Physical and mental health impact of COVID-19 on children, adolescents, and their families: The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times - Children and Adolescents (COH-FIT-C&A)

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered daily routines and family functioning, led to closing schools, and dramatically limited social interactions worldwide. Measuring its impact on mental health of vulnerable children and adolescents is crucial.

METHODS

The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT - www.coh-fit.com) is an on-line anonymous survey, available in 30 languages, involving >230 investigators from 49 countries supported by national/international professional associations. COH-FIT has thee waves (until the pandemic is declared over by the WHO, and 6-18 months plus 24-36 months after its end). In addition to adults, COH-FIT also includes adolescents (age 14-17 years), and children (age 6-13 years), recruited via non-probability/snowball and representative sampling and assessed via self-rating and parental rating. Non-modifiable/modifiable risk factors/treatment targets to inform prevention/intervention programs to promote health and prevent mental and physical illness in children and adolescents will be generated by COH-FIT. Co-primary outcomes are changes in well-being (WHO-5) and a composite psychopathology P-Score. Multiple behavioral, family, coping strategy and service utilization factors are also assessed, including functioning and quality of life.

RESULTS

Up to June 2021, over 13,000 children and adolescents from 59 countries have participated in the COH-FIT project, with representative samples from eleven countries.

LIMITATIONS

Cross-sectional and anonymous design.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence generated by COH-FIT will provide an international estimate of the COVID-19 effect on children's, adolescents' and families', mental and physical health, well-being, functioning and quality of life, informing the formulation of present and future evidence-based interventions and policies to minimize adverse effects of the present and future pandemics on youth.

The collaborative outcomes study on health and functioning during infection times in adults (COH-FIT-Adults): Design and methods of an international online survey targeting physical and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

. High-quality comprehensive data on short-/long-term physical/mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are needed.

METHODS

. The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT) is an international, multi-language (n=30) project involving >230 investigators from 49 countries/territories/regions, endorsed by national/international professional associations. COH-FIT is a multi-wave, on-line anonymous, cross-sectional survey [wave 1: 04/2020 until the end of the pandemic, 12 months waves 2/3 starting 6/24 months threreafter] for adults, adolescents (14-17), and children (6-13), utilizing non-probability/snowball and representative sampling. COH-FIT aims to identify non-modifiable/modifiable risk factors/treatment targets to inform prevention/intervention programs to improve social/health outcomes in the general population/vulnerable subgrous during/after COVID-19. In adults, co-primary outcomes are change from pre-COVID-19 to intra-COVID-19 in well-being (WHO-5) and a composite psychopathology P-Score. Key secondary outcomes are a P-extended score, global mental and physical health. Secondary outcomes include health-service utilization/functioning, treatment adherence, functioning, symptoms/behaviors/emotions, substance use, violence, among others.

RESULTS

. Starting 04/26/2020, up to 14/07/2021 >151,000 people from 155 countries/territories/regions and six continents have participated. Representative samples of ≥1,000 adults have been collected in 15 countries. Overall, 43.0% had prior physical disorders, 16.3% had prior mental disorders, 26.5% were health care workers, 8.2% were aged ≥65 years, 19.3% were exposed to someone infected with COVID-19, 76.1% had been in quarantine, and 2.1% had been COVID 19-positive.

LIMITATIONS

. Cross-sectional survey, preponderance of non-representative participants.

CONCLUSIONS

. Results from COH-FIT will comprehensively quantify the impact of COVID-19, seeking to identify high-risk groups in need for acute and long-term intervention, and inform evidence-based health policies/strategies during this/future pandemics.

Pseudo-first-order reaction of chemically and biologically formed green rusts with HgII and C₁₅H₁₅N₃O₂: effects of pH and stabilizing agents (phosphate, silicate, polyacrylic acid, and bacterial cells)

The kinetics of Hg(II) and methyl red (MR) reduction by hydroxycarbonate green rust (GR1) and by hydroxysulfate green rust (GR2) were studied in the presence of naturally occurring organic and inorganic ligands (phosphate, polyacrylic acid, bacterial cells, silicate). The reducing ability of biogenic hydroxycarbonate green rust (GR1bio), obtained after microbial reduction of lepidocrocite by Shewanella putrefaciens, was also investigated and compared to those of chemically synthesized GR1 and GR2 (GR1ab and GR2ab). Pseudo first-order rate constants (kobs) of Hg(II) reduction (at pH 7.0, 8.2, and 9.5) and MR reduction (at pH 7.0) were determined and were normalized to the structural Fe(II) content of GRs (kFeII) and to the estimated concentration of surface Fe(II) sites (kS). The kS values ranged from 0.3 L mmol(-1) min(-1) to 43 L mmol(-1) min(-1) for the Hg reduction, and from 0.007 L mmol(-1) min(-1) to 3.4 L mmol(-1) min(-1) for the MR reduction. No significant discrepancy between GRab and GRbio was observed in term of reactivity. However, the reduction kinetics of MR was generally slower than the Hg(II) reduction kinetics for all tested GRs. While a slight difference in Hg(II) reduction rate was noted whatever the pH values (7.0, 8.2, or 9.5), the reduction of MR was significantly affected in the presence of ligands. A decrease by a factor of 2-200, depending on the type of ligand used, was observed. These data give new insights into the reactivity of GRs in the presence of co-occurring organic and inorganic ligands, and have major implications in the characterization of contaminated systems as well as water treatment processes.