disagreement, that provide health and social policy actions to address inadequacies in the pandemic response and help to bring this public health threat to an end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York City, NY, USA.
| | - Diana Romero
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York City, NY, USA
| | | | - Salim Abdool Karim
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Laith J Abu-Raddad
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Ricardo Baptista-Leite
- UNITE Global Parliamentarians Network, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institute of Health Sciences (CIIS), Catholic University of Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Mauricio L Barreto
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Yaneer Bar-Yam
- New England Complex Systems Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Quique Bassat
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Manhiça Health Research Center (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Consortium in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Batista
- Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Geneva, Switzerland
- Baraka Impact Finance, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Shu-Ti Chiou
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Gregory J Dore
- University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - George F Gao
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Lawrence O Gostin
- The O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Jose L Jimenez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Mojca Matičič
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Illnesses, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martin McKee
- The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Bary Pradelski
- French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Grenoble, France
| | | | - Kenneth Rabin
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York City, NY, USA
| | - Sunil Raina
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sabina Faiz Rashid
- James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Rocio Saenz
- University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Sudhvir Singh
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Sonia Villapol
- Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peiling Yap
- International Digital Health & AI Research Collaborative (I-DAIR), Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Ayman El-Mohandes
- City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH), New York City, NY, USA
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15
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Haller S, Montandon ML, Rodriguez C, Giannakopoulos P. Wearing a KN95/FFP2 facemask induces subtle yet significant brain functional connectivity modifications restricted to the salience network. Eur Radiol Exp 2022; 6:50. [PMID: 36210391 PMCID: PMC9548384 DOI: 10.1186/s41747-022-00301-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The use of facemasks is one of the consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to search for subtle changes in brain functional connectivity, expected notably related to the high-level salience network (SN) and default mode network (DMN).
Methods
Prospective crossover design resting 3-T fMRI study with/without wearing a tight FFP2/KN95 facemask, including 23 community-dwelling male healthy controls aged 29.9 ± 6.9 years (mean ± standard deviation). Physiological parameters, respiration frequency, and heart rate were monitored. The data analysis was performed using the CONN toolbox.
Results
Wearing an FFP2/KN95 facemask did not impact respiration or heart rate but resulted in a significant reduction in functional connectivity between the SN as the seed region and the left middle frontal and precentral gyrus. No difference was found when the DMN, sensorimotor, visual, dorsal attention, or language networks were used as seed regions. In the absence of significant changes of physiological parameter respiration and heart rate, and in the absence of changes in lower-level functional networks, we assume that those subtle modifications are cognitive consequence of wearing facemasks.
Conclusions
The effect of wearing a tight FFP2/KN95 facemask in men is limited to high-level functional networks. Using the SN as seed network, we observed subtle yet significant decreases between the SN and the left middle frontal and precentral gyrus. Our observations suggest that wearing a facemask may change the patterns of functional connectivity with the SN known to be involved in communication, social behavior, and self-awareness.
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16
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de Noronha N, Moniz M, Gama A, Laires PA, Goes AR, Pedro AR, Dias S, Soares P, Nunes C. Non-adherence to COVID-19 lockdown: who are they? A cross-sectional study in Portugal. Public Health 2022; 211:5-13. [PMID: 35988506 PMCID: PMC9271418 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread worldwide, leading governments to implement mitigation measures. Understanding the reluctance to adhere to non-pharmacological interventions might help promote adherence to these measures. This study aimed to identify factors associated with non-adherence to the first lockdown in Portugal. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS This study used data from a Portuguese community-based survey entitled 'COVID-19 Barometer: Social Opinion'. Data were collected on risk perception, health status and social experiences using a snowball sampling technique. The event of interest corresponded to participants who reported not staying home during the lockdown period, serving as a proxy for non-adherence to lockdown. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with non-adherence to the first lockdown. RESULTS Responses from 133,601 individual questionnaires that were completed during the first week of the first lockdown in 2020 were analysed. A minority of participants (5.6%) reported non-adherence to lockdown (i.e. leaving home for reasons other than essential situations). Working in the workplace was the factor with the strongest association of non-adherence to the lockdown. Several other factors were also associated with non-adherence to the first lockdown; namely, being a man, being a student, having a low level of education, having a low income, living alone or with a high-infection-risk professional (e.g. doctor, nurse, pharmaceutical, health technician, firefighter, police officer, military, essential services worker), perceiving the risk of getting COVID-19 to be high, not having social support in case of infection, feeling agitated, sad or anxious every day, and considering the preventive measures to be unimportant or inadequate. CONCLUSIONS Non-adherence to lockdown was associated with socio-economic, trust and perception factors. Future research should investigate the mechanisms underlying these associations to help identify the population groups who are most at risk of non-adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- N de Noronha
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - M Moniz
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A Gama
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - P A Laires
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A R Goes
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A R Pedro
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Dias
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - P Soares
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Nunes
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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17
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Parisi G, Renault V, Humblet MF, Ochelen N, Diep AN, Guillaume M, Donneau AF, Bureau F, Gillet L, Lange AC, Michel F, Fontaine S, Saegerman C. Compliance with Barrier Gestures during COVID-19 Pandemic as a Function of the Context: A Longitudinal Observational Survey at the University of Liège. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11523. [PMID: 36141805 PMCID: PMC9517517 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, barrier gestures such as mask wearing, physical distancing, greetings without contact, one-way circulation flow, and hand sanitization were major strategies to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, but they were only useful if consistently applied. This survey was a follow-up of the first survey performed in 2020 at the University of Liège. We aim to evaluate the compliance with these gestures on campuses and examine differences in the extent of the compliance observed in different educational activities and contexts. During 3.5 months, the counting of compliant and non-compliant behaviors was performed each week in randomly selected rooms. Using data collected during both surveys (2020 and 2021), binomial negative regression models of compliance depending on periods (teaching periods and exam sessions), type of rooms, and campuses were conducted to evaluate prevalence ratios of compliance. The percentage of compliance in this second survey was the highest for mask wearing and physical distancing during educational activities (90% and 88%, respectively) and lowest for physical distancing outside educational activities and hand sanitization (45% and 52%, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that the compliance with most gestures was significantly higher in teaching rooms than in hallways and restaurants and during exam sessions. The compliance with physical distancing was significantly higher (from 66%) in auditoriums, where students had to remain seated, than during practical works that allowed or required free movement. Therefore, the compliance with barrier gestures was associated with contextual settings, which should be considered when communicating and managing barrier gestures. Further studies should specify and confirm the determining contextual characteristics regarding the compliance with barrier gestures in times of pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianni Parisi
- Research Unit in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Véronique Renault
- Research Unit in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Vétérinaires et Agronomes Sans Frontières, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Marie-France Humblet
- Unit of Biosafety, Biosecurity Unit and Environmental Licenses, Department of Occupational Safety and Hygiene, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Ochelen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Michèle Guillaume
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Risk Assessment Group COVID-19, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Anne-Françoise Donneau
- Biostatistics Unit, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Risk Assessment Group COVID-19, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Fabrice Bureau
- COVID-19 Platform, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, GIGA Institute, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Laurent Gillet
- COVID-19 Platform, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Laboratory of Immunology-Vaccinology, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Anne-Catherine Lange
- Récolte et Analyse des Données et Information d’Utilité Stratégique (RADIUS), Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Fabienne Michel
- Risk Assessment Group COVID-19, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Récolte et Analyse des Données et Information d’Utilité Stratégique (RADIUS), Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Fontaine
- Risk Assessment Group COVID-19, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Institute for Research in Social Sciences (IRSS), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Liège, Place des Orateurs 3, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Claude Saegerman
- Research Unit in Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health (FARAH) Center, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Risk Assessment Group COVID-19, Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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