International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

13 pages, 364 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Face Mask Use by Public Transport Passengers and Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Ekaterina A. Shashina, Ekaterina A. Sannikova, Denis V. Shcherbakov, Yury V. Zhernov, Valentina V. Makarova, Tatiana S. Isiutina-Fedotkova, Nadezhda N. Zabroda, Elena V. Belova, Nina A. Ermakova, Tatiana M. Khodykina, Anton Yu. Skopin, Vitaly A. Sukhov, Anna A. Klimova, Tamara Nikolic Turnic, Irina I. Yakushina, Olga A. Manerova, Vladimir A. Reshetnikov and Oleg V. Mitrokhin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14285; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114285 - 1 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2404

Abstract

(1) Background: The use of face masks and gloves in public places directly shows the commitment of the population to the established regulations. Public transport is one of the most-at-risk places of contamination. The aim of the study was to analyze the face [...] Read more.

(1) Background: The use of face masks and gloves in public places directly shows the commitment of the population to the established regulations. Public transport is one of the most-at-risk places of contamination. The aim of the study was to analyze the face mask use by public transport passengers and workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: Public transport passengers and workers were surveyed. Periodic intermittent selective observation was used to gauge the level of adherence to the established regulations among public transport passengers. Factor analysis was used to identify factors determining the face-mask-wearing comfort. (3) Results: The majority of passengers (87.5%) and all transport workers (100%) used face masks and gloves. Most of the users wore only face masks. Only 41.6% of passengers and 74.7% of transport workers wore face masks correctly. Motivational attitudes at the implementation of preventive measures were determined: established regulations in the public place (55.8%) and the protection of one’s own health and the health of family members (44.2%). Only 22.5% of those wearing face masks believed that doing so will have any effect on the spread of an infectious disease, and 10.8% wore masks to maintain the health of people around themselves. A low level of social responsibility was demonstrated. For 53.4% of workers, face mask wearing was uncomfortable. The majority of workers had adverse reactions to mask wearing: feeling short of breath (52.8%), hyperemia of face skin (33.8%), and facial hyperhidrosis (67.4%). (4) Conclusions: The comfort of wearing a mask is determined by adverse reactions occurrence, the properties of the mask, working conditions, and the duration of wearing the face mask. It is necessary to develop recommendations to reduce wearing discomfort. These recommendations, along with methods of raising the social responsibility of the population, can contribute to a greater commitment of the population to non-specific prevention measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

14 pages, 1032 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Cross-Sectional, Questionnaire-Based Survey on Air Infection Control among Romanian People

by Catalina Iulia Saveanu, Irina Nicoleta Zetu, Alexandra Scheuleac, Alexandra Ecaterina Saveanu and Cristian Liviu Romanec

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12140; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912140 - 25 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1645

Abstract

(1) Background: Infection control should be one of the main objectives in the comprehensive medical approach. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June–July 2022. A questionnaire including 22 questions with multiple answers was applied online to 202 subjects selected at random. [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Infection control should be one of the main objectives in the comprehensive medical approach. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June–July 2022. A questionnaire including 22 questions with multiple answers was applied online to 202 subjects selected at random. The questionnaire collected data on the subjects’ knowledge about protective measures against airborne infections. For this study, a descriptive statistic was performed. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used for data comparison. (3) Results: Only 61.39% (124) of the subjects consider that protective equipment is mandatory for the dental team, 40.10% (81) know to a very large extent and 44.06% (89) to a large extent that when talking, a respiratory infection can be transmitted. A rather large percentage of the subjects take into account the cost of the protective mask to a very large extent 39.60% (80). Only 30.20% (61) of the subjects would vaccinate to a very large extent and 24.75% (50) to a large extent against micro-organisms transmitted by air p > 0.05. (4) Conclusions: Most people know the aspects related to air decontamination, the priority being the promotion of control methods of airborne infections, and it is necessary to improve the level of knowledge on a large scale within the population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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14 pages, 363 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association between COVID-19 Pandemic and the Quality of Life of Medical Students in Silesian Voivodeship, Poland

by Szymon Szemik, Maksymilian Gajda, Aleksandra Gładyś and Małgorzata Kowalska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 11888; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191911888 - 20 Sep 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1955

Abstract

(1) Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly in 2020, medical universities have been affected by a particular crisis. Due to the increased risk of SARS CoV-2 transmission, the authorities of medical faculties all over the world, including Poland, started to minimize direct [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly in 2020, medical universities have been affected by a particular crisis. Due to the increased risk of SARS CoV-2 transmission, the authorities of medical faculties all over the world, including Poland, started to minimize direct contact between students. The objective of the paper is to identify and assess determinants of the quality of life among medical students in Poland before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: We analyzed data obtained in a cross-sectional study performed among three groups of students tested in three consecutive research periods: period before the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period and the COVID-19 pandemic period following lockdown. (3) Results: The total number of participants was 1098. We identified that the research period before the COVID-19 pandemic was the risk factor for lower quality of life in terms of the somatic and environmental domains. It was also confirmed that determinants such as poor financial situation, low frequency of physical activity and bad self-declared health status harmed the QoL scores in all domains. (4) Conclusions: The obtained results confirmed that better financial situation, higher physical activity and better self-declared health status were statistically significant factors improving the quality of life of first-year medical students in Poland. The findings of our study also showed that the declared somatic and environmental domains of QoL among medical students were better during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Our observations confirmed that the immediate implementation of e-learning could protect against the deterioration of mental health and quality of life in first-year medical students during possible future epidemic crises. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

14 pages, 10184 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COVID-19, Non-Communicable Diseases, and Behavioral Factors in the Peruvian Population ≥ 15 Years: An Ecological Study during the First and Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Jordan Canorio, Flor Sánchez and Max Carlos Ramírez-Soto

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11757; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811757 - 17 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2411

Abstract

A range of health-related and behavioral risk factors are associated with COVID-19 incidence and mortality. In the present study, we assess the association between incidence, mortality, and case fatality rate due to COVID-19 and the prevalence of hypertension, obesity, overweight, tobacco and alcohol [...] Read more.

A range of health-related and behavioral risk factors are associated with COVID-19 incidence and mortality. In the present study, we assess the association between incidence, mortality, and case fatality rate due to COVID-19 and the prevalence of hypertension, obesity, overweight, tobacco and alcohol use in the Peruvian population aged ≥15 years during the first and second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this ecological study, we used the prevalence rates of hypertension, overweight, obesity, tobacco, and alcohol use obtained from the Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar (ENDES) 2020 and 2021. We estimated the crude incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000 habitants) and case fatality rate (%) of COVID-19 in 25 Peruvian regions using data from the Peruvian Ministry of Health that were accurate as of 31 December 2021. Spearman correlation and lineal regression analysis was applied to assess the correlations between the study variables as well as multivariable regression analysis adjusted by confounding factors affecting the incidence and mortality rate and case fatality rate of COVID-19. In 2020, adjusted by confounding factors, the prevalence rate of obesity (β = 0.582; p = 0.037) was found to be associated with the COVID-19 mortality rate (per 100,000 habitants). There was also an association between obesity and the COVID-19 case fatality rate (β = 0.993; p = 0.014). In 2021, the prevalence of obesity was also found to be associated with the COVID-19 mortality rate (β = 0.713; p = 0.028); however, adjusted by confounding factors, including COVID-19 vaccination coverage rates, no association was found between the obesity prevalence and the COVID-19 mortality rate (β = 0.031; p = 0.895). In summary, Peruvian regions with higher obesity prevalence rates had higher COVID-19 mortality and case fatality rates during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, adjusted by the COVID-19 vaccination coverage, no association between the obesity prevalence rate and the COVID-19 mortality rate was found during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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11 pages, 1126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of COVID-19 on Health-Related Quality of Life: A Longitudinal Study in a Spanish Clinical Sample

by Irene Rodríguez-Galán, Natalia Albaladejo-Blázquez, Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo, José Francisco Pascual-Lledó, Rosario Ferrer-Cascales and Joan Gil-Carbonell

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10421; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610421 - 21 Aug 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2043

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection and the course of its sequelae remain to be defined. The aim of this study is to analyze health status and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a Spanish sample of survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Methods: Prospective [...] Read more.

SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection and the course of its sequelae remain to be defined. The aim of this study is to analyze health status and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a Spanish sample of survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Methods: Prospective observational study of patients who survived SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, between February 2020 and May 2020, with systematic evaluation at 3 and 12 months after the onset of the disease. The data were obtained by reviewing the clinical history and performing a physical examination, a chest X-ray, and a pulmonary function test on the patients. Additionally, the SF-36 questionnaire was administered for the HRQoL study. Results: In total, 130 patients aged 55.9 ± 15.9 years were included. Dyspnea (36.9%) and asthenia (36.2%) were the most frequent persistent symptoms. Fibrotic pulmonary changes were detected in 20.8% of the participants. Compared to the general population, significant deterioration was detected in all domains of the SF-36 questionnaire at 3 and 12 months post-COVID-19 infection. The greatest differences were in the physical role (RF) and in the emotional role (RE). Conclusions: COVID-19 pneumonia causes a long-term deterioration in HRQoL compared to the general population. Over time, a trend toward improvement is detected in most domains of the SF-36. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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11 pages, 554 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Difference between Minorities and Majorities in the Association between COVID-19-Related Stress and Psychological Distress: A Socio-Ecological Perspective and the Moderating Role of Parenthood

by Lubna Tannous-Haddad, Dorit Hadar-Shoval, Michal Alon-Tirosh, Kfir Asraf and Orna Tzischinsky

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8283; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148283 - 7 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1974

Abstract

This study introduces a socio-ecological perspective of differences in psychological distress between the Palestinian minority and Jewish majority citizens of Israel during lockdown due to COVID-19. The study examines the association between COVID-19-related stress and psychological distress, and the moderating effect of parenthood. [...] Read more.

This study introduces a socio-ecological perspective of differences in psychological distress between the Palestinian minority and Jewish majority citizens of Israel during lockdown due to COVID-19. The study examines the association between COVID-19-related stress and psychological distress, and the moderating effect of parenthood. Online questionnaires, completed by 1934 participants (1391 Jews, 552 Palestinians; 1306 parents, 637 without children; 54.86% female, 45.13% male; M age = 40.38, SD = 13.77) assessed COVID-19-related stressors and depression, anxiety, and stress. The Palestinian minority showed a higher level of COVID-19-related stress and psychological distress than the Jewish majority. Parenthood showed a moderating effect on the association between COVID-19-related stress and distress for the Jewish majority but not the Palestinian minority. The results emphasize the significance of considering social status when seeking to understand the differences between minorities and majorities in terms of distress and resilience during pandemic events, and the need for cultural sensitivity and awareness when issuing instructions in such circumstances. Additionally, the results highlight the potential role of parenthood as a resilience factor, depending upon social status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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17 pages, 704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Medical Staff’s Emotional Labor, Leisure Coping Strategies, Workplace Spirituality, and Organizational Commitment during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Ming-Zhu Yuan, Hsiang-Fei Chen, Cheng-Chia Yang, Tong-Hsien Chow and Chin-Hsien Hsu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 6186; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19106186 - 19 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2399

Abstract

Many medical issues have gradually emerged under the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has not only changed the medical culture but also tested medical staffs’ response abilities, emotional pressure, sense of identity, and belonging to the organization. The relationships among medical [...] Read more.

Many medical issues have gradually emerged under the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has not only changed the medical culture but also tested medical staffs’ response abilities, emotional pressure, sense of identity, and belonging to the organization. The relationships among medical staffs’ emotional labor, leisure coping strategies, workplace spirituality, and organizational commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic are explored in this study. With medical staffs as the research subjects, a questionnaire survey was conducted using convenience sampling; a total of 360 questionnaires were distributed and 330 were returned, for a recovery rate of 91%. There were 300 valid questionnaires after 30 invalid questionnaires were excluded, for an effective recovery rate of 90%. SPSS and AMOS software were used for statistical analysis. According to the research results: (1) emotional labor had a significant effect on workplace spirituality, (2) workplace spirituality had a significant impact on organizational commitment, (3) emotional labor had a negative and significant impact on organizational commitment, (4) emotional labor had a significant impact on leisure coping strategies, and (5) the mediating effect of workplace spirituality between emotional labor and organizational commitment was not significant. Finally, relevant practical suggestions are provided based on the results of this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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11 pages, 340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alcohol Consumption, Loneliness, Quality of Life, Social Media Usage and General Anxiety before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Singapore

by Mengieng Ung, Kalista Yearn Yee Wan, Shi Yu Liu, Ying Jie Choo, Nathaniel Shan Wei Liew, Zhexuan Azure Shang, Sophie Su Hui Khoo, Wei Xuan Tay, Ruixi Lin and Siyan Yi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5636; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095636 - 5 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3393

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aims to identify factors associated with anxiety levels of adults living in Singapore before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using a web-based survey conducted from July to November 2020, accruing 264 eligible participants. Ordered logistic regression was [...] Read more.

This cross-sectional study aims to identify factors associated with anxiety levels of adults living in Singapore before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using a web-based survey conducted from July to November 2020, accruing 264 eligible participants. Ordered logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), ranked as minimal (0–4), mild (5–9), moderate (10–14), and severe (15–21) before and during the pandemic. About 74% of participants were female, 50% were aged 25–34, and 50% were married. The GAD-7 level went up from the pre-pandemic for moderate (12.5% to 16%) and severe GAD (2% to 11%). Alcohol consumption (AOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.04–3.06), loneliness (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05–1.54), and difficulty in switching off social media (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.29–3.79) predicted increased GAD-7 levels. The quality of life (AOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.79–0.90) was significantly associated with decreased GAD-7 levels. The results heighten the awareness that early initiation of mental health support is crucial for the population in addition to the various financial support measures provided by the government as they are adapting to live with the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

15 pages, 871 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Academic Stress and Perceived Classroom Climate in Spanish University Students

by Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo, Juan Vela-Bermejo, Violeta Clement-Carbonell, Rosario Ferrer-Cascales, Cristian Alcocer-Bruno and Natalia Albaladejo-Blázquez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4398; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074398 - 6 Apr 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4056

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused several changes in society, especially in the educational context, where several learning methodologies and social interactions have been modified significantly. This fact could have had a negative impact on academic stress levels of students and the classroom climate, [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused several changes in society, especially in the educational context, where several learning methodologies and social interactions have been modified significantly. This fact could have had a negative impact on academic stress levels of students and the classroom climate, especially in the university context. The main aim of the present study was to identify changes in academic stress and the perceived classroom climate caused by COVID-19 in a sample of Spanish university students. Academic stress was evaluated trough the Stressor Academic Scale (SAS) and perceived classroom climate employing the Perceived Classroom Responsibility Climate (PCRC) questionnaire. A longitudinal study was conducted. 135 students (97 females and 38 males) from the Gastronomy (n = 31) and Criminology (n = 104) degrees were evaluated before and after the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain. Academic stress levels and perceived classroom climate were analyzed before (Time 1) and after (Time 2) the lockdown declaration. An increase in academic stress was found, especially in the categories regarding Teachers’ Methodological Deficiencies, Academic Over-Burden and Beliefs About Performances. Females and final year students suffered higher levels of academic stress. No differences were found between Time 1 and 2 in perceived classroom climate. The obtained results point out a significant increase of academic stress in university students due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. The implemented educational changes and the uncertainty that resulted from the pandemic could have a significant negative impact on mental health in this population, resulting in higher levels of academic stress, especially in females and final year students. Future studies should analyze the strategies that students are employing to cope with these educational challenges and intervention strategies to promote them in the context of higher education. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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13 pages, 765 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Sample of Health Workers in Two Health Departments of the Valencian Community in Spain

by Kenan Rodríguez de Limia Ramírez, Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo, José Luis Duro-Torrijos, Vicente García-Román, Natalia Albaladejo-Blázquez and Rosario Ferrer-Cascales

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010066 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2908

Abstract

Health care personnel constitutes the most vulnerable group of professionals, as they are employed in a work context with higher exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health personnel (n = 2858) of two [...] Read more.

Health care personnel constitutes the most vulnerable group of professionals, as they are employed in a work context with higher exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health personnel (n = 2858) of two health departments in the Valencian community between March 2020 and April 2021, as well as the sociodemographic and work variables predicting higher infection prevalence in this group. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on health workers from the health departments of Torrevieja and Elche-Crevillente of the Valencian Community (Spain). After obtaining the samples, the cases were identified through an active infection diagnostic test (AIDT). The analyzed variables were: sex, age (18–34/35–49/>50 years), professional category, health care, risk service, and AIDT. A total of 2858 staff members were studied. Of them, 55.4% (1582) underwent an AIDT, with 9.7% (277) of positive cases. Infection predominated in the age group of 18 to 34 years, 12.6% (OR = 1.98, 95% CI [1.26, 3.11]); nurses, 12.1% (OR = 1.5, 95% CI [1.00, 2.23]); and at-risk services, 11.4% (OR = 1.3, 95% CI [1.06, 1.81]). A very low positivity rate was identified in the health personnel linked to the health departments analyzed during the 14 months of the study period. Based on our results, prevention strategies could focus more intensively on the most at-risk groups, specifically young nurses who work in at-risk services, mainly in emergency and internal medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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15 pages, 2195 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implications of the Online Teaching Model Derived from the COVID-19 Lockdown Situation for Anxiety and Executive Functioning in Spanish Children and Adolescents

by Rocío Lavigne-Cervan, Borja Costa-López, Rocío Juárez-Ruiz de Mier, Marta Sánchez-Muñoz de León, Marta Real-Fernández and Ignasi Navarro-Soria

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10456; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910456 - 5 Oct 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3286

Abstract

Given the seriousness of the existing situation regarding the mental health of children and adolescents relating to the confinement period imposed due to COVID-19, we conducted this study to describe the effects of the confinement on state anxiety and executive functioning dimensions in [...] Read more.

Given the seriousness of the existing situation regarding the mental health of children and adolescents relating to the confinement period imposed due to COVID-19, we conducted this study to describe the effects of the confinement on state anxiety and executive functioning dimensions in a period of online educational modality. A sample of 953 children and adolescents was assessed. A sociodemographic questionnaire, the State Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), and the Behavioral Evaluation of Executive Function (BRIEF-2) scale were applied. The analysis of the results indicates that 68.8% of children and adolescents presented medium–high levels of anxiety. Regarding sex, females showed higher levels of anxiety and worse levels of executive functioning. Although the group aged 11 to 18 years showed methodologically higher state anxiety (p = 0.041) than the group aged 6 to 10 years, the difference was not clinically relevant (δ = −0.113). The state anxiety variable was also correlated positively and significantly to the three executive functioning dimensions explored. In conclusion, it seems evident that COVID-19 lockdowns could have psychological and emotional effects on children and adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Protective and Risk Factors Associated with Health and Quality of Life Impairment during the COVID-19 Pandemic)

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