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Huang PC, Hung CH, Chen GW, Cashin C, Griffiths MD, Yang WC, Wang HW, Lin CY, Ko NY. COVID-19-Related Self-Stigma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Insomnia, and Smartphone Addiction Among Frontline Government Workers with COVID-19 Pandemic Control Duties. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2022; 15:3069-3080. [PMID: 36281271 PMCID: PMC9587721 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s383842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The duties related to COVID-19 control and prevention may have caused psychological stress for the individuals in charge (eg, frontline government workers) and have reportedly led to mental health issues, such as insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the prevalence of these COVID-19-related disorders and their associated factors remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence rates of insomnia, PTSD, COVID-19-related self-stigma, and smartphone addiction, along with the identification of risk factors and protective factors for Taiwan frontline government workers with COVID-19 pandemic control duties. Methods The survey was carried out with 151 participants between September and October 2021. All participants completed the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (assessing fear of COVID-19), Self-Stigma Scale (assessing self-stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic), Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (assessing the risk of smartphone addiction), Insomnia Severity Index (assessing insomnia), Impacts of Event Scale-6 (assessing PTSD), and a self-designed set of questions assessing trait resilience. Results The results showed that the prevalence rate was 31.1% for insomnia and 33.8% for PTSD. Furthermore, service duration (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.86, 0.999) and trait resilience (AOR = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.08, 0.46) were protective factors and fear of COVID-19 (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.02, 3.57) was a risk factor for insomnia. Fear of COVID-19 (AOR = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.35, 5.14), self-stigma (AOR = 3.62; 95% CI = 1.19, 11.02), and smartphone addiction (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.001, 1.19) were risk factors, and trait resilience was a protective factor (AOR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.29, 1.17) for PTSD. Conclusion The findings demonstrated a high prevalence of insomnia and PTSD. Risk-reducing strategies and protective factor promotion strategies are recommended to help reduce the symptoms of insomnia and PTSD among Taiwan frontline government workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Ching Huang
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsia Hung
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Wei Chen
- Department of Hydraulic and Ocean Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ciaran Cashin
- Department of Hydraulic and Ocean Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Wen-Chi Yang
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, E-DA Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Faculty of School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Wen Wang
- Department of Hydraulic and Ocean Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Ying Lin
- Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Biostatistics Consulting Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Ying Ko
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Al-rawashdeh M, Keikhosrokiani P, Belaton B, Alawida M, Zwiri A. IoT Adoption and Application for Smart Healthcare: A Systematic Review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22145377. [PMID: 35891056 PMCID: PMC9316993 DOI: 10.3390/s22145377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
In general, the adoption of IoT applications among end users in healthcare is very low. Healthcare professionals present major challenges to the successful implementation of IoT for providing healthcare services. Many studies have offered important insights into IoT adoption in healthcare. Nevertheless, there is still a need to thoroughly review the effective factors of IoT adoption in a systematic manner. The purpose of this study is to accumulate existing knowledge about the factors that influence medical professionals to adopt IoT applications in the healthcare sector. This study reviews, compiles, analyzes, and systematically synthesizes the relevant data. This review employs both automatic and manual search methods to collect relevant studies from 2015 to 2021. A systematic search of the articles was carried out on nine major scientific databases: Google Scholar, Science Direct, Emerald, Wiley, PubMed, Springer, MDPI, IEEE, and Scopus. A total of 22 articles were selected as per the inclusion criteria. The findings show that TAM, TPB, TRA, and UTAUT theories are the most widely used adoption theories in these studies. Furthermore, the main perceived adoption factors of IoT applications in healthcare at the individual level are: social influence, attitude, and personal inattentiveness. The IoT adoption factors at the technology level are perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, performance expectancy, and effort expectations. In addition, the main factor at the security level is perceived privacy risk. Furthermore, at the health level, the main factors are perceived severity and perceived health risk, respectively. Moreover, financial cost, and facilitating conditions are considered as the main factors at the environmental level. Physicians, patients, and health workers were among the participants who were involved in the included publications. Various types of IoT applications in existing studies are as follows: a wearable device, monitoring devices, rehabilitation devices, telehealth, behavior modification, smart city, and smart home. Most of the studies about IoT adoption were conducted in France and Pakistan in the year 2020. This systematic review identifies the essential factors that enable an understanding of the barriers and possibilities for healthcare providers to implement IoT applications. Finally, the expected influence of COVID-19 on IoT adoption in healthcare was evaluated in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manal Al-rawashdeh
- School of Computer Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia; (B.B.); (M.A.)
- Correspondence: (M.A.-r.); (P.K.)
| | - Pantea Keikhosrokiani
- School of Computer Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia; (B.B.); (M.A.)
- Correspondence: (M.A.-r.); (P.K.)
| | - Bahari Belaton
- School of Computer Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia; (B.B.); (M.A.)
| | - Moatsum Alawida
- School of Computer Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800, Malaysia; (B.B.); (M.A.)
- Department of Computer Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi 59911, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdalwhab Zwiri
- School of Dental Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan 16150, Malaysia;
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Chang TW, Chang PC. A Reflection of a Taiwanese Resident of Surgery in COVID-19 Pandemic. Obes Surg 2022; 32:1397-1398. [PMID: 35157196 PMCID: PMC8853045 DOI: 10.1007/s11695-022-05936-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Wei Chang
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chih Chang
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
- Weight Management Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung City, 80756, Taiwan.
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Liang HF, Wu YC, Wu CY. Nurses' experiences of providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan: A qualitative study. Int J Ment Health Nurs 2021; 30:1684-1692. [PMID: 34369646 PMCID: PMC8447461 DOI: 10.1111/inm.12921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In the event of a contagious disease outbreak that reaches the level of a pandemic, the responsibility of providing care for patients increases for front-line nurses. However, being in a nursing role exposes professionals to a range of risks, including but not limited to contagion and mental health impacts. This qualitative study aimed to explore in-depth nurses' experiences of providing care in the time of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The study followed the COREQ guidelines. Purposive sampling was applied to recruit participants. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect the data from 16 nurses across five hospitals in Taiwan in 2020. Contents were analysed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. The essential structure that was identified was 'Providing care cautiously and being alert to the changing environment', which reflects the progress of Taiwanese nurses in providing care during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The essence of the phenomenon is presented through three themes: (i) facing the emerging challenge, (ii) struggling with uncertainty, fear, stigma, and workload, and (iii) adapting to changes in the environment: learning and innovation. The findings identified multi-dimensional impacts of nursing experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the study yielded evidence and practices that can be used to guide and support adequate interventions to support nursing professionals. By understanding the various aspects of nurses' experiences, policymakers and administrators can better address nursing care providers' professional and mental health needs during a pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwey-Fang Liang
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi Campus, Puzi, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Puzi, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chen Wu
- Heart Center, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yu Wu
- Hematology and Oncology-12C ward, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Kao YY, Chen YC, Hsu TW, Zhong HR, Cheng BC, Lee CT, Lee CH. Impact on Mental Well-Being and Resilience of Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions in Different Periods during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak in Taiwan. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9111457. [PMID: 34828503 PMCID: PMC8620477 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9111457] [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: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Concerns over the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and control measures have affected the routine outpatient visits of individuals with comorbidities and their mental well-being. From October 2019 to August 2020, this cross-sectional study enrolled 135 patients who sought medical attention at a medical center in Taiwan. This period covered the early (October to December 2019), peak (January to April 2020), and late (May to August 2020) periods of the COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan. The demographic data, social support data, activities of daily living (ADL), resilience scale scores, and mental well-being scale scores of the participants were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in the participation rate, demographic data, and social support data between the three periods. The correlation analysis confirmed significant negative relationships between the number of COVID-19 cases and outpatient department visits per month (r = −0.764, p < 0.001), emergency department visits per month (r = −0.023, p < 0.001), ADL (r = −0.257, p = 0.03), resilience scale (r = −0.390, p < 0.001), and mental well-being scale (r = −0.475, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan was associated with declines in the ADL, mental well-being, and resilience of patients who sought medical attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Yin Kao
- Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Chun Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
| | - Tsuen-Wei Hsu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (T.-W.H.); (H.-R.Z.); (B.-C.C.); (C.-T.L.)
| | - Hua-Rong Zhong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (T.-W.H.); (H.-R.Z.); (B.-C.C.); (C.-T.L.)
| | - Ben-Chung Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (T.-W.H.); (H.-R.Z.); (B.-C.C.); (C.-T.L.)
| | - Chien-Te Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan; (T.-W.H.); (H.-R.Z.); (B.-C.C.); (C.-T.L.)
| | - Chen-Hsiang Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-7-7317123
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Liu CM, Lee CTC, Chou SM, Ko HY, Wang JH, Chih YC, Chang CC. Strategies for supplying face masks to the population of Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1854. [PMID: 34645410 PMCID: PMC8514256 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11808-3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of face masks has become ubiquitous in Taiwan during the early COVID-19 pandemic. A name-based rationing system was established to enable the population of Taiwan to purchase face masks. This study is to assess the extent and fairness of face mask supply to the public in Taiwan. METHODS The weekly face marks supplies were collected from name-based rationing system administrative statistics included national health insurance card and e-Mask selling record. National registered population statistics by age, gender, and district were collected from department of statistics ministry of the interior. The number of COVID-19 non-imported cases of Taiwan was collected from Taiwan centers of disease control. RESULTS A total of 146,831,844 person times purchase records from February 6, 2020, to July 19, 2020, the weekly average face mask supply is 0.5 mask (per person) at the start of name-based rationing system, and gradually expanded to the maximum 5.1 masks (per person). Comparing the highest weekly total face mask supply (from Apr 9, 2020, to Apr 15, 2020) in aged 0-9 -, 10-19 -, 20-29 -, 30-39 -, 40-49 -, 50-59 -, 60-69 -,70-79 -, 80-89 -, 90-99, and > 100 years to the register population showed similar distribution between mask supplied people and total population (all standardized difference < 0.1). CONCLUSION The masks supply strategies has gradually escalated the number of face masks for the public, it not only has dominant decreased the barrier of acquiring face mask, but a fair supply for total population use of Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Mei Liu
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Charles Tzu-Chi Lee
- Department of Health Promotion and Health Education National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Shu-Mei Chou
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hai-Yun Ko
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Hsin Wang
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chien Chih
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chi Chang
- Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, Taiwan
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7
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Umair M, Cheema MA, Cheema O, Li H, Lu H. Impact of COVID-19 on IoT Adoption in Healthcare, Smart Homes, Smart Buildings, Smart Cities, Transportation and Industrial IoT. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:3838. [PMID: 34206120 PMCID: PMC8199516 DOI: 10.3390/s21113838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 has disrupted normal life and has enforced a substantial change in the policies, priorities and activities of individuals, organisations and governments. These changes are proving to be a catalyst for technology and innovation. In this paper, we discuss the pandemic's potential impact on the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in various broad sectors, namely healthcare, smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, transportation and industrial IoT. Our perspective and forecast of this impact on IoT adoption is based on a thorough research literature review, a careful examination of reports from leading consulting firms and interactions with several industry experts. For each of these sectors, we also provide the details of notable IoT initiatives taken in the wake of COVID-19. We also highlight the challenges that need to be addressed and important research directions that will facilitate accelerated IoT adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Umair
- Department of Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, New Campus, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Punjab 54890, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Aamir Cheema
- Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Omer Cheema
- IoT Wi-Fi Business Unit, Dialog Semiconductor, Green Park Reading RG2 6GP, UK;
| | - Huan Li
- Department of Computer Science, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7K, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark;
| | - Hua Lu
- Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark;
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Patterson GE, McIntyre KM, Clough HE, Rushton J. Societal Impacts of Pandemics: Comparing COVID-19 With History to Focus Our Response. Front Public Health 2021; 9:630449. [PMID: 33912529 PMCID: PMC8072022 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.630449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has disrupted everyday life worldwide and is the first disease event since the 1918 H1N1 Spanish influenza (flu) pandemic to demand an urgent global healthcare response. There has been much debate on whether the damage of COVID-19 is due predominantly to the pathogen itself or our response to it. We compare SARS-CoV-2 against three other major pandemics (1347 Black Death, 1520's new world smallpox outbreaks, and 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic) over the course of 700 years to unearth similarities and differences in pathogen, social and medical context, human response and behavior, and long-term social and economic impact that should be used to shape COVID-19 decision-making. We conclude that <100 years ago, pandemic disease events were still largely uncontrolled and unexplained. The extensive damage wreaked by historical pandemics on health, economy, and society was a function of pathogen characteristics and lack of public health resources. Though there remain many similarities in patterns of disease spread and response from 1300 onwards, the major risks posed by COVID-19 arise not from the pathogen, but from indirect effects of control measures on health and core societal activities. Our understanding of the epidemiology and effective treatment of this virus has rapidly improved and attention is shifting toward the identification of long-term control strategies that balance consideration of health in at risk populations, societal behavior, and economic impact. Policymakers should use lessons from previous pandemics to develop appropriate risk assessments and control plans for now-endemic COVID-19, and for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace E Patterson
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - K Marie McIntyre
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Helen E Clough
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Rushton
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Clough HE, McIntyre KM, Patterson GE, Harris JP, Rushton J. Use of routine death and illness surveillance data to provide insight for UK pandemic planning: lessons from COVID-19. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e044707. [PMID: 33558359 PMCID: PMC7871230 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Reporting of COVID-19 cases, deaths and testing has often lacked context for appropriate assessment of disease burden within risk groups. The research considers how routine surveillance data might provide initial insights and identify risk factors, setting COVID-19 deaths early in the pandemic into context. This will facilitate the understanding of wider consequences of a pandemic from the earliest stage, reducing fear, aiding in accurately assessing disease burden and ensuring appropriate disease mitigation. SETTING UK, 2020. PARTICIPANTS The study is a secondary analysis of routine, public domain, surveillance data and information from Office for National Statistics (ONS), National Health Service (NHS) 111 and Public Health England (PHE) on deaths and disease. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Our principal focus is ONS data on deaths mentioning COVID-19 on the death certificate. We also consider information provided in NHS 111 and PHE data summaries. RESULTS Deaths with COVID-19 significantly contributed to, yet do not entirely explain, abnormally elevated all-cause mortality in the UK from weeks 12-18 of 2020. Early in the UK epidemic, COVID-19 was the greatest threat to those with underlying illness, rarely endangering people aged under 40 years. COVID-19-related death rates differed by region, possibly reflecting underlying population structure. Risk of COVID-19-related death was greater for healthcare and social care staff and black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals, having allowed for documented risk factors. CONCLUSION Early contextualisation of public health data is critical to recognising who gets sick, when and why. Understanding at-risk groups facilitates a targeted response considering indirect consequences of society's reaction to a pandemic alongside disease-related impacts. COVID-19-related deaths mainly mirror historical patterns, and excess non-COVID-19-related deaths partly reflect reduced access to and uptake of healthcare during lockdown. Future outbreak response will improve through better understanding of connectivity between disease monitoring systems to aid interpretation of disease risk patterns, facilitating nuanced mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen E Clough
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK
| | - K Marie McIntyre
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK
| | - Grace E Patterson
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK
| | - John P Harris
- Department of Public Health and Policy, Institute of Population Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jonathan Rushton
- Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, UK
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Rudan
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute for Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
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11
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Shimizu K, Negita M. Lessons Learned from Japan's Response to the First Wave of COVID-19: A Content Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2020; 8:E426. [PMID: 33114264 PMCID: PMC7711542 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare8040426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
While the epidemiological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been relatively moderate in East-Asian countries, the pandemic has significantly impacted on citizens' lives and livelihoods, and Japan is no exception. In the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan managed unprecedented quarantines and realized the difficulty of controlling COVID-19, finally recording a relatively high number of deaths per million in the Western Pacific region. However, scant research has highlighted the distinctive features of Japan's reaction and the challenges encountered. To clarify these points and examine Japan's first response to COVID-19, we performed a content analysis. Minutes of expert meetings were analyzed from multiple viewpoints, including epidemiology, health systems, border control, and health communication. The obscure evolution of the testing strategy, the usefulness of retrospective contact tracing, the rapid scientific risk assessment, a sluggish expansion of health system capacity and response in border control, and misunderstanding between risk communication and crisis communication are made evident by our analysis. Examining previous responses and gathering lessons learned in each country will improve global responses to COVID-19 and strengthen regional health security. Therefore, while investing in public health and ensuring transparency, Japan needs to clarify the previous decision-making process of each countermeasure towards COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Shimizu
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, Cowdray House, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 15 Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Masashi Negita
- Department of Surgery, Komaki City Hospital, 1-20, Jobushi, Aichi, Komaki 485-8520, Japan;
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