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Maglietta G, Puntoni M, Caminiti C, Pession A, Lanari M, Caramelli F, Marchetti F, De Fanti A, Iughetti L, Biasucci G, Suppiej A, Miceli A, Ghizzi C, Vergine G, Aricò M, Stella M, Esposito S. Effects of COVID-19-targeted non-pharmaceutical interventions on pediatric hospital admissions in North Italian hospitals, 2017 to 2022: a quasi-experimental study interrupted time-series analysis. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1393677. [PMID: 38699417 PMCID: PMC11064846 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1393677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The use of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs), such as lockdowns, social distancing and school closures, against the COVID-19 epidemic is debated, particularly for the possible negative effects on vulnerable populations, including children and adolescents. This study therefore aimed to quantify the impact of NPIs on the trend of pediatric hospitalizations during 2 years of pandemic compared to the previous 3 years, also considering two pandemic phases according to the type of adopted NPIs. Methods This is a multicenter, quasi-experimental before-after study conducted in 12 hospitals of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Northern Italy, with NPI implementation as the intervention event. The 3 years preceding the beginning of NPI implementation (in March 2020) constituted the pre-pandemic phase. The subsequent 2 years were further subdivided into a school closure phase (up to September 2020) and a subsequent mitigation measures phase with less stringent restrictions. School closure was chosen as delimitation as it particularly concerns young people. Interrupted Time Series (ITS) regression analysis was applied to calculate Hospitalization Rate Ratios (HRR) on the diagnostic categories exhibiting the greatest variation. ITS allows the estimation of changes attributable to an intervention, both in terms of immediate (level change) and sustained (slope change) effects, while accounting for pre-intervention secular trends. Results Overall, in the 60 months of the study there were 84,368 cases. Compared to the pre-pandemic years, statistically significant 35 and 19% decreases in hospitalizations were observed during school closure and in the following mitigation measures phase, respectively. The greatest reduction was recorded for "Respiratory Diseases," whereas the "Mental Disorders" category exhibited a significant increase during mitigation measures. ITS analysis confirms a high reduction of level change during school closure for Respiratory Diseases (HRR 0.19, 95%CI 0.08-0.47) and a similar but smaller significant reduction when mitigation measures were enacted. Level change for Mental Disorders significantly decreased during school closure (HRR 0.50, 95%CI 0.30-0.82) but increased during mitigation measures by 28% (HRR 1.28, 95%CI 0.98-1.69). Conclusion Our findings provide information on the impact of COVID-19 NPIs which may inform public health policies in future health crises, plan effective control and preventative interventions and target resources where needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Maglietta
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Matteo Puntoni
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Caterina Caminiti
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Unit, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Andrea Pession
- Pediatric Clinic, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marcello Lanari
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Caramelli
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Marchetti
- Pediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Ravenna Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Fanti
- Paediatrics Unit, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Iughetti
- Pediatrics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Mothers, Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Biasucci
- Pediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Miceli
- Pediatric Unit, Pavullo Hospital, AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy
| | | | | | - Melodie Aricò
- Pediatric Unit, G.B. Morgagni – L. Pierantoni Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Forlì, Italy
| | | | - Susanna Esposito
- Pediatric Clinic, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Alfonsi V, Carbone A, Scarpelli S, Gorgoni M, Luchini A, D’Andrea P, Cherubini S, Costarelli C, Couyoumdjian A, Laghi F, De Gennaro L. The Impact of Delayed School Start Times During COVID-19 on Academic Performance: A Longitudinal Naturalistic Study in Italian High Schools. Nat Sci Sleep 2023; 15:1129-1138. [PMID: 38152440 PMCID: PMC10752017 DOI: 10.2147/nss.s437958] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Delaying school start times has been proposed as a potential solution to address chronic sleep curtailment among adolescents and its negative consequences on their physical and mental well-being. This study investigates the impact of delayed school start times due to the COVID-19 pandemic on academic achievement. Subjects and Methods Two separate observational studies were conducted involving high school students from the first/second year (n=232) (Study 1) and from the final year (n=39) (Study 2). Multivariate Analyses of Covariance were performed to assess for statistical differences in academic performance (ie, global, humanistic, and scientific performance) and absenteeism (ie, number of school absences). Two main factors were considered: "school start time" (ie, standard-8:00 AM vs late-9:40 AM) and "time interval" (ie, first academic semester vs second academic semester), controlling for the school year (Study 1) and circadian preference (Study 2). Results Delaying school start times was positively associated with better academic performance in scientific subjects among first/second-year students (F1,229=6.083, p=0.026) and global academic performance among last-year students (F1,35=4.522, p=0.041). Furthermore, first/second-year students significantly increased their school achievement (F1,229>29.423, p<0.001) and school absences (F1,229=66.160, p<0.001) during the second semester of the academic year. No significant effect of "school start time" on school attendance was observed. Additionally, circadian preference was found to be a significant covariate among last-year students, with early chronotypes exhibiting better academic performance (r>0.369, p<0.025). Conclusion These findings confirm past evidence about the beneficial effects of delayed school start times on academic outcomes, with the additional advantage of observing them within a natural context that emerged during the pandemic. Further research is needed to explore the phenomenon more systematically and take into account the broader implications of implementing this change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agostino Carbone
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Scarpelli
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gorgoni
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Fiorenzo Laghi
- Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi De Gennaro
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Seo K, Kim SA, Choe YJ, Moon J. School Nurses' Experiences and Needs in COVID-19 Pandemic Response: A Qualitative Study. J Sch Nurs 2023:10598405231185592. [PMID: 37487208 PMCID: PMC10372512 DOI: 10.1177/10598405231185592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic drastically shifted the public health burden onto the school health system. We, therefore, explored the school nurses' experiences and needs for confronting the pandemic in school settings across Korea. This qualitative investigation enrolled 30 participants after their written consent. A written interview conducted through email and focus group interviews using an online meeting application verified participants' opinions and experiences. Collected data were subjected to text-mining and content analysis. The school nurse was found to be responsible for many tasks, including education on preventive measures with unclear quarantine guidelines. Content analysis identified three key themes: "aggravated difficulties owing to lack of support resulted in burnout," "reflection on supportive resources; direct provisions were helpful," and "needs and suggestions to safeguard students' health in the event of another pandemic." Recommendations should all be considered to keep schools and students safe from future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoungsan Seo
- College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Se-An Kim
- College of Nursing, Gachon University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Young June Choe
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jihyun Moon
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Callies M, Kabouche I, Desombere I, Merckx J, Roelants M, Vermeulen M, Duysburgh E. SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control measures in Belgian schools between December 2020 and June 2021 and their association with seroprevalence: a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:898. [PMID: 37194008 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15806-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To protect school-aged children from the potential consequences of a new viral infection, public health authorities recommended to implement infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in school settings. Few studies evaluated the implementation of these measures and their effect on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among pupils and staff. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in Belgian schools and assess its relation to the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among pupils and staff. METHODS We conducted a prospective cohort study in a representative sample of primary and secondary schools in Belgium between December 2020 and June 2021. The implementation of IPC measures in schools was assessed using a questionnaire. Schools were classified according to their compliance with the implementation of IPC measures as 'poor', 'moderate' or 'thorough'. Saliva samples were collected from pupils and staff to determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. To assess the association between the strength of implementation of IPC measures and SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among pupils and staff, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the data collected in December 2020/January 2021. RESULTS A variety of IPC measures (ventilation, hygiene and physical distancing) was implemented by more than 60% of schools, with most attention placed on hygiene measures. In January 2021, poor implementation of IPC measures was associated with an increase in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among pupils from 8.6% (95%CI: 4.5 - 16.6) to 16.7% (95%CI: 10.2 - 27.4) and staff from 11.5% (95%CI: 8.1 - 16.4) to 17.6% (95%CI: 11.5 - 27.0). This association was only statistically significant for the assessment of all IPC measures together in the population comprised of pupils and staff. CONCLUSIONS Belgian schools were relatively compliant with recommended IPC measures at the school level. Higher SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among pupils and staff was found in schools with poor implementation of IPC measures, compared to schools with thorough implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial is registered under the NCT04613817 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier on November 3, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Callies
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Ines Kabouche
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Desombere
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Immune Response, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joanna Merckx
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mathieu Roelants
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Leuven, Louvain, KU, Belgium
| | - Melissa Vermeulen
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Els Duysburgh
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
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Woltran F, Lindner KT, Schwab S. Pandemic Education-Insights into Teachers' Perceptions of Hygiene Measures in Schools Due to COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5207. [PMID: 36982116 PMCID: PMC10049323 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065207] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
To prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect the health of school staff and students, Austrian education policymakers introduced several hygiene measures that posed new challenges for teachers. The current paper focuses on teachers' perceptions of hygiene measures in schools during the 2021-2022 school year. In Study 1, 1372 Austrian teachers participated in an online survey at the end of 2021. In Study 2, five teachers participated in an in-depth qualitative interview study. The quantitative results show that half the teachers felt a strong burden from the COVID-19 tests, but that the tests worked better when teachers had more teaching experience. Elementary and secondary school teachers, unlike special education teachers, had fewer problems implementing COVID-19 testing. The qualitative results suggest that teachers needed an acclimatization period for previously unfamiliar tasks, such as COVID-19 testing, to become accustomed to this newly implemented measure. Additionally, wearing facemasks was only evaluated positively in the context of self-serving strategies, while the protection of student health was not considered. In summary, the current study calls attention to the particular vulnerability of teachers and provides insights into the reality of schools in times of crisis that could be particularly helpful to education policymakers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Woltran
- Centre for Teacher Education, University of Vienna, Porzellangasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Susanne Schwab
- Centre for Teacher Education, University of Vienna, Porzellangasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Education, University of Vienna, Sensengasse 3A, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University, 1174 Hendrick Van Eck Boulevard, Vanderbijlpark 1900, South Africa
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Skar GB, Graham S, Huebner A. The Long-Term Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children's Writing: a Follow-up Replication Study. EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW 2023; 35:15. [PMID: 36747881 PMCID: PMC9893196 DOI: 10.1007/s10648-023-09729-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the move by governments worldwide to cancel in-class instruction and move to emergency remote instruction in March and April of 2020 created an unprecedented disruption in children's education. As the COVID-19 pandemic took form and continued to impact education in the following 2020/2021 academic year, multiple concerns were raised about possible negative effects on students' learning. The current longitudinal replication study examined this proposition for second-grade students in Norway. In a previous investigation (Skar et al. Journal of Educational Psychology 114:1553-1566, 2022), we found that scores for quality of writing, handwriting fluency, and attitude toward writing of first-grade children tested immediately after emergency remote instruction ended in the Spring of 2020 (During COVID-19 cohort) were lower than the scores of first-grade students from the same schools tested a year earlier before the start of the pandemic (Before COVID-19 cohort). In the present study, we compared the scores for the During COVID-19 cohort (333 girls, 308 boys) on these same writing measures 1 year later at the end of second grade to a During COVID-19 cohort of second-graders (888 girls, 780 boys) from the same schools tested 2 years earlier before the start of the pandemic. The initial negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on first-grade students' writing observed by Skar et al. (Journal of Educational Psychology 114:1553-1566, 2022) was no longer evident 1 year later at the end of second grade in the current study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustaf B. Skar
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway ,University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Steve Graham
- Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA ,Australian Catholic University – Brisbane, Sydney, Australia
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Zhou Z, Graham S, Hsiang TP. Teaching Chinese characters to first and second graders during the first covid-19 school closure in China: an observational study. READING AND WRITING 2022; 36:1-34. [PMID: 36591409 PMCID: PMC9786517 DOI: 10.1007/s11145-022-10398-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education around the world, resulting in the implementation of different forms of remote instruction. The present study provided a description of one interesting and unique approach to providing such instruction by analyzing 144 language arts lessons designed and implemented by 61 distinguished and experienced teachers in Xiangzhou, China. The lessons were used to teach first and second grade students the pronunciation, meaning, recognition, and writing of simplified Chinese characters. These lessons provide a possible model for teaching Chinese characters in the future. The 144 lessons were delivered synchronously through live video interactions with two to four students, while other students were able to access them simultaneously at home via an internet device or on TV (the lessons were accessed 2.1 million times). Lessons were taught four to seven times a week, and teachers devoted 58% of lesson time to teaching characters: 69% and 46% of lesson time was spent teaching characters in grades one and two, respectively. A large number of recommended behaviors for teaching characters (77 out of 80 behaviors assessed) were applied across the 144 lessons, but a relatively small number of teaching behaviors (14) were used in each lesson. This typically included two behaviors for teaching character recognition and four behaviors each for teaching pronunciation, meaning, and writing of characters. Congruently, 6.32, 5.83, 5.49, and 3.78 min per lessons were used to teach character pronunciation, writing, meaning, and recognition, respectively. Character instruction in these lessons was coherently and logically designed, but all live interactions between teachers and students were teacher directed. Directions for future research are presented and implications for practice discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Zhou
- Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macao, China
- Lecong First Experimental School, Foshan City, Guangdong Province China
| | - Steve Graham
- Mary Lou Fulton College of Education, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
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Ganem F, Bordas A, Folch C, Alonso L, Montoro-Fernandez M, Colom-Cadena A, Mas A, Mendioroz J, Asso L, Anton A, Pumarola T, González MV, Blanco I, Soler-Palacín P, Soriano-Arandes A, Casabona J. The COVID-19 Sentinel Schools Network of Catalonia (CSSNC) project: Associated factors to prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in educational settings during the 2020-2021 academic year. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277764. [PMID: 36395191 PMCID: PMC9671345 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sentinel Schools project was designed to monitor and evaluate the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Catalonia, gathering evidence for health and education policies to inform the development of health protocols and public health interventions to control of SARS-CoV-2 infection in schools. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections and to identify their determinants among students and staff during February to June in the academic year 2020-2021. We performed two complementary studies, a cross-sectional and a longitudinal component, using a questionnaire to collect nominal data and testing for SARS-CoV-2 detection. We describe the results and perform a univariate and multivariate analysis. The initial crude seroprevalence was 14.8% (95% CI: 13.1-16.5) and 22% (95% CI: 18.3-25.8) for students and staff respectively, and the active infection prevalence was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.3-1) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.1-2). The overall incidence for persons at risk was 2.73 per 100 person-month and 2.89 and 2.34 per 100 person-month for students and staff, respectively. Socioeconomic, self-reported knowledge, risk perceptions and contact pattern variables were positively associated with the outcome while sanitary measure compliance was negatively associated, the same significance trend was observed in multivariate analysis. In the longitudinal component, epidemiological close contact with SARS-CoV-2 infection was a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection while the highest socioeconomic status level was protective as was compliance with sanitary measures. The small number of active cases detected in these schools suggests a low transmission among children in school and the efficacy of public health measures implemented, at least in the epidemiological scenario of the study period. The major contribution of this study was to provide results and evidence that help analyze the transmission dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate the associations between sanitary protocols implemented, and measures to avoid SARS-CoV-2 spread in schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Ganem
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Government of Catalonia, Badalona, Spain
- Departament de Pediatria, d’Obstetrícia i Ginecologia i de Medicina Preventiva i de Salut Publica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Anna Bordas
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Government of Catalonia, Badalona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Cinta Folch
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Government of Catalonia, Badalona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Lucia Alonso
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Government of Catalonia, Badalona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Marcos Montoro-Fernandez
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Government of Catalonia, Badalona, Spain
| | - Andreu Colom-Cadena
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Government of Catalonia, Badalona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
| | - Ariadna Mas
- Direcció Assistencial d’Atenció Primària i Comunitària, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jacobo Mendioroz
- Subdirecció general de Vigilància i Resposta a Emergències de l’Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, Departament de Salut, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Laia Asso
- Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya (ASPCAT), Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Andres Anton
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Tomàs Pumarola
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Maria Victoria González
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut Català de la Salut, Institut D’Investigació en Ciències de La Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Ignacio Blanco
- Microbiology Department, Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Nord, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Institut Català de la Salut, Institut D’Investigació en Ciències de La Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Pere Soler-Palacín
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Antoni Soriano-Arandes
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Casabona
- Centre of Epidemiological Studies on Sexually Transmitted Infections and AIDS of Catalonia (CEEISCAT), Health Department, Government of Catalonia, Badalona, Spain
- Departament de Pediatria, d’Obstetrícia i Ginecologia i de Medicina Preventiva i de Salut Publica, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
- Institut d’Investigació Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Binrayes A, Almahdy A, Rashid Habib S, Aljutaili A, Alotaibi Y, Aldowihi S, Alkhathran A. Dental students’ academic performance before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: A retrospective analysis. Saudi Dent J 2022; 34:751-756. [PMCID: PMC9664765 DOI: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Delivering quality education to students with fair assessment strategies is a key indicator of an excellent educational institution. The present study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the academic performance of dental students in terms of the evaluations/grades awarded to them before and during the pandemic. The targeted groups were dental students, studying in the third year of 2018-2019 and 2020-2021 academic years. The sample size included all male and female students who enrolled and completed the following courses: pre-clinical fixed prosthodontics (SDS333), pre-clinical removal prosthodontics (SDS323), clinical operative dentistry-1 (RDS313), and pre-clinical endodontics (RDS323). Evaluations for students who did not complete the requirements were not included in the statistical analysis. Paired sample statistics were used for comparisons between the different groups at p < 0.05. Results revealed statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) for all the course pairs. It was found that students’ grades for all the courses during the pandemic year were higher compared to the grades before the pandemic. While female students demonstrated the highest mean difference (6.13) before and during the pandemic year for RDS323, males demonstrated the highest mean difference (8.14) for SDS323. However, both male and female students demonstrated the lowest mean difference (0.25 and 2.03, respectively) for SDS333. The grades were higher during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, female students achieved higher grades than male students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz Binrayes
- Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Almahdy
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, King Saud University
| | - Syed Rashid Habib
- Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Corresponding author at: Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, P. O. Box 60169, King Abdullah Road, Riyadh, 11545, Saudi Arabia
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Amin-Chowdhury Z, Bertran M, Kall M, Ireland G, Aiano F, Powell A, Jones SE, Brent AJ, Brent BE, Baawuah F, Okike I, Beckmann J, Garstang J, Ahmad S, Sundaram N, Bonell C, Langan SM, Hargreaves J, Ladhani SN. Parents' and teachers' attitudes to and experiences of the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in primary and secondary schools following reopening of schools in autumn 2020: a descriptive cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e052171. [PMID: 36171032 PMCID: PMC9527746 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess implementation and ease of implementation of control measures in schools as reported by staff and parents. DESIGN A descriptive cross-sectional survey. SETTING Staff and parents/guardians of the 132 primary schools and 19 secondary schools participating in COVID-19 surveillance in school kids (sKIDs and sKIDsPLUS Studies). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Prevalence of control measures implemented in schools in autumn 2020, parental and staff perception of ease of implementation. RESULTS In total, 56 of 151 (37%) schools participated in this study, with 1953 parents and 986 staff members completing the questionnaire. Most common measures implemented by schools included regular hand cleaning for students (52 of 56, 93%) and staff (70 of 73, 96%), as reported by parents and staff, respectively, and was among the easiest to implement at all times for students (57%) and even more so, for staff (78%). Maintaining 2-metre distancing was less commonly reported for students (24%-51%) as it was for staff (81%-84%), but was one of the most difficult to follow at all times for students (25%) and staff (16%) alike. Some measures were more commonly reported by primary school compared to secondary school parents, including keeping students within the same small groups (28 of 41, 68% vs 8 of 15, 53%), ensuring the same teacher for classes (29 of 41, 71% vs 6 of 15, 40%). On the other hand, wearing a face covering while at school was reported by three-quarters of secondary school parents compared with only parents of 4 of 41 (10%) primary schools. Other measures such as student temperature checks (5%-13%) and advising staff work from home if otherwise healthy (7%-15%) were rarely reported. CONCLUSIONS Variable implementation of infection control measures was reported, with some easier to implement (hand hygiene) than others (physical distancing).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahin Amin-Chowdhury
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Marta Bertran
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Meaghan Kall
- COVID-19 National Epidemiology Cell, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Georgina Ireland
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Felicity Aiano
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Annabel Powell
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Samuel E Jones
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Andrew J Brent
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Bernadette E Brent
- John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Frances Baawuah
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Ifeanychukwu Okike
- Derbyshire Children's Hospital, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, Derby, UK
| | - Joanne Beckmann
- Specialist Children & Young People's Services, East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Joanna Garstang
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Allens Croft Children's Centre, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Shazaad Ahmad
- Department of Virology, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Neisha Sundaram
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Chris Bonell
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sinéad M Langan
- Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - James Hargreaves
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's University of London, London, UK
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11
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Bozzola E, Caffarelli C, Santamaria F, Corsello G. The year 2021 in COVID-19 pandemic in children. Ital J Pediatr 2022; 48:161. [PMID: 36064605 PMCID: PMC9444079 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-022-01360-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In this article, the developments in the field of COVID-19 pandemic published in the Italian Journal of Pediatrics in 2021 are reflected. We describe progresses in SARS-CoV-2 transmission route, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and access to health care facilities in children. They led to substantial changes in the clinical approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bozzola
- Department of Pediatric, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Pediatric Diseases Unit, Rome, Italy.
| | - Carlo Caffarelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Clinica Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Santamaria
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Corsello
- Department of Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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12
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Perceived Satisfaction with Online Study during COVID-19 Lockdown Correlates Positively with Resilience and Negatively with Anxiety, Depression, and Stress among Slovenian Postsecondary Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127024. [PMID: 35742270 PMCID: PMC9222706 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to fill the research gap regarding the influence of satisfaction with distance learning on the correlates of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS An online cross-sectional study was conducted in February and March 2021, involving 4661 postsecondary students. Five validated instruments-PHQ-9 (depression), GAD-7 (anxiety), PSS-4 (stress), CD-RISC-10 (resilience) and SAT-5 (satisfaction with online study)-were used in the present study. FINDINGS The correlations between anxiety, depression, and stress were so high that they were almost inextricably linked. Both satisfaction with online learning and psychological resilience were negatively correlated with anxiety, depression, and stress. Satisfaction with online learning was also negatively correlated with psychological resilience. Females showed higher levels of vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and stress, and exhibited lower levels of psychological resilience than males. CONCLUSION Home-based distance-learning during the COVID-19-induced lockdown had a significant impact on students' mental health. Low satisfaction with distance learning can lead to the development of anxiety and depression symptoms, increase stress, and decrease the psychological resilience of postsecondary students; therefore, it is critical that educational institutions focus on implementing interventions that promote students' satisfaction with distance learning, and their psychological resilience, to protect their mental health.
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13
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Perspectives and Factors Affecting the Preventive Behavior Pertinent to COVID-19 among School Employees in Chiang Mai, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095662. [PMID: 35565063 PMCID: PMC9104893 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The school is one of the most challenging environments for management to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. School employees play important roles as the main practitioners of recommended preventive measures. Consistent application of preventive measures by school employees strengthens the school’s readiness to reopen for on-site education. The study objectives are (1) to assess school employee agreement and actions in accordance with the preventive measures and recommendations for COVID-19 prevention and control, (2) to assess the readiness of the school and employees for on-site education, and (3) to determine factors associated with consistent performance of these measures. A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey from 5 November 2021 to 25 January 2022. Self-reported online questionnaires were used to collect school employees’ data. The readiness of schools for on-site education was assessed using 44 indicators from the practical guidelines by the Thai Department of Health. Of the 402 study participants, the majority of participants had agreed to all measures and recommendations for COVID-19 prevention and control in school. High levels of concern and disagreement in school re-opening (aOR 3.78, 95%CI 1.04 to 13.70; p = 0.043) were associated with higher consistent performance of the measures and recommendations for COVID-19 prevention and control in schools. Male teachers (aOR 0.43, 95%CI 0.23 to 0.80; p = 0.008) and any disagreement with these measures and recommendations (aOR 0.03, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.23; p < 0.001) were associated with lower consistent performance. Our study findings can inform the stakeholders to decide on the re-opening and supportive strategies. School employees, especially in male employees, must be supported from the relevant sectors to decrease disagreement to the measures and enhance awareness of the pandemic situation before the school re-opening.
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14
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Faghani A, Hughes MC, Vaezi M. Association of anti-contagion policies with the spread of COVID-19 in United States. J Public Health Res 2022; 11. [PMID: 35332753 PMCID: PMC8991027 DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2022.2748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outbreak of a novel coronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or COVID-19, raised worldwide concern. The present study investigates the association between anti-contagion policies and the spread of COVID-19 across the United States. DESIGN AND METHODS We selected the most frequently implemented COVID-19 anti-contagion policies in all the U.S. states issued from 29 February 2020. Accordingly, we modified an epidemiological model and combined it with a comprehensive statistical analysis to evaluate the policies' individual and overall likely impact. RESULTS For the first time, a novel index, evaluates the associations between policy implementation and COVID-19 spread at both statewide and national levels. Our results indicate that governmental policies requiring mask use, businesses social distancing, and quarantining travelers may be most effective for controlling COVID-19 spread. Simultaneously, widespread orders like school closure and safer-at-home that can be particularly disruptive to the economy and social fabric of society may be unnecessary given their lack of association with reducing infection. CONCLUSIONS The absence of any COVID-19 vaccines during the first several months of its pandemic necessitated using governmental policies to help stop the spread of this disease. Our index showed the association between implemented policies and COVID-19 spread, highlighting the specific policies with the greatest association - mandatory quarantine upon entering a state, businesses implementing social distancing, and mandatory mask use - and those with less association like school closure and safer-at-home orders. This study provided evidence to inform policy choices for the current global crisis and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Faghani
- College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.
| | | | - Mahdi Vaezi
- College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.
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15
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Esposito S. Manifesto of the pediatricians of Emilia-Romagna region, Italy, in favor of vaccination against COVID in children 5–11 years old. Ital J Pediatr 2022; 48:40. [PMID: 35248142 PMCID: PMC8898060 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-022-01229-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Following the authorization by the regulatory authorities of vaccination against COVID for children aged between 5 and 11, in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy, the pediatricians of the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP), the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN), the Cultural Association of Pediatrics, the Italian Federation of Pediatricians (FIMP) and the Italian Union of Family Pediatricians (SIMPeF), who work in the hospital and in the territorial setting, have made a univocal and convinced appeal in favor of vaccination also in this age group. Main findings In order to contribute to a conscious choice, on the part of parents, based on exhaustive and correct information, a 24-point manifesto was developed. The manifesto showed that vaccines against COVID are the most effective and safest tool we have to counter the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and vaccination against COVID is a right of children just as it is for adults. Children between 5 and 11 years are not protected from the virus and a large part of the newly infected is this age. Although SARS-CoV-2 infection is certainly more benign in children, in some cases it can cause a serious pathology and long COVID. The stress caused by the pandemic, the prolonged closure of schools and the interruption of sports and recreational activities have had a devastating effect on the mental health of children and on the development of their personality. Vaccinating children against COVID serves to protect them from severe forms of disease and long COVID, allowing them to attend school face-to-face and lead a normal social life. The safety of vaccinatin is very high and vaccines against COVID have no influence on fertility nor can they cause developmental or growth side effects. Conclusions The manifesto highlighted that the vaccine against COVID for children aged between 5 and 11 is effective and safe and represents an extraordinary gift for safeguarding health of the younger ones. The invitation, therefore, to parents is to have their children vaccinated against COVID as early as possible.
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16
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Baek YJ, Chung WS, Lee KH, Lee EH, Lee SJ, Kim J, Kim JH, Ahn JY, Jeong SJ, Choi JY, Yeom JS. Surveillance of Close Contacts and Implications of Pediatric Patients with COVID-19-Experiences from a Single Residential Treatment Center. Yonsei Med J 2022; 63:292-295. [PMID: 35184432 PMCID: PMC8860931 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2022.63.3.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Residential treatment centers (RTCs) are successful in isolating and closely monitoring adults confirmed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but there are concerns for children who need care. This study was conducted as a retrospective analysis of the surveillance of guardians who entered an RTC with infected pediatric patients to identify the secondary attack rate of COVID-19 to close contacts in a single RTC and to provide directions for developing guidelines for caregivers who co-isolate with infected children. When caregivers were admitted to this RTC, aside from negative confirmation before discharge, tests were additionally performed one or two times. There were 57 index children and adolescent patients who entered the RTC with their parents as caregivers. The secondary attack rate by pediatric patients to close contacts outside their households was 25% (95% confidence interval, 10.0 to 40.0) (8 out of 32 contacts). The transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 in children was close to zero at 6 days after the confirmation tests. It is reasonable to test the close contacts of pediatric patients after 7 days of isolation to identify infections among caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yae Jee Baek
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won Suk Chung
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ki Hyun Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Hwa Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Se Ju Lee
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinnam Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Ho Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Young Ahn
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Su Jin Jeong
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun Yong Choi
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon-Sup Yeom
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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17
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Kannan P, Bhawra J, Patel P, Katapally TR. Preserving rural school health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Indigenous citizen scientist perspectives from a qualitative study. AIMS Public Health 2022; 9:216-236. [PMID: 35634029 PMCID: PMC9114787 DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2022016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
<abstract>
<p>This qualitative study is part of Smart Indigenous Youth, a digital health community trial involving rural schools in Saskatchewan, Canada. Secondary school administrators and educators were engaged as citizen scientists in rural Indigenous communities to understand rapid decision-making processes for preserving school health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to inform evidence-based safe school policies and practices. After COVID-19 restrictions were implemented, key informant interviews and focus groups were conducted with school administrators and educators, respectively, to understand the impact of school responses and decision-making processes. Two independent reviewers conducted thematic analyses and compared themes to reach consensus on a final shortlist. Four main themes emerged from the administrator interviews, and six main themes were identified from the educator focus group discussions which revealed a pressing need for mental health supports for students and educators. The study findings highlight the challenges faced by schools in rural and remote areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, including school closures, students' reactions to closures, measures taken by schools to preserve health during the pandemic, and different approaches to implement for future closures. Citizen scientists developed a set of recommendations, including the need for structured communication, reflection meetings, adequate funding, and external monitoring and evaluation to guide evidence-based safe school policies and practices during the pandemic.</p>
</abstract>
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Kannan
- Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina, 2155 College Ave, Regina, SK S4P 4V5, Canada
| | - Jasmin Bhawra
- Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan, 101 Diefenbaker Pl, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B8, Canada
| | - Pinal Patel
- Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina, 2155 College Ave, Regina, SK S4P 4V5, Canada
| | - Tarun Reddy Katapally
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, London, ON N6A 5B9, UK
- * Correspondence: ; Tel: +15196614249
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18
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Cotugno N, Ruggiero A, Pascucci GR, Bonfante F, Petrara MR, Pighi C, Cifaldi L, Zangari P, Bernardi S, Cursi L, Santilli V, Manno EC, Amodio D, Linardos G, Piccioni L, Barbieri MA, Perrotta D, Campana A, Donà D, Giaquinto C, Concato C, Brodin P, Rossi P, De Rossi A, Palma P. Virological and immunological features of SARS-COV-2 infected children with distinct symptomatology. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2021; 32:1833-1842. [PMID: 34174102 PMCID: PMC8420243 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although SARS-CoV-2 immunizations have started in most countries, children are not currently included in the vaccination programs; thus, it remains crucial to define their anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune response in order to minimize the risk for other epidemic waves. This study sought to provide a description of the virology ad anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity in children with distinct symptomatology. METHODS Between March and July 2020, we recruited 15 SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic (AS) and 51 symptomatic (SY) children, stratified according to WHO clinical classification. We measured SARS-CoV-2 viral load using ddPCR and qPCR in longitudinally collected nasopharyngeal swab samples. To define anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, we measured neutralization activity and total IgG load (DiaSorin). We also evaluated antigen-specific B and CD8+T cells, using a labeled S1+S2 protein and ICAM expression, respectively. Plasma protein profiling was performed with Olink. RESULTS Virological profiling showed that AS patients had lower viral load at diagnosis (p = .004) and faster virus clearance (p = .0002) compared with SY patients. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 humoral and cellular response did not appear to be associated with the presence of symptoms. AS and SY patients showed similar titers of SARS-CoV-2 IgG, levels of neutralizing activity, and frequency of Ag-specific B and CD8+ T cells, whereas pro-inflammatory plasma protein profile was found to be associated with symptomatology. CONCLUSION We demonstrated the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 humoral and cellular response with any regard to symptomatology, suggesting the ability of both SY and AS patients to contribute toward herd immunity. The virological profiling of AS patients suggested that they have lower virus load associated with faster virus clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Cotugno
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ruggiero
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rubens Pascucci
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Bonfante
- Laboratory of Experimental Animal Models, Division of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Maria Raffaella Petrara
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Unit of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Pighi
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Cifaldi
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Zangari
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Bernardi
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Cursi
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Santilli
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Emma Concetta Manno
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Donato Amodio
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Linardos
- Division of Virology, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Livia Piccioni
- Division of Virology, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Perrotta
- Department of Pediatric Emergency, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Campana
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Donà
- Department of Mother and Child Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Giaquinto
- Department of Mother and Child Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Concato
- Division of Virology, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Petter Brodin
- Department of Woman's and Children Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paolo Rossi
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Anita De Rossi
- Section of Oncology and Immunology, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Unit of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV)-IRCCS, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Palma
- Clinical and Research Unit of Clinical Immunology and Vaccinology, Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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19
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Guen CGL, Hentgen V, Dubos F, Kochert F, Balençon M, Levy C, Somekh I, Somekh E, Ferrara P, Pettoello-Mantovani M, Cohen R. French Pediatric Societies Call for School to Stay Open amid the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. J Pediatr 2021; 234:293-295.e2. [PMID: 33823187 PMCID: PMC8019244 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christèle Gras-Le Guen
- Obstetrical, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, Université de Paris, INSERM, Paris, France,INSERM CIC 1413, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France,Department of Pediatric Emergency Care, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France,French Pediatric Society (SFP) and General pediatric Group, Nantes, France,Pediatric Infectious Disease Group (GPIP), Créteil, France
| | - Véronique Hentgen
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Group (GPIP), Créteil, France,Department General Pediatrics, Centre Hospitalier de Versailles, Le Chesnay, France
| | - François Dubos
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Group (GPIP), Créteil, France,Pediatric Emergency and Infectious Diseases Unit, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, France
| | - Fabienne Kochert
- Association of French Primary Care Paediatrians (AFPA), Orleans, France
| | | | - Corinne Levy
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Group (GPIP), Créteil, France; Association of French Primary Care Paediatrians (AFPA), Orleans, France; Association Clinique et Thérapeutique Infantile du Val de Marne, Créteil, France; Paris Est University, IMRB-GRC GEMINI, Créteil, France.
| | - Ido Somekh
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eli Somekh
- Department of Pediatrics, Mayanei Hayeshuah Medical Center, Bnei Brak, Affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Massimo Pettoello-Mantovani
- European Paediatric Association, Union of National European Paediatric Societies and Associations, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Cohen
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Group (GPIP), Créteil, France,Association of French Primary Care Paediatrians (AFPA), Orleans, France,Association Clinique et Thérapeutique Infantile du Val de Marne, Créteil, France,Paris Est University, IMRB-GRC GEMINI, Créteil, France
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20
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Crea F, Panfili FM, Amodeo ME, Fintini D, Rossi FP, Trenta I, Menichella A, Ossella C, Deidda A, Lidano R, Macchiarulo G, Lambiase C, Barbieri MA, Raponi M. The impact of National Containment Measures on a Pediatric Italian regional Hub for COVID-19, an observational study. Ital J Pediatr 2021; 47:122. [PMID: 34078423 PMCID: PMC8170452 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-021-01081-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous studies described the epidemiological link and main clinical features of pediatric COVID-19, during the first pandemic period. Our study encompasses several different phases since the National Lockdown in Italy. The primary outcome is (I) to analyze the prevalence of positive NST (Nasopharyngeal Swab Test) among the largest Italian Pediatric cohort admitted to a single regional PED Hub for COVID-19 during an eight-month period. Secondary outcomes are: (II) the description of trend of admissions in our PED and (III) the categorization of the positive patients according to clinical manifestations and epidemiological link. Methods We described 316 patients with a positive NST for SARS-CoV2, on a total of 5001 nasopharyngeal swabs performed among 13,171 admissions at our PED, over a period starting from March 17th, 2020 to December 1st, 2020. Age, epidemiological link, clinical features and hospitalizations were analyzed according to different lockdown phases. Data were collected anonymously from electronic records and analyzed using SPSS 22.00 statistics software (Chicago, IL). Results Thirty-six percent of total admissions have been tested. During the post lockdown period, we performed the highest percentage of NST (Nasopharyngeal Swab Test) 49.7%, and among them 7.9% were positive. The prevalence of infection during a 10-month period was 2.3%. Mean age was 6.5 years old. Familial Link accounted for the 67.7% of infection, while Extrafamilial and Unknown link accounted for 17 and 14.9%, respectively. Familial link is predominant during all phases. Seventeen patients showed an intra-scholastic link, and the highest prevalence was observed in the 7–10 years age group, with a prevalence of 12.8% (5 patients). Fever was the most frequent symptom (66%), in particular among preschooler children aged 0–6 years (71.9%). Older children were more frequently symptomatic. Seven patients were admitted with MIS-C diagnosis. Conclusions Different levels of containment measures caused important changes in number of positive NST for SARS-CoV2. Familial link was predominant in our cohort, during all phases of Lockdown. The risk of being infected at home is four time greater than the risk of being infected from an extra familial individual. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clear impact of intra-scholastic link. The constant improvement in knowledge on onset symptoms and risk factor for SARS-CoV2 infection and its complications (e.g. MIS-C), can impact on number of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and early management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Crea
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | - Danilo Fintini
- Endocrinology Unit, University-Hospital Pediatric Department (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Rossi
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Italo Trenta
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Menichella
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Ossella
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Deidda
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Lidano
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Macchiarulo
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Lambiase
- Pediatric Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Massimiliano Raponi
- Occupational Medicine/Health Technology Assessment and Safety Research Unit, Clinical-Technological Innovations Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCSS, Rome, Italy.,Health Directorate, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Rome, Italy
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