Healthcare

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17 pages, 277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Health Status of Indian Migrant Workers in the United Arab Emirates during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Md Imran Khan, Mohammed Arshad Khan, Noorjahan Sherfudeen, Asheref Illiyan and Mohammad Athar Ali

Healthcare 2023, 11(11), 1554; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111554 - 25 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2560

Abstract

Migration has become a de facto phenomenon in the contemporary globalized world and India is not untouched. Indian labourers from the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh migrated to the UAE in search of better jobs and prospects. They migrated alone and left [...] Read more.

Migration has become a de facto phenomenon in the contemporary globalized world and India is not untouched. Indian labourers from the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh migrated to the UAE in search of better jobs and prospects. They migrated alone and left behind their families. The distance between them and their family can also create mental disorders; therefore, it becomes necessary to analyze the mental health of the migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study is quantitative and based on a sample survey approach. The researchers collected 416 samples through a structured questionnaire and used the snowball sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, chi-square test and logistic regression were utilized to analyze and interpret the results. The outbreak of coronavirus disturbed their livelihood resulting in a cut to their salary or earnings; in total, 83% of migrants were affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in terms of loss of their income, out of which 76% were affected by less than AED 1000. The respondents’ mental health was worrisome, but they were hopeful for the future. In total, 73.5% of respondents felt nervous, 62% felt depressed, 77% felt lonely, 63.4% had a hard time sleeping, and 63% had difficulties concentrating. The findings of the study draw attention to the policymakers to carry out necessary provisions to the targeted psychologically affected community. The findings also suggest creating awareness among the people by using social networking sites and diagnosing mental disorders on an urgent basis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

12 pages, 4050 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Arginine-Based Supplements on Fatigue Levels following COVID-19 Infection: A Prospective Study in Romania

by Adina Turcu-Stiolica, Claudiu Marinel Ionele, Bogdan Silviu Ungureanu and Mihaela-Simona Subtirelu

Healthcare 2023, 11(10), 1477; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11101477 - 18 May 2023

Viewed by 2702

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two arginine-based supplements on the fatigue level of patients following the COVID-19 infection. This is a prospective study of the SARS-CoV-2-infected patients divided into two groups (according to family physicians’ prescriptions, Group [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two arginine-based supplements on the fatigue level of patients following the COVID-19 infection. This is a prospective study of the SARS-CoV-2-infected patients divided into two groups (according to family physicians’ prescriptions, Group 1 of patients were treated with Astenor Energy^® containing arginine aspartate, B6 vitamin, biotin and magnesium, and Group 2 of patients were treated with Astenor Forte^® containing L-arginine and malic acid). The patients visited their family physicians from October 2021 to January 2022, complaining of physical and/or mental fatigue following the COVID-19 infection. We recorded 505 patients (146 patients in Group 1 and 359 patients in Group 2) and analyzed the fatigue level using the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) through its total (FAS-T), mental (FAS-M) and physical (FAS-P) scores, at baseline and after three months of treatment. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age (p = 0.265), but more men were included in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p = 0.001). The patients from Group 2 were significantly more likely to be treated at home than those included in Group 1 (89.7% vs. 65.1%, p < 0.0001) because of the lower severity of the COVID-19 infection (asymptomatic or mild: 82.5% vs. 48.7%, p < 0.0001). After 3 months of treatment, patients indicated no fatigue in the higher percentage compared to than at the baseline (68.7% vs. 27.7%), and the fatigue level significantly decreased both in Group 1 (median baseline 33.0 vs. follow-up 17.00, p < 0.0001) and Group 2 (median baseline 25.0 vs. follow-up 17.00, p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that supplements with L-arginine may be proposed as a remedy to restore physical and mental performance affected by the fatigue burden in people with COVID-19 or following the COVID-19 infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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14 pages, 979 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fear and Stigma of COVID-19 Reinfection Scale (FSoCOVID-19RS): New Scale Development and Validation

by Zainab Fatehi Albikawi, Mohammad Hamdi Abuadas, Mesheil M. Alalyani, Yousef Zahrani, Emad Aqel and Raid Safi

Healthcare 2023, 11(10), 1461; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11101461 - 18 May 2023

Viewed by 1685

Abstract

Background: The advent of COVID-19 and its impacts have prompted fear and stigma among people all across the world. Because of stigma, there was often a delay in diagnosis and treatment, which resulted in a poor prognosis. As a result, a reliable scale [...] Read more.

Background: The advent of COVID-19 and its impacts have prompted fear and stigma among people all across the world. Because of stigma, there was often a delay in diagnosis and treatment, which resulted in a poor prognosis. As a result, a reliable scale is required to measure the level of fear and stigma of COVID-19 reinfection. Aim: To develop and validate a scale for determining the level of fear and stigma of COVID-19 reinfection. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 200 nursing-college students who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 was conducted. The scale’s reliability was evaluated by external and internal consistency methods. Construct, convergent, and discriminant validity were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: The scale’s mean score was 24.85 ± 11.35, and no floor or ceiling effects were detected. The scale items’ reliability, measured by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient if an item was deleted, ranged from 0.76 to 0.95, with a total score value of 0.86. The range of convergent validity coefficients was between 0.37 and 0.64. Pearson’s correlation coefficients for test–retest validity ranged from 0.71 to 0.93, with a total score of 0.82. The coefficient of split-half correlation was 0.87, while the coefficient of reliability was 0.93. According to the factor analysis, two components had latent roots larger than 1. The rotated component matrix of the two factors revealed that all items had R values over 0.30, indicating that none of them should be excluded. In addition, CFA results revealed that χ² = 3524, df = 1283, χ²/df ratio = 2.74, p < 0.001, GFI = 0.86, CFI = 0.92, AGFI = 0.88, and RMSEA = 0.05. The scale’s convergent and discriminant validity was confirmed. Conclusions: The 14-item, two-dimensional Fear and Stigma of COVID-19 Reinfection Scale (FSoCOVID-19 RS) was demonstrated to have reliable psychometric properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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10 pages, 880 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Depression and Anxiety Symptoms “Among the Waves” of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Adjustment Disorder Patients

by Giordano D’Urso, Mattia Vittorio Pomes, Alfonso Magliacano, Carla Iuliano, Hekla Lamberti, Marco Manzo, Teresa Sissy Mariniello, Felice Iasevoli and Andrea de Bartolomeis

Healthcare 2023, 11(9), 1261; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091261 - 28 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1591

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions caused great psychological suffering to the general population and psychiatric patients. We aimed to explore the course of depression and anxiety symptoms in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients, adjustment disorder (AD) patients, and participants without psychiatric [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions caused great psychological suffering to the general population and psychiatric patients. We aimed to explore the course of depression and anxiety symptoms in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients, adjustment disorder (AD) patients, and participants without psychiatric disorders (control group, CG) across the different phases of the pandemic: the first lockdown, a temporary interruption of restrictions, and the second lockdown. Out of the 158 patients screened, we enrolled 46 OCD and 19 AD patients as well as 29 CG participants. The Beck Depression Inventory-II and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y were administered to all participants at each time point. The results showed different symptom severities among the groups throughout the whole study, with OCD patients always scoring higher than AD patients and the CG, and the AD patients always scoring higher than the CG. The symptom course within each group was different. OCD patients’ symptoms sharply worsened during the first lockdown and then remained stable irrespective of the subsequent pandemic phases. In the AD and CG groups, symptoms waxed and waned following the fluctuations of the restriction provisions, with a complete return to the baseline when the restrictions were stopped only in the CG. These findings suggest that the influence of the pandemic and of the associated restrictions on depression and anxiety manifestations may vary depending on the particular pre-existing mental health status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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18 pages, 291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COVID-19: Factors Associated with the Psychological Distress, Fear and Resilient Coping Strategies among Community Members in Saudi Arabia

by Talal Ali F. Alharbi, Alaa Ashraf Bagader Alqurashi, Ilias Mahmud, Rayan Jafnan Alharbi, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam, Sami Almustanyir, Ahmed Essam Maklad, Ahmad AlSarraj, Lujain Nedhal Mughaiss, Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq, Ahmed Ali Ahmed, Mazin Barry, Sherief Ghozy, Lulwah Ibrahim Alabdan, Sheikh M. Alif, Farhana Sultana, Masudus Salehin, Biswajit Banik, Wendy Cross and Muhammad Aziz Rahman

Healthcare 2023, 11(8), 1184; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11081184 - 20 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2461

Abstract

(1) Background: COVID-19 caused the worst international public health crisis, accompanied by major global economic downturns and mass-scale job losses, which impacted the psychosocial wellbeing of the worldwide population, including Saudi Arabia. Evidence of the high-risk groups impacted by the pandemic has been [...] Read more.

(1) Background: COVID-19 caused the worst international public health crisis, accompanied by major global economic downturns and mass-scale job losses, which impacted the psychosocial wellbeing of the worldwide population, including Saudi Arabia. Evidence of the high-risk groups impacted by the pandemic has been non-existent in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study examined factors associated with psychosocial distress, fear of COVID-19 and coping strategies among the general population in Saudi Arabia. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in healthcare and community settings in the Saudi Arabia using an anonymous online questionnaire. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) were used to assess psychological distress, fear and coping strategies, respectively. Multivariate logistic regressions were used, and an Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) was reported. (3) Results: Among 803 participants, 70% (n = 556) were females, and the median age was 27 years; 35% (n = 278) were frontline or essential service workers; and 24% (n = 195) reported comorbid conditions including mental health illness. Of the respondents, 175 (21.8%) and 207 (25.8%) reported high and very high psychological distress, respectively. Factors associated with moderate to high levels of psychological distress were: youth, females, non-Saudi nationals, those experiencing a change in employment or a negative financial impact, having comorbidities, and current smoking. A high level of fear was reported by 89 participants (11.1%), and this was associated with being ex-smokers (3.72, 1.14–12.14, 0.029) and changes in employment (3.42, 1.91–6.11, 0.000). A high resilience was reported by 115 participants (14.3%), and 333 participants (41.5%) had medium resilience. Financial impact and contact with known/suspected cases (1.63, 1.12–2.38, 0.011) were associated with low, medium, to high resilient coping. (4) Conclusions: People in Saudi Arabia were at a higher risk of psychosocial distress along with medium-high resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, warranting urgent attention from healthcare providers and policymakers to provide specific mental health support strategies for their current wellbeing and to avoid a post-pandemic mental health crisis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

12 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Sanja D. Tomić, Slobodan Tomić, Goran Malenković, Jelena Malenković, Armin Šljivo and Ermina Mujičić

Healthcare 2023, 11(6), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060894 - 20 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2074

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health, particularly among students, due to COVID-19-related fear and also the transition from traditional to online lectures. In this questionnaire-based study, the COVID-19 Stress Scales (CSS), the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), and [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on mental health, particularly among students, due to COVID-19-related fear and also the transition from traditional to online lectures. In this questionnaire-based study, the COVID-19 Stress Scales (CSS), the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), and the Online Teaching Satisfaction Scale were used to assess COVID-19-related fear, stress, and overall satisfaction with online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic among nursing students in Serbia. A total of 167 students participated in the study, whose mean age was 21.3 ± 5.3, and the majority of whom were female and first-year students. Overall, most students experienced moderate to extremely high COVID-19-related stress levels. Overall, first-year and fourth-year students scored significantly lower regarding the Xenophobia and Traumatic stress subscales than second-year and third-year students, whereas first-year students also scored significantly lower on the Danger and Contamination subscales. First-year students experienced less COVID-19-related fear compared to senior students. Students were reasonably satisfied with online teaching. A stratified program is needed to prevent further decline of students’ mental health and to improve their adaptation through public, health, and educational changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

12 pages, 306 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of COVID-19 Confinement on Substance Use and Mental Health in Portuguese Higher Education Students

by Ana Paula Oliveira, Henrique Luis, Luís Soares Luís, Joana Rita Nobre, Lara Guedes Pinho, Núria Albacar-Riobóo and Carlos Sequeira

Healthcare 2023, 11(4), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11040619 - 19 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2320

Abstract

The mental health of higher education students is a constant concern, and the pandemic situation caused by COVID-19 has intensified this concern. The social measures imposed to control and minimize the disease have led, among other things, to the reconfiguration of higher education [...] Read more.

The mental health of higher education students is a constant concern, and the pandemic situation caused by COVID-19 has intensified this concern. The social measures imposed to control and minimize the disease have led, among other things, to the reconfiguration of higher education students’ academic life habits, which has naturally altered their emotional balance, mental health, and substance abuse. This cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study assesses the influence of higher education students’ personal characteristics on their (self-reported) use of addictive substances (alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and pharmaceutical drugs) before and during their first compulsory confinement in Portugal, as well as its relationship with mental health. An online questionnaire was applied between 15 April and 20 May 2020, to students from various study cycles of higher education institutions in one region of Portugal (northern area of Alentejo), which included the Mental Health Inventory in its reduced version (MHI-5) and questions (constructed by the authors) on personal characterization and on the use of addictive substances before and during confinement. The convenience sample included 329 mostly female health care students between the ages of 18 and 24. In our results, we found a statistically significant decrease in tobacco, alcohol, and drug use; however, there was an increase in tobacco use among older students and an increase in anxiolytic use among students with higher academic achievement and among students who exhibited more active social behavior in the period prior to confinement. Students who took anxiolytics during confinement had higher MHI-5 scores and students who used the most addictive substances during confinement had lower MHI-5 scores than the other students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

15 pages, 3953 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown and Its Evolution: A Case Study Based on Internet Searching Data during the Lockdown of Wuhan 2020 and Shanghai 2022

by Wenyuan Zhou, Xiaoqi Zhang, Yanqiao Zheng, Tutiantian Gao, Xiaobei Liu and Han Liang

Healthcare 2023, 11(3), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030289 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3283

Abstract

It has been three years since the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, which incurred huge damage both physically and psychologically on human’s normal life. As a prevention measure, the lockdown was first adopted by Wuhan, then by a long list of [...] Read more.

It has been three years since the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, which incurred huge damage both physically and psychologically on human’s normal life. As a prevention measure, the lockdown was first adopted by Wuhan, then by a long list of Chinese cities and many other major cities around the world. Lockdown is the most restrictive social distancing strategy, turning out effective in mitigating the spreading of COVID-19 on the community level, which, however, cuts off all social interactions and isolates healthy people from each other. The isolated nature of the lockdown could induce severe mental health issues, forming one major source of depression and domestic violence. Given the potential side effect, a comprehensive investigation based on reliable data sources is needed to evaluate the real psychological impact of COVID-19 lockdown and its evolution over time, particularly in the time when the Omicron variant, known for its low death risk, dominates the pandemic. Based on the Baidu Searching Index data collected for Wuhan and Shanghai, two major cities in China that suffered from long-lasting (over two months) lockdowns in 2020 and 2022, respectively, it is found that the major psychological issue during the lockdown period is not induced by the spreading of COVID-19, but by the execution of lockdown. With the deepening of knowledge about COVID-19 and the decrease in the death risk, the psychological impact of lockdown keeps increasing, while the impact of virus spreading becomes less important and even irrelevant to depression and domestic violence issues. The findings reveal that from the psychological perspective, the negative effect of lockdown already overweighs the positive one, which is especially true for the Omicron variant provided its almost ignorable death risk. Therefore, it is necessary to re-evaluate the yield and cost of lockdown for those countries where the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet come to an end. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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12 pages, 462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Reaction Times and Post-COVID-19 Symptoms Assessed by a Web-Based Visual Detection Task

by Natale Vincenzo Maiorana, Edoardo Nicolò Aiello, Barbara Poletti, Fabrizio Carusi, Angelica De Sandi, Matteo Guidetti, Roberto Prandin, Sara Marceglia, Nicola Ticozzi, Vincenzo Silani, Alberto Priori and Roberta Ferrucci

Healthcare 2023, 11(3), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11030284 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3123

Abstract

Long-COVID is a clinical condition in which patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 usually report a wide range of physical and cognitive symptoms from 3 to 6 months after the infection recovery. The aim of the current study was to assess the link between self-reported [...] Read more.

Long-COVID is a clinical condition in which patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 usually report a wide range of physical and cognitive symptoms from 3 to 6 months after the infection recovery. The aim of the current study was to assess the link between self-reported long-COVID symptoms and reaction times (RTs) in a self-administered Visual Detection Task (VDT) in order to identify the predictor symptoms of the slowing in reaction times to determine attention impairment. In total, 362 participants (age (mean ± S.D.: 38.56 ± 13.14); sex (female–male: 73.76–26.24%)) responded to a web-based self-report questionnaire consisting of four sections: demographics, disease-related characteristics, and medical history questions. The final section consisted of a 23 item 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire related to long-term COVID-19 symptoms. After completing the questionnaire, subjects performed a VDT on a tablet screen to assess reaction times (RTs). An exploratory factorial analysis (EFA) was performed on the 23 long-COVID symptom questions, identifying 4 factors (cognition, behavior, physical condition, presence of anosmia and/or ageusia). The most important predictors of RTs were cognition and physical factors. By dissecting the cognitive and physical factors, learning, visual impairment, and headache were the top predictors of subjects’ performance in the VDT. Long-COVID subjects showed higher RTs in the VDT after a considerable time post-disease, suggesting the presence of an attention deficit disorder. Attention impairment due to COVID-19 can be due to the presence of headaches, visual impairments, and the presence of cognitive problems related to the difficulty in learning new activities. The link between the slowing of reaction times and physical and cognitive symptoms post-COVID-19 suggests that attention deficit disorder is caused by a complex interaction between physical and cognitive symptoms. In addition, the study provides evidence that RTs in a VDT represent a reliable measure to detect the presence of long-COVID neurological sequelae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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12 pages, 561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anxiety, Stress and the Resilience of University Students during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Chrysoula Dafogianni, Despoina Pappa, Polyxeni Mangoulia, Freideriki Eleni Kourti, Ioannis Koutelekos, Evangelos Dousis, Nikoletta Margari, Eftychia Ferentinou, Areti Stavropoulou, Georgia Gerogianni, Evangelos Fradelos and Afroditi Zartaloudi

Healthcare 2022, 10(12), 2573; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10122573 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3309

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on everyone’s daily lives with short-term or long-term consequences. Among the affected population, university students were studied by researchers specifically due to the total change to their educational way of learning and the courses they attended. The [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on everyone’s daily lives with short-term or long-term consequences. Among the affected population, university students were studied by researchers specifically due to the total change to their educational way of learning and the courses they attended. The present study aimed to assess the psychological difficulties experienced by the university students of Greece during the first wave of the outbreak. Methods: 288 university nursing students completed an electronic questionnaire after consent. The sample included students from all years of study. The questionnaire included demographic data and questions about mental health status, resilience level, coping strategies, positive and negative emotions and an optimism assessment. Results: Depression (44.8%), anxiety (36.8%) and stress (40.3%) were experienced by the students. Females had significantly greater anxiety and stress signs compared to males (p < 0.001). The resilience score was significantly greater in males, as it was for the Positive Affect Score. Students in the fourth year of study used significantly more active/positive coping strategies than students in the first (p = 0.016) or second year of study (p = 0.005). Conclusion: Several students experienced serious mental disorders during the first period of the COVID-19 outbreak. Variables such as gender, year of study, age, positive and negative affect score, life orientation test score and coping strategies were identified as factors contributing to this situation. Special attention must be paid to female students as they mentioned negative emotions more frequently than males. Further research on the academic population could be beneficial to university administrators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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10 pages, 267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Telemedicine, Telepsychiatry and COVID-19 Pandemic: Future Prospects for Global Health

by Susanna Marinelli, Giuseppe Basile and Simona Zaami

Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 2085; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10102085 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2790

Abstract

There is no denying that demand for telemedicine and telepsychiatry services has been on the rise, as the COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the world and upset the daily lives and certainties of us all. Such growth, however, calls for a comprehensive analysis and assessment [...] Read more.

There is no denying that demand for telemedicine and telepsychiatry services has been on the rise, as the COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the world and upset the daily lives and certainties of us all. Such growth, however, calls for a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in such innovative approaches, which are bound to change and evolve as the fourth industrial revolution unfolds before our eyes. The authors have set out to analyze the complexities and distinctive features of telemedicine and telepsychiatry by focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of such approaches and analyzing research findings, recommendations, and guidelines by scientific societies and institutions, for the ultimate purpose of striking a tenable balance between technological innovations and the ethics and moral imperative of guaranteeing equal access to care for everyone, irrespective of social and financial status. The European regulatory and legislative scenario has been briefly outlined, and the standards for the medicolegal sustainability of such practices have been explored. Ultimately, in order to improve accessibility without compromising the quality of care, new broadly shared ethical standards, best practices, and guidelines need to be prioritized. National legislative initiatives and the international sharing of information need to be encouraged, for the ultimate purpose of optimizing and harmonizing telemedicine-based care for the sake of all patients. As technology moves forward and evolves, so must the normative standards and guidelines on which professionals must be able to rely when delivering telemedicine-based care in an ethically and legally viable fashion. From that perspective, addressing the digital divide means enabling more people to receive care and should therefore be seen as part and parcel of the effort to uphold the universal human right to health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

8 pages, 250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Mild COVID-19 on Executive Functioning and Mental Health Outcomes in Young Adults

by Piruza Manukyan, Alena Deviaterikova, Boris B. Velichkovsky and Vladimir Kasatkin

Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 1891; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101891 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3407

Abstract

COVID-19 is associated with a range of long-lasting symptoms related to cognitive and psycho-emotional spheres. Even mild cases of the disease can lead to persistent cognitive deficits and deterioration of the psycho-emotional state. The purpose of our study was to examine the presence [...] Read more.

COVID-19 is associated with a range of long-lasting symptoms related to cognitive and psycho-emotional spheres. Even mild cases of the disease can lead to persistent cognitive deficits and deterioration of the psycho-emotional state. The purpose of our study was to examine the presence and frequency of psycho-emotional disorders and cognitive deficits in students who recovered from mild form of COVID-19. A total of 40 COVID-19 survivors and 25 healthy controls participated in our study. We assessed three core cognitive functions (inhibition, working memory, task-switching), reaction time and motor speed. We also assessed depression, anxiety and fatigue with self-report questionnaires. The COVID-19 group manifested increased depression and decreased inhibition in comparison with the controls. Our results show that even in young adults who have recovered from mild COVID-19, there are persisting cognitive and psycho-emotional deficits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

15 pages, 762 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Linking Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms with Diet Quality of University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in India

by Satyajit Kundu, Najneen Rejwana, Md. Hasan Al Banna, Joseph Kawuki, Susmita Ghosh, Najim Z. Alshahrani, Natisha Dukhi, Subarna Kundu, Rakhi Dey, John Elvis Hagan, Jr., Christiana Naa Atsreh Nsiah-Asamoah and Suttur S. Malini

Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 1848; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101848 - 23 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3484

Abstract

This study examines the association of depressive and anxiety symptoms with diet quality among university students while controlling for different demographic and other health and lifestyle factors. This cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2021 and June 2021 among a total of [...] Read more.

This study examines the association of depressive and anxiety symptoms with diet quality among university students while controlling for different demographic and other health and lifestyle factors. This cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2021 and June 2021 among a total of 440 (unweighted) university students. Diet quality was assessed using a 10-item mini-dietary assessment index tool. The depressive and anxiety symptoms of participants were measured using the validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analyses were performed. In this study, 61.1% (95% CI: 56.6% to 65.7%) of university students’ diet quality was good during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being a post-graduate student, an urban resident, having no depressive (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.20 to 3.84) and anxiety symptoms (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.07 to 3.59), no changes or improvement in appetite, and no changes in sleep duration were significantly associated with good diet quality among our study participants. Depressive and anxiety symptoms during COVID-19 had a significant effect on the diet quality of university students. Future public health policies need to be focused on improving the mental health and well-being of students particularly during pandemic situations to enhance their diet quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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12 pages, 376 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of COVID-19-Induced Stress among Males on the Partner Relationship and Sexual Activity during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Meshari A. Alzahrani, Mohammad Alkhamees, Sulaiman Almutairi, Saad M. Abumelha, Muhammad Anwar Khan, Zainab Y. AL-Jaziri, Fay A. Althunayyan, Basel O. Hakami and Mohammad Shakil Ahmad

Healthcare 2022, 10(9), 1663; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10091663 - 31 Aug 2022

Viewed by 2038

Abstract

Introduction: Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there have been some reports regarding the impact of COVID-19 on male psychosexual health. Aims and Objectives: To assess the severity of stress during COVID-19 and to determine the association of stress [...] Read more.

Introduction: Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there have been some reports regarding the impact of COVID-19 on male psychosexual health. Aims and Objectives: To assess the severity of stress during COVID-19 and to determine the association of stress levels with partner relationships and sexual activity. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia through social media platforms via an online questionnaire between 1 December 2020 and 31 January 2021 among 871 participants after a pilot study among 20 participants, of which 497 were included in the study. Stress levels were assessed using the Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20.0. Responses were presented as frequencies and percentages, and associations were studied using the Chi-squared test/Fisher’s exact test. A value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 497 participants who had been infected with COVID-19 completed the survey. In total, it was found that 203 (40.8%) had severe stress scores (severe and extremely severe scores merged), while 131 (26.4%) had moderate stress scores. About 84 (16.9%) participants agreed that their sexual desire decreased, 91 (18.1%) confirmed their sexual intercourse frequency decreased, and sexual satisfaction decreased in 76 (15.3%). A significant positive correlation was found in that those who disagreed with having a good sexual relationship tended to have severe stress (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There were increased levels of stress during the lockdown period, which impacted psychosexual health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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18 pages, 1665 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Job Motivation, Burnout and Turnover Intention during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are There Differences between Female and Male Workers?

by Milton Ismael Paredes-Aguirre, Holger Raúl Barriga Medina, Ronald Enrique Campoverde Aguirre, Ester Rebeca Melo Vargas and Mary Betty Armijos Yambay

Healthcare 2022, 10(9), 1662; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10091662 - 31 Aug 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3485

Abstract

The working conditions during COVID-19 highlight the relevance of workers and their occupational health and well-being. The pandemic has caused adverse effects on workers and sharpened social and economic problems, such as a gender gap. In this study, with a multisector sample of [...] Read more.

The working conditions during COVID-19 highlight the relevance of workers and their occupational health and well-being. The pandemic has caused adverse effects on workers and sharpened social and economic problems, such as a gender gap. In this study, with a multisector sample of 1044 Ecuadorian workers, we present a gender analysis where we evaluate how burnout can mediate the relationship between motivation and workers’ intention to leave their jobs in the COVID-19 context. To test the proposed hypothesis, structural equation model (SEM) was used. In the proposed conceptual model, turnover intention was considered as the dependent variable, the two dimensions of motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) were the independent variables and burnout was tested as a mediating variable. Consistent with pre-COVID-19 research, our findings confirm the incidence of job motivation on burnout and turnover intention. Additionally, through Sobel’s criteria, we determine that burnout has a mediating effect between job motivation and turnover intention. In terms of gender, we find different results for female and male workers through critical ratios. Our study indicates that female and male workers’ burnout and turnover intentions levels are different when intrinsic motivation is present. In contrast to pre-COVID-19 studies that indicated no gender differences on these variables, we associate these results to gender roles in lockdown conditions during the pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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20 pages, 580 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Food Sector and on Supermarket Employees in France during the First Lockdown Period

by Cyrielle Dumont and Génia Babykina

Healthcare 2022, 10(8), 1404; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081404 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1891

Abstract

During the first lockdown period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from the 17 March 2020 to the 11 May 2020 in France, essential professionals (nursing staff, police officers, supermarket staff, etc.) continued to be physically present at their workplaces. The present study focuses [...] Read more.

During the first lockdown period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from the 17 March 2020 to the 11 May 2020 in France, essential professionals (nursing staff, police officers, supermarket staff, etc.) continued to be physically present at their workplaces. The present study focuses on exploring impacts of the pandemic on supermarket staff and on the food sector in France: COVID transmission among supermarket workers, working conditions, food supply, etc. For that, two anonymous surveys were addressed to supermarket employees and to supermarket supervisors. In total, 1746 responses from employees and 171 responses from supervisors were recorded all over France. Over 70% of employees and almost 50% of supervisors were women and over 50% of employees were between 25 and 40 years old. The following main trends in terms of physical and psychological impacts are revealed: 7% of employees working during the lockdown reported having COVID, although a still poorly developed screening and lack of diagnostic tests during the first lockdown should be kept in mind. The working conditions changed; higher work load, a more stressful environment, inappropriate client attitude, a lack of recognition, fatigue, and shortages were reported. A lack of government recognition, namely no prime allocations to supermarket staff during the lockdown period, is also often mentioned. Finally, no priority was given for store employees in terms of childcare. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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12 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Work Engagement, Work Environment, and Psychological Distress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Ecuador

by Carlos Ruiz-Frutos, Ingrid Adanaqué-Bravo, Mónica Ortega-Moreno, Javier Fagundo-Rivera, Kenny Escobar-Segovia, Cristian Arturo Arias-Ulloa and Juan Gómez-Salgado

Healthcare 2022, 10(7), 1330; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071330 - 18 Jul 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3127

Abstract

Work environments can interfere with the mental health of workers as generators or reducers of psychological distress. Work engagement is a concept related to quality of life and efficiency at work. The aim of this study was to find the relationship between work [...] Read more.

Work environments can interfere with the mental health of workers as generators or reducers of psychological distress. Work engagement is a concept related to quality of life and efficiency at work. The aim of this study was to find the relationship between work environment factors and work engagement among the Ecuadorian general population during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic to assess their levels of psychological distress. For this purpose, a cross-sectional, descriptive study using a set of questionnaires was performed. Sociodemographic and work environment data, work engagement (UWES-9 scale) scores, and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) scores were collected. The variables that predicted 70.2% of psychological distress during the first phase of the pandemic were being female, with a low level of vigour (work engagement dimension), being stressed at work, and low job satisfaction. The sample showed an intermediate level of engagement in both the global assessment and the three dimensions, being higher in those without psychological distress. With effective actions on work environment factors, mental health effects may be efficiently prevented, and work engagement may be benefited. Companies can reduce workers’ psychological distress by providing safe and effective means to prevent the risk of contagion; reducing the levels of work conflict, work stress, or workload; and supporting their employees with psychological measures in order to maintain ideal working conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

16 pages, 2139 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Managing the Mental Health of Healthcare Professionals in Times of Crisis: The Aruban COVID-19 Experience

by Veronika Duwel, Jaclyn M. L. de Kort, Shailing S. Jacobs, Robert M. Dennert and Jamiu O. Busari

Healthcare 2022, 10(7), 1263; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071263 - 7 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2518

Abstract

Hospital workers in Aruba have been facing an increased demand for healthcare in the unique setting of a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). This study assessed the impact of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the mental health of staff at [...] Read more.

Hospital workers in Aruba have been facing an increased demand for healthcare in the unique setting of a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). This study assessed the impact of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the mental health of staff at the major hospital in Aruba, examining the differences between employee groups, with the goal of providing recommendations for targeted support and coping strategies in future crises in a small island setting. Patients and methods: In a mixed-method cohort design, Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital staff were asked to complete a 25-item questionnaire about their concerns and worries, organization of work, and general wellbeing; 24% of the hospital staff filled in the questionnaire (mean age 41 ± 11 years, 79% female). Alongside the needs assessment questionnaire, six focus groups were established to explore staff feelings on specific measures taken by hospital management during the COVID-19 crisis. Results: Questionnaire analysis (n = 231) revealed employees’ concerns about infecting their relatives and their financial stability. In particular, nurses were significantly more concerned than other staff groups. In the wellbeing section of the questionnaire, items regarding future security scored poorest, alongside increased levels of tiredness and nervousness. Focus groups discussions revealed frustrations of the hospital staff with the foreign staff brought in to help during the crisis and a need for better leadership and communication practices from hospital management. Conclusions: Comprehensive and holistic approaches should be implemented by the hospital management to prevent occupational burnout and demoralized work ethics and further emotional exhaustion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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14 pages, 590 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Work Engagement of UK Active Employees

by Macarena Romero-Martín, Juan Gómez-Salgado, Miriam Alcaide-Carrasco, Lucas Rodríguez-Jiménez, Mónica Ortega-Moreno, Daniel López-López and Carlos Ruiz-Frutos

Healthcare 2022, 10(7), 1226; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071226 - 30 Jun 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2574

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to describe the work engagement perceived by UK workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample included 1085 participants, aged 18 years and older, living in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic, [...] Read more.

The objective of this investigation was to describe the work engagement perceived by UK workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample included 1085 participants, aged 18 years and older, living in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic, who were active workers. Data were collected using an online questionnaire and the UWES-9. They were analysed using descriptive statistics, a t-test for equality of means or ANOVA, and the Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection method. The mean value in the UWES-9 was 3.46 (SD = 1.11). Participants with lower satisfaction (21.8%) gave significantly low or very low UWES-9 scores in 58.5% of the cases. Greater work engagement was obtained with more resources and less conflict, risk, and stress. In cases where there had been contact with COVID-19, this was associated with slightly lower levels of work engagement. These results could motivate and guide companies to adopt risk prevention measures and protocols to return to normal working conditions after the initial crisis phase of the pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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12 pages, 668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Insomnia in Military Personnel: A Retrospective Study during the Second COVID-19 Epidemic Wave in Peru

by Mario J. Valladares-Garrido, Cinthia Karina Picón-Reátegui, J. Pierre Zila-Velasque and Pamela Grados-Espinoza

Healthcare 2022, 10(7), 1199; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071199 - 27 Jun 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2716

Abstract

Studies in military personnel are scarce and have reported increased rates of medical consultations and insomnia. The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a number of factors that increase the prevalence of insomnia, which has established consequences in the military. However, reported data [...] Read more.

Studies in military personnel are scarce and have reported increased rates of medical consultations and insomnia. The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a number of factors that increase the prevalence of insomnia, which has established consequences in the military. However, reported data are from different settings. We aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with insomnia during the second COVID-19 epidemic wave in Lambayeque, Peru. A retrospective study in 566 participants was conducted face-to-face in November 2021. The dependent variable was insomnia, measured with the Insomnia Severity Index. The independent variables were socio-labor variables, physical activity, food insecurity, eating behavior disorder, fear of COVID-19, and resilience. The prevalence of insomnia was 23% (95% CI: 19.6–26.7%). In multivariate analysis, insomnia was associated with a personal history of mental health (PR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.01–2.93), food insecurity (PR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.05–1.95), fear of COVID-19 (PR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.87–3.54), and high resilience (PR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42–0.86). Overall, the Peruvian military population presents a high prevalence of insomnia during the pandemic period. Special attention should be paid to factors that influence insomnia. Prevention and promotion programs should be established to reverse this negative trend in the military. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Direct and Indirect Effects of the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health: Second Edition)

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