466 results
Search Results
152. Modeling the evolution of deaths from infectious diseases with functional data models: The case of COVID‐19 in Brazil.
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Collazos, Julian A. A., Dias, Ronaldo, and Medeiros, Marcelo C.
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COMMUNICABLE diseases , *COVID-19 pandemic , *QUANTILE regression , *DATA modeling , *REGRESSION analysis - Abstract
In this paper, we apply statistical methods for functional data to explore the heterogeneity in the registered number of deaths of COVID‐19, over time. The cumulative daily number of deaths in regions across Brazil is treated as continuous curves (functional data). The first stage of the analysis applies clustering methods for functional data to identify and describe potential heterogeneity in the curves and their functional derivatives. The estimated clusters are labeled with different "levels of alert" to identify cities in a possible critical situation. In the second stage of the analysis, we apply a functional quantile regression model for the death curves to explore the associations with functional rates of vaccination and stringency and also with several scalar geographical, socioeconomic and demographic covariates. The proposed model gave a better curve fit at different levels of the cumulative number of deaths when compared to a functional regression model based on ordinary least squares. Our results add to the understanding of the development of COVID‐19 death counts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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153. Examining civic engagement in ethnic minority youth populations: A literature review and concept analysis.
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Phan, Van and Kloos, Bret
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POLITICAL participation , *MINORITIES , *COVID-19 pandemic , *SERVICE learning , *SOCIAL change - Abstract
Racial reckoning is defined as the subjugation of Black, Indigenous, and people of Color (BIPOC) to racial hierarchies and subordinate groups that influence multiple well‐being outcomes throughout the developmental lifespan and across generations. With the two pandemics of racial reckoning and COVID‐19 amidst a growing controversial political landscape, topics around civic engagement have been brought to the forefront of community conversation. Discussions surrounding civic engagement must go beyond addressing issues of public concern and examine the vehicle in which civic engagement may be delivered. This is becoming increasingly important as civic engagement is one of the main avenues of social change through individual and collective action, particularly regarding racial reckoning and healthcare disparities highlighted by COVID‐19. The paper focuses on civic engagement among ethnic minority youth and young adults. An integrated model of civic engagement was created based off what was learned through this review. This proposed model of civic engagement is meant to be the first step to addressing the gap in civic engagement literature for ethnic minority youth. Weaknesses and future considerations regarding the model will also be discussed, as well as any implications for ethnic minority youth and young adults. Highlights: Civic engagement is one of the avenues of social change through individual and collective action.The proposed model is a first step to addressing the gap in civic engagement literature for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).Future studies should be more deliberate in highlighting its application to BIPOC communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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154. The persistence of neoliberal logics in faculty evaluations amidst Covid‐19: Recalibrating toward equity.
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Mickey, Ethel L., Misra, Joya, and Clark, Dessie
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COVID-19 pandemic , *ACADEMIC freedom , *HIGHER education & state , *COVID-19 , *UNIVERSITIES & colleges , *NEOLIBERALISM - Abstract
In this paper, we theorize the intersectional gendered impacts of COVID‐19 on faculty labor, with a particular focus on how institutions of higher education in the United States evaluate faculty labor amidst the COVID‐19 transition and beyond. The pandemic has disrupted faculty research, teaching, and service in differential ways, having larger impacts on women faculty, faculty of color, and caregiving faculty in ways that further reflect the intersections of these groups. Universities have had to reconsider how evaluation occurs, given the impact of these disruptions on faculty careers. Through a case study of university pandemic responses in the United States, we summarize key components of how colleges and universities shifted evaluations of faculty labor in response to COVID‐19, including suspending teaching evaluations, implementing tenure delays, and allowing for impact statements in faculty reviews. While most institutional responses recenter neoliberal principles of the ideal academic worker that is both gendered and racialized, a few universities have taken more innovative approaches to better attend to equity concerns. We conclude by suggesting a recalibration of the faculty evaluation system – one that maintains systematic faculty reviews and allows for academic freedom, but requires universities to take a more contextualized approach to evaluation in ways that center equity and inclusion for women faculty and faculty of color for the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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155. Uneven impacts of COVID‐19 on the attendance rates of secondary school students from different socioeconomic backgrounds in Australia: A quasi‐experimental analysis of administrative data.
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Tomaszewski, Wojtek, Zajac, Tomasz, Rudling, Emily, te Riele, Kitty, McDaid, Lisa, and Western, Mark
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SECONDARY school students , *COVID-19 pandemic , *COVID-19 , *DATA analysis , *EDUCATIONAL planning , *SUICIDE statistics , *HOME environment - Abstract
This paper contributes to the growing body of research that demonstrates uneven impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on educational outcomes of students from different socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. We evaluate the early impacts of COVID‐19 on student attendance in secondary school and show how these impacts depend on students' SES. We employ a quasi‐experimental design, using difference‐in‐differences (DiD) estimation extended to incorporate third‐order differences over time between low‐SES and other students, and pre‐ versus during‐COVID‐19, leveraging robust administrative data extracted from the registers of the Tasmanian Department of Education. Using data from multiple cohorts of secondary school students in government schools in Tasmania (N = 14,135), we find that while the attendance rates were similar pre‐ and during‐COVID‐19 for high‐SES students, there was a significant drop in attendance rates during COVID‐19 among socioeconomically disadvantaged students, demonstrating the more pronounced impacts of COVID‐19 for these students. The findings demonstrate that even "relatively short" lockdowns, as those in Tasmania in 2020 (30–40 days of home learning), can significantly affect the learning experiences of students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. We discuss the implications of this for future pandemic planning in educational policy and practice and how this needs to be addressed in Australia's COVID‐19 recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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156. Public health and social measures during health emergencies such as the COVID‐19 pandemic: An initial framework to conceptualize and classify measures.
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Rehfuess, Eva A., Movsisyan, Ani, Pfadenhauer, Lisa M., Burns, Jacob, Ludolph, Ramona, Michie, Susan, and Strahwald, Brigitte
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COVID-19 pandemic , *INFECTIOUS disease transmission , *PUBLIC health , *SYSTEMS theory , *INTERNATIONAL travel - Abstract
Background: Public health and social measures (PHSM) intend to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases and to reduce the burden on health systems, economies and societies. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, PHSM have been selected, combined and implemented in a variable manner and inconsistently categorized in policy trackers. This paper presents an initial conceptual framework depicting how PHSM operate in a complex system, enabling a wide‐reaching description of these measures and their intended and unintended outcomes. Methods: In a multi‐stage development process, we combined (i) a complexity perspective and systems thinking; (ii) literature on existing COVID‐19 PHSM frameworks, taxonomies and policy trackers; (iii) expert input and (iv) application to school and international travel measures. Results: The initial framework reflects our current understanding of how PHSM are intended to achieve transmission‐related outcomes in a complex system, offering visualizations, definitions and worked examples. First, PHSM operate through two basic mechanisms, that is, reducing contacts and/or making contacts safer. Second, PHSM are defined not only by the measures themselves but by their stringency and application to specific populations and settings. Third, PHSM are critically influenced by contextual factors. The framework provides a tool for structured thinking and further development, rather than a ready‐to‐use tool for practice. Conclusions: This conceptual framework seeks to facilitate coordinated, interdisciplinary research on PHSM effectiveness, impact and implementation; enable consistent, coherent PHSM monitoring and evaluation; and contribute to evidence‐informed decision‐making on PHSM implementation, adaptation and de‐implementation. We expect this framework to be modified and refined over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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157. Virtual objective structured clinical examination during the COVID‐19 pandemic: An essential addition to dental assessment.
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Donn, James, Scott, James Alun, Binnie, Vivian, Mather, Craig, Beacher, Nicholas, and Bell, Aileen
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COVID-19 pandemic , *DENTAL students , *VIDEO recording , *THEMATIC analysis , *FOCUS groups - Abstract
Introduction: COVID‐19 has profoundly affected dental undergraduate teaching and assessment. The pandemic resulted in cessation of face‐to face teaching and assessment in many countries, with an associated move online. Objective structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), an important modality for clinical assessment in dentistry and medicine, is not possible with pandemic restrictions in place. As a result, interest in virtual objective structured clinical examination (VOSCE) has been revived. Student and staff evaluation of any assessment process is important, where the views of all involved are required in establishment of authenticity. This papers aims to explore and describe the views of undergraduate dental students and staff in relation to VOSCE Materials and Method: Qualitative methods utilising online focus groups and video recording were used in this study. Five focus groups, involving 24 participants were undertaken. Results: Thematic analysis following a deductive semantic approach was carried out resulting in the identification of six themes relating to the VOSCE: VOSCE preconceptions, examination preparation, examination process, fairness, comparison with OSCE and possible improvements. Consideration of these themes, and their interaction, is likely to prove important for optimisation of this assessment modality. Conclusions: Overall, both staff and students considered the VOSCE a useful and fair examination and a suitable alternative to OSCE. The potential for a number of improvements in the assessment process was identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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158. Perspective: Coping with Covid‐19: An isolation risk assessment and management guideline for healthcare staff.
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Edwards, Kim, Cowan, Darrin, and Brunero, Scott
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MENTAL illness prevention , *MENTAL illness risk factors , *SOCIAL support , *JUDGMENT (Psychology) , *MENTAL health , *SOCIAL isolation , *RISK assessment , *MEDICAL protocols , *HEALTH behavior , *COMMUNICATION , *PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation , *COVID-19 pandemic , *PSYCHOLOGICAL stress - Abstract
The mental health consequences of pandemic isolation have been well documented extending from psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression to increased falls risk, medication errors and delirium. Whilst risk factors associated with isolation are known, there remains a gap in the guidance for healthcare staff on how to assess for these risks and develop effective management plans. Using a structured professional judgement (SPJ) approach and the author's recent experience providing consultation and leadership to clinical staff working with at‐risk patients during the pandemic, an isolation risk assessment and management guideline was developed. SPJ is an evidenced‐based analytical method used to understand and mitigate risk that was primarily developed for the assessment and management of aggression and violence. This paper discusses an evidenced‐based process used to develop the guideline and the application of its use from the author's clinical experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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159. Policy capacity during COVID‐19 in Asia: A systematic literature review.
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Mardiyanta, Antun and Wijaya, Calvin Nathan
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COVID-19 pandemic , *TRUST , *PUBLIC administration - Abstract
COVID‐19 has revealed the policy capacity of some governance institutions, both resilience and vulnerability. Hence, this circumstance has demanded public administration scholars and practitioners to rethink the existing governance practices, particularly in making effective crisis‐related policies. This paper reviewed primary and secondary studies exploring the application of policy capacity competencies in facilitating COVID‐19 handling in Asia. In achieving so, we did a systematic literature review of relevant studies published between January and October 2020. Applying the agreed search term to several databases, we found 2541 studies, while merely 30 were included for review. Findings from the studies are predominantly closely linked to operational capacity (n = 21). Other studies are related to political and analytical capacity (n = 14 and 7, retrospectively). We found that there are some dilemmas and inadequacy of understanding concerning the role of features in certain capacities (such as technology use versus individual privacy, the paradox of trust and legitimacy, or centralisation versus decentralisation), particularly in the time of crisis, which is a calling for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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160. What COVID‐19 has taught us about social inequities and the urgent need for systemic change.
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Wright, Toni, Sah, Rajeeb Kumar, Keys, Clare, Nanayakkara, Gowri, and Onyejekwe, Chisa
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HEALTH policy , *COLLEGE students , *COVID-19 , *HEALTH services accessibility , *SOCIAL determinants of health , *PRACTICAL politics , *HEALTH status indicators , *POPULATION geography , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *RISK assessment , *RESPONSIBILITY , *AT-risk people , *NEEDS assessment , *COVID-19 testing , *CONTACT tracing , *ISOLATION (Hospital care) , *POVERTY , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
This paper critically comments on the state of affairs in the UK relating to the pandemic and explores how a focus on inequities experienced by marginalized and vulnerable groups is necessary for exposing the material realties of everyday life, but also how such a focus has been hijacked by center right politics to distract us from collective responsibilities and building alliances for systemic change. The paper critically reviews the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the most marginalized and vulnerable in UK society and highlights the interconnected risk factors of COVID‐19 and its secondary impacts to demonstrate how these are linked to political ideology, policy, and practice. We conclude with recommendations informed through a looking back at the key tenants and purposes of universal healthcare to apprise what is needed in this moment of crisis and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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161. Does democracy protect? The United Kingdom, the United States, and Covid‐19.
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COVID-19 , *DEMOCRACY , *COVID-19 pandemic , *HERD immunity , *CRISIS management , *EMERGENCY management - Abstract
The Covid‐19 crises in the United Kingdom and the United States show how democracies may struggle to confront disasters that are increasingly impinging on the Global North. This paper highlights the extent to which disasters are now 'coming home' to Western democracies and it looks at some of the principal reasons why democracy has not been especially protective, at least in the case of the UK and the US. These include: reconceptualising disaster as a good thing (via 'herd immunity'); the influence of neoliberalism; and the limitations in the circulation of information. A key pandemic‐related danger is the conclusion that democracy itself is discredited. Disasters, though, call for a reinvigoration of democracy, not a knee‐jerk invocation of autocratic 'emergency' rule. A fundamental problem in the UK and US is that these countries were not democratic enough. The paper underlines the risk of a move towards a disaster‐producing system that is self‐reinforcing rather than self‐correcting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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162. 'Let communities do their work': the role of mutual aid and self‐help groups in the Covid‐19 pandemic response.
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Carstensen, Nils, Mudhar, Mandeep, and Munksgaard, Freja Schurmann
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MUTUAL aid , *SUPPORT groups , *COVID-19 pandemic , *GOVERNMENT aid , *COMMUNITIES , *COVID-19 - Abstract
How to respond quickly, effectively, and sensitively to large‐scale crises is debated at length in the aid sector. Institutional focuses on projects and outcomes have led to abundant literature on the efficacy of external interventions, while the actions of individuals and communities to meet their own needs remain under researched. This paper seeks to close the gap by joining global trends and specific case studies to explore the scale, breadth, and characteristics of citizen and community‐led responses to the Covid‐19 pandemic of 2020–21. Using mixed methods, it argues that mutual aid, self‐help, and other spontaneous community measures were vital to the early response to Covid‐19 globally. Such endeavours have limitations, however, which can be strengthened with the right national and international support. The paper concludes by calling on authorities and aid actors to widen their understanding of 'first response' and provide meaning ful support to mutual aid and local self‐help initiatives now and in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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163. Higher education students' experiences and opinion about distance learning during the Covid‐19 pandemic.
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Stevanović, Aleksandra, Božić, Radoslav, and Radović, Slaviša
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COLLEGE students , *KRUSKAL-Wallis Test , *STATISTICS , *MOTIVATION (Psychology) , *COLLEGE teachers , *COGNITION , *QUANTITATIVE research , *MANN Whitney U Test , *EXPERIENCE , *QUALITATIVE research , *UNDERGRADUATES , *STUDENTS , *UNIVERSITIES & colleges , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *STUDENT attitudes , *STATISTICAL correlation , *DATA analysis , *COVID-19 pandemic , *ALTERNATIVE education - Abstract
Background: The Covid‐19 pandemic has created significant challenges for the global higher education community. Understanding of students' perception has important implications for the quality of the learning process, as it affects students' engagement in learning, helps educators rethink the principles of the learning design and further improve the developed programs. Objectives: Understanding of how rapid and necessary changes of learning caused by the pandemic are related to students' intrinsic motivation and awareness. Methods: There were 832 participants in this study. Quantitative and qualitative research methods employing relevant statistical techniques were used to research students' opinions regarding the distance learning process. Results and Conclusions: Our analysis showed that first‐year students were significantly less motivated during the learning process than older students, they saw distance learning as less valuable and less interesting than the others. Our research found several positive consequences of the pandemic: working according to students' own schedule in a relaxed environment, looking at the lecture again if necessary, feeling free to ask questions and communicate with teachers and saving travel time. Implications: Teachers should have more understanding for the first‐year students who are threatened when it comes to developing motivation to learn and help them cope with learning anxieties, encourage their self‐belief and give them extra support during the learning process. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Intrinsic motivation is an important predictor of learning success, satisfaction and outcome in higher education.The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) outbreak has rapidly shifted classrooms to the Internet and distance learning. What this paper adds: The paper provides empirical evidence on how different demographic factors can be linked to students' motivation for learning in a changed educational environment.The paper also analyse students' perceptions of distance learning in regards to the positive and negative aspects of educational environment. Implications for practice and/or policy: Previous students' online learning experiences influence positively motivation for learning in a changed educational environment.First‐year students were less motivated during distance learning than older students.Students with a higher academic performance have put more effort in distance learning than other students.Benefits of distance learning perceived by students were: (a) working by their own schedule; (b) re‐watching the lecture; (c) feeling free to ask question and (d) saving travel time.Negative traits were: (a) lack of motivation and study focus; (b) anxiety as the change was unexpected and (c) lack of social and socio‐emotional aspect of learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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164. Changes in activity and content of messages of an Estonian Facebook group during transition to distance learning at the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
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Luik, Piret and Lepp, Marina
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STATISTICS , *KRUSKAL-Wallis Test , *CONFIDENCE intervals , *ANALYSIS of variance , *MATHEMATICAL models , *SOCIAL networks , *MULTIVARIATE analysis , *STAKEHOLDER analysis , *COMPUTER assisted instruction , *INSTANT messaging , *THEORY , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *CHI-squared test , *CONTENT analysis , *ODDS ratio , *DATA analysis , *DATA analysis software , *ALTERNATIVE education , *COVID-19 pandemic , *HOLIDAYS - Abstract
Background: The coronavirus pandemic has affected education worldwide. Estonian schools moved to distance learning on March 16. Objectives: This paper outlines the stages of unexpected and temporary changes affecting different stakeholders based on activity and content of the messages in the Facebook group 'Homeschooling with technology'. Also the applicability of the concerns‐based adoption model was explored to explain these changes. Methods: The investigated timespan includes the week before the emergency situation and the weeks of the school term and school holidays during the emergency situation, with 52 days in total, divided into seven periods. The 872 messages were coded by two researchers and changes were examined. Results and Conclusions: Four stages were identified, from low exposure and involvement with the change to focusing on collaboration and skipping the consequence stage. Furthermore, the new changes in the educational system might focus people again on personal concerns. Implications: The results help capture the changes in teaching and learning situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic in order to learn from these changes and be prepared for such situations in the future. Lay Description: What is already known about this topicIn the emergency situation, even well‐experienced teachers were not sure what and how to teach.There are several models and there are different models on handling the changes in education.Concerns‐based adoption model (CBAM) looks at how change affects people.Emotions have changed from negative to neutral in social media during school closures What this paper addsPrevious studies have been based mostly on surveys, but this paper adds an in‐depth analysis of messages from social media.Four stages describing how changes affect people have identified.New changes brought back personal concerns and no impact concerns raised.CBAM model is applicable in explaining unexpected temporary changes Implications for practice and/or policyIn teacher training, curricula courses about distance learning methodologies and tools should be added.National guidelines about the management of distance learning situations should be prepared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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165. The pandemic semesters: Examining public opinion regarding online learning amidst COVID‐19.
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Asare, Andy Ohemeng, Yap, Robin, Truong, Ngoc, and Sarpong, Eric Ohemeng
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ONLINE education , *TEACHING methods , *RE-entry students , *LEARNING strategies , *VOCABULARY , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *DATA analysis software , *EMOTIONS , *THEMATIC analysis , *STAY-at-home orders , *CLUSTER analysis (Statistics) , *CONTENT analysis , *STATISTICAL correlation , *COVID-19 pandemic , *PUBLIC opinion - Abstract
The current educational disruption caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic has fuelled a plethora of investments and the use of educational technologies for Emergency Remote Learning (ERL). Despite the significance of online learning for ERL across most educational institutions, there are wide mixed perceptions about online learning during this pandemic. This study, therefore, aims at examining public perception about online learning for ERL during COVID‐19. The study sample included 31,009 English language Tweets extracted and cleaned using Twitter API, Python libraries and NVivo, from 10 March 2020 to 25 July 2020, using keywords: COVID‐19, Corona, e‐learning, online learning, distance learning. Collected tweets were analysed using word frequencies of unigrams and bigrams, sentiment analysis, topic modelling, and sentiment labeling, cluster, and trend analysis. The results identified more positive and negative sentiments within the dataset and identified topics. Further, the identified topics which are learning support, COVID‐19, online learning, schools, distance learning, e‐learning, students, and education were clustered among each other. The number of daily COVID‐19 related cases had a weak linear relationship with the number of online learning tweets due to the low number of tweets during the vacation period from April to June 2020. The number of tweets increased during the early weeks of July 2020 as a result of the increasing number of mixed reactions to the reopening of schools. The study findings and recommendations underscore the need for educational systems, government agencies, and other stakeholders to practically implement online learning measures and strategies for ERL in the quest of reopening of schools. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: The current educational disruption caused by COVID‐19 pandemic has led to a plethora investment and the use of educational technologies for Emergency Remote Learning.There are wide mixed perceptions about online learning for Emergency Remote Learning during the current pandemic.There is little to no research conducted to examine public perception about online learning for Emergency Remote Learning during COVID‐19.The research paper's significant contribution is to investigate the opinions and perceptions of people around the world on COVID‐19 and Online Learning related issues. What this paper adds: Twitter was selected for this study due to its wide application and the ease of collecting tweets.Machine learning techniques, including world clouds, sentiment analysis, cluster analysis, correlations analysis, and trends analysis, were applied to identify useful insights..The study revealed topics like 'covid', 'learning', 'online', 'distance', 'students', 'schools' and 'pandemic' as the most mentioned words worldwide with nearly half of the public sentiments being positive (48.9%) and neutral (36%).Reopening of schools has received lots of mixed reactions and online learning appears to be a sustainable option during these unprecedented times. Implications for practice and/or policy: Theoretically, this study corresponds to literature relating to COVID‐19, online learning, and Emergency Remote Learning by exploring word frequency, discussed topic, public sentiments, relationships between themes, correlation, and trend analysis.This study recommends that educational institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders should work together to ensure an efficient and effective online learning policies, implementation, and its utilization for Emergency Remote Learning (ERL) as we fight the pandemic.Also, schools need to consider providing further support for educators and students by delivering workshop trainings on the importance and effective use of the online learning system for Emergency Remote Learning (ERL).Further, counselling services are strongly recommended to be made available online for educators and students to increase their teaching and learning morale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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166. Investigating the mediating role of online learning motivation in the COVID‐19 pandemic situation in Bangladesh.
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Rahman, Md. H Asibur, Uddin, Mohammad Shahab, and Dey, Anamika
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ONLINE education , *SCHOOL environment , *MOTIVATION (Psychology) , *CROSS-sectional method , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *DATA analysis software , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating role of online learning motivation (OLM) in the COVID‐19 pandemic situation in Bangladesh by observing and comparing direct lectures (DL), instructor–learner interaction (ILI), learner–learner interaction (LLI), and internet self‐efficacy (ISE) as predictors of OLM and online learning satisfaction (OLS). Data were collected from 442 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 35 universities in Bangladesh. To test the hypotheses, the PLS‐SEM approach was applied using SmartPLS 3.0. The study shows a significant mediating role of OLM between the independent variables and learning satisfaction. In addition, DL, ILI, and ISE are shown to be significant predictors of student satisfaction. The findings have a number of valuable implications for education policy makers, universities, instructors, and students. Moreover, the study suggests some new research perspectives to overcome the limitations of this research and to gain precise knowledge on students' learning motivation and satisfaction regarding other online classes for different categories of students (e.g., high school and college, professional, and PhD). Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Previous studies have been designed to show direct lectures, interactions, and internet self‐efficacy as predictors of student satisfaction in pre‐ COVID‐19 situations.Most of the previous scholarly articles found a mixed result; whether a positive or negative relationship between predictors and the dependent variable. What this paper adds: This study is the first study to explore the mediating effect of online learning motivation on student's satisfaction during the COVID‐19 pandemic from the perspective of a developing country.It concluded, among othe things, that more attention should be paid to students' and instructors' trainings for online learning. Implications for practice and/or policy: Developing countries are implementing online education for the first time, so this study contributes to policymakers, faculties, and universities to design appropriate instruction methods, interactions, course, and curriculum design to cope up with the new normal.This study will contribute concern policymakers to initiate and design necessary training and development programmes to enhance online learning skills and better learning experiences/satisfaction in this pandemic situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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167. The social determinants of health and health outcomes among adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A systematic review.
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Green, Heidi, Fernandez, Ritin, and MacPhail, Catherine
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EVALUATION of medical care , *META-synthesis , *CINAHL database , *PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems , *SOCIAL determinants of health , *MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems , *MEDICAL databases , *INFORMATION storage & retrieval systems , *MINORITIES , *SEXISM , *HEALTH services accessibility , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *DOMESTIC violence , *SOCIOECONOMIC factors , *AT-risk people , *MEDLINE , *HOUSING , *HOMELESSNESS , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Objective: To synthesize the best available evidence on the relationship between the social determinants of health and health outcomes among adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Introduction: COVID‐19 has created widespread global transmission. Rapid increase in individuals infected with COVID‐19 prompted significant public health responses from governments globally. However, the social and economic impact on communities may leave some individuals more susceptible to the detrimental effects. Methods: A three‐step search strategy was used to find published and unpublished papers. Databases searched included: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. All identified citations were uploaded into Endnote X9, with duplicates removed. Methodological quality of eligible papers was assessed by two reviewers, with meta‐synthesis conducted in accordance with JBI methodology. Results: Fifteen papers were included. Three synthesized‐conclusions were established (a) Vulnerable populations groups, particularly those from a racial minority and those with low incomes, are more susceptible and have been disproportionately affected by COVID‐19 including mortality; (b) Gender inequalities and family violence have been exacerbated by COVID‐19, leading to diminished wellbeing among women; and (c) COVID‐19 is exacerbating existing social determinants of health through loss of employment/income, disparities in social class leading to lack of access to health care, housing instability, homelessness, and difficulties in physical distancing. Conclusion: Reflection on social and health policies implemented are necessary to ensure that the COVID‐19 pandemic does not exacerbate health inequalities into the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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168. COVID‐19 and the legislative response in India: The need for a comprehensive health care law.
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Gowd, Kiran Kumar, Veerababu, Donthagani, and Reddy, Veeraiahgari Revanth
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COVID-19 , *COVID-19 pandemic , *PUBLIC health laws , *PANDEMICS , *EMERGENCY management , *CITIZENSHIP - Abstract
The outbreak of the SARS CoV2 virus, commonly referred to as the COVID‐19 pandemic, has impacted the social, economic, political, and cultural lives of citizens around the world. The sudden outbreak of the pandemic has exposed the legal preparedness, or lack thereof, of governments to reduce and contain its drastic impact. Strong legislative measures play a crucial role in any epidemic or pandemic situation. In this situation, the Indian Government has requested all state governments to invoke the Epidemic Disease Act (EDA) of 1897 to address the COVID‐19 emergency. The Central Government has also used the powers provided in the Disaster Management Act (DMA) of 2005. As the country is facing its first major health emergency since independence, the existing legislative measures to deal with a COVID‐19 like situation are lacking and require certain amendments to address such situations in the future. This paper aims to present the current constitutional and legislative response to health emergencies in India and attempts to identify gray areas in the statutory provisions. Based on the analysis, this paper suggests several recommendations for amending current legislation and suggests the promulgation of comprehensive public health law. This paper is largely based on primary sources such as the EDA and the DMA, regulations, guidelines, rules issued by the public authorities and court cases related to health and health emergencies along with secondary resources such as newspaper articles and published papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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169. Employee engagement practices during COVID‐19 lockdown.
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Chanana, Nisha and Sangeeta
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JOB involvement , *COVID-19 , *WEBINARS , *COVID-19 pandemic , *STAY-at-home orders , *VIDEOCONFERENCING - Abstract
In the present business situation during the COVID‐19 pandemic, employee engagement has become one of the utmost prominent primacies for human resource managers and practitioners in organizations due to lockdown. The paper is to determine the engagement of employees by various companies during coronavirus pandemic. Organizations nowadays are constantly developing innovative and effective means to engage the employees during this tough time. This paper is a conceptual paper that is based on various research papers, articles, blogs, online newspapers, and reports of World Health Organization. During this pandemic situation, organizations are evolving many engagement activities like online family engagement practices, virtual learning and development, online team building activities, webinars with industry experts, online conduct weekly alignment sessions, team meet‐ups over video conference for lunch, short online game sessions, virtual challenges and competitions, online courses, appreciation sessions, communication exercises, live sessions for new‐skill training, online counseling sessions, recognition and acknowledgment session, webinars dealing with anxiety and stress, providing online guidance for exercise and meditation, social interactions in a virtual office, classrooms training modules digitally, e‐learning modules, and many more creative learning sessions. Work‐from‐home regime engagement activities are very fruitful for employees as well as for organizations. Those organizations doing these kinds of engagement activities for their employees are learning new skills and developing themselves. Employees are feeling committed to the organization and stay motivated during this tough time of COVID‐19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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170. The Need of Global Social Nearness in Light of the Teachings of the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti.
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COVID-19 pandemic , *COVID-19 , *SOLIDARITY , *PANDEMICS - Abstract
Despite calls from global authorities to maintain social (physical) distance to stop the spread of COVID‐19, Pope Francis, in his encyclical Fratelli tutti, appealed for global social nearness to face the disastrous impact of the pandemic on people's lives. The encyclical raised several issues concerning the plight of the weak and the vulnerable amid the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, he did not address the plight of vulnerable people within the Catholic Church in the encyclical. Thus, in this paper, I will first examine the need for social nearness to weak and vulnerable people within the Catholic Church. Next, in light of the teachings of Fratelli tutti, I will examine the need for social nearness to the weakest in society, especially those affected by COVID‐19. Finally, I will examine the need for global mutual solidarity to face the various challenges caused by the pandemic. I will also explore the concrete proposals Pope Francis noted in his encyclical that are needed to accelerate global mutual solidarity during the pandemic and in the post–COVID‐19 world. The main source for this paper is Fratelli tutti itself. I will also refer to other church documents on social outreach and the opinions of experts in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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171. Bear in a Window: Australian children's perspectives on lockdown and experiences of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
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Kelly, Barbara F. and Diskin‐Holdaway, Chloé
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EXPERIMENTAL design , *WELL-being , *SAFETY , *HOME environment , *COVID-19 , *LINGUISTICS , *AGE distribution , *DIGITAL technology , *HEALTH status indicators , *MENTAL health , *EXPERIENCE , *CONCEPTUAL structures , *SEX distribution , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *STAY-at-home orders , *EMOTION regulation , *COVID-19 pandemic , *CHILDREN - Abstract
This paper examines the reflections of a cohort of Australian children who lived through the 2020–21 COVID‐19 pandemic and experienced being in 'lockdown'; a state of largely being confined to the home for long periods daily. We report how children reflect on their experiences and illustrate how reflections draw on similar topics focused on localised child concerns regarding health, education, family, digital engagement, mealtimes and food. Further, we argue for the importance of including children's own voices of lived experience in reports regarding life during the pandemic since these perspectives may differ from those reported by adults on children's behalf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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172. Children's lives and rights under lockdown: A Northern Irish perspective by autistic young people.
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O'Hagan, Gillian and Byrne, Bronagh
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HUMAN rights , *NORTHERN Irish , *GROUNDED theory , *PUBLIC health , *PATIENTS' attitudes , *CHILD welfare , *AUTISM , *PHOTOGRAPHY , *STAY-at-home orders , *EMOTIONS , *COVID-19 pandemic , *CHILDREN - Abstract
By June 2021, children and young people had experienced two periods of lockdown and home learning in Northern Ireland. The detrimental impact of these periods of indefinite confinement is wider reaching than reported educational stagnation, with the fundamental rights of childhood: play; rest; and leisure; all adversely implicated. Autistic children's experiences of Covid‐19 have been largely absent from current crisis and recovery discourse. This is the first published study to directly and specifically involve autistic children both as research advisors and as research participants in a rights‐based participatory study relating to the pandemic. Drawing on concepts of ableist childism and epistemic injustice, this article presents, through Photovoice, the emotional, social and educational experiences of post‐ primary aged autistic young people in Northern Ireland during the first 2020 lockdown of the Covid‐19 pandemic. The project was grounded in a child rights‐based approach and was guided by a group of four autistic young advisors aged 11–15. The paper concludes by arguing that government responses to the pandemic, as experienced by autistic young people, act as forms of oppression that prioritises and further embeds normative non‐autistic structures and responses under the guise of public health necessity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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173. Children's lives in an era of school closures: Exploring the implications of COVID‐19 for child labour in Ghana.
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Mohammed, Abdul‐Rahim
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CHILD labor , *RURAL conditions , *RESEARCH methodology , *INTERVIEWING , *QUALITATIVE research , *SCHOOLS , *STAY-at-home orders , *POVERTY , *THEMATIC analysis , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared COVID‐19 a global pandemic. Subsequently, governments worldwide implemented strict regimes of lockdowns and school closures to contain the transmission of the virus. Ghana's government on 15 March 2020 also announced a lockdown and closure of schools, lasting up till January 2021. Against this backdrop, the paper examined the implications of school closures on child labour in Ghana. Qualitative data for the study were collected between October 2020 to February 2021 in a small rural community in northern Ghana. Findings from 16 semi‐structured interviews with schoolchildren aged 8–13 years show how school closures have meant that children from contexts of poverty: (a) are driven into child labour as they are either forced to accompany their parents to work on farms or sell foodstuff by the roadside; and thus, ultimately (b) engage in no learning during the lockdown period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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174. 'We can play tag with a stick'. Children's knowledge, experiences, feelings and creative thinking during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
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Waboso, Nwakerendu, Donison, Laurel, Raby, Rebecca, Harding, Evan, Sheppard, Lindsay C., Grossman, Keely, Myatt, Haley, and Black, Sara
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WELL-being , *SOCIAL participation , *COVID-19 , *CREATIVE ability , *INTERVIEWING , *HEALTH literacy , *EXPERIENCE , *ATTITUDES toward illness , *SOCIAL isolation , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *HEALTH , *INFORMATION resources , *COVID-19 pandemic , *REFLECTION (Philosophy) , *CHILDREN - Abstract
Using a relational approach, we draw on repeated interviews with a group of 30 diverse children from Ontario to share and reflect on their knowledge, experiences and feelings early in the COVID‐19 pandemic. Prioritising relational interdependence and relational agency, this paper illustrates our participants' embedded engagements with the pandemic and their contribution to the co‐production of knowledge. We emphasise their thoughtful responses to the pandemic; their creative, self‐reflexive strategies for managing a difficult time; and their advice to others. We thus prioritise children's viewpoints and emphasise their relational interconnections with others during a time that was marked by social isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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175. How Sweden approached the COVID‐19 pandemic: Summary and commentary on the National Commission Inquiry.
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Ludvigsson, Jonas F.
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COVID-19 pandemic , *GOVERNMENTAL investigations , *CRISIS communication , *INFECTIOUS disease transmission , *MEDICAL care - Abstract
Aim: Sweden initially chose a different disease prevention and control path during the pandemic than many other European countries. In June 2020, the Swedish Government established a National Commission to examine the management of COVID‐19 in Sweden. This paper summarises, and discusses, its findings. Methods: Three reports published by the Commission were analysed. The first focused on the care of older people during the pandemic. The second examined disease and infection transmission and control and health care and public health. The third updated the first two reports and also covered economic aspects, crisis management and public communication. Results: By 25 February 2022, when the final report was published, 15 800 individuals, 1.5 per 1000 Swedish inhabitants, had died after COVID‐19. The death rates were high in spring 2020, but overall excess mortality in 2020–2021 was +0.79%, which was lower than in many other European countries. The Commission suggested that the voluntary measures that were adopted were appropriate and maintained Swedes' personal freedom during the pandemic. However, more extensive and earlier measures should have been taken, especially during the first wave. Conclusion: The Swedish COVID‐19 Commission felt that earlier and more extensive pandemic action should have been taken, particularly during the first wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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176. Body care activities and its consequences related to COVID‐19 pandemic.
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Mościcka, Patrycja
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COVID-19 pandemic , *HYGIENE , *COVID-19 , *INFECTIOUS disease transmission , *CUTANEOUS manifestations of general diseases - Abstract
Background: Symptoms of illnesses related to COVID‐19 disease include also dermatological changes. Moreover, modification of cosmetic and hygenic habits are widely noted. Aim: The aim of this paper is to review the literature focused on skin manifestations related to COVID‐19 disease. Materials and Methods: In order to obtain information contained in this review article electronic databases, such as Google Scholar and PubMed, was searched. Only peer‐reviewed articles published in the past two years have been studied. Results and Discussion: People have changed their cosmetics and hygenic habits, what has an impact on spreading COVID‐19 disease, as well as on the beauty industry and human health. Conclusion: More emphasis should be placed on increasing knowledge about skin lesions, which may appear in course of the disease or are associated with changes in hygenic and cosmetics habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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177. Timing of submissions to The Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health: Associations with the COVID‐19 pandemic and editorial decisions.
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McGee, Richard G, Graves, Lara E, and Barnett, Adrian
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COVID-19 pandemic , *ACQUISITION of manuscripts , *CHILDREN'S health , *PEDIATRICS , *ODDS ratio - Abstract
Aim: To determine if the timing of manuscript submissions to The Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (JPCH) changed following the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic and to determine if the timing of manuscript submissions influenced editorial decisions. Methods: A retrospective observational study of submissions to JPCH from 1 January 2015 to 1 August 2022 was performed. Regression models were used to explore the change over time. Editorial decisions were examined using a multinomial regression model with the three‐category ordinal outcome of reject, revise and accept. All statistical models were fitted using a Bayesian approach and show 95% credible intervals (CI). Results: The analyses included 11 499 manuscript submissions between 2015 and 2022. The mean number of manuscript submissions increased by 17 papers per month (CI 15–19), with a larger 4‐month long increase after the COVID‐19 pandemic was declared of 86 submissions per month (CI 67–103). There was no clear effect of the pandemic on weekend submissions, mean difference in probability 0.003 (CI –0.021 to 0.026). Throughout the study period, the peak submission time was later in the day and was shifted +37 min later post‐March 2020 (CI +22 to +52 min). Throughout the study period, submissions out‐of‐hours and on weekends were less likely to get an editorial decision of 'accept' or 'revise': odds ratio weekend versus weekday 0.87 (CI 0.78–0.97). Conclusion: The COVID‐19 pandemic had a limited effect on the timing of manuscript submissions to JPCH. However, the timing of manuscript submission impacted the likelihood of a more positive editorial decision. While the time of manuscript submission is only one part of the research process, it is postulated that it may be associated with research quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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178. Modeling the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic‐driven increases in alcohol consumption on health outcomes and hospitalization costs in the United States.
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Barbosa, Carolina, Dowd, William N., Neuwahl, Simon J., Rehm, Jürgen, Imtiaz, Sameer, and Zarkin, Gary A.
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EVALUATION of medical care , *LIFE expectancy , *ALCOHOL-induced disorders , *MORTALITY , *MEDICAL care costs , *DISEASES , *RACE , *ALCOHOL drinking , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *ETHNIC groups , *COVID-19 pandemic , *QUALITY-adjusted life years - Abstract
Background and aims: Alcohol consumption increased in the early phases of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and risky drinking are linked to harmful health effects. This paper aimed to project future health and cost impacts of shifts in alcohol consumption during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Design: An individual‐level simulation model of the long‐term drinking patterns for people with life‐time AUD was used to simulate 10 000 individuals and project model outcomes to the estimated 25.9 million current drinkers with life‐time AUD in the United States. The model considered three scenarios: (1) no change (counterfactual for comparison); (2) increased drinking levels persist for 1 year ('increase‐1') and (3) increased drinking levels persist for 5 years ('increase‐5'). Setting: United States. Participants: Current drinkers with life‐time AUD. Measurements: Life expectancy [life‐years (LYs)], quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs), alcohol‐related hospitalizations and associated hospitalization costs and alcohol‐related deaths, during a 5‐year period. Findings Short‐term increases in alcohol consumption (increase‐1 scenario) resulted in a loss of 79 000 [95% uncertainty interval (UI]) 26 000–201 000] LYs, a loss of 332 000 (104 000–604 000) QALYs and 295 000 (82 000–501 000) more alcohol‐related hospitalizations, costing an additional $5.4 billion ($1.5–9.3 billion) over 5 years. Hospitalizations for cirrhosis of the liver accounted for approximately $3.0 billion ($0.9–4.8 billion) in hospitalization costs, more than half the increase across all alcohol‐related conditions. Health and cost impacts were more pronounced for older age groups (51+), women and non‐Hispanic black individuals. Increasing the duration of pandemic‐driven increases in alcohol consumption in the increase‐5 scenario resulted in larger impacts. Conclusions: Simulations show that if the increase in alcohol consumption observed in the United States in the first year of the pandemic continues, alcohol‐related mortality, morbidity and associated costs will increase substantially over the next 5 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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179. Trends of clandestine laboratories manufacturing methamphetamine in New Zealand between 2009–2021: Evolution, enforcement, legislative, and COVID‐19 effects.
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Bogun, Ben, McKinnel, Megan, Russell, Matthew, Watson, Janine, Mayo, Erina, Marr, Brooke, Larsen, Annie, and Craig, Jessica
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METHAMPHETAMINE , *CHEMICAL processes , *COVID-19 , *COVID-19 pandemic , *MANUFACTURING processes , *EPHEDRINE - Abstract
The most common method of domestic methamphetamine manufacture encountered in New Zealand is the hydrogen iodide (HI) reduction of pseudoephedrine/ephedrine. While the overall method used to manufacture methamphetamine has remained consistent, the processes and chemicals utilized have evolved. Understanding the reason for any changes to methamphetamine manufacturing trends can assist jurisdictions with predicting the potential effects of enforcement and legislative initiatives. This paper presents data and trends amassed from suspected clandestine laboratories, associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine, in New Zealand between 2009 and 2021, along with data on methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, and ephedrine seizures at the border. The data have shown that clandestine manufacturers in New Zealand have evolved the methamphetamine manufacturing process over the years. These changes in trends can largely be attributed to various enforcement and legislative effects and the COVID‐19 pandemic response. Effects that enforcement, legislation, and the COVID‐19 pandemic response may have had on the precursors, chemicals and equipment encountered are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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180. Psychological treatment of traumatic memories in COVID‐19 survivors.
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Dinapoli, Loredana, Ferrarese, Daniele, Belella, Daniela, Carnevale, Stefania, Camardese, Giovanni, Sani, Gabriele, and Chieffo, Daniela Pia Rosaria
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TREATMENT of post-traumatic stress disorder , *COVID-19 , *EMDR (Eye-movement desensitization & reprocessing) , *FEAR , *SOCIAL isolation , *HOSPITAL care , *COVID-19 pandemic , *PSYCHOTHERAPY , *OUTPATIENT services in hospitals - Abstract
The COVID‐19 pandemic, which has affected a significant number of individuals worldwide, is generating serious mental health issues. Recovered COVID‐19 patients have experienced traumatic events related to their symptoms, isolation, possible hospitalization, bereavement, fear of infecting loved ones and the physical consequences of COVID‐19. One effective psychological treatment for these patients is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The aim of this paper is to describe the therapeutic intervention and effects of EMDR in a pool of COVID‐19 survivors referred to an integrated psychological/psychiatric outpatient service. Twelve patients, comprising of nine males and three females, underwent EMDR psychotherapy from October 2020 to February 2022. Each patient received 8–16 weekly treatment sessions. The standard EMDR protocol of eight stages was administered to enable desensitization and reprocessing of four main targets: first positive swab, hospitalization, isolation and fear for relatives' health. Efficacy of EMDR was demonstrated by the significant improvement at clinical scale for subjective distress caused by traumatic events. For the therapists, carrying out these treatments was an intense and challenging experience. In fact, the perceived distance between therapist and patient was less defined than in other hospital settings because the pandemic affects everyone equally. However, with the widespread availability of vaccines and although the pandemic is still ongoing with the emergence of new variants, a window of improvement in the mental health landscape is starting to open up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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181. Reproducible Science Is Vital for a Stronger Evidence Base During the COVID‐19 Pandemic.
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Sy, Karla Therese L., White, Laura F., and Nichols, Brooke E.
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COVID-19 pandemic , *POPULATION density , *REPRODUCIBLE research , *COVID-19 , *SARS-CoV-2 - Abstract
Reproducible research becomes even more imperative as we build the evidence base on SARS‐CoV‐2 epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. In his study, Paez assessed the reproducibility of COVID‐19 research during the pandemic, using a case study of population density. He found that most articles that assess the relationship of population density and COVID‐19 outcomes do not publicly share data and code, except for a few, including our paper, which he stated "illustrates the importance of good reproducibility practices". Paez recreated our analysis using our code and data from the perspective of spatial analysis, and his new model came to a different conclusion. The disparity between our and Paez's findings, as well as other existing literature on the topic, give greater impetus to the need for further research. As there has been near exponential growth of COVID‐19 research across a wide range of scientific disciplines, reproducible science is a vital component to produce reliable, rigorous, and robust evidence on COVID‐19, which will be essential to inform clinical practice and policy in order to effectively eliminate the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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182. A mixed‐studies systematic review of the experiences of body image, disordered eating, and eating disorders during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
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Schneider, Jekaterina, Pegram, Georgina, Gibson, Benjamin, Talamonti, Deborah, Tinoco, Aline, Craddock, Nadia, Matheson, Emily, and Forshaw, Mark
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FOOD habits , *PSYCHOLOGY information storage & retrieval systems , *CINAHL database , *EXPERIMENTAL design , *MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *RESEARCH methodology , *MEDLINE , *ACADEMIC dissertations , *THEMATIC analysis , *COVID-19 pandemic , *BODY image , *EATING disorders , *AMED (Information retrieval system) , *ERIC (Information retrieval system) , *LONGITUDINAL method ,RESEARCH evaluation - Abstract
Objectives: This systematic review assessed the influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic and associated restrictions on body image, disordered eating (DE), and eating disorder outcomes. Methods: After registration on PROSPERO, a search was conducted for papers published between December 1, 2019 and August 1, 2021, using the databases PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, CINAHL Plus, AMED, MEDLINE, ERIC, EMBASE, Wiley, and ProQuest (dissertations and theses). Results: Data from 75 qualitative, quantitative, and mixed‐methods studies were synthesized using a convergent integrated approach and presented narratively within four themes: (1) disruptions due to the COVID‐19 pandemic; (2) variability in the improvement or exacerbation of symptoms; (3) factors associated with body image and DE outcomes; (4) unique challenges for marginalized and underrepresented groups. Disruptions due to the pandemic included social and functional restrictions. Although most studies reported a worsening of concerns, some participants also reported symptom improvement or no change as a result of the pandemic. Factors associated with worse outcomes included psychological, individual, social, and eating disorder‐related variables. Individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ reported unique concerns during COVID‐19. Discussion: There is large variability in individuals' responses to COVID‐19 and limited research exploring the effect of the pandemic on body image, DE, and eating disorder outcomes using longitudinal and experimental study designs. In addition, further research is required to investigate the effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on body image and eating concerns among minoritized, racialized, underrepresented, or otherwise marginalized participants. Based on the findings of this review, we make recommendations for individuals, researchers, clinicians, and public health messaging. Public Significance: This review of 75 studies highlights the widespread negative impacts that the COVID‐19 pandemic and associated restrictions have had on body image and disordered eating outcomes. It also identifies considerable variations in both the improvement and exacerbation of said outcomes that individuals, researchers, clinicians, and other public health professionals should be mindful of if we are to ensure that vulnerable people get the tailored support they require. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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183. Effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on quality of life among relatives of individuals with intellectual disabilities: A longitudinal study.
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Zonneveld, Ellen, van Schelven, Femke, and Boeije, Hennie
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WELL-being , *RESEARCH , *SOCIAL support , *EXTENDED families , *BURDEN of care , *MENTAL health , *FAMILY attitudes , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors , *QUALITY of life , *PATIENT care , *LOGISTIC regression analysis , *STATISTICAL correlation , *COVID-19 pandemic , *LONGITUDINAL method , *PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience - Abstract
Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic poses risks to the quality of life (QoL) of relatives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. This paper investigates relatives' QoL and associated risk and buffering factors before and during the pandemic. Method: Surveys were administered to three samples of relatives in the Netherlands in 2019 (N = 105) and during the first waves of COVID‐19 in June (N = 207) and October 2020 (N = 332). Associations between QoL and care burden, care competence, social support, and resilience, and changes over time were analysed using (logistic) regressions. Results: No significant changes in overall QoL nor its domains were found. Care burden was negatively associated with QoL and increased during the pandemic. Care competence was lower than in 2019. Competence, social support, and resilience were positively associated with QoL. Conclusions: Although relatives' QoL remained stable, the pandemic poses non‐negligible risks to their wellbeing. It is, therefore, crucial to provide relatives with adequate support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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184. Detection of COVID‐19 and its pulmonary stage using Bayesian hyperparameter optimization and deep feature selection methods.
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Muzoğlu, Nedim, Halefoğlu, Ahmet Mesrur, Avci, Muhammed Onur, Kaya Karaaslan, Melike, and Yarman, Bekir Sıddık Binboğa
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COVID-19 , *FEATURE extraction , *NEUROENDOCRINE cells , *SUPPORT vector machines , *COVID-19 pandemic , *DIAGNOSIS - Abstract
Since the first case of COVID‐19 was reported in December 2019, many studies have been carried out on artificial intelligence for the rapid diagnosis of the disease to support health services. Therefore, in this study, we present a powerful approach to detect COVID‐19 and COVID‐19 findings from computed tomography images using pre‐trained models using two different datasets. COVID‐19, influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia and healthy lung image classes were used in the first dataset. Consolidation, crazy‐paving pattern, ground‐glass opacity, ground‐glass opacity and consolidation, ground‐glass opacity and nodule classes were used in the second dataset. The study consists of four steps. In the first two steps, distinctive features were extracted from the final layers of the pre‐trained ShuffleNet, GoogLeNet and MobileNetV2 models trained with the datasets. In the next steps, the most relevant features were selected from the models using the Sine–Cosine optimization algorithm. Then, the hyperparameters of the Support Vector Machines were optimized with the Bayesian optimization algorithm and used to reclassify the feature subset that achieved the highest accuracy in the third step. The overall accuracy obtained for the first and second datasets is 99.46% and 99.82%, respectively. Finally, the performance of the results visualized with Occlusion Sensitivity Maps was compared with Gradient‐weighted class activation mapping. The approach proposed in this paper outperformed other methods in detecting COVID‐19 from multiclass viral pneumonia. Moreover, detecting the stages of COVID‐19 in the lungs was an innovative and successful approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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185. Detection of COVID‐19 from chest X‐ray images: Boosting the performance with convolutional neural network and transfer learning.
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Asif, Sohaib, Wenhui, Yi, Amjad, Kamran, Jin, Hou, Tao, Yi, and Jinhai, Si
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X-rays , *CONVOLUTIONAL neural networks , *X-ray imaging , *COVID-19 , *MEDICAL personnel , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) is a pandemic that has caused thousands of casualties and impacts all over the world. Most countries are facing a shortage of COVID‐19 test kits in hospitals due to the daily increase in the number of cases. Early detection of COVID‐19 can protect people from severe infection. Unfortunately, COVID‐19 can be misdiagnosed as pneumonia or other illness and can lead to patient death. Therefore, in order to avoid the spread of COVID‐19 among the population, it is necessary to implement an automated early diagnostic system as a rapid alternative diagnostic system. Several researchers have done very well in detecting COVID‐19; however, most of them have lower accuracy and overfitting issues that make early screening of COVID‐19 difficult. Transfer learning is the most successful technique to solve this problem with higher accuracy. In this paper, we studied the feasibility of applying transfer learning and added our own classifier to automatically classify COVID‐19 because transfer learning is very suitable for medical imaging due to the limited availability of data. In this work, we proposed a CNN model based on deep transfer learning technique using six different pre‐trained architectures, including VGG16, DenseNet201, MobileNetV2, ResNet50, Xception, and EfficientNetB0. A total of 3886 chest X‐rays (1200 cases of COVID‐19, 1341 healthy and 1345 cases of viral pneumonia) were used to study the effectiveness of the proposed CNN model. A comparative analysis of the proposed CNN models using three classes of chest X‐ray datasets was carried out in order to find the most suitable model. Experimental results show that the proposed CNN model based on VGG16 was able to accurately diagnose COVID‐19 patients with 97.84% accuracy, 97.90% precision, 97.89% sensitivity, and 97.89% of F1‐score. Evaluation of the test data shows that the proposed model produces the highest accuracy among CNNs and seems to be the most suitable choice for COVID‐19 classification. We believe that in this pandemic situation, this model will support healthcare professionals in improving patient screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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186. Humanitarian inversions: COVID‐19 as crisis.
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Herrick, Clare, Kelly, Ann H., and Soulard, Jeanne
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COVID-19 pandemic , *PHILANTHROPISTS , *HUMANITARIANISM , *WORLD health , *COVID-19 , *CHILD soldiers - Abstract
COVID‐19 is a multi‐spectral crisis that has added an acute layer over a panoply of complex emergencies across the world. In the process, it has not only exposed actually‐existing emergencies, but also exacerbated them as the global gaze has turned inward. As a crisis, COVID‐19 straddles and challenges the boundaries between humanitarianism, development, and global health—the frames and categories through which emergencies are so often understood and intervened upon. Reflection on these fundamental categories is, we argue, an important geographical endeavour. Drawing on Geoffrey Bowker's analytical lens of the 'infrastructural inversion', we explore how humanitarianism has been upended by COVID‐19 along two axes that are of core concern to geographers: (1) the spatial and (2) the temporal. We first contextualise current debates on the humanitarian endeavour and its future within recent geographical research. We then set out the complex structure by which COVID‐19 has been both imagined and intervened upon as a humanitarian emergency. In so doing, we then pave the way for a deeper empirical analysis of the spatial and temporal inversions that have been brought forth by COVID‐19. The paper concludes by examining the conceptual value of the 'inversion' in developing geographical research agendas better attuned to the increasing porosity of humanitarianism, development, and global health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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187. Leader gender, country culture, and the management of COVID‐19.
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Dimitrova‐Grajzl, Valentina, Gornick, Janelle, and Obasanjo, Iyabo
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LEADERSHIP in women , *COVID-19 , *COVID-19 pandemic , *LEADERSHIP , *POLITICAL leadership - Abstract
As early as two months into the COVID‐19 pandemic, popular media started reporting that women leaders, compared to men leaders, were managing COVID‐19 better. This paper empirically examines the impact of women leaders in managing pandemic health outcomes one year after the onset of the pandemic. Further, we consider leader effectiveness within the context of country culture. We find that women's leadership is indeed associated with better containment of the pandemic. We also find that certain country‐level cultural traits play a significant role in pandemic outcomes. More hierarchical societies experience higher COVID‐19 cases and death. Individualistic cultures and masculine cultures are associated with more deaths from the pandemic. Some cultural traits modulate women's ability to manage COVID‐19. Our findings have implications for health policy and provide rationale for promoting gender equity in political leadership. Key points: Women's leadership is associated with better containment of the COVID‐19 pandemic.Certain cultural traits have an impact on pandemic outcomes. Hierarchical societies have higher rates of COVID‐19 cases and deaths. Individualistic cultures and masculine cultures are associated with more COVID‐19 deaths but not cases.The effect of women leaders on COVID‐19 rates and deaths is modulated by cultural traits. More specifically, short‐term orientation and indulgent cultures seem to boost women's effectiveness in tackling the pandemic.The mechanism of how culture influences the effectiveness of women leaders needs to be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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188. COVID‐19 pandemic deteriorates aftercare attendance in heart transplant recipients independently of perceived impact on social life.
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Oehler, Daniel, Bruno, Raphael Romano, Kelm, Malte, Lichtenberg, Artur, Boeken, Udo, and Westenfeld, Ralf
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HEART transplant recipients , *COVID-19 pandemic , *PATIENT aftercare , *CLINICAL medicine , *HEART transplantation - Abstract
Background: Heart transplant (HTx) recipients are at an increased risk of developing infections or malignancies due to immunosuppressive medication. Thus, regular aftercare in those patients is of utmost importance. The extent of collateral damage due to the COVID‐19 pandemic (delayed or canceled clinical visits and diagnostics) on high‐risk patients is yet unknown. We believe that, especially for HTx‐patients, data acquisition on potential pandemic‐related nonattendance is crucial to improve clinical care in the future. Therefore, we aim to decipher possible COVID‐19‐related alterations in attendance to clinical care after HTx using a survey‐based approach. Methods: HTx recipients, 2 years beyond transplantation were selected (n = 75). We filed a paper‐based questionnaire or an online survey containing nine items about COVID‐19‐related exceptional circumstances. Fifty‐two patients (69%) returned fully answered questionnaires. Results: A perceived impact on daily life was evident with 79% of all patients, reporting a moderate‐to‐severe negative influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on daily routine. We detected increased nonattendance of clinical care during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to prepandemic time (38 vs. 6%, p <.0001). The various diagnostic modalities of aftercare were heterogeneously affected, ranging from 2% nonattendance for influence vaccination and 18% for colonoscopy. Off note, nonattendance to clinical care within the pandemic was independent of perceived impact of the pandemia on daily life (p >.68). Conclusions: For the first time, we objectively demonstrate a significant decrease in attendance to clinical care in HTx recipients during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Efforts are needed to increase attendance in this highly vulnerable patient cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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189. mRNA Manufacturing and Single‐use Technology – A Perfect Liaison.
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Grilo, António L. and Schmidhalter, Diego R.
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MESSENGER RNA , *VACCINE manufacturing , *COVID-19 pandemic , *COVID-19 vaccines , *PHARMACEUTICAL industry - Abstract
The Covid‐19 pandemic imposed a lockdown on the world. In this situation, the pharmaceutical industry reacted with incredible speed and delivered vaccines at the global scale in record time. Critical to this major accomplishment were existing mRNA vaccine expertise and single‐use manufacturing technologies. The combination of a moderate facility footprint requirement for mRNA production and the flexibility of disposable technology allowed rapid scale‐up and scale‐out of vaccine manufacturing, even over multiple continents. The present paper discusses opportunities provided by single‐use process solutions for mRNA manufacturing using the Covid‐19 vaccines as a case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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190. Widening or narrowing inequalities? The equity implications of digital tools to support COVID‐19 contact tracing: A qualitative study.
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O'Donnell, Catherine A., Macdonald, Sara, Browne, Susan, Albanese, Alessio, Blane, David, Ibbotson, Tracy, Laidlaw, Lynn, Heaney, David, and Lowe, David J.
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LITERACY , *PRIVACY , *MINORITIES , *FOCUS groups , *RESEARCH methodology , *PSYCHOLOGY of refugees , *INTERVIEWING , *LANGUAGE & languages , *QUALITATIVE research , *INTERNET access , *HEALTH literacy , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors , *MEDICAL ethics , *RESEARCH funding , *CONTACT tracing , *HEALTH equity , *THEMATIC analysis , *ETHNIC groups , *POVERTY , *COVID-19 pandemic , *INFORMATION technology , *PUBLIC opinion , *TRUST - Abstract
Background: As digital tools are increasingly used to support COVID‐19 contact tracing, the equity implications must be considered. As part of a study to understand the public's views of digital contact tracing tools developed for the national 'Test and Protect' programme in Scotland, we aimed to explore the views of groups often excluded from such discussions. This paper reports on their views about the potential for contact tracing to exacerbate inequalities. Methods: A qualitative study was carried out; interviews were conducted with key informants from organizations supporting people in marginalized situations, followed by interviews and focus groups with people recruited from these groups. Participants included, or represented, minority ethnic groups, asylum seekers and refugees and those experiencing multiple disadvantage including severe and enduring poverty. Results: A total of 42 people participated: 13 key informants and 29 members of the public. While public participants were supportive of contact tracing, key informants raised concerns. Both sets of participants spoke about how contact tracing, and its associated digital tools, might increase inequalities. Barriers included finances (inability to afford smartphones or the data to ensure access to the internet); language (digital tools were available only in English and required a degree of literacy, even for English speakers); and trust (many marginalized groups distrusted statutory organizations and there were concerns that data may be passed to other organizations). One strength was that NHS Scotland, the data guardian, is seen as a generally trustworthy organization. Poverty was recognized as a barrier to people's ability to self‐isolate. Some participants were concerned about giving contact details of individuals who might struggle to self‐isolate for financial reasons. Conclusions: The impact of contact tracing and associated digital tools on marginalized populations needs careful monitoring. This should include the contact tracing process and the ability of people to self‐isolate. Regular clear messaging from trusted groups and community members could help maintain trust and participation in the programme. Patient and Public Contribution: Our patient and public involvement coapplicant, L. L., was involved in all aspects of the study including coauthorship. Interim results were presented to our local Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement Group, who commented on interpretation and made suggestions about further recruitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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191. Remote proctoring: Lessons learned from the COVID‐19 pandemic effect on the large scale on‐line assessment at Tel Aviv University.
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Patael, Smadar, Shamir, Julia, Soffer, Tal, Livne, Eynat, Fogel‐Grinvald, Haya, and Kishon‐Rabin, Liat
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SCHOOL environment , *RELIABILITY (Personality trait) , *HEALTH occupations students , *COLLEGE teacher attitudes , *RATING of students , *EXECUTIVES , *EDUCATIONAL tests & measurements , *SURVEYS , *CONCEPTUAL structures , *ACADEMIC achievement , *HUMAN services programs , *UNIVERSITIES & colleges , *CASE studies , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *STUDENT attitudes , *COVID-19 pandemic ,RESEARCH evaluation - Abstract
Background: The global COVID‐19 pandemic turned the adoption of on‐line assessment in the institutions for higher education from possibility to necessity. Thus, in the end of Fall 20/21 semester Tel Aviv University (TAU)—the largest university in Israel—designed and implemented a scalable procedure for administering proctored remote examinations. This procedure is applicable to different kinds of examinations in diverse disciplines and to disparate degree levels. Objectives: This study aims to deepen the knowledge with respect to the design and adoption of remote proctoring at an institutional level Methods: First, based on lessons learned from the first semester of COVID‐19, we describe the development and implementation of an institution‐wide protocol for conducting on‐line proctored assessment. We show the large‐scale applicability of the protocol for administering examinations via Moodle with remote proctoring via Zoom. The accurately designed procedures that included careful consideration of all parties involved—academic staff members, students, administrative staff and proctors—enabled TAU to successfully assess the learning outcomes of its 25,000 students, while maintaining validity, compatibility and reliability of the assessment. Second, we report combined data from surveys of 4380 students and 188 faculty‐members (18% and 12% response rate respectively), conducted at TAU following these examinations. Results and Conclusions: With over 90% of the students experiencing at least one, and 80% of faculty‐members administering at least one proctored remote examination, these heterogeneous sources of data allow us to investigate a unique and complementary perspective of the process. Some of the significant findings consist of the over‐all perception of the students' integrity by both groups surveyed; the discrepancy in the groups' perspectives of the adequate form of learning‐assessment—with the instructors preferring proctored examinations and the students—formative‐assessment; and the influence of the pedagogical challenges on the perception of validity that outweighed other factors, for example, the pandemic‐related stress, the on‐line assessment challenges and other. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Proctoring exams remotely is challenging, due to technical, ethical and other concerns.Proctoring can be conducted remotely by a human, record and review later technology, automated algorithms to detect atypical behaviour.Different methods for remote proctoring in higher education have been implemented on small scale. What this paper adds: Review of studies examining various facets of remote proctoring before and during COVID‐19.A protocol for remote proctoring in a large‐scale university, based on the first post COVID‐19 semester.The perspectives of students and faculty members regarding testing with remote proctoring. Implications for future practice and/or policy: The protocol can assist higher education institutions in developing their own guidelines.The implementation should take into consideration ethical norms and constitutional limitations.Unlike automated process using algorithms, remote human proctoring is not widely opposed by students.Further research comparing remotely proctored exam performance with the f2f proctoring is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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192. In the nexus of integrity and surveillance: Proctoring (re)considered.
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Khalil, Mohammad, Prinsloo, Paul, and Slade, Sharon
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ONLINE education , *PRIVACY , *STUDENT cheating , *HONESTY , *SYSTEMATIC reviews , *MEDICAL ethics , *STUDENTS , *PROFESSIONALISM , *SUPERVISION of employees , *HIGH school students , *COVID-19 pandemic , *CORPORATE culture - Abstract
Background: The Covid‐19 pandemic disrupted higher education in many ways, such as the move to Emergency Remote Online Teaching and Learning (EROTL), often including a move to online assessments and examinations. With evidence of increased academic dishonesty in unproctored online assessment, institutions sought ways to ensure academic and institutional integrity and reputation. In doing this, many institutions selected and implemented online proctoring solutions. Objectives: This article maps considerations of online proctoring solutions in the nexus between ensuring academic and institutional integrity and reputation, and addressing stakeholder concerns regarding invasive surveillance and the impacts on student privacy. Methods: The study involved a PRISMA‐informed systematic review of three digital libraries, namely Clarivate's Web of Science, Elsevier's Scopus, and Springer's SpringerLink, for peer‐reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings. After screening, a final corpus of 27 articles was analysed. Results and Conclusions: The findings include evidence that, in the midst of the Covid‐19 pandemic, higher education institutions were largely influenced by cost, usability and efficiency in choosing online proctoring solutions to ensure academic and institutional integrity. Student privacy was either considered in terms of data protection and transparency, or not at all. This article aims to provide valuable insight into the criteria used to select online proctoring solutions to ensure academic and institutional integrity in online examination environments. Student privacy appears not to have the consideration it warrants. Lay Description: What is currently known about the subject matter: Academic dishonesty increases in un‐proctored online learningCovid‐19 led HEIs to adopt online proctoring to ensure academic integrityConcerns remain regarding the impact of online proctoring on student privacyOnline proctoring has become an established feature in higher education What the paper adds: A thorough systematic review of online proctoring during the pandemicSituates the move to online proctoring in the nexus of integrity and privacyMaps institutional considerations for selecting online proctoring solutionsEvidence of the relative unimportance of student privacy in picking solutions The implications of study findings for practitioners: Online proctoring is not the only solution to address academic dishonestyOnline proctoring provides a scalable solution to ensure academic integrityIssues such as student anxiety, connectivity, accessibility, etc are relevantStudent privacy beyond data storage and transfer should always be considered [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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193. Evaluation of COVID‐19 pandemic spreading using computational analysis on nonlinear SITR model.
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Ghasemi, S. E. and Gouran, Sina
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COVID-19 pandemic , *NONLINEAR analysis , *SARS-CoV-2 , *COVID-19 , *EPIDEMICS , *COMPUTATIONAL neuroscience - Abstract
The main purpose of present paper is to investigate the nonlinear model of COVID‐19 (novel coronavirus) computationally. The SITR model is designed according to four classifications of Susceptible (S), Infectious (I), Treatment (T) and Recovered (R). Two convenient and effective numerical techniques namely the Adams–Bashforth Method (ABM) and Milne‐Simpson Method (MSM) are employed to analyze the epidemic model. The influences of the contact rate parameter (β), recovery parameter (μ) and death parameter (α) on the variables including S, I and R are studied comprehensively. The obtained findings indicate that by increasing the contact rate parameter the infectious and recovered categories enhance but the susceptible mechanism decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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194. Botanic gardens: Seizing the moment while imagining the future.
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BOTANICAL gardens , *ENVIRONMENTAL sciences , *COVID-19 pandemic , *SPRING , *COVID-19 , *SCHOOL environment - Abstract
Societal Impact Statement: The coronavirus pandemic has reminded us that green spaces provide sanctuary and comfort, as well as opportunities for release and relief, during difficult times. However, to ensure continuing viability, botanical gardens can do more to address important societal concerns, especially around the environment. Sustaining relevance through action, especially local action, while also thinking beyond botanical science, and making creative use of electronic outreach will help botanic gardens to flourish. Summary: This paper is a personal reflection on high‐level issues relevant to future of botanic gardens and similar organisations, based on the personal experiences of the author at the Field Museum in Chicago, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (now the Yale School of the Environment) in New Haven, Connecticut, and the Oak Spring Garden Foundation in northern Virginia. Botanic gardens have the inherent advantage that passages of nature, especially in cities, are vital for individual and social well‐being. But this natural advantage needs to be supplemented by actions that take into account a changing world and that respond in meaningful ways to the concerns of supporters and stakeholders. I emphasise five principles that are important now and for the future: (1) Sustaining relevance is key; (2) science is not enough; (3) actions speak louder than words; (4) local action is disproportionately important; and (5) electronic outreach is not optional. Leadership from outstanding individuals is also vital. Finding, encouraging and developing energetic people who are open minded, determined to make a difference and willing to embrace change is vital for institutional success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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195. Parenting stress, maternal depression and child mental health in a Melbourne cohort before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
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Galbally, Megan, Watson, Stuart J, Lewis, Andrew J, and van IJzendoorn, Marinus H
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DEPRESSION in women , *COVID-19 pandemic , *MENTAL health , *PRENATAL depression , *MENTAL depression , *ANXIETY disorders , *MENTAL illness - Abstract
Aim: This paper aims to examine the maternal and child mental health and parenting outcomes in the context of COVID‐19 pandemic conditions using a sample from Melbourne, Australia – a city exposed to one of the longest lockdowns world‐wide in response to the pandemic. Methods: This study utilises observational data from a prospective, pregnancy cohort, Mercy Pregnancy Emotional Wellbeing Study and includes 468 women and their children followed up in Melbourne to 3–4 years postpartum pre‐COVID pandemic and compared to those followed up during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results: When compared to mothers followed up at 3–4 years postpartum pre‐pandemic, those followed up during the COVID‐19 pandemic showed higher depressive symptoms with a steep incline in their symptom trajectory (EMMdifference = 1.72, Bonferroni‐corrected P < 0.01, d = 0.35) and had a three times higher risk of scoring 13 or above on the EPDS (aRR = 3.22, Bonferroni‐corrected P < 0.01). Although this increase was not associated with the variation in the duration of exposure to pandemic conditions, the steep increase in depressive symptoms was more pronounced in those with pre‐existing depressive disorders. There was no difference in parenting stress or adjusted childhood mental health symptoms or disorder. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the vulnerability of those with pre‐existing clinical mental health disorders and the need for adequate clinical care for this vulnerable group. Equally, our study indicates the possibility that parenting and early childhood mental health outcomes, at least in the short term, may be resilient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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196. False memories for true and false vaccination information form in line with pre‐existing vaccine opinions.
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Greene, Ciara M., de Saint Laurent, Constance, Hegarty, Karen, and Murphy, Gillian
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FALSE memory syndrome , *FAKE news , *VACCINATION , *VACCINES , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Misinformation continually threatens efforts to control the COVID‐19 pandemic, with vaccine misinformation now a key concern. False memories for misinformation can influence behavioural intentions, yet little is known about the factors affecting (false) memories for vaccine‐related news items. Across two experiments (total n = 1481), this paper explores the effects of pre‐existing vaccine opinions on reported memories for true and false news items. In Study 1, participants (n = 817) were exposed to fabricated pro‐ or anti‐vaccine news items, and then asked if they have a memory of this news event having occurred. In Study 2, participants (n = 646) viewed true pro‐ or anti‐vaccine news items. News items were more likely to be remembered when they aligned with participants' pre‐existing vaccine beliefs, with stronger effects for pro‐vaccine information. We conclude by encouraging researchers to consider the role of attitudinal bias when developing interventions to reduce susceptibility to misinformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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197. Investigating how COVID‐19 has challenged the Eurocentric concept of 'development': a case for sustainable food systems in the UK.
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Shittu, Eniola, Kantamaneni, Komali, and Campos, Luiza C.
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EUROCENTRISM , *COVID-19 pandemic , *COVID-19 , *FOOD security , *FOOD waste - Abstract
The COVID‐19 health crisis has imposed extensive shocks to many global systems, particularly the UK food production chains, further challenging Eurocentric development discourses and stereotypes. Thus, this paper investigates how the pandemic has challenged the UK's development status by analysing how the pandemic has impacted the country's food industry. A literature review was conducted and used to identify, select and critically appraise publications between 2000 and 2021 discussing the challenges in the UK food system. The findings reveal that the UK's food industry is unsustainable as there are significant flaws in the system, that is food insecurity and food waste that go unaddressed. The impact of the pandemic has exacerbated the social and economic impacts of operating with such a system. Compounded with the geopolitical adjustments caused by Brexit, the UK is faced with the challenge of restructuring and developing new frameworks such as policies, regulations, schemes and partnerships to support the food industry's sustainability. Lastly, the findings reinforce that 'developed' and 'developing' nations encounter similar food challenges, which manifest differently in various landscapes and contexts. Therefore, the world (not just the UK) needs to shift away from Eurocentrism, moving towards a universal but equally personalised development outlook. This review provides an outline of the major problem areas in the UK food system and presents potential solutions aimed at helping guide the government's decision‐making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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198. 'I'm not perfect': Navigating screen time among parents of young children during COVID‐19.
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Findley, Erin, LaBrenz, Catherine A., Childress, Saltanat, Vásquez‐Schut, Gladis, and Bowman, Katrina
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PREVENTION of psychological stress , *CHILD care , *PSYCHOLOGY of mothers , *MOTIVATION (Psychology) , *CHILD development , *INTERVIEWING , *SCREEN time , *QUALITATIVE research , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *THEMATIC analysis , *PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation , *COVID-19 pandemic , *CHILDREN - Abstract
Background: The use of screen time for young children has been hotly debated among experts. This study explored the utilization of screen time among mothers with young children during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to understand maternal motivation for utilizing screen time and how mothers have engaged in screen time since the beginning of the pandemic. Method: This paper uses a sample of n = 25 mothers who participated in an in‐depth interview about parenting during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The team utilized a thematic analysis approach to qualitatively code the transcripts. All analyses were conducted in Dedoose 8.3, and all transcripts were coded by three independent researchers to enhance rigour. Results: Five main themes emerged from the interviews: (1) harbouring screen guilt versus letting it go, (2) managing full‐time work and full‐time parenting, (3) prioritizing mental sanity, (4) socially distant supports demand screen time and (5) screens can have positive uses, too. Conclusion: During the COVID‐19 pandemic, mothers have resorted to screen time use to cope with increased stress and challenges. However, mothers have also found positive uses for screen time, such as connection with extended family members, peer interaction and educational activities. Findings highlight the need to differentiate screen time use by quality and to update formal screen time guidelines considering changing roles of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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199. Changes in purchasing patterns in the beauty market due to Post–COVID‐19: Literature review.
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Ma, Youngsil and Kwon, Ki Han
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COVID-19 pandemic , *LITERATURE reviews , *COVID-19 , *PERSONAL beauty , *PURCHASING - Abstract
Background: With online purchases' skyrocketing due to COVID‐19, there has been a big change in the beauty products consumers' purchase. Aims: The purpose of this paper was to review the literature focusing on changes in purchasing patterns in the beauty market after COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: This review paper is a literature review, and the method is a narrative review. Results: The past and present purchasing of beauty products were rapidly changed. The cosmetics and many beauty products were increased purchasing rate due to marketing of Wanghong broadcasting. Also, the non–face‐to‐face market environment has expanded after COVID‐19. Conclusion: As COVID‐19 pandemic changes consumer values and lifestyle, its role and function are changing and its purchasing patterns are altered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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200. Commentary on the special issue on disproportionate exposure to trauma: Trauma, stress, and adversities and health disparities among disenfranchised groups globally during the COVID pandemic.
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COVID-19 pandemic , *HEALTH equity , *COVID-19 , *GENDER identity , *INSTITUTIONAL racism , *GENDER dysphoria - Abstract
The papers in this Journal of Traumatic Stress special issue on disproportionate adversity cover the gamut of discrimination traumas and stressors, including microaggressions, a more insidious forms of discrimination, and their often‐devastating and wide‐ranging mental health sequelae, in disproportionately affected disenfranchised groups. Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation commonly confers cumulative and chronic effects. In the field of traumatic stress studies, several types of identity‐linked traumatic events have been identified and empirically investigated as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)–producing experiences. Collectively, the 13 papers included in this special issue raise questions about the definition, conceptualization, and categorization of various forms of explicit and implicit identity‐linked trauma. These papers highlight the need for acceptance of a shared nomenclature and better differentiation of both causal and correlational associations with acute and chronic PTSD, depression, suicide risk, alcohol misuse, and other mental health outcomes. In this commentary, the discussion is extended to COVID‐19, a disease that has been globally devastating for many. On multiple levels (i.e., physical, mental, emotional, economic, and social), COVID‐19 has magnified the prepandemic fault lines of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Applying a syndemic framework to the health impact of COVID‐19 and, arguably, the most pervasive identity linked epidemic worldwide—systemic racism—brings perspective to the biological and social forces that are likely to be driving the convergence of COVID‐19, systemic racism, and chronic health inequities, and may be informative in guiding evidence‐based strategies for managing racial trauma in the context of COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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