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Yeh MH, Huang CH, Lin YC, Huang TJ, Chen MY. The health impact of an innovative summer camp for older adults: a pilot study using an interdisciplinary collaborative approach. BMC Nurs 2022; 21:4. [PMID: 34983513 PMCID: PMC8725505 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-021-00782-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Healthy aging with dignity and aging in place are important for Taiwanese individuals. Although Taiwan did not experience COVID-19 outbreaks prior to May 2021, many older adults have been encouraged to stay at home since the beginning of the global pandemic in January 2020. Such shelter-in-place recommendations have resulted in significant lifestyle changes, limiting activities associated with aging with dignity such as exercise and community engagement. Few studies have explored how to promote or maintain holistic health practices and physical fitness in older adults residing in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This pilot study aimed to establish an interdisciplinary collaboration with community care workers (CCWs) and evaluate the impact of an innovative summer camp (ISC) program for older adults residing in rural areas. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post-test design with an interdisciplinary collaborative approach was implemented. The ISC program was based on a standardized protocol of modified Baduanjin exercise combined with three recreational breathing games. Participants were recruited from three community centers around the western coastal region of Yunlin County between June and August 2020. The ISC program was designed and executed by a nurse-led health promotion research team that collaborated with trained CCWs for 90 min per day, five days per week, for 12 weeks. Participants and CCWs wore facemasks during all activities. Paired t-test was used to measure changes in physical biomarkers, pulmonary lung function, and health-related fitness changes. Results Sixty-eight participants completed the ISC program. The ISC program significantly improved the participants’ physiological biomarkers and health-related fitness, including reduced body weight, waistline, and systolic blood pressure, and increased forced vital capacity, biceps arm flexion, and ability to sit and stand from a chair, step with a knee up in situ, and stand on one foot with eyes open. Most participants reported that they felt happy, satisfied, and hoped that this program would be continued in their community center. Conclusions This interdisciplinary, collaborative ISC program improved physical biomarkers and health-related fitness in older adults. Despite limitations, results strongly suggested that primary healthcare providers and CCWs can employ the described ISC program to promote wellness in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Hua Yeh
- Department of Respiratory Therapy and Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 638, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsien Huang
- Department of Family Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 638, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chih Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 638, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Jung Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 638, Yunlin, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, 613, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yen Chen
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, 613, Chiayi, Taiwan. .,School of Nursing, Chang Gung University, 333, Taoyuan, Taiwan. .,Department of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 613, Chiayi, Taiwan. .,, No. 2, Chiapu Rd. West Sec, 613, Putz City, 61363, Chiayi County, Taiwan, ROC.
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Muldoon OT, Liu JH, McHugh C. The Political Psychology of COVID-19. POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 42:715-728. [PMID: 34548719 PMCID: PMC8447463 DOI: 10.1111/pops.12775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to unprecedented and extraordinary conditions. It represents a profound threat to health and political and economic stability globally. It is the pressing issue of the current historical moment and is likely to have far-reaching social and political implications over the next decade. Political psychology can inform our preparedness for the next phase of the pandemic as well as our planning for a post COVID-19 world. We hope that this special issue will play its part in helping us to think how we manage and live with COVID-19 over the coming decade. In this editorial, we review the key themes arising from the contributions to our special issue and, alongside existing knowledge highlight the relevance of political psychology to finding solutions during this time of crisis. The contributions to this special issue and the pandemic raise many classic topics of central interest to political psychology: leadership, solidarity and division, nationalism, equality, racism, and international and intergroup relations. In our editorial, we offer an analysis that highlights three key themes. First, the importance of sociopolitical factors in shaping behavior during this pandemic. Second, the relevance of political leadership and rhetoric to collective efforts to tackle SARS-COV-2. And third, how sociopolitical cohesion and division has become increasingly relevant during this time of threat and crisis.
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Lo A, Jun BO, Shieh V, Starlin CM, Sugahara S, Li DJ. A Comparative Study of Social Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Republic of Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Psychiatry Investig 2021; 18:1006-1017. [PMID: 34619815 PMCID: PMC8542752 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2021.0220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The frequency of various disasters has become a 21st century global crisis. The biological-disaster of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) gave rise to a multi-dimensional global impact. The 25 items of Societal Influences Survey Questionnaire (SISQ) was developed to assess various categories of social influence during the pandemic. This study compares the SISQ scores of Taiwan, Republic of Korea (Korea) and Japan. METHODS Persons living in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan were recruited and evaluated through an SISQ online survey. The SISQ is composed of 25 items each with a 4-point Likert scale. The SISQ assesses the following six factors: self-restraint, social impact, government policy, social cost, concern of infection, and awareness of information. A principal factor analysis and reliability (Cronbach's alpha) were performed to validate the SISQ. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc analysis was conducted to explore the differences between groups. RESULTS The SISQ had acceptable reliabilities, and accounted for 58.86% of the variance. The significance for ANOVA with post-hoc analysis showed that scores of self-restraints ranked highest in Japan followed by Taiwan and Korea. Taiwanese scored lower than other nations regarding the concern of infection. Koreans scored higher in awareness of information than the other two nations. The effect of age and marital status were also estimated. CONCLUSION The SISQ comprehensively evaluate multiple domains of social influence, and it manifests the divergence of social impacts across the three nations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Lo
- Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Bang-Ook Jun
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Science, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Vincent Shieh
- Graduate Institute of Gender Education, National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Clay M Starlin
- Department of Education, Worcester State University, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Satoshi Sugahara
- School of Business Administration, Kwansei Gakuin University, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Dian-Jeng Li
- Department of Addiction Science, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Nursing, Meiho University, Pingtung, Taiwan
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López Seguí F, Navarrete Duran JM, Tuldrà A, Sarquella M, Revollo B, Llibre JM, Ara del Rey J, Estrada Cuxart O, Paredes Deirós R, Hernández Guillamet G, Clotet Sala B, Vidal Alaball J, Such Faro P. Impact of Mass Workplace COVID-19 Rapid Testing on Health and Healthcare Resource Savings. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:7129. [PMID: 34281065 PMCID: PMC8297152 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: The epidemiological situation generated by COVID-19 has cast into sharp relief the delicate balance between public health priorities and the economy, with businesses obliged to toe the line between employee health and continued production. In an effort to detect as many cases as possible, isolate contacts, cut transmission chains, and limit the spread of the virus in the workplace, mass testing strategies have been implemented in both public health and industrial contexts to minimize the risk of disruption in activity. Objective: To evaluate the economic impact of the mass workplace testing strategy as carried out by a large automotive company in Catalonia in terms of health and healthcare resource savings. Methodology: Analysis of health costs and impacts based on the estimation of the mortality and morbidity avoided because of screening, and the resulting savings in healthcare costs. Results: The economic impact of the mass workplace testing strategies (using both PCR and RAT tests) was approximately €10.44 per test performed or €5575.49 per positive detected; 38% of this figure corresponds to savings derived from better use of health resources (hospital beds, ICU beds, and follow-up of infected cases), while the remaining 62% corresponds to improved health rates due to the avoided morbidity and mortality. In scenarios with higher positivity rates and a greater impact of the infection on health and the use of health resources, these results could be up to ten times higher (€130.24 per test performed or €69,565.59 per positive detected). Conclusion: In the context of COVID-19, preventive actions carried out by the private sector to safeguard industrial production also have concomitant public benefits in the form of savings in healthcare costs. Thus, governmental bodies need to recognize the value of implementing such strategies in private settings and facilitate them through, for example, subsidies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc López Seguí
- Fight AIDS and Infectious Diseases Foundation, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.T.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (J.M.L.); (R.P.D.); (B.C.S.)
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (J.A.d.R.); (O.E.C.)
| | - Jose Maria Navarrete Duran
- Health Safety and Emergencies Unit SEAT CUPRA, the Companies of the Volkswagen Group in Spain, 08916 Badalona, Spain;
| | - Albert Tuldrà
- Fight AIDS and Infectious Diseases Foundation, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.T.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (J.M.L.); (R.P.D.); (B.C.S.)
| | - Maria Sarquella
- Fight AIDS and Infectious Diseases Foundation, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.T.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (J.M.L.); (R.P.D.); (B.C.S.)
| | - Boris Revollo
- Fight AIDS and Infectious Diseases Foundation, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.T.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (J.M.L.); (R.P.D.); (B.C.S.)
| | - Josep Maria Llibre
- Fight AIDS and Infectious Diseases Foundation, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.T.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (J.M.L.); (R.P.D.); (B.C.S.)
| | - Jordi Ara del Rey
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (J.A.d.R.); (O.E.C.)
| | - Oriol Estrada Cuxart
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (J.A.d.R.); (O.E.C.)
| | - Roger Paredes Deirós
- Fight AIDS and Infectious Diseases Foundation, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.T.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (J.M.L.); (R.P.D.); (B.C.S.)
| | - Guillem Hernández Guillamet
- Central Catalonia Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, Sant Fruitos de Bages, 08272 Barcelona, Spain; (G.H.G.); (J.V.A.)
| | - Bonaventura Clotet Sala
- Fight AIDS and Infectious Diseases Foundation, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (A.T.); (M.S.); (B.R.); (J.M.L.); (R.P.D.); (B.C.S.)
| | - Josep Vidal Alaball
- Central Catalonia Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, Sant Fruitos de Bages, 08272 Barcelona, Spain; (G.H.G.); (J.V.A.)
- Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Gerencia Territorial de la Catalunya Central, Institut Catala de la Salut, Sant Fruitos de Bages, 08272 Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundacio Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atencio Primaria de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, Sant Fruitos de Bages, 08272 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Such Faro
- Health Safety and Emergencies Unit SEAT CUPRA, the Companies of the Volkswagen Group in Spain, 08916 Badalona, Spain;
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López Seguí F, Estrada Cuxart O, Mitjà i Villar O, Hernández Guillamet G, Prat Gil N, Maria Bonet J, Isnard Blanchar M, Moreno Millan N, Blanco I, Vilar Capella M, Català Sabaté M, Aran Solé A, Argimon Pallàs JM, Clotet B, Ara del Rey J. A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the COVID-19 Asymptomatic Mass Testing Strategy in the North Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:7028. [PMID: 34209328 PMCID: PMC8297108 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18137028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epidemiological situation generated by COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of applying non-pharmacological measures in the management of the epidemic. Mass screening of the asymptomatic general population has been established as a priority strategy by carrying out diagnostic tests to detect possible cases, isolate contacts, cut transmission chains and thus limit the spread of the virus. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the economic impact of mass COVID-19 screenings of an asymptomatic population during the first and second wave of the epidemic in Catalonia, Spain. METHODOLOGY Cost-Benefit Analysis based on the estimated total costs of mass screening versus health gains and associated health costs avoided. RESULTS Excluding the value of monetized health, the Benefit-Cost ratio was estimated at 0.45, a low value that would seem to advise against mass screening policies. However, if monetized health is included, the ratio is close to 1.20, reversing the interpretation. In other words, the monetization of health is the critical element that tips the scales in favour of the desirability of screening. Results show that the interventions with the highest return are those that maximize the percentage of positives detected. CONCLUSION Efficient management of resources for the policy of mass screening in asymptomatic populations can generate high social returns. The positivity rate critically determines its desirability. Likewise, precocity in the detection of cases will cut more transmissions in the chain of contagion and increase the economic return of these interventions. Maximizing the value of resources depends on screening strategies being accompanied by contact-tracing and specific in their focus, targeting, for example, high-risk subpopulations with the highest rate of expected positives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc López Seguí
- Directorate for Innovation and Interdisciplinary Cooperation, North Metropolitan Territorial Authority Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain;
- Fight AIDS and Infectious Diseases Foundation, 08916 Badalona, Spain;
- Centre de Recerca en Economía de la Salut, Pompeu Fabra University, 08005 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Oriol Estrada Cuxart
- Directorate for Innovation and Interdisciplinary Cooperation, North Metropolitan Territorial Authority Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain;
| | | | | | - Núria Prat Gil
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (N.P.G.); (J.M.B.); (M.I.B.); (N.M.M.); (I.B.); (M.V.C.); (A.A.S.); (J.A.d.R.)
| | - Josep Maria Bonet
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (N.P.G.); (J.M.B.); (M.I.B.); (N.M.M.); (I.B.); (M.V.C.); (A.A.S.); (J.A.d.R.)
| | - Mar Isnard Blanchar
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (N.P.G.); (J.M.B.); (M.I.B.); (N.M.M.); (I.B.); (M.V.C.); (A.A.S.); (J.A.d.R.)
| | - Nemesio Moreno Millan
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (N.P.G.); (J.M.B.); (M.I.B.); (N.M.M.); (I.B.); (M.V.C.); (A.A.S.); (J.A.d.R.)
| | - Ignacio Blanco
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (N.P.G.); (J.M.B.); (M.I.B.); (N.M.M.); (I.B.); (M.V.C.); (A.A.S.); (J.A.d.R.)
| | - Marc Vilar Capella
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (N.P.G.); (J.M.B.); (M.I.B.); (N.M.M.); (I.B.); (M.V.C.); (A.A.S.); (J.A.d.R.)
| | - Martí Català Sabaté
- Comparative Medicine and Bioimage Centre of Catalonia (CMCiB), Fundació Institut d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain;
| | - Anna Aran Solé
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (N.P.G.); (J.M.B.); (M.I.B.); (N.M.M.); (I.B.); (M.V.C.); (A.A.S.); (J.A.d.R.)
| | | | - Bonaventura Clotet
- IrsiCaixa—Institut de Recerca de La SIDA, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain;
| | - Jordi Ara del Rey
- North Metropolitan Primary Care Directorate, Catalan Institute of Health, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (N.P.G.); (J.M.B.); (M.I.B.); (N.M.M.); (I.B.); (M.V.C.); (A.A.S.); (J.A.d.R.)
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A Simulation Model for Forecasting COVID-19 Pandemic Spread: Analytical Results Based on the Current Saudi COVID-19 Data. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13094888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) spreads worldwide during the first half of 2020. As is the case for all countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), where the number of reported cases reached more than 392 K in the first week of April 2021, was heavily affected by this pandemic. In this study, we introduce a new simulation model to examine the pandemic evolution in two major cities in KSA, namely, Riyadh (the capital city) and Jeddah (the second-largest city). Consequently, this study estimates and predicts the number of cases infected with COVID-19 in the upcoming months. The major advantage of this model is that it is based on real data for KSA, which makes it more realistic. Furthermore, this paper examines the parameters used to understand better and more accurately predict the shape of the infection curve, particularly in KSA. The obtained results show the importance of several parameters in reducing the pandemic spread: the infection rate, the social distance, and the walking distance of individuals. Through this work, we try to raise the awareness of the public and officials about the seriousness of future pandemic waves. In addition, we analyze the current data of the infected cases in KSA using a novel Gaussian curve fitting method. The results show that the expected pandemic curve is flattening, which is recorded in real data of infection. We also propose a new method to predict the new cases. The experimental results on KSA’s updated cases reveal that the proposed method outperforms some current prediction techniques, and therefore, it is more efficient in fighting possible future pandemics.
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